Tennis

In his first season as King's Bruton Head of Tennis, Callum Forder reflects on an impressive and enjoyable term of tennis.

Girls’ 1st VI

The girls’ 1st team have had a great season of tennis. Led by their captain Isabella Bird, they have had some tough battles and close tennis matches in which they will all develop and grow as tennis players from. A tricky start to the summer season against some strong schools proved to be a confidence drainer for some players. However, this did not last long after some good wins over Downside, Monkton Combe, and Clayesmore, they began to come together as a team and play some wonderful and clever tennis, particularly Lulu McDade and Olivia Nicol. Jemima Hurst, India Finch-Hatton, and Jasmine Spilsbury also played some great tennis in pivotal moments to secure the overall win for the team.

Girls’ 2nd VI

The Girls’ 2nd VI have evidently been a strong team over the summer. After initially losing to Bryanston 6-3 in the first match of the season they then went on a six-match winning streak. Winning in rubbers very convincingly. Natalie Wilmshurst and Sophie Doig started the season a little tentatively, but soon began to find confidence as a team and began winning sets with ease. Laura Purefoy produced a lovely display of

India Finch-Hatton serving whilst Marcia Kennard showed lovely feel with her volleys at the net.

Girls’ 3rd VI

The Girls’ 3rd VI team have had a steady season, with a mixture of losses and wins. Amy Hurst and Cressida Bird worked well together over the summer, fighting back hard in a lot of matches after finding themselves down, before eventually going on to win in a match tie break or 6-4 set. Juliette Webb and Imogen Dawe also had some close battles. Winning about 50% of their matches with some very close points that could have gone either way. Their most recent win against Clayesmore school 5-4 in rubbers was a match filled with lots of drama and long baseline exchanges, in which King's Bruton manage to get the better of.

Well done to all senior girls teams this summer for a very productive season of tennis.

Boys’ 1st VI:

The 1st team, led by captain Archie Martyn-Smith have had some nail biting matches this season. They have come up against some hard-hitting opponents, with powerful and accurate serves. The boys started the season with a good win against Downside and more recently began losing some close matches 5-4 in rubbers. Aled Downes, Javdat Muminov, Archie Martyn-Smith and Lewis O’Grady had some fantastic wins against 1st pair oppositions such as Bryanston and Wells Cathedral. Freddie Comer and Oscar Price also at times played some consistent tennis in important moments. A good effort from all players and a season in which all the 1st team can take positives away from.

Boys’ 2nd VI:

The 2nd team started the season with some heavy losses against some high standard opponents. As the season went on, they began to find some rhythm and started to win matches more comfortably. Luke Hutchinson and Hugo Fisher had some fantastic comebacks, particularly against Monkton Coombe. After trailing by 4-0 they fought back in the 20-degree heat and took the match 6-4. Jack Binns and Tom Curry also displaying some lovely tennis over the summer and winning a lot of rubbers for the team.

Girls’ Junior A VI:

The Junior A team, like the senior girl’s 1st team had a slow start to the season. Their opening match against Bryanston school proved to be a tough contest. However, they quickly got over this defeat and had some convincing wins against Downside, Clayesmore, and Leweston. The 1st pairing of Lilah Bird and Anouska Loveridge dominated

Natalie Wilmshurst & Sophie Doig

Tom Matkevich & Jack Binns