Tennis

1st IV

The first four is a special team which participates in the National competitions run by the L.T.A. and sponsored by the Midland Bank. They have remained undefeated in both the Glanvill Cup and the Senior Students Competitions, which is even better than last season! The two key matches in this sequence of victories were the regional finals. Firstly, in the Glanvill Cup where we had the advantage of playing at home with great support, the team defeated Hymers College, who had already beaten our First VI earlier in the season in a very close encounter. This result means that the First IV are through to the last sixteen in the country at Queenswood School, near Hatfield, during the holidays. In the Senior Students Competition the matches were even closer with victories over the Scottish champions, Merchiston Castle and Bradford G.S. after a tie three sets all; this represents the last eight in the country and will be played at the same venue also during the first week of the holidays. Congratulations to the team: Sulieman Al-Bassam (captain), Jonathan Suckling, Simon Powell and Adam Waters.

Results: 1990 Schools Tennis Team Competition for Senior

Students (Boys - Area 1) 1st Round St. Peter's v Scarborough Tech. 6—0 W St. Peter's v King James School 4—2 W 2nd Round St. Peter's v Yarm School 6—0 W St. Peter's v Harrogate G.S. 5—1 W St. Peter's v Merchiston Castle Regional School 4-2 W Final St. Peter's v Bradford G.S. 3-3 D St. Peter's qualified for the National Finals by winning the most number of sets in this regional final.

Midland Bank/National Schools Championships 1990 for the Glanvill Cup

1st Round St. Peter's awarded a bye 2nd Round St. Peter's v Bootham School 5—1 W St. Peter's v Fulford School 5—1 W Regional St. Peter's v Yarm School 5—1 W Final St. Peter's v Hymers College 4—2 W St. Peter's qualified for the National Finals by winning the two matches.

1st VI

The season as a whole was most successful with eight wins and only two defeats. Sulieman Al-Bassam captained the team with great skill and commitment, showing maturity way beyond his years. I feel that his considerable influence contributed in no small amount to such a string of fine results. Probably the best individual player, by the end of the season, was Jonathan Suckling who developed his strong baseline game still further and added an improved backhand and volleying to his overall play. Without doubt the most competent doubles player was Sulieman Al-Bassam who was seldom beaten in this phase of the game. His overall competence and encouragement smoothed the way for Adam Waters to make great strides this season. Adam was the most improved player in the first team and after a difficult start made such good progress to be ranked at number four in the School. Adam's main attributes were sound overhead shots and a great speed about the court which has made him such a difficult player to beat. Our newest player to join the Tennis Club was Simon Powell who, in less than a season, has established himself at number three in the team. He was at his best when unleashing first serves with great power or hitting crunching drives from the baseline. Both David Baldry and David Jones suffered the same fate of external examinations in their fifth year but still managed to produce consistent tennis on the occasions that they were able to represent the School.

R. G. Shread

Opponents Scarborough College Hymers College Pocklington School Worksop College Ampleforth College Ashville College Bootham Woodhouse Grove Durham School Barnard Castle School Venue For AGS W/D/L A 8 1 W H 2.5 6.5 L H 7 2 W A 9 0 W H 3 6 L A 5.5 3.5 W H 8 1 W H 8 1 W A 7 2 W H 8 1 W

Caps:

In recognition of their exceptional play over the last two seasons in reaching the L.T.A. National Finals, Caps have been awarded for the first time ever in tennis at St. Peter's to Sulieman Al-Bassam and Jonathan Suckling.

Colours:

These were reawarded to Sulieman Al-Bassam and Jonathan Suckling and awarded to Simon Powell and Adam Waters.

The First VI Team:

S. Y. M. Al-Bassam (captain), J. M. Suckling, J. S. Powell, A. L. Waters, D. H. Baldry and D. R. Jones.

2nd VI

The second team has been mainly comprised of members of the Upper Sixth and as such has h< many changes. They have played with much enthusiasm throughout the season.

Opponents Pocklington School Worksop College Ampleforth College Durham School Venue For AGS W/D/L H 4 5 L A 8 1 W H 4.5 4.5 D A 7 2 W