Tennis

v. Leeds G.S. (A)

v. Cowley (H)

v. Durham (A)

v. Pocklington (H)

v. Scarborough (H)

v. Worksop (A) Barnard Castle 170 all out (J. Wright 4 for 46, P. Rivis 4 for 39) St. Peter's 173 for 8 (P. Rivis 40, J. Wright 34, E. Dale 23) St. Peter's 163 all out (J. Wright 59, J. Harvey 23) Leeds G.S. 164 for 5 Cowley 138 for 6 (M. Stefanini 2 for 4) St. Peter's 139 for 7 (A. Bond 28, P. Rivis 37) Durham 253 for 6 (J. Wright 5 for 66) St. Peter's 155 all out (A. Springgay 39, A. Sampson 25, T. Sillars 26) St. Peter's 207 for 6 (P. Rivis 54, C. Magee 18, A. Springgay 72) Pocklington 210 for 3 St. Peter's 135 all out (A. Springgay 20, R. Taylor 19*) Scarborough 141 for 8 (A. Sampson 4 for 41) Worksop 178 for 3 St. Peter's 173 for 9 (P. Rivis 42*, J. Wright 55, E. Dale 25, C. Magee 20)

'B' Team:

v. Sedbergh (H) St. Peter's 77 all out (D. Cross 16, J. Harvey 21) Sedbergh 78 for 4 v. Ampleforth (H) St. Peter's 64 all out (Von Achten 25) Ampleforth 68 for 5 (S. Price 3 for 15) v. Barnard Castle(A) St. Peter's 211 for 3 (J. Harvey 69, M. Meilack 54, B. Firth 36*) Barnard Castle 82 all out (A. Sampson 5 for & v. Worksop (A) Worksop 130 all out (Sillars 5 for 29) St. Peter's 105 all out (S. Price 22)

Willie-John McBride MBE, Harry Gration and Geoff Miller celebrities at the Cricket Club's Sportsman's Dinner. the Julia Toms

1st VI

The first team completed nine inter-school matches winning five and losing the others. The first team was captained by Michael Catling who had to assume the number one role, which he did with great effect. He led by example and with Oliver Morton formed i good understanding. They enjoyed a 78% success record in all matches. Michael Catling's greatest asset was his 'fighting' qualities. He often made remarkable retarns by his athleticism and reading of the game. His hard serve, exceptional volleys and overheads made Michael a difficult player to beat. He took the ball so early and made the hard shots look easy with his great natural ability. He was a pleasure to watch on a tennis court. I do hope that he will continue to utilize his undoubted talents in the future as he could yet become a formidable tennis player of Yorkshire league standing.

Sadly, Oliver Morton will not be with us nent year as he is doing his sixth form studies elsewhere; he would have been Captain of Tennis in a year's time. His main asset was strong and consistent groundstrokes on both wings. The high point of the season was the thrilling victory at Hymers College, where the school faced a strong Hymers side. The result hung in the balance right up to the final match on court; with the match score at

four sets ill, the St. Peter's first pair faced their opposite numbers in the deciding set which went with serve and with all four players producing superb tennis a tie-break was needed to decide the match. Both Michael Catling and Oliver Morton held their nerve in this tense position to win by seven points to three in the tie-break. The Headmaster of Hymers College was most impressed by the overall standard of play in the match.

The difference between a good season and an outstanding one is when your second and third pair are of a similar standard to your best, unfortunately this was not the case this year. Tim Brogden and Jonathan Reeves have improved since last year and overtaken Michael Dowds and David Todd, but there is still a long way to go. Tim has increased his power and his all-round game has developed to a higher level with some exquisite angles winning many a point. Jonathan, with his great height advantage, could make even more progress than Tim. He has added a good deal more power to his game during the season and now relishes the net position where he has plundered many a point. The key for other players is to develop their game still further at their respective tennis clubs during the summer holidays. They will face some very good players at first pair next year.

At third pair for the second season were Michael Dowds and David Todd, a competitive upper sixtii doubles pairing, lxrth from Linton House. Bom would not describe tennis as their best sport. However, they took a number of notable scalps throughout the season by playing attacking tennis. Michael's best shots were a very hard service and a strong forehand drive; both were seen to good effect this season. David had a tremendous first serve, which when unleashed was more powerful than anyone else in the team. However, he was held back this season by a shoulder injury which did not help his cause. David's main asset was a great competitive spirit, linked to some powerful overheads and volleys; many an opponent was punished for the short ball!

Brealting into the First VI were the lower sixth combination of Paul Fotherby and Christopher Maunder. They played in the absence of the members of the first team and acquitted themselves well. Hopefully they will work at their tennis over the holidays and establish themselves in the first team on merit. They both have a good deal of potential and can play most shots.

I would like to thank Mr. Taylor for his help in running the Second VI, the Reverend Harvey for taking the U. 15 squad and Mr. Newman for his efforts with the developing players.

Colours

These were re-awarded to Michael Catling and awarded to Timothy Brogden, Michael Dowds, Oliver Morton, Jonathan Reeves and David Todd.

The following players represented the 1st VI team:

M. J. Catling & O. R. Morton, T. C. Brogden & J. F. Reeves, M. T. Dowds & D. R. Todd.

Individual Competition for the Alcuin Trophy

The Final: Michael Catling defeated Oliver Morton 5—7, 6—3, 6—1. Losing semi-finalists: Tim Brogden and Jonathan Reeves.

Inter-House Tennis Competition

Semi-Finals: The Manor 37—35 School 39—33 The Final: The Manor 6— 3 Linton The Grove School

R. G. Shread

Second VI

On paper, the squad looked to have strength in depth. With the exceptions of the opening match — always a difficult fixture so early on — and the visit to a very strong Ampleforth, the season went very well, as can be seen from the results below.

The regular team selection was Paul Fotherby and Tom Hartley at first pair, James Shepherd (captain) and Chris Maunder at second, and James Dow and Ben Fry at third. As the season progressed, Henry Donaldson and Patrick Calvert raised their game and challenged hard for a regular place, playing particularly well in the final match against Woodhouse Grove. Edward and Tom Bray, Tom Burns and Tristan Best also played.

The high level of commitment on court was a particularly pleasing feature of this group of players. All matches were played in a fine spirit, and the practice sessions were nearly always productive. Congratulations to all on making this such a successful and rewarding season.

Results:

Bradford Grammar School Giggleswick 1st VI Pocklington School Worksop College Ampleforth College Durham School Read School Woodhouse Grove Away Away Home Home Away Away Home Home Lost Won Won Won Lost Won Won Won VA-lVi 5 - 4 5 —4

7'/2 —1>/2 1 - 8 8 - 1 8 - 1 5 - 4 P. Taylor