This season opened at Roundhay, Leeds, where both first and second teams scored convincing victories. (8—i and 8+ 1 respectively.) Only a handful of games were lost and this represented a very good start to the season. The only defeat of the season came in the next fixture against Leeds Grammar School (1st VI home, znd VI away). It may have been that the contrast between this and the first match was too great so early in the season, but Leeds were undisputedly the better side on the day and many unforced errors by the 1st VI players threw chances away. Although many sets were fiercely contested (there were five tie-breaks played) the first team lost 61-1. The second team were a little more fortunate gaining a 41-41 draw in a match where six tie-breaks were played, five of which were won. In the triangular match against Barnard Castle and Ashville, four matches were won and two halved to give the school a convincing 2+-i victory over each school. There was some very good steady play in this match in conditions which were far from ideal; Nicholas Adams was brought in to play for the first team and the scratch partnership between Graeme Thornberry and Nicholas Adams worked well. A resounding 7-3 victory was scored by the 1st VI over a good Worksop side in another hard fought match, a victory being won over a strong wind as well as the opponents. The second team had an equally good victory winning 61 points to 2+. In the next match against Bootham it was encouraging to see the introduction of another player, David Kean into the second team. He and Andrew Tuck won all their matches as did Tim Blackburn and Ian Cramb to help the side along to a commendable 8-1 victory. The first team had a narrower 51 31 win, Graeme Thornberry and Graham Cole retrieving a vital 2+ out of 3 points in their games. Against Archbishop Holgate's (home) it was the first pair combination of Howard Bilton and Andrew Kershaw who held the team together, winning 21 of the 6 points gained by the team. Much the same was true of the fixture against Scarborough where the first pair played a vital part in gaining victory; Ian Cramb who was introduced into the first team for this fixture played very well. The increase in the number of girls in the School has been accompanied by a corresponding rise in interest in tennis, and a higher standard of play. This year much of the internal tennis played has been very competitive, and the girls team competed with some success in the York and District Team Tennis League. Those representing the School were : Claire Lockey, Miriam Smith, Sally Shuttleworth, Rachel Smith and Mandy Boorman. In conclusion one can only say "sorry" to the many good players who did not get a chance to play team tennis this year. With five of the 1st VI players members from the MVI, one can, however, expect an array of new faces next season when the chances of success look equally good. Many thanks to Mr. Lee and Mr. Hirst for their organisation of school tennis this term and to Mr. Taylor and Mr. Walls for their valuable help. Regular first and second team players were as follows : 1st VI: Howard Bilton, Andrew Kershaw, Graeme Thornberry, Graham Cole, Peter Burdass and John Ludley. 2nd VI : Nicolas Adams, Andrew Tuck, Ian Cramb, Timothy Blackburn, Ian Wilson and Timothy Kaner. Graham Cole. -
-
WATER POLO A combination of skill and enthusiasm made possible a successful and enjoyable season. The senior team was fortunate in that it retained the majority of its experienced players from last season. A sound defence consisting of Duncan Fallow, Nick Adams and Cliff Irwin complemented another out126
