Senior boys George Lumley, Joe Merriweather, Conor
Sailes and Junior boys Ben O'Neill, Flynn Oliphant and
Toby Vickers, benefitted from the pre-season training
camp in Portugal during the Easter holidays. Each
day the group enjoyed training and matchplay at the Vale do
Lobo Tennis Academy, one of the finest facilities of its kind in
Europe. The 14 hard courts are set in a pine-clad amphitheatre
overlooked by the superb Clubhouse. The tennis coaching,
delivered by professional coaches from 5 Star Tennis, was tough,
but fun. Each day one of the pupils was awarded a 'yellow vest'
to signify most improved player of the day. Off court, the group
enjoyed the facilities at the Dunas Douradas Beach Club. The
trip was topped off with an entertaining charity exhibition match
with the French tennis legend Henri Leconte.
Jordan Clayton, U18 1st team captain for the second year in
succession, and playing a record 5th successive year in the boys'
1st team, once again led by example and played impressively
with the reliable Joe Merriweather.
Both 1st and U16A teams convincingly won the opening season
matches against Blundell's. Jordan Clayton and Joe Merriweather
in the 1sts continued where they left off last year, winning all
three matches in style. 1st team debutante, Will Potter, blended
well with George Lumley to win all three matches. 1st team
newcomers Lucian Hand and Josh Stickland showed potential
as a pairing, picking up two valuable rubbers. This was an
impressive performance, overturning last year's 6-3 defeat.
The 2nds also performed well against Blundell's, to win all three
of their matches. Jamie Shapland and Ben Pritchard blended
well to pick up two matches, as did 3rd pair Charlie Head and
Albert Healey. The U16 1st team also had an impressive 9-0 win
over Blundell's, with a team made up of Matthew Farmer, Devell
Stevens, Flynn Oliphant, Ben O'Neill, Toby Vickers and Rudi Smith.
Boys' Tennis
By Adrian Simcox
Adrian Simcox, Jordan Clayton, Connor Sailes, Joe Merriweather and Will Potter
at the Independent Schools Championships
Will Potter against Millield
Sport 65