PSOBLTA team: James Feneley, Ben Zuckerman, Ben Rogers, Kristian Hunter, Stuart Shannon, Dom Hemy
Fitzwilliam LTC team: Patrick Doran, Oisin Ferriter, Peter Fleming, Sean O’Callaghan, Shane O’Dea, Rory Hughes
PSOBLTA first pair: Ben Rogers and Stuart Shannon:
beat Peter Fleming and Patrick Doran 6-1 6-1
beat Oisin Ferriter and Rory Hughes 6-0, 6-1
lost to Sean O’Callaghan and Shane O’Dea 5-7 6-7(6)
PSOBLTA second pair: Ben Zuckerman and Kristian Hunter:
lost to Peter Fleming and Patrick Doran 3-6 6-1 7-10
beat Oisin Ferriter and Rory Hughes 6-3, 6-1
lost to Sean O’Callaghan and Shane O’Dea 4-6 4-6
PSOBLTA third pair: James Feneley and Dom Hemy:
lost to Peter Fleming and Patrick Doran 4-6 1-6
beat Oisin Ferriter and Rory Hughes 6-4, 6-4
lost to Sean O’Callaghan and Shane O’Dea 2-6 1-6
The first fixture of this year was the annual match against the Fitzwilliam LTC in Dublin for the Courtney Salver. The fixture is always entertaining both on and off the court and this year certainly lived up to that. Despite some navigational and time keeping issues, all the PSOBLTA team arrived in good order on Friday night for a few pints of the black stuff! On return to the hotel, it was rumoured that there were some interesting sleeping arrangements booked – the team showed fantastic commitment to the weekend by getting well-acquainted with each other and making the 9am start!
Both team sheets gave rise to some new pairings and in the first round of matches it was the Pubs that edged it securing a 2-1 lead. There was a notable buzz from the Pubs second pairing, with padel enthusiast Kristian Hunter dominating the net and Ben Zuckerman leading the charge for victory. The second wave of matches were less successful with only the Old Bromsgrovian pairing of Stu Shannon and Ben Rogers securing a rubber – this tied proceedings at 3-3. With one eye on the rugby (and the other on the bar), both teams decided to power through without lunch. The match was decided by what appeared to be an age-old partnership from Fitzwilliam’s first pair, eventually taking the final rubber of the day to seal a 5-4 win (and managed to win all three of their matches on the day). The tennis was a hugely entertaining fixture, played in great spirits, with some high-calibre tennis on display throughout the day.
Once the tennis was completed, the main event commenced with an excellent afternoon of watching rugby washed down with some drinks and a highly enjoyable formal meal. Unfortunately, English attempts to restore some balance to the weekend were stunted by an inspired Ireland – they mounted more misery on the English and secured the grand slam resulting in full Irish celebratory mode. Following the presentation of the Courtney-Salver and a new tradition of swapping Fitz and Pubs ties, a committed majority moved onto a couple of nearby venues for celebrations into the early hours for St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin.
Despite losing both the tennis and rugby, the whole team had a hugely entertaining and fun weekend and once again friendships were formed with our good friends at Fitzwilliam across the Irish Sea. Enormous thanks must go to the Fitzwilliam club for the use of their superb indoor courts, fine bar and dining area, and the wider staff membership for embracing us over the weekend. We very much look forward to welcoming the club in 2024 for a long overdue English double (winning in tennis and Six Nations rugby)!
Ben Rogers – Captain