Dorset was brilliantly represented at the AEGON Team Tennis Schools National Championships Finals by schools in both the boys’ and the girls’ draws. Bournemouth School went all the way to the final in the boys’ draw; whilst over in the girls’ draw Talbot Heath claimed third place overall.
Bournemouth School successfully navigated their way through the last 16, the quarter finals and the semi finals with relative ease by beating Aylesbury Grammar School, Bishop Stortford High School and Cheam High School respectively to book their place in the final where they would face Reeds School ‘A’, who had managed to achieve two teams reaching the finals.
Unfortunately for Bournemouth School, the final wasn’t a very close affair with Reeds School ‘A’ running away with the tie after the first singles match saw Tommy Bennett overcome Bournemouth School’s Adam Watson in two tie-breaks. But the other singles matches weren’t as close with Tim Prossor being beaten 6-4 6-2, Jack Joyce suffering a double bagel and Will Kipping being downed 6-2 6-0. Reeds School ‘A’ won the final 8-0 to claim victory in the tie without the doubles matches being played.
Talbot Heath’s girls stormed through the draw with only 2 points conceded in the finals before they played their semi-final tie against Culford School. The tie featured three extremely close matches which all went to deciding champion’s tie-breaks – two of which Culford won by as little as two points – and whilst Talbot Heath put in one of the performances of the tournament, unfortunately they found themselves beaten by the narrowest of margins with Culford edging the tie 7-6.
However, there was still a bright ending to the tournament for Talbot Heath, as they had the chance of finishing in third place if they could overcome Cheam High School in the third-place playoff match. Another very tight encounter followed and the final score of the tie finished 7-6 once again, but this time it was Talbot Heath who were the winning team and in turn they ended the tournament in a very impressive third place.
After the tournament Dorset and Somerset Tennis Development Manager James Deem praised both schools performances “It is a fantastic achievement for Bournemouth School to make the Final of the boy’s event and showcases the talent involved with the town’s tennis. Talbot Heath once again were at the forefront of the girls’ event and should be congratulated on their consistent performances in schools tennis. It is great to see that Bournemouth Schools competing at the highest level”.
By Harry Lund