The School entered the Aegon national tennis competition which is open to students in Year 10 and below. The four boys who represented the School in this competition were Shuei Belcher, Reiga Belcher, Darshan Brooks and Jose Pegorini, all in Year 9. The competition is organised into local leagues, then local knockout fixtures as team’s progress. The competition is then organised into regional knockout fixtures and national fixtures. The School won its side of the Dorset League, finishing unbeaten, winning their games against Corfe Hills, Twynham, Bournemouth School and Bournemouth Collegiate. In winning the league, the School had reached the furthest stage it had in recent memory. The School were then drawn against Sherborne School, winners of the other side of the Dorset League. St. Peter’s managed to win this knockout game by a score of 8 rubbers to 4, ensuring that the School would be placed in the regional knockout fixtures, as Dorset winners.
The Regional Knockouts started in September. In the first round, St Peters faced tough opposition in the form of Kings School, based in Winchester, who were Hampshire Champions. St Peters stormed into an early lead winning three of the four singles matches, only for Kings to fight back in the Doubles to level the tie at 3 matches a piece. Shuei and Darshan took the deciding Doubles play off to edge the fixture 4 -3 and to move into the next round.
Bishop Luffa School, West Sussex Champions, were the next opponents. They were no match against a strong St Peters team whose LTA ratings were significantly higher than their counterparts. The difference in ability shone through in the singles matches, taking a 4 – 0 lead and effectively winning the tie. The Doubles matches were a formality and St Peters won the tie overall 5 matches to one.
The team will now compete in the Southwest Regional Finals to be held at Bath University on November 14th. Reaching this stage, means the team are now considered one of the top 16 teams in Great Britain. In their path stand challengers from Cardiff, Bristol and Somerset, who will be a stern test. If the boys can hold their nerve, win two more matches, then they will progress to the National Finals in December.
Congratulations must go to Shuei, Reiga, Darshan and Jose who have performed exceptionally well, often against players from a Year Group above them. Special thanks must go to Southbourne Tennis Club, who have allowed the School to use its facilities throughout the competition. Whatever the result the boys have done extremely well, and will be eligible as Year 10’s next year to enter the competition once more, with the experience of this year to help them.
Mr M Greaves