The Old Radleian and Family Tennis Match Day took place on Saturday 20 June, bringing together an impressive mix of players ranging in age from 12 to 81 for a day of competition and conviviality on the courts.
The event marked the launch of the newly established Old Radleian Tennis Club, the latest addition to the growing programme of OR sporting societies. It was particularly encouraging to see players representing all vintages of the Radley community, with ORs, parents, siblings and current pupils enjoying a day of tennis together.
Play took the form of a pairs compass tournament, ensuring plenty of competitive matches throughout the day. After many closely contested encounters, the eventual winners were Pekko (S, F) and Jerome, who emerged victorious at the conclusion of an excellent day’s play against OR pair Nick Squire (2020, F) and Boris Shippey (2020, C):
“We were down 1-5, 0-30, and then the (old and ageing) competitor within me awoke… and we turned it around, saving four match points along the way! Pekko played very well on the big points and was clutch on saving the match points. I couldn’t find my serve; however we did just enough to win!”
Participants enjoyed a rolling barbecue featuring duck breast, steak and sausages, accompanied by refreshments throughout the afternoon (a huge thank you to Mr Woodling and Mr Pullen for their magnificent BBQing efforts). When appetites for savoury fare were finally exhausted, mountains of strawberries appeared to provide a fitting summer dessert, reminiscent of Wimbledon.
The day was a perfect example of the very best of Radley spirit: friendship, competition, community and brilliant fun across the generations. It was a wonderful occasion, and one that all involved hope will become a regular fixture in the Old Radleian sporting calendar in future years.
If you’d like to get involved in OR sports, take a look at the Clubs and Societies page and get in touch with us: radsoc@radley.org.uk.
