assorted news

Report of the ALLEN ASSOCIATES Final  20th August 2010. Report courtesy of RSM Inc. Mike Etherington-Smith(50.9) and Lyndon Haworth(52.7) had  taken a few scalps en route to the final of the year long  knockout handicap competition. In the semi-finals Mike had beaten Martin Trees and Lyndon had beaten Gerry Slora. There was a sizeable gallery enjoying the Church End Bitter and the excellent competitive match. Lyndon went into an early 4/1 lead but  Mike fought back- a notable 2 grilles in succession- taking the match to 4-4. At this stage Mike became tentative. At  4/6 down Mike made fine chases to both corners and after a long game to 40all he laid chase 4 yards but Lyndon used his frame and  managed to push the ball just over the net to the hazard side to go up 7/4. Both players were striking the ball well with positive forcing  play. Another 40all took Lyndon to 9/4 and 40/0-4 match points! But Mike was not yet finished. 3 excellent nick serves and a force to the tambour - 40all again but this time he won the point and game. Another faultless game took him to 6/9. Then 7/9 Lyndon 0/30 down - served well- 30all. Mike forced the dedans then chase 2. Then 8/9. Lyndon got more nervous but a couple of poor serves from Mike settled him.  Finally  Mike laid a chase of 4 yards but Lyndon beats it and  won the match, which was excellently marked by Nick Jury. Sponsor, Simon Allen , was thanked by the Chairman and presented the trophy and the generous prize- a new racket. Lyndon will go on to play in the Chetwood Trophy- the National Handicap final - at Hampton Court in September.

Round Britain Challenge in aid of Multiple Sclerosis Society. Starting at 05:30 on Wednesday 11th August, James Coyne, Chris Wilson, Ali Gourlay and Dom Wright played their first match at Falkland Palace. They called in at Moreton late on Wednesday 11th and played Doubles for an hour.  Schedule is Wednesday: Falkland, Jesmond, Manchester, Leamington, Morton Morrell. Thursday: Cambridge, Newmarket, Prested, Hatfield, Middlesex University, RTC. Friday: Petworth, Seacourt, Canford, Hyde, Bristol, Oxford. Saturday: Radley, Oratory, Hardwick, Holyport, MCC, Queen's Good luck to them- Sponsorship details can be found at www.justgiving.com/chasing-britain or by contacting Dom Wright on 07775933729.

Report on the MidSummer Barbecue Sunday 13th June For the third consecutive year we were blessed with clear skies and sunshine despite a dire forecast. It was an excellent day thanks to the efforts of numerous members. The whole day was extremely enjoyable and it was so good to see so many youngsters enjoying themselves at the club. 14 pairs participated in the Bryant Trophy- a notable debut performance was by Steve and Fran Walsh  who provided a challenge to all their opponents with their fairly high combined handicap! Quarter finals: Steve & Fran Walsh vs Matt Fatt/Middleton 6/4 A Parmiter/S Hodges vs A Robson/ D Prophet 6/1 N Hyde/B Slora vs P W-Gunn/J Rawstorne 4/6 E Steel/I Steel vs A Hamilton/ K Farmanfarmai 2/6 Semi-finals: Walsh/Walsh vs Parmiter/Hodges 1/6 Wilson-Gunn/Rawstorne vs Farmanfarmai/Hamilton 3/6 Final: Another win for the Prince of Persia and Sir Andy who proved too strong for the Professor and Anthony Parmiter, winning 6-3 Many thanks to the following without whose efforts the day would not have been so successful:     * Tom: for cajoling 28 to play in the Bryant Cup and to Tom and Nick for ball making and marking     * George K for masterminding the event and the food production with Mat Fat, Grant Arthur and Barbara Nicol -thanks to them all for all their sterling culinary efforts- the food was excellent!     * The Messer family Tim, Sue and Alice for raising a healthy amount from the tombola     * Paul and Jake Wilson-Gunn for putting up and taking down the marquee     * Keyvan, Nick Mills, Flo and Lute Holland and Mike Harwood  for keeping us so well refreshed with Church End beer and Pimms...     * The Thomas' family for organising the music at short notice.     * Keyvan for twisting so many arms to purchase real tennis racket tickets     * Tim Messer and Jo for organising such excellent coaching for a huge number of juniors who appeared to enjoy their day     * David Bryant for strimming all round the grounds of the club     * Leon Perry for sorting the grass cutting.     * Andrew Hamilton for helping with nearly everything We hope we haven't left anyone out...if so, please accept our sincere apologies. Report on the MidSummer Barbecue Sunday 13th June For the third consecutive year we were blessed with clear skies and sunshine despite a dire forecast. It was an excellent day thanks to the efforts of numerous members. The whole day was extremely enjoyable and it was so good to see so many youngsters enjoying themselves at the club. 14 pairs participated in the Bryant Trophy- a notable debut performance was by Steve and Fran Walsh  who provided a challenge to all their opponents with their fairly high combined handicap! Quarter finals: Steve & Fran Walsh vs Matt Fatt/Middleton 6/4 A Parmiter/S Hodges vs A Robson/ D Prophet 6/1 N Hyde/B Slora vs P W-Gunn/J Rawstorne 4/6 E Steel/I Steel vs A Hamilton/ K Farmanfarmai 2/6 Semi-finals: Walsh/Walsh vs Parmiter/Hodges 1/6 Wilson-Gunn/Rawstorne vs Farmanfarmai/Hamilton 3/6 Final: Another win for the Prince of Persia and Sir Andy who proved too strong for the Professor and Anthony Parmiter, winning 6-3 Many thanks to the following without whose efforts the day would not have been so successful:     * Tom: for cajoling 28 to play in the Bryant Cup and to Tom and Nick for ball making and marking     * George K for masterminding the event and the food production with Mat Fat, Grant Arthur and Barbara Nicol -thanks to them all for all their sterling culinary efforts- the food was excellent!     * The Messer family Tim, Sue and Alice for raising a healthy amount from the tombola     * Paul and Jake Wilson-Gunn for putting up and taking down the marquee     * Keyvan, Nick Mills, Flo and Lute Holland and Mike Harwood  for keeping us so well refreshed with Church End beer and Pimms...     * The Thomas' family for organising the music at short notice.     * Keyvan for twisting so many arms to purchase real tennis racket tickets     * Tim Messer and Jo for organising such excellent coaching for a huge number of juniors who appeared to enjoy their day     * David Bryant for strimming all round the grounds of the club     * Leon Perry for sorting the grass cutting.     * Andrew Hamilton for helping with nearly everything We hope we haven't left anyone out...if so, please accept our sincere apologies.

A photo from 1906

T&RA Real Tennis Online Booking System - (updated 9th June 2009) Some of you will know that the T&RA have been building an online booking system for Real Tennis for the clubs to use. We have been using it for several weeks - Tom Nick and I have been keeping the bookings up to date and you have been able to see the court bookings but not book on-line yourself. For those of you who have an RTO id and password you can now access  the system and even book online. The url is http://www.realtennisonline.com/bookings.  You will be required to enter your Real Tennis Online (RTO) userid and password. RTO is the online system which is used to maintain player's handicaps and various forums. Currently we have only enabled on-line booking for Singles and Doubles courts - if you want to book a lesson or be part of group coaching (or anything that involves a professional being on court) you will still need to contact the professionals firectly. This is a simple guide to using the system. For those of you who don't want to do any of this  (you probably won't be reading this either) you can continue as before and contact the professionals to book a court or lesson. If you have problems signing on or don't have an RTO userid/password please contact Tom Granville (e-mail : pro@mmtcc.co.uk). If you have any questions about the booking system please don't hesitate to contact David Bryant (e-mail address is in the 2008-2009 handbook).. If you find any problems then please let David know by e-mail.

Payment now possible via Internet - February 2009 You may now pay your bills direct to MMTCC. Details are printed on your account statement.

New door lock - February 2009 Note that the very old door lock has been replaced. Identical operation to before.