It’s Summer 2010 and thirty-two sporting competitors are battling through a group stage, then knockout rounds, to win one of sport’s most sought after prizes … not the football World Cup, but the 2010 King’s Goblet Summer Doubles.
Where the football World Cup had controversy and talking points, we had one player accidentally passing through to the Hazard side before the incoming servers had passed through (unbelievable, I know!).
Where the football World Cup had a Group of Death with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast battling against each other, we had regular playing partners Tim Church, Nicola Doble, Simon Edmond and Owen Saunders pitted together.
Where the football World Cup had former champions France never get into their stride and then descend into a nightmare of recrimination and soul searching, we had … Nick and Tom Carew Hunt.
One key difference was that the English won this one, as Kate Lawrence and John Priestland defied the summer heat to emerge triumphant, making full use in the final of the handicap allowance against David Blizzard and Peter Mather to win 10/6.
Group Stage
Received wisdom is that the key factors in doubles are a) experience in doubles b) an evenly matched pairing and c) an appreciation that a terrible shot over the net is better than a brilliant one that goes into the net.
On this basis the pre-tournament favourites were generally agreed to be Oliver Buckley and John East, Nick and Tom Carew Hunt, and Nicola Doble and Simon Mansfield.
Oliver and John set the early pace on day one, blowing away the competition by winning 36 games and conceding only 11, generating a ‘goal difference’ of +25 games. This was remarkable given that the next best goal difference in the group stages was +12.
The highlight of Group 1 was Oliver and John taking on Richard East and Adam Lawrence, as brother fought against brother in a no holds barred contest. The result was a resounding 11/5 victory to Oliver and John, a result that will surely be brought up at key moments in East family get-togethers for many months to come.
The crucial game in Group 1 turned out to be Victoria Carew Hunt and Terry Marsh against Richard and Adam, with Victoria and Terry victorious as Terry used his ‘crouching tiger’ serve to great effect. This secured them a place in the knockout stages.
Group 2 turned out to be the tightest of the groups, with doubles expert Keith Smith pairing up with Dan Callaghan and pulling out his chopped drag serve at crucial points to bring victory and top place in the Group.
In Group 3, Peter Mather excelled throughout, taking a fearless position up at the galleries and letting very little get past him. His high standard of play was made all the more remarkable by the fact that he played most of the time with his shorts nearer his ankles than his waist, his fetching turquoise briefs on full display – which I am reliably informed is à la mode nowadays. With Peter playing up, David Blizzard ran the back and gave another of his masterclasses in accurate volleying.
The Carew Hunts never got into their stride, with frustration eventually getting the better of them as they seemed to target the stronger opponents rather than the weaker ones and repeatedly overhit. It was a strangely lacklustre performance from the experienced pairing, but rest assured they will come back stronger.
John Priestland and Kate Lawrence grew in confidence. John showed good tactical nous and targeted the weaker opponent and the right areas of the court. Kate was tenacious and confident in the volley.
In the Group of Death, the sting was taken out by the withdrawal through injury of Owen Saunders in the first match, which meant walkovers were given to all their opponents. This was especially unlucky for Owen’s partner Mike Shattock, who looked to be playing considerably better than his handicap. Despite walkovers being given, Nick Wood generously filled in for the third match which Mike and Nick lost 13/2 to Simon Mansfield and Nicola Doble – the biggest loss of all the games played in the tournament!
Knockout Stages
The pick of the quarter-finals was Tim Church and Peter Flood overcoming Oliver and John 8/5. Despite their pre-tournament billing as potential winners, Buckley buckled and East’s game went South when confronted by inspired opponents and a large handicap difference.
In the semi-finals David Blizzard had dominated the match against Church and Flood with Peter Mather popping up at the net with some crucial volleys on the way to an 8/4 lead when the bell sounded for the end of the time.
Kate and John had a tighter semi-final against Simon Edmond and Clive Dacre, but a couple of crucial 40-all games turned the match in their favour and at the bell they had opened up a 7/5 lead.
The final was the second meeting of the two pairs over the weekend, with Kate and John having won the close match in the group stage. Despite David’s eager efforts charging around the court volleying expertly (and despite a new pair of fetching black and red briefs for Peter), the handicap of receive ½ 30/owe 30 proved too much as both Kate and John retrieved well and took their chances when they came along.
Thanks to Nick and Stef for sterling work in the dedans over the three days (no need for any video replays here) and for such an enjoyable competition, and well done to Kate and John for a thoroughly deserved victory.
Gallery
