The annual PSOBLTA vs St George’s College fixture took place this year on Saturday June 10 on what turned out to be the hottest day of 2023 to date. As it turned out, the tennis proved to be just as hot! Thankfully, the match was played on the excellent St George’s grass courts and so the rallies, while always dynamic, were never overly long which was a welcome relief to all participants.
The match opened with the PUBS’ 1st pair of Chris Jenkins and Ben Rogers handing out something of a tennis lesson to the St George’s 2nd pair while on the adjacent court the PUBS’ 2nd pair of Jamie Boden and Ed Fry took on the St George’s 1st pair which included nationally ranked Jamie Diack. This proved to be more of a challenge and while the PUBS team did well to hang in there for most of the 2nd set they eventually succumbed to leave honours even going into the 2nd round of matches.
For this round Jamie and Ed were a little slow to start but once they found their consistency and added a little finesse they came through strongly leaving the PUBS in the ascendancy. Meanwhile Chris and Ben found the St George’s 1st pair to be made of sterner stuff but were on their way to recovering from a set and a break down when unfortunately St George’s had to concede the rubber due to injury leaving the PUBS with a victory overall.
Full match result: PSOBLTA 2.5 St George’s 1.5
1st round:
Chris Jenkins & Ben Rogers (PSOBLTA) def. Charlie Lilley & Ethan Sweet (SGC) 6-0 6-0
Jamie Diack & James Hutchinson (SGC) def. Jamie Boden & Ed Fry (PSOBLTA) 6-2 6-4
2nd round:
Chris Jenkins & Ben Rogers (PSOBLTA) halved with Jamie Diack & James Hutchinson (SGC) 3-6 4-4 ret.
Jamie Boden & Ed Fry (PSOBLTA) def. Charlie Lilley & Ethan Sweet (SGC) 7-5 6-0
My thanks to Jono Ward and the St George’s team for their hospitality and to Ben, Chris, Ed and Jamie for their energy, entertainment and enthusiasm on such a hot day.
Conor Boden – Match Manager