The match statistics were:

Fahey beat Virgona: 6/5 3/6 6/1 6/3 6/4 6/3 3/6 5/6 6/2 6/3
Robert Fahey won by 7 sets to 3

Here’s our full, and gripping match report – by roving match reporter Sav Cremona. Note that Sav’s roving involved moving from his computer to the kitchen (to make the tea) and back again – but it was top quality roving, none-the-less.

World Championships 2012 – report

Sydney came back from being 7-4 down overnight to post an 8-7 lead on Sunday morning, but the team’s performance went the way of the dodo on Sunday afternoon – and the Hobartins pulled out all the stops to secure victory for the home side.

Sydney’s crack (spell check required? – Ed) team consisted of the ever skillful Sav Cremona (‘Spagettini’ to his team mates), the Cooper brothers, Chris (Cooper Minor) and Justin (‘Major’), Chris Doucas (‘The Duke’) Eddie Fazal (‘The Faz’), Peter Nicholas (‘the glasses are on order’), and our stalwart Team Captain James Willis (‘Fawlty’). Also joining the team was our resident cheerleader Claire Cooper (Bob), who promises to put down her pom-poms in favour of a racquet – just as soon as the new Sydney real tennis court is built. What more incentive do we need to get on and find a new site??

As promised, the news of our faltering performance was delayed a few days to protect the innocent, however rest assured that we will come back with all guns blazing for our next encounter against Melbourne, which takes place later this year, in September.

From left to right: Chris Doucas, Sav Cremona, Claire Cooper, James Willis, Eddie Fazal, Chris Cooper, and Justin Cooper. Peter Nicholas was missing in action (well, Launceston actually) at the time this photo was taken.

Proceeds from the event raised funds to promote junior real tennis in Australia. The funds will be used to encourage and subsidise new talented youngsters, as well as  existing juniors, by way of sponsorship of their tennis costs – including necessary elite coaching and training and overseas travel to tournaments.

http://www.facebook.com/events/351073604912264/

Despite having no court to practice on, the Sydney Real Tennis touring team played out of their skins to beat the might of the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club, to win back the Barry Toates Trophy in Melbourne on Saturday 17th September 2011. Breaking a drought of 5 years, Sydney posted a surprise win of 7 matches to 3 to regain the coveted trophy. The match was played at Melbourne’s real tennis club in Richmond, with plenty of friendly barracking from both sides to add to the atmosphere in the Dedans.

“I’m not quite sure where we pulled this win from,” admitted team captain James Willis, “but it was definitely unexpected given our lack of match practice. These days we tend to play just twice a year – once here in Melbourne, and once in a match against Hobart. However we always have practice the day before the match, so we managed to get our eye in early. We’re very grateful to Melbourne for hosting this annual event, and we look forward to many years of close competition in the future.”

Royal Melbourne Tennis Club were kind enough to post their own report on the match, with, of course, a touch of spin, to continue the banter beyond the match.