Cricket and Real Tennis

CRICKET

Great Cricket!

Much of the early part of the season was lost to rain, but the sun is now shining, and great cricket is being played. Highlights this year include the Vets cricket going from strength to strength, all kudos to Julian Stocks. Our junior cricket is also developing nicely, fixtures are oversubscribed, training sessions are buzzing and there is a spring in the step of all involved. Well done to David Lloyd and Melissa Gauge for pushing this programme forward.

Plans for the new cricket pavilion are progressing; we are grateful for the considerable support from other members and the Club. Thank you to Rory Hills, George Brooksbank, Ed Salt and Simon Talbot-Williams for all their expertise and hard work.

Our match managers are doing a great job of fielding right-sized teams and creating exciting and inclusive cricket. This is the most important role in the cricket section, and I would like to thank all our match managers.

Finally, as I retire as Chair of cricket, I am grateful to everyone who has supported me, and the committee, over the last three years. With Will Pym striding out to the crease as Chair-elect, I have complete confidence in the future of cricket at Hurlingham.

ANDREW NETHERCOT, CHAIR, CRICKET

REAL TENNIS

Celebrating Real Tennis

REAL TENNIS

Celebrating Real Tennis

The Pigeons 2023-24 annual competitions came to a climax in June with very competitive Finals. Wilson Gong Singles holder, Max Warner, again a finalist, gave a huge handicap to new committee member, Dominic Higham. In an enthralling final, first to 10 games, they were perfectly matched to 9-9, with Max having to win three times as many points in each game! The 13-year-old showed incredible mental strength and immaculate technique, but Dominic produced some last gasp exceptional strokes to snatch the Gong on the last point.

The Campione Doubles final also featured a huge handicap difference, but this time Richard and Francis Moore overcame a battling Peter Lovell and Chrissie Morse. The Moores led from the first game, and at 8-9 the Morse/Lovell pairing found the opposition’s strength and consistency just too much to summon another fight back. So, Richard and Francis took the title 10-8.

Pigeons celebrated the end of the season with the Padel Party in June and entry in July’s Pickleball festival. Following August’s pre-season court access at the Queen’s Club and Wellington College with summer induction sessions for beginners, the new season’s competitions will run from the beginning of October to the end of April, with Finals Day in mid-May next year.

Pigeons’ fixtures against other clubs will commence in September with a trip to Seacourt, Hayling Island on Sunday 15 September. Matches against Holyport, Prested, Wellington and Queen’s will follow before Christmas.

The Pigeons’ ranks continue to swell with 300 registered players. The Pigeons are the third largest wandering real tennis club in the world, after The Jesters and The Dedanists.

SIMON TALBOT-WILLIAMS, CHAIR, REAL TENNIS

The Pigeons 2023-24 annual competitions came to a climax in June with very competitive Finals. Wilson Gong Singles holder, Max Warner, again a finalist, gave a huge handicap to new committee member, Dominic Higham. In an enthralling final, first to 10 games, they were perfectly matched to 9-9, with Max having to win three times as many points in each game! The 13-year-old showed incredible mental strength and immaculate technique, but Dominic produced some last gasp exceptional strokes to snatch the Gong on the last point.

The Campione Doubles final also featured a huge handicap difference, but this time Richard and Francis Moore overcame a battling Peter Lovell and Chrissie Morse. The Moores led from the first game, and at 8-9 the Morse/Lovell pairing found the opposition’s strength and consistency just too much to summon another fight back. So, Richard and Francis took the title 10-8.

Pigeons celebrated the end of the season with the Padel Party in June and entry in July’s Pickleball festival. Following August’s pre-season court access at the Queen’s Club and Wellington College with summer induction sessions for beginners, the new season’s competitions will run from the beginning of October to the end of April, with Finals Day in mid-May next year.

Pigeons’ fixtures against other clubs will commence in September with a trip to Seacourt, Hayling Island on Sunday 15 September. Matches against Holyport, Prested, Wellington and Queen’s will follow before Christmas.

The Pigeons’ ranks continue to swell with 300 registered players. The Pigeons are the third largest wandering real tennis club in the world, after The Jesters and The Dedanists.

SIMON TALBOT-WILLIAMS, CHAIR, REAL TENNIS