The second Home International Championships were held on Sunday 20th January at Shrewsbury School under the same sponsorship as in 1984. A disappointment was the withdrawal of the Welsh Team on the evening before the commencement of the Tournament. This was of particluar concern since there had been a request many months earlier by the England Under 21 side to be allowed to compete and there is no doubt that their appearance in the Tournament would have been of considerable benefit to all participants. Such late withdrawals are to be deplored and every effort must be made to avoid them in future years.
The weather, which had a few days earlier produced snow, warmed slightly to enable England to play the opening match against Scotland. The English team of Blundell, Bond, Hughes, Lambert, Pulsford, Reynolds and the travelling reserve Rathbone were successfully strong in conquering Scotland three nil in each court. After an early lunch the Scottish team again took to the courts against the Rest of the World but found this an equally difficult task and were beaten again in a short match. It is hoped that next year Scotland may be able to produce a rather stronger side and persuade some of their better players that travelling is a necessity.
The deciding match was therefore between the Rest of the World and England and proved not to be the foregone conclusion that might have been expected. England's third pair of Bond and Pulsford were eminently successful and had a comfortable victory. In the second pair however, Keith Turnbull and the improving young Canadian, Robin Mason, provided stiff opposition for Mark Blundell and Tony Hughes. The scores of 12-3, 12-1 and 12-5 in no way reflect the hardness and closeness of this well fought match. Meanwhile, in the first pair, Mark Williams and Geoff Davies with the experience of home Courts won the first two games from Richard Lambert and John Reynolds although both games were set. The England pair then commenced the long haul back and after securing the third game easily and the fourth game closely, went under at 12-10 in the fifth to give England a 2-1 victory in the Tournament.
Those that saw the first pair match reported that Geoff Davies played exceptionally well and that Richard Lambert was the main striking force in the England pair with Reynolds producing some variable play.
All competitors were then invited to a supper party at the home of David Davies, the Managing Director of Rolflex Doors. The food and wine were of excellent quality and the video which had been taken during the day of the matches played provided entertaining viewing for the competitors.
The evening was as always, a great social success and I am sure that all competitors would like me to thank Janet and David Davies for their tremendous hospitality and genuine and warm support of the game which we all so much enjoy. Those attending know just how much David Davies enjoyed the evening and we can only hope that he will be prepared to continue the event next year.
In addition, I would like to thank the Headmaster of Shrewsbury School for the use of the Courts and the facilities of the School.
A.H.Rolflex Home International Tournament 1985 by Tony Hughes
Created 8th February 2006 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk