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Hubbard's Turn at Clifton.
The newly refurbished Clifton College Court was the venue for this seasons Professional Singles Championship. The court,had been opened with an exhibition earlier in the week, between Old Cliftonian and two times Foster Cup winner Matt Windows and John Inverdale. The Headmaster in his remarks at the excellent dinner at the college on Saturday evening had paid tribute to the the Old Cliftonians, Clifton Boasters and the T&RA whose generosity had helped to fund the renovations.
Andrew Thornhill Mark Hubbard Radley College professional Mark Hubbard won his second professional Singles Championship when he beat holder Neil Smith in straight games ,in the final 15/11, 15/8,15/6.Mark last won this Championship in 2002,beating Neil at Winchester 15/9,15/9,15/7. Hubbard had reached the final with a facile semi final defeat of David Makey, professional at Tonbridge 15/0,15/6,15/2. Smith had a much tougher match against Peter Brake, eventually beating the Eton professional 15/6,15/3,13/18,11/15,15/3. Smith was comfortably in control for the first two and a half games but at 0/11 down in the third Brake found an extra gear out rallying Smith and serving a heavily cut forehand serve to the left hand side which forced Smith onto the back foot, he fought back to 9/11. Having put Peter out with an excellent return Smith served two aces to progress to 13/9 only in his turn to be put out by a superb Brake take of serve. Having got into the box Peter took the next 9 points to take the game 18/13. He continued in this vein at the start of the next game serving 4 aces to take a 4/0 lead in the fourth. This game saw the best rackets of the match with both players taking every chance to attack. Brake reached 13/4 in his first 3 hands before Smith fought back to 11/13 and then Peter reached 14/11 but had 3 game points before finishing the game with an ace. Brake lost serve straight away at the beginning of the final game and this seemed to give Smith new impetus and he went to 4/1 in his second hand and then to game and match in his next hand against an opponent who was looking increasingly tired.
The final saw Smith comprehensively outplayed by Hubbard , who put up his most consistent display of rackets for some time serving well [22 aces to Smith's 5] and constantly troubling Smith with variation of pace and length during the rallies. Hubbard retrieved exceptionally well and made very few unforced errors, his most egregious being on his first match point when he hit a fairly straightforward forehand at the front of the court smartly into the tin. Neil ,on the other hand made far more than he usually would and also served less effectively than normal, as is evidenced by his small number of service winners.
4 Malvern educated Professionals Ryan Tulley Philip Rosser Mark Hubbard and Roger Tolchard
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