Rackets | News

World Champion Harry Foster, partnered by Charlie Danby, brought Harrow their first Noel Bruce cup since the glory days of John Prenn and Charles Hue Williams. In their sixth final in as many years the Old Harrovians finally triumphed with a facile straight games win over Old Malvernians Mark Hubbard and Ben Bomford, 15/6,15/3,15/6,15/9. This was Malvern's first appearance in a Noel Bruce final and they reached the final after a hard fought victory over second seeded Eton [Guy Smith-Bingham and Neal Bailey]. Malvern recovered from one game to three down to win 15/10,2/15,9/15,15/2,15/7,15/10.Eton were guilty of putting too many winnable balls into the tin at crucial moments Both sides were off court after the sixth game when the lights went out. Malvern recovered the quicker to take the match.

Harrow were also tested in their semi losing two games to the scratch Marlborough pairing of Guy Barker and Richard Spender before coming through 15/7,15/9,12/15,15/10,11/15,15/12. Barker who won the Noel Bruce last season with Alister Robinson, showed once again throughout the competition what a fine doubles player he can be. In the final Malvern never recovered from Harrows fast start . Having won the spin Foster elected to serve and had a run of 12 including 7 aces. Malvern won just 6 points in their turn before Harrow served out for the game. Harrow started the second game in the same manner, this time Danby had a run of six with 3 aces and they then only allowed Malvern 3 points in their turn before getting back in the box and finishing the game in their next hand. Hard though Malvern tried over the course of the following two games Harrow always had an answer and ran out comfortable winners. Draw

Other Links

.......................................................................................................................................

Read About The History Of Rackets

From its roots of a game played outside taverns, through to the modern game.

About The Past Champions

The past and present leading players of the game.

Find Out The Latest Results In The World Of Rackets

All the results, fixtures and draws for the UK game.