* Cattermull Cup (Handicap Alumni Tournament) 2026

Group one - Sherborne and Wellington got things going with Will Rydon and Adrian Warburton looking good against Nick Pellew and Gordon Tanner. Despite Nick Pellew beating a one yard chase on the floor, Sherborne were too consistent and prevailed 9-3. There was a short pause while Gordon recovered from a bruised rib following a tricky return shot by his partner despite hugging the last gallery to avoid friendly fire'! There was a short pause and pride was restored. Since the 2024 champion pair from Haileybury (Simon Heilpern and Hugo Paxton) also beat Wellington, the decider for this group would be Sherborne against Haileybury 1. The handicap difference was just owe ½ 15 and there ensued an excellent match with some really good long rests which Sherborne won 9-5.

Group two - This one proved more complicated with four in the group. The Leys (Joel Humphrey & Mark Elliott) played a good Rugby pair constituting Callum Grier and Charles Whitworth and although close at 4 all, they went on to win 6-4. Haileybury 2 (Kate Evers and Simon Robert Tissot) then played Eton and won narrowly from a tight 5 all, forty all position. Peter Bender had flown in from the US that morning and with his inimitable swashbuckling style took it to them with Richard Boyle as his partner. However, despite beating The Leys, they came unstuck losing to Rugby 3-6. The Leys could only watch as their fate was decided by games difference despite beating Haileybury; Rugby qualified.

Group three - The Norwich School pair of the well-known T&RA photographer Tim Edwards and Reuben Ard were able to take full advantage of some home court advantage since both play regularly at MURTC. They caught long standing Marlborough partners Stuart Kerr and Nick Hewitt a little early on Saturday morning and although there was a point for 5 all, they won 9-5. They went on to beat Harrow 1 (James Skeggs & Oskar Denby) receiving a helpful handicap but warranting the substantial win of 9-3. This made the Harrow v Marlborough match a dead one but Harrow regained their 'mojo' with a 9-1 win.

Group four - This was a bigger group once more which could get complicated with just one school qualifying. Alleyns were appearing in the competition for the first time represented by Ian Harris of MCC and Simon Barton who is relatively new to the game and plays at Hampton Court. Clifton pairing of Nick Esses (a previous winner) and Brian Muir also had to take on Highgate (Gareth Zundel & Marco Rimini) and Harrow 2 (Sebastien Maurin and James Charatan). In the Alleyns match versus Clifton they recovered from a potential whitewash to lose just 3-6. However, Harrow 2 were the standout pair beating both Alleyns and Highgate 6-2 to qualify.

So, the semi-finalists were decided going into Sunday; Sherborne, Rugby, Norwich and Harrow 2.

The handicap proved a high hurdle for Sherborne against Rugby at rec 15,owe 15 particularly as (under pressure) they proceeded to lose the first point in too many of the games. It is always tricky deciding whether to play for continuity attempting error free tennis (haha) or to 'gun' for the opposition.It was 6-2 and then 5 all in the second set, but the very able Sherborne pair were unable to force a third set. In the second semi final, the 'MURTC resident' pair from Norwich started the second semi very well with Reuben Ard 'nailing' the Grill 3 rests in a row. However, after losing the first set narrowly 5-6, despite being 4-2 up in the second, the handicap proved too much and they lost the second 4-6.

So, the new names that had not previously won the trophy lost to two names that had, Rugby in '09, '14 & '17 and Harrow in 2010.They would now go head to head in a final with little handicap difference for another entry. Sebastien Maurin had additional incentive, having been a finalist in 2025. This final was worthy of the title. It started well with the first two games going to 40 all and went to three sets. There was one game when both Rugby players attempted to serve from the same end at the same time, so intense was their concentration! Harrow won the first set 6-5 but Rugby won the second 6/3 and despite a 3-3 start to the third seemed to retain the momentum. As often happens in three set finals, it seemed to finish all too quickly.
However, the dedans audience felt sated having witnessed a really good tussle. Well done Callum Grier and Charles Whitworth representing Rugby, finally winning 5/6 6/3 6/4.

Paul Cattermull, Will Burns & Jack Carter