No.128
The Noel Bruce – one of the world’s
premier rackets competitions – was
co-founded by EB Noel (E, 1892-98),
1907 Amateur Rackets Champion,
and more uniquely 1908 Olympic
gold medallist for rackets. Despite
the Wykehamical connection to the
coveted trophy, Winchester has only
won the Noel Bruce on one previous
occasion in 1935, courtesy of Messrs
N McCaskie (C, 25-29) and JT Faber
(H, 30-35).
This year the OWs provided four
robust pairs, among them the dazzling
duo of Mike Bailey (A, 00-05) and
Christian Portz (H, 05-10), attempting
to defy the history books. The self-
styled ‘doubles specialists’ had plenty
of pedigree with Christian (World
Doubles Champion 2015, British
Open Doubles & four consecutive
US Amateur Doubles titles) and Mike
(British Amateur Doubles Champion,
British Open Finalist three times
& Clifton Cup) both familiar with
competing at the business end of
proceedings.
The Trusty Servant
opportunity, to end nearly 85 years of
breaking strings and frames in vain.
Many congratulations to Christian
& Mike and thanks to all those who
have supported and continue to
support the wonderful game. Play!
WSC
David Anderson (Coll, 69-74) reports:
OW sailing started with victory in the
Belvidere trophy in early April. The
OW team of Alastair Hall (D, 95-00),
Charlie Somerset (G, 94-99), Tom
Clementi (K, 92-97) and Ed Knight (G,
98-03) mounted a successful defence
of the Belvidere Cup on Saturday
6 th April in the RTYC J80s at Queen
Mary reservoir. Our victory marks
the fifth from six attempts in 2014-19
(with a blip in 2015 when we were
DNC) for this squad. Alastair Hall
is looking to pass on the baton for
2020 to a new skipper. Any volunteers
should please get in touch with
Alastair or David Anderson.
Our regular Cowes weekend in May
for boys in the school and OWs with
yachts was enjoyed by all and light
winds did not spoil some surprisingly
close racing. Some entertaining racing
was won on both days by the Darley
brothers. 30 sat round the table for
dinner at RYS, including Brigadier
Nick Nottingham and his wife Sue,
John and Jenny Woodman and Tara
Onslow, all parents of Wykehamists.
There are two events in quick
succession in the autumn, the Sir
Reggie Bennett event at Seaview
and the Arrow trophy. The Seaview
weekend on 14 th /15 th September was
a very happy event. OWs beat the
school, OWs beat Old Radleians and
Winchester beat Radley.
A month later 11 OWs were in Cowes
for the Arrow trophy to sail against
25 other schools in Sunsail boats.
The crossing to Cowes on Friday 11 th
October was very breezy. Saturday’s
fleet racing was in very light airs and
our boat won the day. We also won
the match racing on Sunday in strong
winds and won the trophy which we
last won in 2015. Amusingly, the first
race on the Saturday had Winchester
in first place and St Swithun’s,
entering the event for the first time, in
second.
Christian Portz and Michael Bailey
They chiselled their way through the
draw like a carefree first year in Mill
- chopping up anyone and anything
that lay before them; a formidable
Cheltenham pair stood between
them and glory and I’m delighted
to report that Winchester seized the
Seaview weekend: Jim Eynon, young Garton, Tom Clementi, Adam Jay with young Jay,
David Anderson, Peter Hunter, Noel Dobbs. Robin Garton, Gordon Baker in front row
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