Toby B and William F, having won the U13 Real Tennis Nationals, entered the U14 Nationals. Westbourne House were the only prep school represented in the tournament with all the other players coming from the UK's leading senior schools.
The tournament consisted of a group stage with the leading pairs going forward to a final group of four. The nature of the draw saw Westbourne House play two pairs from Wellington. In the first match William and Toby comfortably beat Wellington 3 (8-0) and then had a tight match against the first pair from Wellington. In a close contest, at one stage the scores were tied at 5-5, Westbourne House eventually came through to win 8-5.
Group Stage: (Group Winners)
- v Wellington 3 WON 8-0
- v Wellington 1 WON 8-5
Westbourne House had secured a place in the final group as the winner in their group, along with Wellington 1 who were the best runners-up. In the other group Radley 1 and Magdalen College School (MCS) progressed. In the final group William and Toby would compete against the best 13 and 14 years olds in the country.
Radley 1 beat Wellington 1 8-2. Westbourne House played Radley 1 and in a great contest the scores were tied at 7-7, but Radley 1 won a tight final game to secure an 8-7 victory.
MCS had not dropped a game in the group stages and only dropped one game in the final group. They beat Wellington 1 8-3, then continued their march to victory by beating Westbourne 8-2.
Final Group: (scores carried forward from Group match – matches to 8, scores start 2-2)
- v Radley 1 Lost 7-8
- v MCS Lost 2-8
This was an excellent effort from Toby and William, unparalleled in recent years, to compete at such a high level. Congratulations to both boys.
