No fewer than 25 Brandeston Hall Tennis teams have competed in this year’s Suffolk Schools Championships, with well over 70 players having the chance to compete in the age groups that range from Year 3 Red up to the U13 hard ball events.
Year 3 & Below – Mini Red
Connie Tassell became the first Reception pupil to represent the School, she also helped the U8 Girls B team (Grace Gurr, Pip Stimpson and Totty Longe) to an exciting win over Holbrook to book their place in the finals where they will face Brandeston Hall A team in the semi-finals. The A team of Evie Tassell, Mia Spaull, Mia North and Etty Hayward looked in fine form as they defeated both St Josephs and The Abbey to book their place in the finals at Brandeston Hall on Friday June 10th. The Boys A team of Toby Blunden, Miles Aldous, Callum Ventham and Nicolas Urquhart-Pearce will also be there following a polished performance at Ipswich Prep in their qualifier.
Year 5 & 4 – Mini Orange
The mixed A team of Beth Gardens, India Prince, James Thompson and Edward Clement won their qualifier and will contest the 4-team county finals as will our Girls A team of Beth Gardens, India Prince, Amy Orford and Isabella Blunden. Both events are at Woodbridge School on Thursday June 23rd.
Year 6 & 5 – Mini Green
The Girls team of Anna Cogdell, Evie Newton, Iona Maydon and Ruby Boddy had an excellent 5 sets to 1 victory at Culford to win through to the 4-team final, however our boys team of Nat Salsby, Seth Faulkner, Rufus Maile and William Singleton just missed out on a games countback following a 3 sets all draw against St Josephs. In the mixed event both our A & B teams were knocked out in the qualifying stages but remarkably our C team of Inigo Bueno de Mesquita, Charlie Hall, Louis Cockle and Iona Maydon have made it through following a tremendous victory over St Felix A team. Both Finals take place at Woodbridge School on Monday June 20th.
Year 6 Premier – (Hard Ball)
The Girls A team of Emma Williamson, Tabitha Walker, Holly Wills and Marnie Salter won both their qualifying matches without the loss of a set and will play the runners up from the other qualifying group in the semi-finals. The boys team of Ben Smart, George Jackson, Noah Bowden and James Aldous play their last qualifier later today at the Abbey. Victory here will see them also go through as group winners to contest the semi-final. Both the boys and girls finals take place at Brandeston Hall on Tuesday June 14th.
The Year 8 & 7 – (Also Hard Ball)
The Girls team found themselves in a very tough group with Orwell Park and Culford and not surprisingly were knocked out despite some great efforts, however the Boys A team of Lucas Walker, Ben Sunderland, Theo Salsby and Brodie Blore were defeated by a strong Culford team, but won their other qualifying matches to progress to the semi-finals as group runners up. The Boys U13 B team have played 4 and won 4, so the team of Fynn Maydon, Alex Ward, Harvey Paffett, Jonny Peate and Bay Farrant go through as group winners. The A League finals are on the morning of Wed June 22nd, the B League finals take place on the morning of Friday June 24th, both are played at the College.
I am sure all our players and coaches are very much looking forward to contests ahead in the next 3 weeks.
