GAME, SET AND MATCH
The weekend’s annual Kearsney Tennis Tournament saw an exceptional standard of play and intense competitiveness, which bodes well for the future of the game in this country.
The final between Westville Boys’ High and Paul Roos produced a match of extremely high standard, with the intense rivalries between the two teams driving players to push their limits. Westville eventually emerged as winners, winning four of the six singles matches and a doubles game.
The round robin format, followed by knockout stages, ensured each of the eight top school teams had ample opportunity to perform. Despite the competitiveness, players upheld the spirit of sportsmanship, displaying respect for their opponents.
South Africa’s three top-seeded schools Paul Roos Gimnasium (Stellenbosch), Grey College (Bloemfontein) and Westville Boys’ High, were joined by Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), Pretoria Boys High, Rondebosch Boys (Cape Town), St David’s Marist Inanda (Johannesburg) and hosts Kearsney.
Pretoria Boys were the inaugural winners of the Willows Cup, presented for exceptional tenacity. Now in its 28th year, the prestigious tournament was started in 1996 by Kearsney’s MIC of tennis, Ant Willows, to showcase the strength of tennis amongst aspiring young South African players.
Kearsney’s 1st team, captained by Keegan Gevers, also comprised Jason Denekamp, Angus Fyvie, Finn Coningham, Max East, Luke Trevelean and Chris Hawkey.
RESULTS:
Pool games
Grey beat Rondebosch 24-0; Westville beat Pretoria Boys 24-0; Kearsney beat St Davids 20-5; Paul Roos beat Affies 23-3
Rondebosch beat Pretoria Boys 13-12; Westville beat Grey 17-10; Paul Roos beat St Davids 24-0; Kearsney drew with Affies 13-13
Affies beat St Davids 24-0; Paul Roos beat Kearsney 24-0; Grey beat Pretoria Boys 24-0; Westville beat Rondebosch 24-0
Playoffs
Westville beat Affies 18-0; Paul Roos beat Grey 16-6; Kearsney beat Pretoria Boys 16-3; Rondebosch beat St Davids 13-6
Final positions
Final playoff: Westville beat Paul Roos 14-6
3rd/4th playoff: Grey beat Affies 15-3
5th/6th playoff: Kearsney beat Rondebosch 18-0
7th/8th playoff: Pretoria Boys beat St Davids 18-0
