The Brigands peripatetic tournament Saturday 4th September, 2010

The IRTA was invited to play in a doubles tournament for peripatetic clubs which took place at Holyport on Saturday 4th September. The tournament was organised by Malcolm Thorp for The Brigands, a nomadic club set up in the 1970s, and involved twelve pairs including Mark Heffernan and Roland Budd for the IRTA. The IRTA pair defeated three other pairs, including a strong team from the Ladies Real Tennis Association, to top their group, and then beat the Old Rugbeian pair in the semi-final. Unfortunately, however, although making a good start, they were defeated in the final by the Hurlingham Pigeons. The excellent day of tennis, most of which was marked by Angus Williams, concluded with a very pleasant dinner at the court.

Holyport was of course the venue for the IRTA Championships in 2005 and 2006, and it was tremendous to have the opportunity to play tennis there once again. Many thanks to the hosts and organisers, and to Angus Williams for the photographs.

— Roland Budd, 2010-09-10