Brigands Doubles Tournament for Peripatetic Clubs 25th October 2025

The IRTA visited the real tennis court at Hardwick House on Saturday 25 October to compete in the 2025 edition of the Brigands RTC handicap doubles tournament for peripatetic clubs.

The IRTA pair, Roland Budd and Stuart Kerr, enjoyed a strong start in their opening match, at one point leading the Army pair by 5 games to 2. But the opposition seemed to improve, and indeed they ultimately prevailed by 8 games to 7. If the IRTA were to have any hope of progressing to the semi-final, they had to win their other group match, against the Jesters. Again the IRTA led by 5 games to 2, and again their opponents mounted a revival. On this occasion, however, the IRTA stretched their lead and emerged as winners by 9 games to 6. A period of uncertainty followed, as the outcome of the group depended on the result of the final match, between the Army and the Jesters. The experienced Jesters pair won, so each pair had won one match and lost one match. The IRTA progressed — but only just — on the countback.

In the semi-final the IRTA pair started more slowly, falling to 1–3 against the Hurlingham Pigeons in the early stages but then reviving to take the match 6–3. The other finalists were the holders, the Bar RTC (featuring IRTA member Peter Dean), who had dominated their group but come through a closer semi-final against the Dedanists (featuring IRTA member Chris Marguerie). The IRTA ultimately dethroned the holders, winning the final by 6 games to 2.

Many thanks to Malcolm Thorp and the Brigands for inviting the IRTA to play in this tournament over the years, to Victoria for excellent food throughout the day, and to Lesley Ronaldson for a long day of marking.

Report from Malcolm Thorp

It was great to have many of the regulars playing and also have a number of new participants join us. As always, the play was competitive and often closely contested, with some wonderful rests, great forces and the occasional lucky shots!

We had some last minute replacements: many thanks to two Brigands, Ian Machin and Derrick Wells for stepping in to replace Oliver Harris and me, and to Charlie Bashall (definitely future Brigand material!) who played for the Army - without them, the tournament would not have worked.

Joining the Dedanists at the sharp end of the tournament, were three former winning clubs: the Hurlingham Pigeons, the Bar and the IRTA (all three had won the tournament twice before). After hard fought semi-final matches, the final saw the Bar taking on the IRTA. Despite the Bar’s skill, great efforts and grit, the IRTA prevailed and took home the first prize of the champers and the right to have their names engraved again on the solid silver cup, which they can retain and display on their mantelpieces for the next twelve months. Well done to them and to the Bar, who were worthy runners up, and to all who played in great spirit and highly competitively.

As usual, our huge thanks to both Lesley Ronaldson for her excellent marking and to Victoria for catering throughout the day (and to the very many of you who helped). Finally, we would not be able to hold this annual tournament were it not for the generosity of the Friends of Hardwick Tennis Court who let us use their court the whole day and evening – thank you.

We hope to see you all again in 2026!

Photos

—Stuart Kerr

Full results

The full results sheet is available:

• 2025 Brigands results [PDF]