Invitation School U18 Singles 2014
Group A
Mullan
Willis
Stevens
White
Group B
Batstone
Yorston
Blount
Boddington
Group C
Hodgson
Wright
Hyde
Lidington
Schedule
Matches one set (short deuce).
9.00 Batstone
v
Blount
9.25 Yorston
v
Boddington
9.50 Stevens
v
White
10.15 Batstone
v
Boddington
10.40 Yorston
v
Blount
11.05 Stevens
v
Willis
11.30 White
v
Mullan
11.55 Hyde
v
Lidington
12.20 Batstone
v
Yorston
12.45 Blount
v
Boddington
1.10 Wright
v
Hodgson
1.35 Stevens
v
Mullan
2.00 White
v
Willis
2.25 Hyde
v
Hodgson
2.50 Wright
v
Lidington
3.15 Hyde
v
Wright
3.40 Hodgson
v
Lidington
4.05 B grade Final Winner B
v
Winner C
Other playoffs between group B & C IF time permits
5.00 Willis
v
Mullan
Mullan 8-5
CS
FW
W
P
B1
HM
6
6
2
1
HB
SW
6
6
2
2
SB
3
2
0
4
BY
3
6
1
3
LB
5
6
A
HM
SW
CS
1
2
FW
0
4
6
HB
1st v 2nd in group A
5.30 A Grade Final
SB
BY
LB
W
P
B2
6
6
6
3
1
EH
4
2
0
4
HL
6
6
2
2
HH
6
4
1
3
OW
6
6
2
EH
HL
HH
OW
W
P
3
4
1
0
4
6
3
2
2
1
1
3
3
1
6
A Grade Final Henry Mullan (Clifton)
B Grade Final Oscar Wright (Eton)
bt Sam Willis (Highgate)
8/5
bt Henry Batstone (Radley) 6/2
B Grade
Henry Batstone (Radley) qualified for the final by winning all 3 of his group matches, though all were
close, especially the 6/5 over a lively Leo Boddington (Radley) and the 6/3 over Benedict Yorston
(Radley). Yorston did, though win his other two matches, though pressed hard by Stephen Blount
(Oratory), who also played well throughout his three close sets.
Oscar Wright (Eton) won the other group in some comfort, apart from the moment when Henry Lidington
(Clifton) came within a point of levelling at 4-4. Lidington also beat the other Etonian, Hugo Hodgson, in a
very close 6/4 as well as Ed Hyde (Tonbridge). Neither Hodgson or Hyde (both clearly talented and able
tennis players) really gained the credit that their play deserved, all contributing to a very competitive and
entertaining group.
In the final, Batstone took matters to a close 2-2, but Wright’s power and mobility proved too much for him
in the end and he ran out a 6/2 winner.
A Grade
Henry Mullan (Clifton) and Sam Willis (Highgate) were - on handicap terms - very hot favourites for the
final. However, both Charlie Stevens and Felix White (both Radley) produced some splendid tennis well
above their official handicaps to press both Mullan and Willis in some really entertaining sets. Felix White,
in fact, nearly ruined a few plans by leading Sam Willis 2/0 and 4/2 before reaching ‘nosebleed’ level.
However, the predicted final was eventually reached. Here, Henry Mullan’s ability to return that extra ball
every rally eventually proved decisive, especially when he began to add a sprinkling of properly incisive
kills. Nevertheless, Sam pushed him all the way; it was a lengthy and highly entertaining match – after a
very entertaining day!