Phew! 80,000 steps, 200 hoops. So said Joe King after he’d accepted the 2024 Treasurer’s Tankard, the prize for the Fourth Eight tournament held in Colchester over the past five days. He got off to a flier against some of the top AC players in England, then clung onto the lead as rivals rallied. On the final day, his total of 8 wins and 3 losses put clear blue water between him and familiar rival, David Warhurst from Budleigh Salterton (6-5). When you see a lone figure practising on the Blewbury courts in the rain, it’s often JK.. So that’s how it’s done, plus talent and stamina. BCC salutes you, Joe.
Robin Brown made an equally rampant start against England’s finest in the President’s Cup at Hurlingham, but stalled when the big guns started firing. He’d already beaten England captain Samir Patel and new European champion James Death, but they exacted due revenge as they headed for first and third places, with Gabrielle Higgins in between. Robin won’t thank me for congratulating him on finishing fifth behind Stephen Mulliner, but that doesn’t mean that 7wins, 7 losses in this elite company isn’t a notable result.
Sophie McGlen completed a hat trick of outstanding Blewbury performances with an 100% (6 out of 6) victory in the Selectors’ Weekend Swiss tournament. She went on to beat Guy Hewitt 26-10 in the semis and Robert Dodds 26-14 in the final of the Selector Knockout . Bravissima….