The U14 tennis season
The U14 tennis season concluded last Saturday with the end of season BMAC tournament, which although sanctioned under the BMAC conference umbrella is almost a hybrid tournament as three of the six schools taking part are from the BISA conference.
Patana hosted the girls whilst ISB were the boys host school.
With the schools split into two groups of three based on UTR (universal tennis rating) it meant that winning the group was essential to reach the final. The boys were drawn with Harrow and STA with the crucial match with Harrow first up at 7.30 am. The format of each match is 3 singles and 2 doubles with each match worth one point, the boys had been primed all week during practice that a good start was vital to our chances, in all but one of the 5 matches we won the first set but although Taisuke in singles and Totti and Philip in doubles secured wins, unfortunately, Harrow came back and took the remaining three matches and win the tie 3-2. As both teams would face a weak STA team in their second match we needed a big upset to progress which didn’t happen leaving the boys in a 3rd place playoff match with ISB who we easily despatched 5-0 to finish in a credible 3rd place.
The girls faced ISB in their first match and although we did lose one of the doubles matches, the second doubles and 3 singles players were dominant and we cruised to a 4-1 win.
Next, the girls faced Harrow and once again were on good form winning all five matches in straight sets to reach the final. With the expectation that Shrewsbury would be our opposition the girls were surprised to learn NIST had narrowly defeated them in the deciding match which made us odds on favourites in the final. The girls didn’t disappoint once again winning all matches in straight sets and showing style and grace in the singles whilst both doubles pairs energy, teamwork and tactical skills notably when volleying which they all had worked so hard on during their additional team sessions was a joy to watch.
All the visiting schools were delighted to have been part of the first end of season event at the new courts and were very complementary towards the facility which undoubtedly will raise the profile of not only Bangkok Patana but also tennis around the region.