National Schools Rackets Doubles Championship

During the last week of the Spring Term, St Paul’s Rackets players made more rackets history by winning for the very first time the ‘Mark Faber Cup’, for the most successful school during both the National schools rackets singles championship in December, and the National schools doubles championships, played at The Queen’s Club last month.

The success is due to the talents, dedication and commitment of the whole club, but more specifically by a group of seniors who have now helped win all the top trophies in the National Schools Rackets championship calendar.

After amassing many points during great performances in the Singles championship last December, the following players/pairs must be recognised as the most successful Rackets team since its inception back in 2000: Alex (Captain), Gabriel, Aryan, Sachin, Shlok, Konstantin, Alexei and Rayaan.

As top seeds in the 1st Pairs event, Gabriel & Aryan made it comfortably to the finals but sadly lost 1-4 to a strong Radley pair. However, as the St Paul’s 2nd senior pair, Alex & Sachin, also top seeds in that event, cruised to the final to play the St Paul’s 3rd senior pair, and 2nd seeds, Shlok & Konstantin. Therefore, an all-Pauline 2nd pair final ensued ,which was an intriguing gathering for the non-partisan, packed gallery, who were greeted with an awe inspiring 5-game match that saw St Paul’s 3 (Shlok/Konstantin) come out on top winning 3-2.

The St Paul’s U-15 pair, Alexei & Rayaan, also had a great National event as 2nd seeds by reaching the semifinals, and serving a match point against a strong Tonbridge 3rd seed pair after another thrilling 5-game match that (sadly) ended in a set 3 (3-point tie-break) loss of the final game 16/17… so just by one point!