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Racquet-eers rack up impressive victory over Georgia

Published:Tuesday | November 10, 2015 | 12:00 AM
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Contributed
From left kneeling: Rachel McLarty (R), Rosie McIver (R), Annabelle Todd (G), Mirah Todd (G), Judy Hanley (G). Standing from left: Everton Morgan (R), Norman Marshall (R), Stephen Todd (R), Frankie Chalifour (R), Merrick Marshall (R), James Ransome (G), Andrew Hopwood (team captain, Georgia), Will Iton (R), Karl Hendricks (G), Martin Hopwood (G), Jonathan Todd (G), Tony Gambrill Racquet-eers non-playing captain, Custos Paul Muschett (G), Bruce Hart (G), Colin Gallant Score Keeper, Oliver Clarke, Racquet-eers non-playing deputy captain and Cosma Earle of Silver Sands.
Contributed
Tony Gambrill (left), Racquet-eers' non-playing captain, Most Valued Player of the Match, Racquet-eers' Norman Marshall (second left), receiving the trophy from Andrew Hopwood, team captain of Georgia. Also in the photo are Paul Muschett (back) of Georgia and Colin Gallant, scorekeeper extraordinaire.
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The Racquet's-eers tennis team had a truly impressive victory over the Georgia Country Club home team last Saturday, winning 71 vs 53 games. The top Racquet-eers player was Norman Marshall.

This leading tournament has been played annually since 2003, always on the only grass courts still operational in Jamaica.

Non-playing Racquet-eers team captain, Tony Gambrill, said, in thanking Custos Paul Muschett (Georgia doyen): "This is the first time in many, many years that the three Georgia grass courts were properly prepared and rolled prior to the match. Our players have always had better talent, but are normally handicapped by the erratic country bounces. This year had a truer bounce."

Playing tennis captain for the losing team, Georgia, Andrew Hopwood, refused to confirm that the same level of court preparation would be assured in 2016 as "it appears that this adversely affected the results this year. These city people must learn to deal with bumpy ground."

The tournament refreshments were under the direction of Dimps Gallant and Sheona Muschett. Scorekeeper and peace maker was Colin Gallant.

A number of first time players participated - with varying levels of skill - this year, namely, Will Iton (who arrived late having lost his way in travel from UWI), Annabelle Todd, Jonathan Todd, Mirah Todd and from the UK via Treasure Beach, Judy Hanley.

Bruce Hart attended to play, this year without his dog. The Georgia Courts were recently almost burnt to the ground. A larger-than-usual herd of goats distracted attention as they wandered by during the match.

Mr Merrick Marshall suffered a painful calf cramp during play, regrettably after the team physician, Dr Richard Gomes, had abandoned play to go to a wedding.