Phyllis Court qualifies for European finals

Phyllis Court qualified for the finals of the European Club Teams Competition for the first time last weekend, with the club’s Euro A team coming through their home hosted heat undefeated with relative ease.

They beat Real Club Pineda de Sevilla (Spain) 9-1 and repeated that scoreline against club mates Phyllis Court Euro C before getting over an early stumble against Croquet Club Zurich (Switzerland) to pull away 8-2.

The format of the event built in some jeopardy for the home favourites with single games deciding match-ups throughout, rather than “best of three” contests that are more frequently encountered at this level.

There was an early hiccup for the hosts’ rusty Charlie von Schmieder who lost to Spaniard Elena Adarve and a later similar reverse for Chris Roberts who went down equally narrowly to Swiss Danny Studerus.

Phyllis Court A also dropped a doubles game in an otherwise good performance, in which Ian Norris won all six of his singles games.

However, the result of the tournament was scored by Phyllis Court C’s Rob Eagle who dented the top teams’ record in the Henley club’s derby match, with a surprise 7-2 win over the A team’s Rick Lilley.

While Phyllis Court A cruised to their expected victory over all, it was Phyllis Court C that provided the added interest for home supporters, when they took Zurich to 4-6 and then came from behind to secure a draw 5-5 with Club Pineda, which was a terrific achievement from a team ranked as outsiders who had come in to the tournament very late.

Jeff Smith had several very close results without success, which was a tough reflection on his fine play, while Eagle, Helen Essa and Michael Marcel scored three very creditable wins apiece and all against higher ranked opponents.

The Phyllis Court heat is one of 11 around Europe which will each provide their winner for the European Final along with hosts Sussex County CC, from Southwick, near Brighton, in October.

Phyllis Court chairman Patricia Mulcahy, who had competed with Phyllis Court Euro B team in the Latvian heat four weeks ago, and is club president and Championship referee, presented the overseas visitors with commemorative pennants at the end of a successful and enjoyable tournament.