MSSP Year 3/4 Mini Tennis Red 2018-19

On Friday 10^th May 2019, MSSP ran its annual Year 3/4 Mini Tennis Red Competition at AELTC Community Sports Ground. Sixteen schools from the borough entered the competition all hoping to become crowned Merton Borough Champions. All the children enjoyed themselves especially as they got to play in the Aerodome. The competition began with the group stages with every school playing each other within their pool.

The opening matches got off to a fantastic start. It was wonderful to see such genuine sportsmanship on some of the courts with children shaking hands after the matches and congratulating one another on their wins and losses. Sacred Heart, Hollymount, Dundonald and Pelham got off to a fantastic start winning their group stages. At the end of the group stages, the results were as follows:

After breaking for a short lunch break, teachers and pupils gathered round the fixture sheet to find out where they had finished in their group and to see who they would be playing the second half of the tournament. All teams had to play a quarter final, semi-final and final to determine their finishing positions. Schools that finished in the top two of their group were playing for position 1-8, and those who finished in the bottom two, were playing for positions 9-15.

During the final rounds, some teams really came into their element. The standard of tennis played throughout the tournament had been very impressive, but it was clear to see that teams were determined to make sure they were going to secure themselves a top spot for the final. Games were becoming extremely close and having to be decided on goal difference, such as Sacred Heart v Wimbledon Chase to see who got into the final. The battle for the top four places was played between Wimbledon Chase and Poplar for 3^rd place which again could only be separated by points difference with Wimbledon Chase sneaking home in 3^rd place and taking the bronze medal position. The final saw Sacred Heart play Pelham in a titanic battle with both teams playing some outstanding tennis and showing a tremendous amount of skill and determination. After the games finished 2-2 it was down to points difference with the eventual winners, Sacred Heart, winning by only a 2 point advantage.  

Congratulations to all teams for competing with such high spirits showing an outstanding competitive attitude in all games played.

The results were as follows:

We would like to say a big thank you to AELTC and the WJTI for allowing us to use their fantastic facilities for the day. Additionally thank you to the Raynes Park High School leaders for umpiring the matches showing strong leadership, enthusiasm and knowledge of the rules.

The winner of our REFSPECT award was Malmesbury, they were nominated for shaking hands, congratulating other teams and being positive throughout- well done.

Congratulations to Sacred Heart, we wish you the best of luck at the London Youth Games in July 2019.