Jack Van den Eynde Trophy - July 25th - 27th

Jack Van den Eynde Challenge 25-27 July
 
Simon Bramwell captained the team to Belgium to take part in the Jack Van Den Eynde Challenge.  Phil Cliff, Martin Gillham, Chris Hill, Michael Taylor, Georgie Jones and Debra Schmidt represented the IC of GB.
Chris Hill was joined by his wife Gail and Martin Gillham by his wife Mandy who enthusiastically supported the team.

 The Captain’s report follows:
 
One fine weekend, late July
Some took the train, some chose to fly
The IC team, yes!… GB’s cream
Of brains and muscles, left for Brussels.
 
The mission? Live the IC spirit!
Play great tennis, have fun with it!
Make some friends in pastures new.
Enjoy a Belgian beer or two?
 
Let’s check the squad who came together…
Is this the finest Brit team ever!…
Up first, Chris Hill, a charming bloke,
Welsh dragon breathing fire and smoke
His game is spin and touch and flair
Beware this tennis dragon’s lair!
Next comes Martin, what a guy!
A top class player, standards high
He’s someone who could run all day
A warrior type, he’s made for clay.
Mike Taylor, he’s our science brain
A gentleman, that much is plain
He stokes the ball, he glides around
His technique is quite simply sound!
Phil Cliff, he’s GB’s Mr Smooth
His volleys always in the groove
And while his serves skid through with pace
His hair is never out of place!
We move now to our female team
These ladies’ tennis is a dream
They run, they chase, they play with style
Combining talent, touch and guile.
Georgie’s forehand’s simply great
Her ball striking is just first rate
She looks the part, in her cool shades
And loves her Wilson tennis Blades.
Debra, what endurance! Crumbs!
She run, and runs, and runs and runs!
She loves the clay, she’ll play all day
As fitness GOAT she gets my vote!
That just leaves me to end this rhyme.
Please stop Brammers, now’s the time.
To say our thank yous take a bow
Jack Van Den Eynde’s Belgium’s now!

 
Saturday…
Simon vs Eric Lingg 6-4, 7-6 GB
Martin vs Pierre  Thys 5-7, 4-6 B
Debra vs Monika Mogalle 6-3. 3-6, 10-12 B
Chris vs François 5-7, 5-7 B
Georgie vs Raphaella Liziero2-6, 1-6 B
 Simon + Phil vs Timothy Aerts + Laurent Dessart 1-6, 4-6 B
Mike + Martin vs François + Eric Lingg  3-6, 1-6 B
Debra + Georgie vs Monika Mogalle + Raphaella Liziero 3-6, 4-6 B
Phil + Chris vs Laurent  Dessart + Michel de Marneffe 5-4 GB
 
Overnight 7-2 Belgium…
 Sunday…
 
Debra + Martin vs Monika Mogalle + Eric Lingg 6-2, 1-0 retired GB
Georgie + Phil vs Raphaella Liziero  + Tim Aerts 2-6, 6-7 B
Chris + Mike vs Alex + François 5-4 retired GB
Mike + Chris vs Eric Lingg + François 6-3 GB
 
OVERALL RESULT
8-5 Belgium - Simon Bramwell