French Ladies Handicap Report 2015
Go to French Ladies Handicap Photos
Held at Fontainebleau Palace , May 23rd – 25th
“Be careful what you wish for”, is a wise saying. The usual group of suspects who have turned up for the French Ladies Handicap tournament in the past few years have been fond of bemoaning the lack of young blood entering the fray. This year, the young bloods did indeed turn up, and sorted out the oldies by walking off with most of the honours - and serve us right. It was also the first time, to my belief, that a Fellow of All Souls Oxford won a Real Tennis title.
Apart from the regulars being sorted out on court, everything else was as usual a joy. The weekend was particularly blessed by a grand celebration in the town, with equestrian parades, marching bands in Renaissance costumes, balloons, flags, exhibitions and general jollity. This had nothing to do with us, of course; the town was celebrating 55 years of various twinnings with cities across the world. But we benefited from the fun and festivities, and did our bit by putting on a show for the many tourists who dropped by to rubber-neck the strange goings-on of English ladies in the Jeu de Paume court at the Palace. Not that our tournament was totally irresistible… On the first morning, two Chinese tourists came by the dedans, with enquiring faces. Gabrielle nobbled them: “This is a very important international Ladies Real Tennis tournament”. Upon which, they immediately turned round and walked away. Ah well, their loss.
The entry was smaller than usual, owing to previous minor events like the World Championships which had played out a lot of people (and depleted their bank balances): plus some late withdrawals with injury. So thirteen took part.
Round Robins began the proceedings: four groups of three, playing best of seven games, with winner and runner-up going through from each group. By the end of Saturday morning, things were already shaping up - Isabel Candy and Clare Bucknell both won their groups with ease, and Sophie Dannreuther (the third of the young players) showed great grit, playing against Isabel, to fight back from 1/6 down to eventually lose 4/7. At this point, some experienced players like Anne Balcerkiewicz , Linda Sheraton-Davis and Linda Fairbrother found themselves pushed out; the others moved on to quarter finals.
The first quarter-final was undoubtedly the most dramatic: Isabel Candy against Katie Leppard, playing level handicap. There was good serving and good hitting from both, with excellent rests typified by exchanges of powerful volleys . Katie was down 2/5, but she fought her way back to 6/6, 40/40. So final point: a big mis-hit from Katie. Isabel saw her chance to finish off in style, turbo-ed up, and slammed the ball into the net to hand Katie the match, 7/6. A devastating mistake that one guesses Isabel won’t make again.
The other quarters were more predictable. Gabrielle Smart was giving Trish Morris quite a few points but this didn’t bother her: she began in style in the first three games with five aces, and though Trish used her cross court forehand towards the Winning Gallery wall when she had the chance, Gabrielle was just too steady and crafty. After losing three match points, Gabrielle finally won the match on the fourth, 7/4.
Pam Tomalin against the fourth young player, Brazilian Marina Bauer Graf, was again just too consistent in placing the ball, and forcing the dedans. At 6/0 down, Marina began to look as if she had conceded the match, but a scorcher into the forehand Hazard end finally gave her a game, and she bucked up with a Coeur de Lion into the dedans in the next. But Pam was having none of it, and closed out the match 7/1. And in the final quarter, the two young Oxford players, Clare Bucknell and Sophie Dannreuther, battled it out in an excellent match, where Clare had difficulty with Sophie’s lack of errors and her ability to pick off Clare’s defensive shots by powering her reply into a far corner. The only way Clare could win an easy point was a number of great forces into the dedans. Sophie came through 7/3.
In the semi-finals, first up was Katie against Pam. The latter received helpful handicap points, but had a handicap of her own with a tendon problem, and found herself pinned at the Hazard end all too often, unable to make a chase and suffering at the receiving end of Katie’s excellent leftie railroad. All too quickly it was 5/0 to Katie, playing brutal shots into corners away from Pam’s restricted reach, or beautifully placed forces. The next game went to 40 all, and Pam served into the nick to get on the scoreboard, to the acclaim of the dedans. The next went the same way at 40 all, so Pam was now ‘only’ 2/6 behind. But then Katie upped her power, and made sure of the match defending a Chase 14, to win 7/2.
The second semi-final, between Gabrielle and Sophie, was a nail-biting affair: Gabrielle’s consistent well-placed medium-paced shots pitted against Sophie’s athleticism, volleying skill and – let’s face it – a bit of nerves. Gabrielle’s style of play did the job beautifully to start with, changing pace, playing short occasionally or drifting down the side. She was up 4/1. Then Sophie began to steady her nerves and adapt to Gabrielle’s play, anticipating better and bringing the score up to 4/4. By now the dedans was completely engrossed and silent, as Sophie continued to win the vital points and now edged ahead to 6/4. But Gabrielle wasn’t giving up, and won the next game with a great cross-court forehand – 5/6; and then, with what looked like a tightening up by Sophie, Gabrielle wins the next game too, capitalising on some iffy shots by her opponent - a loose shot into the bandeau, and then a return of serve into the net. So it was 6/6. Neck and neck, but 40/30 to Sophie, with Gabrielle serving. Sophie returns the serve, and Gabrielle puts her shot into the net. Sophie goes through after an epic match, 7/6.
In the Final of the Singles, Katie Leppard met Sophie Dannreuther, a match that no one watching felt brave enough to call. They are both left-handers, hard hitters, good servers with railroad the serve of choice, and ardent volleyers. Katie was giving Sophie Half Owe 15 handicap and the match was played first to eight games.
Very quickly, Sophie began to overpower Katie with her volleys, drawing errors, and she moved ahead to 4/1. It then developed into a slugfest, where Sophie had all the shots – attack volleys, forces to the grille, placed shots to the tambour base and some great serves. Katie was looking very one-dimensional, just volleying as hard as she could and nowhere to go when Sophie just gobbled up the pace; the score now 5/1. However Katie started at this point to calm down, play a few shorter softer shots, and began to be rewarded with errors from her opponent. She won the next two games to get the score to 3/5 and persevered with her adapted game, but at 40 all she had an unlucky shot with a volley that bounced up off the penthouse to go out of court. Sophie then took the next game easily, so was now within sight of the finishing line at 7/3. But Katie fought back to 4/7: could she somehow hold on to her successful tactics and go all the way? In the next game, Sophie quickly raced to 30/0we 15, and though Katie won the next point, Sophie then slid a shot along the wall under the Winning Gallery to go 40/0 up. It was too much for Katie, and with a super serve into the nick, Sophie took the game and match, 8/4. An excellent and entertaining final that was enjoyed by all.
Apart from the regulars being sorted out on court, everything else was as usual a joy. The weekend was particularly blessed by a grand celebration in the town, with equestrian parades, marching bands in Renaissance costumes, balloons, flags, exhibitions and general jollity. This had nothing to do with us, of course; the town was celebrating 55 years of various twinnings with cities across the world. But we benefited from the fun and festivities, and did our bit by putting on a show for the many tourists who dropped by to rubber-neck the strange goings-on of English ladies in the Jeu de Paume court at the Palace. Not that our tournament was totally irresistible… On the first morning, two Chinese tourists came by the dedans, with enquiring faces. Gabrielle nobbled them: “This is a very important international Ladies Real Tennis tournament”. Upon which, they immediately turned round and walked away. Ah well, their loss.
The entry was smaller than usual, owing to previous minor events like the World Championships which had played out a lot of people (and depleted their bank balances): plus some late withdrawals with injury. So thirteen took part.
Round Robins began the proceedings: four groups of three, playing best of seven games, with winner and runner-up going through from each group. By the end of Saturday morning, things were already shaping up - Isabel Candy and Clare Bucknell both won their groups with ease, and Sophie Dannreuther (the third of the young players) showed great grit, playing against Isabel, to fight back from 1/6 down to eventually lose 4/7. At this point, some experienced players like Anne Balcerkiewicz , Linda Sheraton-Davis and Linda Fairbrother found themselves pushed out; the others moved on to quarter finals.
The first quarter-final was undoubtedly the most dramatic: Isabel Candy against Katie Leppard, playing level handicap. There was good serving and good hitting from both, with excellent rests typified by exchanges of powerful volleys . Katie was down 2/5, but she fought her way back to 6/6, 40/40. So final point: a big mis-hit from Katie. Isabel saw her chance to finish off in style, turbo-ed up, and slammed the ball into the net to hand Katie the match, 7/6. A devastating mistake that one guesses Isabel won’t make again.
The other quarters were more predictable. Gabrielle Smart was giving Trish Morris quite a few points but this didn’t bother her: she began in style in the first three games with five aces, and though Trish used her cross court forehand towards the Winning Gallery wall when she had the chance, Gabrielle was just too steady and crafty. After losing three match points, Gabrielle finally won the match on the fourth, 7/4.
Pam Tomalin against the fourth young player, Brazilian Marina Bauer Graf, was again just too consistent in placing the ball, and forcing the dedans. At 6/0 down, Marina began to look as if she had conceded the match, but a scorcher into the forehand Hazard end finally gave her a game, and she bucked up with a Coeur de Lion into the dedans in the next. But Pam was having none of it, and closed out the match 7/1. And in the final quarter, the two young Oxford players, Clare Bucknell and Sophie Dannreuther, battled it out in an excellent match, where Clare had difficulty with Sophie’s lack of errors and her ability to pick off Clare’s defensive shots by powering her reply into a far corner. The only way Clare could win an easy point was a number of great forces into the dedans. Sophie came through 7/3.
In the semi-finals, first up was Katie against Pam. The latter received helpful handicap points, but had a handicap of her own with a tendon problem, and found herself pinned at the Hazard end all too often, unable to make a chase and suffering at the receiving end of Katie’s excellent leftie railroad. All too quickly it was 5/0 to Katie, playing brutal shots into corners away from Pam’s restricted reach, or beautifully placed forces. The next game went to 40 all, and Pam served into the nick to get on the scoreboard, to the acclaim of the dedans. The next went the same way at 40 all, so Pam was now ‘only’ 2/6 behind. But then Katie upped her power, and made sure of the match defending a Chase 14, to win 7/2.
The second semi-final, between Gabrielle and Sophie, was a nail-biting affair: Gabrielle’s consistent well-placed medium-paced shots pitted against Sophie’s athleticism, volleying skill and – let’s face it – a bit of nerves. Gabrielle’s style of play did the job beautifully to start with, changing pace, playing short occasionally or drifting down the side. She was up 4/1. Then Sophie began to steady her nerves and adapt to Gabrielle’s play, anticipating better and bringing the score up to 4/4. By now the dedans was completely engrossed and silent, as Sophie continued to win the vital points and now edged ahead to 6/4. But Gabrielle wasn’t giving up, and won the next game with a great cross-court forehand – 5/6; and then, with what looked like a tightening up by Sophie, Gabrielle wins the next game too, capitalising on some iffy shots by her opponent - a loose shot into the bandeau, and then a return of serve into the net. So it was 6/6. Neck and neck, but 40/30 to Sophie, with Gabrielle serving. Sophie returns the serve, and Gabrielle puts her shot into the net. Sophie goes through after an epic match, 7/6.
In the Final of the Singles, Katie Leppard met Sophie Dannreuther, a match that no one watching felt brave enough to call. They are both left-handers, hard hitters, good servers with railroad the serve of choice, and ardent volleyers. Katie was giving Sophie Half Owe 15 handicap and the match was played first to eight games.
Very quickly, Sophie began to overpower Katie with her volleys, drawing errors, and she moved ahead to 4/1. It then developed into a slugfest, where Sophie had all the shots – attack volleys, forces to the grille, placed shots to the tambour base and some great serves. Katie was looking very one-dimensional, just volleying as hard as she could and nowhere to go when Sophie just gobbled up the pace; the score now 5/1. However Katie started at this point to calm down, play a few shorter softer shots, and began to be rewarded with errors from her opponent. She won the next two games to get the score to 3/5 and persevered with her adapted game, but at 40 all she had an unlucky shot with a volley that bounced up off the penthouse to go out of court. Sophie then took the next game easily, so was now within sight of the finishing line at 7/3. But Katie fought back to 4/7: could she somehow hold on to her successful tactics and go all the way? In the next game, Sophie quickly raced to 30/0we 15, and though Katie won the next point, Sophie then slid a shot along the wall under the Winning Gallery to go 40/0 up. It was too much for Katie, and with a super serve into the nick, Sophie took the game and match, 8/4. An excellent and entertaining final that was enjoyed by all.
In the Plate Singles semis, Claire Stacey managed to make the most of her large handicap advantage over Linda Sheraton-Davis to keep Linda at bay. Linda played a steady unspectacular game to cut down on any potential errors, but Claire just managed enough good shots to keep level up to 6/6. Then Linda gave away the first point to go 0we30/40 down – it was just too much and Claire edged the win 7/6. Against the other Linda (Fairbrother, who had not been having a happy tournament), was Anne Balcerkiewicz, both ladies experienced, careful players. It was all very even play for most of the time, with both creating a mixture of excellent strokes and unforced errors. But in the end, Linda Fairbrother got through 7/5.
In the Final, Claire Stacey was against Linda Fairbrother. Like Linda S-D, Linda F also had a heavy handicap to cope with, but she played an extremely steady and careful game, and used her underarm twist serve to win a large number of free points. Claire had great difficult in getting a good swing at any shots, and with Linda making no errors, couldn’t make the most of her handicap advantage. In the last two games, Claire made some good strokes, but Linda held firm, twice climbed the handicap mountain of 40/0we 30 against her, and won the Plate Singles 6/0.
In the Doubles tournament, organiser Gabrielle had to invent a new kind of draw with only 13 players. Claire Stacey, therefore, had the dubious privilege of playing with 3 different partners in a rolling pairs ‘création’. Here again the young players made their mark, especially the all-Oxford pair of Clare and Sophie.
In the first Round Robin group of 3 pairs, Isabel Candy and Anne Balcerkiewicz had little difficulty in demolishing the two Lindas who could not counter Isabel’s power. But they had a harder time against Pam and Gabrielle who remained very steady under fire. At 3/1 to Isabel and Anne, their opponents began more successful tactics of hitting softer balls and sending up lobs. Isabel began to try too hard, and her errors then gave Pam and Gabrielle the next two games, and all stayed even up to 5 all. Gabrielle was now the one tightening up a smidgeon, just enough to lose momentum and give Isabel renewed confidence. Isabel and Anne won that match, and thus the group, 7/5.
In the second Round Robin, it seemed that there was more danger from partners than from opponents.. At one point, a railroad serve by Katie whizzed past Sheilagh Owen standing at the Door and missed her by less than 2 cm. Sheilagh promptly took shelter in the door gap to check that her head was still on. Clare Bucknell also had a good go at her partner Sophie, and she actually made contact on a leg. More entertainment was provided by Sheilagh’s playing style. Sheilagh is a canny player, but proclaimed herself unable to move – normally regarded as perhaps an insuperable handicap; but not for her. She seemed to draw an imaginary square around herself, beyond which she would not step: send a ball inside that square and it would come back; outside the square by a few inches, and Sheilagh would stand super-glued to the spot. Even so, Katie and Sheilagh won two matches in fine style, and only succumbed to the superior force of Clare and Sophie, who won all three of their matches in the group.
In the Final, Claire Stacey was against Linda Fairbrother. Like Linda S-D, Linda F also had a heavy handicap to cope with, but she played an extremely steady and careful game, and used her underarm twist serve to win a large number of free points. Claire had great difficult in getting a good swing at any shots, and with Linda making no errors, couldn’t make the most of her handicap advantage. In the last two games, Claire made some good strokes, but Linda held firm, twice climbed the handicap mountain of 40/0we 30 against her, and won the Plate Singles 6/0.
In the Doubles tournament, organiser Gabrielle had to invent a new kind of draw with only 13 players. Claire Stacey, therefore, had the dubious privilege of playing with 3 different partners in a rolling pairs ‘création’. Here again the young players made their mark, especially the all-Oxford pair of Clare and Sophie.
In the first Round Robin group of 3 pairs, Isabel Candy and Anne Balcerkiewicz had little difficulty in demolishing the two Lindas who could not counter Isabel’s power. But they had a harder time against Pam and Gabrielle who remained very steady under fire. At 3/1 to Isabel and Anne, their opponents began more successful tactics of hitting softer balls and sending up lobs. Isabel began to try too hard, and her errors then gave Pam and Gabrielle the next two games, and all stayed even up to 5 all. Gabrielle was now the one tightening up a smidgeon, just enough to lose momentum and give Isabel renewed confidence. Isabel and Anne won that match, and thus the group, 7/5.
In the second Round Robin, it seemed that there was more danger from partners than from opponents.. At one point, a railroad serve by Katie whizzed past Sheilagh Owen standing at the Door and missed her by less than 2 cm. Sheilagh promptly took shelter in the door gap to check that her head was still on. Clare Bucknell also had a good go at her partner Sophie, and she actually made contact on a leg. More entertainment was provided by Sheilagh’s playing style. Sheilagh is a canny player, but proclaimed herself unable to move – normally regarded as perhaps an insuperable handicap; but not for her. She seemed to draw an imaginary square around herself, beyond which she would not step: send a ball inside that square and it would come back; outside the square by a few inches, and Sheilagh would stand super-glued to the spot. Even so, Katie and Sheilagh won two matches in fine style, and only succumbed to the superior force of Clare and Sophie, who won all three of their matches in the group.
In the semis, Isabel and Anne played Katie and Sheilagh. The latter pair had a hard time to keep up, but did a good job, with some awesome power from Katie (one shot was so fiercesome that Isabel, standing in front of the grille, moved aside, refusing even to try to return it). One particular shot was especially entertaining – a ball from the Hazard end landed awkwardly close to Sheilagh, just behind her back, and apparently outside the magic square. Katie sprinted from the back of the court to take it, and arrived with racket about to descend on the ball two feet from Sheilagh’s knee. At which point, Sheilagh gave a little flick at the ball, sent it literally from under Katie’s nose, and over the net. Not surprisingly, their opponents could only mishit the ball into the net, taken completely by surprise.
But despite their best efforts, Katie and Sheilagh couldn’t win the vital points, so Isaabel and Anne went through, 6/3.
In the second semi, things were close, with excellent serving by all players and good steady play. Gabrielle and Pam stayed up with Clare and Sophie for the first four games, 2/2, but then things just turned against them. Nearly all the games went to 40 all, but Clare and Sophie were winning those game points – Sophie, especially, using her brain to vary the pace on a Chase, or to wrong-foot their opponents with a disguised cross-court shot. In a very good match, the scoreline did not do Gabrielle and Pam justice: 6/2 to Clare and Sophie.
In the Doubles Final (played to 8), three young players with one ‘oldie’: Clare and Sophie against Isabel and Anne. Isabel was giving instructions to her possibly more experienced partner, but Anne took it in good heart, as Isabel was obviously determined not to let the Doubles title escape her as the Singles had done.
Alas, Clare and Sophie had different ideas, and with great serving by Sophie, quickly racked up the score to 3/0, with big grins and high fives after every good shot. They were obviously enjoying themselves on court, which was more than could be said for their opponents. Isabel looked spooked by the consistency and power, and couldn’t cope with some clever shots aimed at her feet. The score moved on to 5/1. Clare was also serving well by now, varying between railroads and side-wall serves to Anne. Sophie’s serve continued to bamboozle Isabel, who at 6/2 put two returns in the net, and failed even to connect with a third – 7/2. At last, three good serves by Anne gave her partnership another game, making it 3/7. With victory in their grasp, Clare and Sophie thought they’d done it at 40/30 with a shot to the Hazard end. But it was called a Chase, and with more good serving from Anne, the score became 4/7. Then Clare and Sophie knuckled down, and flew to 40/15. They finally took the match with an excellent serve by Clare, 8/4: she’s a Fellow of All Souls whose brain and body are obviously both in pretty good shape.
But despite their best efforts, Katie and Sheilagh couldn’t win the vital points, so Isaabel and Anne went through, 6/3.
In the second semi, things were close, with excellent serving by all players and good steady play. Gabrielle and Pam stayed up with Clare and Sophie for the first four games, 2/2, but then things just turned against them. Nearly all the games went to 40 all, but Clare and Sophie were winning those game points – Sophie, especially, using her brain to vary the pace on a Chase, or to wrong-foot their opponents with a disguised cross-court shot. In a very good match, the scoreline did not do Gabrielle and Pam justice: 6/2 to Clare and Sophie.
In the Doubles Final (played to 8), three young players with one ‘oldie’: Clare and Sophie against Isabel and Anne. Isabel was giving instructions to her possibly more experienced partner, but Anne took it in good heart, as Isabel was obviously determined not to let the Doubles title escape her as the Singles had done.
Alas, Clare and Sophie had different ideas, and with great serving by Sophie, quickly racked up the score to 3/0, with big grins and high fives after every good shot. They were obviously enjoying themselves on court, which was more than could be said for their opponents. Isabel looked spooked by the consistency and power, and couldn’t cope with some clever shots aimed at her feet. The score moved on to 5/1. Clare was also serving well by now, varying between railroads and side-wall serves to Anne. Sophie’s serve continued to bamboozle Isabel, who at 6/2 put two returns in the net, and failed even to connect with a third – 7/2. At last, three good serves by Anne gave her partnership another game, making it 3/7. With victory in their grasp, Clare and Sophie thought they’d done it at 40/30 with a shot to the Hazard end. But it was called a Chase, and with more good serving from Anne, the score became 4/7. Then Clare and Sophie knuckled down, and flew to 40/15. They finally took the match with an excellent serve by Clare, 8/4: she’s a Fellow of All Souls whose brain and body are obviously both in pretty good shape.
In the Doubles Plate final, (played to six) the verdict (quite fairly) from the dedans was: “Great match, terrible tennis.” It went to the wire, with every player doing their bit to prolong things by double faulting and making unforced errors. That said, the ostensibly weaker pair, Trish and Claire, played far more consistently than Linda Sheraton-Davis and, especially, than Linda Fairbrother whose only consistency was to fail to find the centre of her racket. But it was all most entertaining as both pairs gritted down to win ugly. At five all, 40 all, the match should have gone to Trish and Claire with a superb lob by Clare aimed into the dedans, which Linda Sheraton-Davis somehow intercepted 6 inches from the net right above her head, with an amazing volley which then found the nick at the Hazard end. So the two Lindas won the match by a whisker, 6/5.
Report and photos by Linda Fairbrother
Our thanks to the Cercle du Jeu de Paume de Fontainebleau for hosting this most enjoyable tournament, and to Eric Delloye and Lalian Desmerger for the excellent –bi-lingual – marking. It could not have taken place without the sponsorship of the Hotel du Jeu de Paume and an Anonymous Donor, to whom we are most grateful for the continued support. Amazingly flavoured chocolate sprinkle gifts provided for all players by Sébastian Métoyer of Le Moulin Rouge, St Martin-sur-Ouanne; and champagne prizes by Pol Roger.
Above all, our thanks to Gabrielle Smart who coped magnificently with all adversities, provided delicious lunches, organised hotels and lodging, and made it a delight to take part, as she has done since the first tournament in 1990!
Report and photos by Linda Fairbrother
Our thanks to the Cercle du Jeu de Paume de Fontainebleau for hosting this most enjoyable tournament, and to Eric Delloye and Lalian Desmerger for the excellent –bi-lingual – marking. It could not have taken place without the sponsorship of the Hotel du Jeu de Paume and an Anonymous Donor, to whom we are most grateful for the continued support. Amazingly flavoured chocolate sprinkle gifts provided for all players by Sébastian Métoyer of Le Moulin Rouge, St Martin-sur-Ouanne; and champagne prizes by Pol Roger.
Above all, our thanks to Gabrielle Smart who coped magnificently with all adversities, provided delicious lunches, organised hotels and lodging, and made it a delight to take part, as she has done since the first tournament in 1990!