Eight teams participated in this year’s Calcutta with matches being played at both The Vancouver Racquets Club and The Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club. Thanks to both clubs for the use of their facilities.
The first round had it all including an upset with Nicola Martin and Ryan Haider overcoming Adam Radziminski and Brian Covernton in what many considered a clerical error*. (*New rules regarding handicaps were put into place just minutes before match time.) Greg Desaulniers (The Bionic Man) and Ben Thomas put away Rod Nicolls and Mark Ridgeway in 5 and Michael Leckie and Cathy Covernton played an amazing match over a greatly improved Chris Harley and his partner David Goldsmith winning 3-2.
All semi-finals were played at the Lawn with Castellino/Pacey winning in 4 over Thomas/Desaulniers and Covernton/Leckie squeaking out a 3-2 win over Martin/Haider. The latter match had the intensity of a final going right to the last point!
The final saw a differential of 9 points (Castellino/Pacey at +6 vs Covernton/Leckie at -3) and it’s fair share of controversy. With Castellino/Pacey up 2-1 in games, and 13-10 in the fourth, Leckie and Castellino collided and collapsed in the right back corner with Leckie managing to keep the ball in play. While Leckie and Castellino attempted to untangle themselves Pacey and Covernton fought it out at the front of the court with Pacey managing a cheeky (and lucky) drop shot for a winner. Leckie appealed to the crowd for a Let that he was sure he asked for but the ref and the crowd denied it and the point stood. (Henceforth this rally will be known as “The Let NOT heard ’round the world.”) A quick cross court nick off the serve by Pacey ended the match and found Castellino/Pacey in the winners circle hoping their owners would at least buy them a beer from the winnings.
All participants and “owners” retired to the Van Lawn lounge where Mr. Leckie only mentioned “that” rally once or twice and grumbles were heard about handicaps changing next year.
From tournament organizer Michael Leckie: A big thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Jesters Doubles Calcutta – players, bidders, and hecklers. We had a great turnout and managed to raise over $2400 for the 20/20 Fund. We would like to recognize the generosity of the owners of the winning team – Hugh Woolley and Rod Nicolls – for donating the $750 prize as part of the overall donation. John Hungerford was the sole winner of the 50/50 Draw, predicting the result of Castellino/Pacey (+6) over Covernton/Leckie (-3) in the finals. Nice playing Ruth and Pacey!
