Seacourt The Real Ten

The Report

Seacourt had the very proud honour of hosting the new and exciting format of REAL 10 on 30th January 2010.

Bryn Sayers, Ben Matthews, Chris Bray, Roddy McNaughtan and Adam Player all had to play a one six game set against each other off handicap.  The format lends heavily from 20twenty cricket with music and chanting while the players change ends.  All the spectators had financially backed one of the players and obviously they supported their player very vocally, which only adds to the already electric atmosphere.

The matches where fast and furious, with breathtaking rests and unbelievable athleticism throughout the night, but the last match on was the one that counted! Bryn Sayers and Ben Matthews, tied on 3 wins each, so this match would decide tonight’s champion.  No stranger to each other’s games, as they are training together every day to prepare Bryn for his first challenge against Steve Virgona on 10th February at Seacourt Tennis Club.

Ben Matthews was clinical in the first three games of the match, hitting the grill at will and threatening to tear the netting off the dedan with his ferocious forcing which gave him a 3-0 lead. Bryn, unfazed by the onslaught, kept his composure and worked himself back into the game by holding Ben in the rally and hitting his targets when presented. 3 games all,  40 30 Ben and Bryn serves a fault at which time Ben takes his half bisque to take the vital 7th game.  Bryn levelled the game from the service end, only to lose the next to go 5-4 down.  A huge game ensued, tied at 30 all with Ben pulling out all the stops to clinch the title, only for Bryn to win back to back chases to level the match at 5 all. Game on.  Bryn showed why he’s challenging for the championship with a near perfect 11th game to win the title.

A big thank you to all the Seacourt faithful and the other players’ supporters, who made the Real 10 night one to remember. Thanks to Roddy McNaughtan and Rob Fahey who are behind the success of Real 10 and lastly Nick Jones for all his tireless work behind the scenes.

Dan Jones