Perse Prep tennis team crowned national champions

Perse Prep tennis players were in ace form with success at the IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) national finals at Clifton College.

Anamaya and Anaiya (both Year 6) were crowned girls’ U11 champions and Steven and George G (both Year 6) claimed bronze in the boys’ U11 competition, while Samuel and George L (both Year 6) came a creditable 12th place.

Each team played two singles and one doubles match against their opponents, with one point awarded for each victory in the knockout event.

Anamaya and Anaiya eased through the first couple of rounds before coming through a near four-hour semi-final marathon against Headington School.

Despite that gruelling effort, they went on to both win their singles rubbers against opponents from Channing in the final, with Anamaya celebrating retaining the IAPS title after being part of the Prep’s winning team last year.

After coming through the first few rounds, Steven and George G lost a very competitive semi-final to St George’s Prep School.

However, in the third-place play-off they prevailed in a local derby with St Faith’s School following a decisive doubles contest. For Steven, it was third time lucky having narrowly missed out on a medal in his previous two visits to the IAPS finals.

In their first-ever competitive tournament, Samuel and George L can take pride from their performance as they finished above many ranked players in their age group.