Leamington aim for final shot at closest rivals

Leamington professionals Kevin Sheldon and Marc Seigneur qualified for the final of the prestigious Singer & Friedlander National League First Division, running up six successive victories in their group matches against top sides from throughout Britain.

As Leamington, the world's oldest club, finished top of their group, they will have home court advantage and play the First Division final at their historic court in Bedford Street tomorrow against The Oratory Club.

Based at The Oratory School in Berkshire, Leamington's rivals are headed by No 2 American professional Josh Bainton, who recently achieved his lowest handicap of two.

This is only one point better than Sheldon, the Leamington head professional and the rapidlyimproving Seigneur, who each play off three, resulting in all three players being in the world's top 20 professionals.

"It'll be a tough struggle," said Sheldon, the former European and US Open doubles champion, former world No 5 and still a highly-ranked player despite his veteran status.

"The Oratory No 1, Josh Bainton, is the narrow favourite to win the first singles rubber against Marc and he's been hitting with the US No 1, Tim Chisholm, in his preparations for the World Championship challenge next week against world champion Rob Fahey at The Oratory School.

"Their No 2, Mark Eadle, is also very strong and hits the ball extremely hard, whereas I'm far more of a canny tactical player and like to place the ball."

The Oratory Club who, apart from their loss to Leamington, were unbeaten in the league this season, fancy their chances in the final and are also on a high thanks to fine performances by Bainton and Eadle plus Paul Knox, a former pupil at the school which has produced a string of national junior champions including two singles winners.

Later this month, the Oratory School will host the World Real Tennis Championship for the first time, with reigning champion Fahey, of Australia, defending his title against the No 1 challenger, Chisholm, of America, in a bid to win a record eight world titles in a row.