OLD Oratorians Joseph Bradley (’24) and Archie Mayer (’20) held their nerve to help The Oratory Real Tennis Club win the prestigious Brodie Cup.

The talented team won the anchor leg 6/3 6/2 for a title-winning match score of 3-2 against Holyport.

It was a first Brodie Cup success for Oratory since 2002, with the competition a national inter-club knockout event played during the course of the season.

On a day of drama at Hyde Tennis Club in Bridport, the eventual champions took the first contest as Bertie Russell and Fiona Fountain won their game 6/5 6/3.

But straight sets defeats for club captain Mark Candlish and Matthew Tate nudged their opponents 2-1 up.

Chris Savage kept the tie alive with a topsy-turvy 6/1 4/6 6/2 victory, before Bradley – whose dad Marc (’93) is also an OO – and Mayer sealed the deal.

They had proved imperious in both the semi and quarter-finals, recording 6/2 6/0 and 6/0 6/0 successes against Seacourt (4-1) and MCC (3-2).

The club’s biggest scare on route to silverware had come in the first round, when Bradley and Martin McNair were taken to a final-set decider against Cambridge.

However, their 6/3 3/6 6/4 triumph secured a 3-2 team victory and ultimately the chance to take the title.

Oratory Head Professional and 13-time world champion Rob Fahey said: "This is a great moment for the club. Congratulations to everyone involved for a fantastic performance throughout the season and particularly in the final." 

Meanwhile the school’s Head of Racquets, Claire Fahey, continued her vice-like grip on the women’s game as she retained the US Open singles title in Boston.

Success for the eight-time world champion marked a landmark 50th Open Singles Championship, a feat which sees her title tally draw level with husband Rob.

The World No. 1 was at her impenetrable best as she defeated the third seed, Saskia Bollerman, 6/1 6/0.

Fahey and her partner Tara Lumley also secured doubles success against Freddie Adam and Katherine Carney, also from The Oratory Real Tennis Club.

“This is a special moment in my career. I won my first open in the US in 2008 and to now win my 50th back in the States is very special,” said Fahey.