Islington Green proved our stumbling block a second time in the Middlesex Inter-Schools Junior Competition (Under 15s) in which fifty-four teams took part. Our First and Second Junior Teams met in the Zone Final but our First Team was well and truly beaten in the Semi-Final by 9 - 0. The team was A, Coburn, A. Frost and D. Brendish.
The local Wembley and Harrow Schools League proved very popular and we achieved not a little success. Our 1st team won Division 1 of the Open Competition (Under 19s) undefeated and the winning team of Dury, Tora and O'Malley was awarded a certificate and medals. Our 2nd team finished second in Division 2, losing only to Merchant Taylors'. Members of the team included P. O'Malley, F. O'Keefe, A. Frost, D, Brendish, B. Mulcahy, J. Sugrue and A. Coburn.
The Junior Competition (Under 15s) was won by our 1st team of A. Coburn, A. Frost and D. Brendish, who were awarded a certificate and medals. Our 2nd team of C. Green, M Ryan and B. Lobo finished in equal second place.
In the Wembley and Harrow Schools Knockout Cup introduced for the first time this year, we entered three teams. Our 1st team reached the Final only to lose 6 - 3 to Merchant Taylors', though in fairness it should be added that playing conditions contributed to this defeat.
Our Senior team of Dury, Tora and O'Malley was invited to represent Harrow in the London and South-East play-off of the Under 17 National School Team Championship held at Crystal Palace Recreation Centre. We reached the Semi-Final only to again lose to Islington Green. They lost in the Regional Final to Malory School Kent who went on to win the National Title.
Many school players entered the Junior Singles of the Wembley and Harrow League Closed Tournament which was held at Kodak. Tora, O'Malley, Dury, Frost and O'Keefe all did well before losing to older more experienced players. High hopes of greater successes are held for the coming years. All team players maintained consistent form and progress throughout the year but special attention should be made of D. Dury who on several occasions, with determination, admirable temperament and excellent tactics made victory possible when defect seemed imminent. Among the Juniors the greatest progress and potential was evidenced by C. Green D. Brendish and M. Ryan. At the time of writing Dury O'Malley and Tora are being considered for local representative honours at both Under 19 and Under 17 levels.
Some coaching sessions were held at the School under Mr. J. Carrington, the National coach. These proved very instructive, especially to the younger players. Frost, Green and Brendish were selected for special coaching at Middlesex level under Mr. L. Landry, the England Junior Captain. It is rumoured that Fr. Raymond has been awarded a Coaching Diploma, though few senior players give him any credit far playing progress!
The Season 1967/1968 is already with us and has witnessed one new and major event -- the School Senior and Junior Championships. Introduced this year, these Championships owe their origin to the Friends of the Salvatorian College, who have donated two fine cups and trophies to the Club to be played for annually. I would like, on behalf of the Club, to express our deep gratitude to the Friends for their generosity.
In the Junior Championship (Under 15s) there were thirty-four entries. In the Semi-Finals, M. Ryan beat A. Coburn, 21 - 17, 21 - 18. and G. McCourt beat C. Green, 16 - 21, 21 - 11, 21 - 18. The Final was well supported and saw a battle between attack and defence. Defence won the day and M. Ryan emerged a worthy winner, 21 - 11; 20 - 22, 21 - 9, 21 - 16.
In the Senior Championship (Under 19s) there were fifty-four entries. In the Semi-Finals, S. O'Malley beat P. Tora, 21 - 5, 21 - 16, and D. Dury beat A. Frost 21 - 9, 21 - 10. The Gym. was crowded for the Final with standing room only for many. Play was of a high standard throughout, drawing bursts of applause continuously. In the tense atmosphere both players were obviously nervous in the first game which was won by O'Malley 21 - 15. The second game was taken 21 - 13 by Dury with both players now giving of their best and attacking play dominating. Dury won the third 21 - 14, but O'Malley won the fourth 21 - 13 to level the match 2 - 2. In the final game nerves again rose to the surface, but an excited spectator's shout brought smiles at 15 - 15. Despite a wonderful fight-back aver the last few points by O'Malley, it was Dury who triumphed 21 - 19. Our congratulations to both players on a wonderful match played in the best possible spirit. They thoroughly deserved the ovation they received at the end.
Finally a deep vote of sincere thanks to Mr. P. Hartin who, despite inconvenience and expense, arranged transport to away matches on innumerable occasions, encouraged hopes and played a far from small part in each team's success.
By "Topspin"
| MIDDLESEX INTER-SCHOOLS SENIOR COMPETITION | ||
| V Merchant Taylors' | Won | 6-3 |
| V Orange Hill 1st | Won | 8-1 |
| V Harrow Technical College | Won | 5-4 |
| V Orange Hill 2nd | Won | 8-1 |
| V Latymer Upper | Won | 7-2 |
| County Final | ||
| V Islington Green | Lost | 4-5 |
| MIDDLESEX INTER-SCHOOLS JUNIOR COMPETITION | ||
| V Southall Tech. | Won | 9-0 |
| V Latymer Upper | Won | 9-0 |
| V Salvatorian 2nd | Won | 7-2 |
| County Final | ||
| V Islington Green | Lost | 0-9 |
| SCHOOLS LEAGUE 1966-67 FINAL LEAGUE TABLES | |||||||
| OPEN COMPETITION | |||||||
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| Division 1 | Played | Won | Lost | Void | For | Against | Points |
| Salvatorian College | 8 | 8 | 0 | - | 63 | 9 | 23 |
| Harrow Technical College | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 49 | 14 | 16 |
| Harrow Weald County | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 19 | 35 | 6 |
| Wembley County | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 41 | 3 |
| Whitefriars | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 0 |
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| Division 2 | Played | Won | Lost | Void | For | Against | Points |
| Merchant Taylors' | 8 | 8 | 0 | - | 62 | 10 | 23 |
| Salvatorian College 2nd | 8 | 6 | 2 | - | 40 | 32 | 17 |
| Harrow County Boys | 8 | 4 | 4 | - | 40 | 32 | 12 |
| Harrow Technical College 2nd | 8 | 1 | 7 | - | 24 | 48 | 5 |
| Kingsbury County | 8 | 1 | 7 | - | 14 | 58 | 3 |
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| JUNIOR COMPETITION | Played | Won | Lost | Void | For | Against | Points |
| Salvatorian College | 8 | 8 | 0 | - | 59 | 13 | 22 |
| Atholl | 8 | 5 | 3 | - | 47 | 25 | 15 |
| Salvatorian College 2nd | 8 | 5 | 3 | - | 41 | 31 | 15 |
| Harrow Weald County | 8 | 2 | 6 | - | 31 | 41 | 8 |
| Whitefriars | 8 | 0 | 8 | - | 2 | 70 | 0 |