The "San Michel" team tournament, sponsored by Simonds Farson Cisk and organized by Tennis Club Kordin came to an end on Sunday 6th.June when in the Final Team "D" of Dave Elden beat Team "A" of Rinaldo D'Allessandro by the score of 14 sets to 8. This Final was a befitting finish to the most prestigious tournament held annually by T.C.K.
The Semi-Finals, which were played the previous day, were well fought out. The one between Team "C" of Joe Vella and Team "A" of Rinaldo d'Allessandro was electrifying and kept the crowd, which attended for these matches, on its toes till the very end of the whole encounter. By the seventh rubber, Joes team enjoyed a clear lead of 9 sets to 5 and by then, every thing was pointing to team "C" to overcome this hurdle. Joe's supporters were already envisaging a place in the Final. However, Rinaldo had other ideas. This was shown when, in the eight rubber, (Men's B) his team composed of Frank Oliva/Clint Cassar emerged victorious over Vi Jay Balani/Joe Callus by two sets to love. Team A's recovery continued in the Ladies'A match when its Ladies team gained another set to bring the score closer to 9 sets to 11 thus, the result of this Semi - Final was now all hinged up to the eleventh and final Rubber in the Men's A category. Team "C" needed only one set to make sure of a place in the Final.
The atmosphere around Court 3 was tense and both sets of supporters were kept on their toes through out this match. Richard Magri/Robert Attard for Team "C" started well and, Team "A", composed of Matthew Mifsud/Weal Ab Del Ghani found it difficult to concentrate and soon found themselves behind after the first four games. They needed both sets if their team was to contest the Final. The 'Never say die' of the latter pair and the vocal support coming from around the court helped them to overcome their initial nervousness and win the first set 6-4.
The 2nd set was to determine which of the two teams will go into the Final. The ding-dong battle continued and by now, it was Team "E" s turn to be nervous and jittery. Richard and Robert committed many unforced errors. In spite of their willingness, they finally succumbed to give their opponents the passport to contest the Final on the "number of games won" basis.
The other semi-final between Teams "D" and "B" was also well contested. Elden's Team "D" took an early lead. However, his opponents kept on the pressure. The good recovery of the latter was not sufficient to overcome the supremacy of its opponents and Team "D" gained the honour to face Rinaldo's team in the Final.
The much awaited Final of this tournament was played under a hot June's Sun between Teams "A" and "D" Both teams were with their best 22 players. At one point during the match Rinaldo's team ("A") was enjoying a lead of three sets. This result was soon overturned when Team "D" captured four precious sets in the Men's B and Men's D categories. Elden's team continued increasing its lead with another four sets won by his Men's A and Ladies B teams. With the Ladies A encounter finishing in a draw, Dave Elden became the proud captain to win this thirteenth edition of the "San Michel" tournament.
A word of thanks must be given to the organizer and Director of the Tournament, for a very well organized tournament and for the many occasions, he had to stay at the Club for long hours especially, on the Semi-Final's day when play finished at 1.00am due to the great battle between the four contestants
Presentation of the Shield and trophies will be held at a date still to be set by the T.C.K. committee during a BB on the Club's premises.