After winning the shield in 2006 and 2007, Joe Vella’s team succeeded to make it a hat trick by winning the 2008 edition of the “San Michel” team tennis tournament recently held at Tennis Club Kordin. Joe Vella is the first captain to achieve this honour in this competition. Simonds Farson Cisk sponsors this annual tournament through their product “San Michel “Table Water.

From the very outset, it was clear that this final between Team “D” and Team “F” captained by Joe Vella and Clint Cassar respectively was going to be a hard fought battle. Both captains fielded their very best formation with the ambition of winning the most prestigious “San Michel” Shield.

The contest began with Men’s B, Ladies C and Men’s C playing simultaneously on Courts 1, 2 and 3 respectively. On Court 1 Gerald Brincat / Joe Callus gave Joe Vella’s team the first two sets when they defeated Paul Xuereb / Paul Fenech 6-4; 6-2.

On court 2 the Ladies C Rubber finished one set all, as did the Men’s C on court 3. Thus, after the first three Rubbers, Team “D” was leading by four sets to two. This lead was cancelled when in the Men’s D category Philip Muscat / Lawrence Micallef of Team F managed to beat Antoine Muscat / Ray Muscat of Vella’s Team by the score 7-5; 7-6. giving their supporters new hope.

With the score reading four sets all, supporters of both teams moved to the outskirts of court 3 where Monica Grech/Monica Muscat of team D were battling it out against Maryclaire Vella and Silvana Portelli. Despite their first set emphatic victory (6-1) the Monicas gave in to their opponents and lost their second Set 3-6.

The last two ties were the Ladies’ A and Men’s A. These two Rubbers were played on courts 3 and 1 respectively.

On Court 3 Charmaine Mifsud and Anna Vella Bonnici of team D faced Alexia Carabott and Christine Piscopo of Team F. This rubber proved to be very even with the first set going to Team F 6-3. For the second set Charmaine and Anna came out with more determination and succeeded to overturn the result of the first, winning the second Set 6-3. The overall result now stood at six set All.

As was anticipated, the final Rubber was crucial for both teams. Clint Cassar Team had won the Tiebreak played by the Ladies’ C category 7-3 with the consequence that all the pressure was now on Richard Magri and Robert Attard who had to face Manuel Bonello and Marc Vella Bonnici. All supporters now shifted to the side of court 1 to watch this deciding battle.

The first set was rather close with both sets of players doing their utmost to win points. The strong and forceful play of the four players enthralled the crowd and the standard of tennis was high. Richard and Robert held the upper hand and won the first Set 6-4.

The second set followed the same type of tennis played in the first. Manuel and Marc tried very hard but despite their courage and determination, the experience and aggressiveness of their opponents proved to be the winning asset of Joe Vella’s Men’s A team. Richard and Robert clinched the second set 6-2 to send their Captain and supporters in great euphoria of success. Final result was 8-6 in favour of Joe Vella.

The tournament director was Benny Vidal who was assisted by the energetic Ms.Judith Ricci and Ms.Christine Piscopo throughout the ten week tournament.

Presentation of Shield and trophies will be held on Saturday 5 July during a presentation dinner at the club.