On a beautiful summer evening in May, Magdalen Park Lawn Tennis Club hosted the iPubs for the first some since COVID-19 on the superb acrylic courts. With the sun setting and a packed terrace, there was much anticipation for the evening ahead. In store was a two-pair match between all Magdalen Park members, so there was plenty of bragging rights up for grabs!

iPubs Team: Joel Morris & Will Bourne (1st Pair), Jorge Wilton & Nick Poulton (2nd Pair)

MPLTC Team: Dan Moloney & Joe Hill (1st Pair), Spencer Alderton & James Halas (2nd Pair)

The iPubs first pair of Joel Morris and Will Bourne started off very strongly, winning many tight games and were clinical at the decisive moments. A comprehensive 6-2 6-4 win against the Magdalen Park second pair was the perfect start for the away side, putting the iPubs 1-0 up overall.

On the other court, it was a much tighter affair as the iPubs second pair of Nick Poulton and Jorge Wilton started off extremely well against the Magdalen Park first pair, claiming the first set 6-4. However, the Magdalen Park pair came back strongly and claimed the victory in the deciding third set championship tie break, winning 4-6 6-4 10-2, making it 1-1 overall.

With everything to play for in the second and final round, both sides were keen to get off to a strong start. In the first pair match, Magdalen Park were playing some of their best tennis of the evening and were proving tricky to break down for Joel and Will. After a tight first set which Magdalen Park closed out, they continued their fine form of the evening, claiming a 7-5 6-3 victory, taking the home side to a 2-1 lead overall and within one win of claiming the tie.

However, there was no way that the iPubs were going to go down without a fight, and Jorge and Nick rode out an early barrage from the Magdalen Park second pair, to eventually clinch a tight first set. This ultimately proved to be decisive, as the iPubs second pair ran away with the second set, claiming the match 7-5 6-2, and thus the tie ended in a very evenly matched 2-2 draw overall.

THE INDEPENDENT AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS OLD BOYS' L.T.A.

VERSUS: MAGDALEN PARK LTC

MATCH PLAYED AT: MAGDALEN PARK LTC DATE: 22/05/2026 TIME: 18:00

iPubs OPPONENT		I.P.S.O.B.L.T.A
		1ST PAIR JOEL MORRIS WILL BOURNE		2ND PAIR JORGE WILTON NICK POULTON
		SCORES (iPubs - MPLTC)	WINNER	SCORES (iPubs - MPLTC)	WINNER
MAGDALEN PARK	1ST PAIR DAN MOLONEY JOE HILL	5-7 3-6	MPLTC	6-4 4-6 2-10	MPLTC
	2ND PAIR SPENCER ALDERTON JAMES HALAS	6-2 6-4	iPubs	7-5 6-2	iPubs

RESULT: IPSOBLTA DREW 2-2 AGAINST MAGDALEN PARK LTC

Post play, many pints were had to finish off the night, with plenty of analysis taking place of the evening’s tennis. We’d like to thank Magdalen Park for hosting the fixture for the first time since COVID-19, and we already look forward to the 2027 fixture and going one better!

Jamie Boden - Match Manager