The Inaugural Molesey Tri Club Games September 17th 2016
As with many good ideas the seed was sown over a drink, some time back, between Jon Elworthy of East Molesey Cricket Club; Ted Bates and John Parker of Molesey Boat Club and Richard Thorpe of the Pavilion Club. Noting the good fortune of having the three great Clubs in the same post code, the idea was mooted for a ‘Tri-Club-Games’ an inter-club challenge of the three sports: Cricket, Rowing and Tennis.
The seed of that idea finally came to fruition and on Saturday the 17th September the inaugural games were held.
Each Club put forward 8 competitors for each sport. Entrants were encouraged to take part whatever their level and experience and indeed for some it was their first taste of leather on willow, scull on water or string on ball.
All-comers welcome was the spirit of the games and friendly rivalry and banter was maintained throughout the event. The EMCC Team exemplified this in the first event where their more talented players coached and encouraged their opponents as they played – a far cry from competitive sledging.
It was then on to Molesey Boat Club where the cricket and tennis club teams were treated to a session in the training tank before they stepped gingerly onto the water in their 4 person sculls. MBC provided the cox for each boat and again it was a healthy and entertaining mixture of coaching and competition.
The Games concluded with tennis at the Pavilion Club, where 24 players battled it out concurrently on six courts rotating between men’s and ladies doubles and mixed doubles. A highly entertaining spectacle.
The games began at 8.30am and ended at 5.30pm at the Pavilion Club. A long day which left everyone hungry but in high spirits. No problem – EMCC’s Darin Butler had driven from the New Forest to deliver and set up a hog roast. EMCC also arranged for live music from their very own Ryan North.
Competitors and spectators then settled in for an evening of bbq and live music which ended with a spontaneous and some would say inevitable karaoke rendition of ‘we are the champions’ with all teams enthusiastically joining in.
There was a trophy and the Pavilion proudly raised it in this inaugural year but they were the first to acknowledge that it was the games that were the true winner on the day. The Tri Club Games is now set to become an annual fixture.
