Posted on: 29 November 2023
The inaugural Baltic Racket Sports Padel Event was held on Friday 17 November at Stratford Padel Club, a selection of photos from the event can be found here.
Padel is a combination of both tennis and squash. It is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court, roughly 25% smaller than a normal tennis court. As in squash, the ball can be played off the glass walls, creating longer and more exciting rallies and some extraordinary shots.
The players gathered at the venue with optimism and excitement – some had played many times before, whereas for others, it was their very first time. We had a sold-out event with 32 participants of all ages and abilities.
The teams consisted of Fulmar, MOL, Baltic Exchange, Howe Robinson, Shell, Unipec, Arrow, Thurlestone, Rigel Shipping and Lightship.
The first rounds were round-robin matches played in four separate groups. Matches were of varying standards but always competitive.
The top team from each group then proceeded into a semi-final. Rigel Shipping beat Howe Rob in one semi-final and were our first finalists. A mixed pairing from Thurlestone and Baltic Exchange then knocked out MOL in the other semi-final.
The final was therefore between Rigel Shipping and a partnership of Baltic/Thurlestone Shipping. After a very tightly contested hard fought match, which saw Rigel Shipping come from behind saving match points at 3-5 down, to win and take the title 6-5.
The How Rob pairing won the third-place playoff in another closely fought set – the result being decided by only one break of serve. Lots of exciting points with players scrambling all over the court.
The day finished with some networking and drinks at the bar.
The Baltic Exchange would like to thank Fulmar for sponsoring the first-place prize and MOL for sponsoring the second and third place prizes, and also all the players who turned up and made this event the success that it was.
The Baltic Racket Sports Club has now been officially launched, and is being run by Matthew Cannon from MOL. The club is looking to organise a few more tennis, padel and table tennis events in the coming months, please contact Matthew directly here if you would like to be involved or for more information.
The committee are looking into a table tennis competition or another padel event in the Spring before the annual Fehr Cup in the summer.
