Mertens House Poker Night

Last Friday evening, Alex Donvig and William Salt coordinated a thoroughly enjoyable and competitive Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament. Mertens House Common Room was transformed (well sort of...) into a very sophisticated Casino. Dark sunglasses, black shirts and long black coats were the fashion of the evening as each participant looked to intimidate his rivals. As a croupier myself, I donned the black and whites and even Mr Tester turned up in his finest attire.

The beginning of the evening saw everyone split amongst 4 tables and an hour in which to outdo rivals and accumulate the most chips. The winners of each table then progressed to the second part of the evening and onto the high rollers table where eventually Dan Frank (Remove) blew away stubborn opposition in Marcus Hunter and Cedric Surmann.

A fantastic evening was had by all and pleasing to note that the £2 entry fee goes to a charity yet to be decided. Well done to Alex and William for organising what is sure to become a pivotal event in the Mertens calendar!

PreTournament Briefing!

Assad looks every part the dealer...

Will Spence winning big...

No chips, No smiles from Seb Spence!!

Cedric looks the part...Nico is gracious in defeat!

Leo Ko...winners are grinners.

Daniel Frank...Mertens House Poker Champion 2011

Rugby 1st XV: Ardingly 12 lost to Lancing 22

Last Tuesday 18th, a few Mertens boys were involved in the first rugby fixture of the Lent term; a match against local rivals Lancing. With a limited preparation and a team short in experience we were up against it but the boys did well. They put together some promising passages of play and with a little focus at training and improved match fitness, a promising season awaits. The final score, 12-22, flattered our opposition as they scored a late try to put the result beyond doubt but Ardingly fought hard until the end and should be very pleased with their effort. Mertens was represented by a strong contingent including Marcus Large, Sam Castle, Alex Maynard, Assad Rashid, Tosin Afolabi, Chris Pernet and Latif Mammadaliev.

The next fixture is Box Hill away on Saturday 29th and the boys have been training themselves into the ground in an effort to be ready!!


Pre-match practice



Sam Castle jumping at the front and Alex Maynard lifting at 4.



Alex Maynard



The first hit of the game...



(L to R) Alex Maynard, Tom Heath, Josh Barber, Owour Odonde, Oli Grace

Sam Castle scores.

Josh Williams lines up the conversion



Maynard bursts through a gap.



Marcus Large, Alex Maynard and Euan Hargreaves-Smith in the front row.