PWC claimed victory in the Rathbones Island Padel Corporate League Division 1 final on Sunday, bringing an end to the dominance of SaSo Strategic Advisers, who had held the title since the event’s inception.
“Finals day brought some strong competition, but we made it over the line,” said Christoph Behringer, PwC’s team captain, reflecting on their hard-fought triumph.
Held in the challenging conditions of Storm Darragh, Finals day saw the top teams battle it out in an exciting conclusion to the season.
Courtesy of Island Padel’s outstanding indoor facilities, the event was able to proceed uninterrupted, despite the weather.
PwC, who had an unbeaten run through the Bajada Group during the group stage, carried their momentum into the final, where they overcame SaSo.
“We are very proud of our performance throughout the league; we managed to win all five of our group games,” Behringer added.
The reigning champions, SaSo, also displayed their quality, going undefeated in the Vibora Group before defeating Rathbones 1 in the semi-final to secure a final berth.
PwC reached the final by edging past Mourant in the opposite semi-final clash, ensuring a duel of the top two teams in the division.
Division 2 saw Virtefic complete a flawless season, going undefeated in the group stage and subsequently capping it off with a victory over Prosperity 24/7 in the final.
Prosperity 24/7, leaders of the Bandeja Group, put up a strong challenge but ultimately were unable to match Virtefic on the day of the final.
The semi-finals earlier in the day also provided plenty of excitement.
In Division 1, SaSo defeated Rathbones 1, and PwC prevailed over Mourant, while, in Division 2, Virtefic overcame Rathbones 2, and Prosperity 24/7 defeated Canaccord to earn their places in the respective finals.
Arguably the most dramatic moment of the day unfolded in the morning when Mourant and Aztec, tied on points in the Vibora Group, faced a tense 10-point tie-break to decide who would progress. Mourant emerged victorious, securing their semi-final berth in one of the tournament’s stand-out moments.
This year’s competition featured 24 teams across two divisions, split into four groups during the group stage.
The top teams from each group earned their places on finals day, which showcased the depth of talent and competitive spirit within the league. Despite the adverse conditions brought on by Storm Darragh, the players displayed remarkable resilience, and the matches were enjoyed by spectators who gathered to watch the action unfold from inside the warmth of the Padel Pad.
Reflecting on the league as a whole, Behringer spoke passionately about the experience and its impact: “We absolutely loved the league, especially the coaching session at the beginning, which was a fantastic way to introduce new members of our company to the sport,” he said.
“We initially joined because we enjoyed playing socially and wanted to add a competitive edge, but it became so much more than that. The league provided a great opportunity to connect with other firms and like-minded individuals in a friendly, social environment.
“Representing our company outside of work was incredibly rewarding, and the benefits of the sport go beyond the court – it’s a fantastic activity for both physical and mental wellbeing, which is invaluable.
“We’re so grateful to Island Padel for organising such a brilliant event and can’t wait to try to reclaim our title next year.”
Finals day results
Division 1
Winners: PwC
Runners-Up: SaSo Strategic Advisers
3rd / 4th: Rathbones 1
3rd / 4th: Mourant
Division 2
Winners: Virtefic
Runners-Up: Prosperity 24/7
3rd / 4th: Rathbones 2
3rd / 4th: Canaccord
