January 16, 2021
Tier 4 for Cambs
Sign-Up, Sign-up, sign-up
Sign up for Club Matches & Tournaments. Please note dates and formats of all events are subject to change.
Sadly, the Tiers are not willing so Hatfield’s visit has been cancelled.
Painting by Numbers…
… or rather ‘Painting CURTC Chase Numbers’ (and Letters).
Many thanks to CURTC member Alan Sharpe for his amazing work. All I can say is that his hand (and patience) is a lot steadier than mine!
Farewell DHR
Duncan Hannay-Robertson @CURTC
Some terribly sad news: Duncan Hannay Robertson passed away recently. Duncan was a much loved figure at the Club: his love of the game was infectious and he was a great person to play and to partner. Not only did he play as often as he could, but he also gave freely to the Club – his time, his energy and his enthusiasm alongside significant financial contributions to many of our initiatives – not least the Club’s annual highlight, Finals Day, which Hannay Robertson Financial Planning have sponsored for the last 5 years. He would spend the whole day at the Club, handing out prizes, encouraging competitors and keeping spirits high.
We are putting our heads together to figure out the best way for the Club to remember Duncan and will have more news soon.
We will miss Duncan – he was one of the good guys.
Vix, CURTC President
Return to Play
Dear Members,
We re-opened on Wednesday 2 December. However, Cambridgeshire is now in Tier 2, so we will only be allowed singles play as per the guidelines from our NGB.
I hope you have all stayed well and that we will see you back at the Club next week or soon after. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate our way through the guidelines.
Best wishes
Vix
CURTC President
Wednesday, November 4th
Dear Members,
I am very sorry to let you know that, in line with Government requirements, the Club will close from end of play today until further notice. Hopefully the lockdown will end in early December and we will see you all playing then.
We really appreciate your continued support and hope to see you all again soon.
Best wishes
Vix
CURTC President
Champagne League Finals
James Dowson (64) def Rosie Taylor (72) in the Division 2 finals: they were worthy finalists as they were both too strong for their rivals in their semis with Dowson def Waldock 8/4 and Taylor def Bovaird 8/2.
In the Division 1 finals the matches were closer with the President getting full value for her money with all 3 of her matches going to 8/7. Vix def Andy Smith in the quarter 8/7 and then Marco Bonaventura 8/7 but was unable to prevent Edward Furst from winning that final game at 7-all in the Div 1 final. Furst, who has recently completed his studies at the University took the prize of our favourite champagne.
A fitting end to the tournament was the prize draw for matches played prior to the deadline. Edward Furst pulled no. 5 out of the cup of 15 entries. Vix’s number!
 Ed Furst |
 James Dowson |
 James & VH |
 VH & Rosie Taylor |
The 2020 NtVM
The 6th edition of the ‘Not the Varsity Match’ was played over a number (4) of Courts and a number (2) of weeks rather than the single day (Sunday, September 20th) and two courts (Oxford/Radley) as planned. The new format brought a number of new faces to the Alumni squads facing off for the much coveted NtVM trophy fashioned from our sponsors’, Pol Roger, wares. Divided into three groups, it was even-steven in the Good and Not-So-Bad sections but in the Beautiful group, the Not the Light Blues pulled ahead to clinch a 9 1/2 – 7 1/2 victory.
The MVP (most virtual player) was a tough one. The Jury narrowed it down to 4 players, two of whom won without conceding a game and two of whom lost from 7-all, 40-all. However, in the end incumbency proved vital and we have our first repeat NtVM-MVP in Sarah Lambie from RTC.
Staying in Cambridge
Champagne Leagues* & the CURTC Summer Singles…
…Leagues are all up and running. Good luck to all participants and Stay Safe!
Click HERE for the Champagne Leagues latest…
and here for Division 1 of the CURTC Summer Singles League schedule and Tables
and HeRe for Division 2
*sponsored by Pol Roger
149th Varsity Match Highlights
Another must watch video edited by Jacqueline Siu!
– Editor: Jacqueline Siu
– Music: Cinematic Trailer by Scott Holmes (Free CC License)
A Must Watch Video from the 2nds Varsity Match!
– Editor: Jacqueline Siu
– Music: Epic Cinematic by Scott Holmes (Free CC License)
Whooops…
Apologies but I missed including Charlie and Ivo’s 20 Category Final from the Hannay Robertson Financial Planning sponsored Finals day!
 Ivo Macdonald vs Charlie D’Oyly |
 Charlie D’Oyly x2 |
Click on the images for (much) larger versions!
Finals Day, Part 3
In the Graduate Cup final between Cameron Roker and Alex Wright, Alex had a massive handicap disadvantage (banned chases less than 3&4, one serve, no tambour, etc, etc) but started calmly against a slightly nervy Cameron. But she hung in there and got her game and strategy on track. Cameron clawed back and inched ahead with some masterful judgement of when to leave at the service end. But with victory looking likely, it was Alex’s turn to claw his way back. At times this was agonisingly slow as Alex had to win 5 or 6 points to win a game but back he came to 7-all. The last game lasted even longer as chases were traded and the score inevitably got to 40-all…
Thanks to both players for a fantastic match and Peter who (correctly, IMO) called the last point when the ball landed 6″ from a critical chase line.
Graduate Cup: Cameron Roker vs Alex Wright
Another classic was the second set of the Lawrence Cup. Sophia was one set up but 5-3 down to a resurgent India. She saved a couple of set points as the scored got to 5-all to set up an epic game in which India saved half a dozen match points while Sophia saved another 3 or 4 set points!
 Lawrence Cup: Sophia Lewis vs India Blaksley |
 Lawrence Cup pt 2 |
The other matches were keenly contested and a lot closer than some of the scorelines suggested. Some montages…
 CURTC Ladies Championship, 2020: Sophia Lewis vs Venetia D’Arcy |
 40 Category: Andrew Barker vs Ben Geytenbeek |
 60 Category: Iain Brown vs Dave Isherwood |
 30 Category: Stephen Doel vs Andy Smith |
Thanks again to our sponsor, Hannay Robertson Financial Planning and Stay Safe, everyone!
Finals Day, 2020, part 2
Some action shots with apologies to our 50’s finalists (David & Alan) as my camera battery had had enough by the time they made it on court.
Finals Day 2020, sponsored by Hannay Robertson Financial Planning
Finals Day 2020, sponsored by Hannay Robertson Financial Planning
It was only two weeks ago but it feels like a lifetime. Stay safe everyone…
First our Finalists. (70+ & Junior Championships were postponed).
Finals Day, 2020
CURTC Reopens on July 25th
from President Vix
I received confirmation this morning that the work carried out during the lockdown, and the risk assessment we have developed is sufficient to allow us to reopen on a restricted basis. I am extremely grateful to Jim Ludekens for carrying out essential tests and other tasks during the lockdown period, which has been crucial to our success today. Please now feel free to book as normal. Booking the courts acknowledges your acceptance of four important ‘Booking conditions’ below and that you will comply with the ‘Regulations for Real Tennis over the current period’ which follow. Please take particular note of Sections 2 and 3.:
CURTC is grateful for the support of our Sponsors…
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…and Supporters!
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Giraffe Club: CURTC Alumni
You Told Us….