Inaugural Giraffe Club
Cambridge Weekend

John Trapp’s forehand bouncing off the side and back-wall leaving his opponents both hoping the other would return the shot was the deciding point at 40-40 7-7 in the Division 1 final. It was a fitting stroke to end the inaugral Giraffe Club Cambridge Weekend that was a week-end of fine, and fun, tennis.

There were 6 doubles teams competing in the Division 1 round-robin (handicap below 48) and a further 6 doubles in Division 2 (handicap 48+). The winners and runners-up of the round-robin went forward to the semi-finals on Saturday. The third doubles pair had the opportunity to play in the Plate tournament on Sunday.

Real tennis with real food

At the end of the first day Linda Fairbrother & Lorne Williamson (Corpus) and
Alex Clarke (Magdalene) & John Trapp (Peterhouse) had secured their position in the Division 1 final through overcoming the challenges of Roger East & Blake Vickers (8-6) and Nigel Balmer & Greg Inman (8-7) respectively. Division 2 saw Jeremy Fairbrother (senior bursar at Trininty) & Gill Houston (Newnham) lose to Gerald Smith & Tom West (6-8) and Richard Brown (Trinity Hall) & Robert Tasker (Selwyn) beat Fiona Brown & Marsali Grant (Trinity Hall ) (8-6)

On Saturday night the Blue Court was transformed from a top tennis court to an atmospheric dining area for about 100 visiting Alumni for the Giraffe Cambridge Week-end, CURTC members and friends. It was a fine event with much opportunity to celebrate the game of Real Tennis.

Dinner for 100 on the Cambridge Blue Real Tennis Court

Dinner by dedans; decidedly decorous

Sunday morning Kees conducted a final inspection of the court to ensure that all evidence of the on-court dinner had been cleared away and then the Plate started the mornings’ entertaining tennis. Division 2 Plate kicked off with Becky Coombes & Ken Smith (both Pembroke) taking on Imogen Brown (Robinson) & Richard Philipson, Saturday’s Graduate Cup winner standing in for Imogen’s Saturday partner Julie Batley (Queens). There was a large handicap difference; the ban the tambour, single serve and points difference proved too great a hurdle for the Pembroke team to overcome; Imogen & Richard going through winners 8-3.

In Division 1 Plate James Rowe (Jesus) & Ross Smythe (Darwin) took on Ian Alister (Magdalene) & John Evans. James Rowe, Captain of Real Tennis in his University days came out of Real Tennis retirement to take part in the competition. The game was close but losing a critical 40-40 game point in the 13th game James & Ross gave the upper-hand to Ian & John who went onto win the Division 1 Plate 8-6.

This fine tennis led onto the two finals. Division 2 with Gerald Smith & Tom West taking on Richard Brown & Robert Tasker. Gerald & Tom took an early lead of 7-2 however their fortunes changed and Richard & Robert drew back to 7-7 saving three match points in doing so. Gerald & Tom converted their 4th match point and won the Division 2 final.

Linda Fairbrother + Lorne Williamson     John Trapp + Alex Clarke

Division 1 was another close game, never more than a game separting the two pairs of Alex Clarke & John Trapp and Linda Fairbrother & Lorne Williamson. The final game at 7-all demonstrated all the elements that made the whole match so exciting. John delivered some strong serves to draw level at love-all and again at 15-all. Lorne countered this serving with a penetrating volley to edge ahead. Alex, at the net, took the lead again at 40-30 with a well angled volley to the base of the tambour. Linda saved the match-point by driving another of her accurate ground strokes forcing John to save the dedan but lose the point. This took the game to 40-all. John’s forehand bouncing off the side and back-wall left Linda & Lorne both hoping the other would return the shot; a fine win for Alex & John at 8-7 in the Division 1 final.

Pol Roger provided the prizes for the Division 1 & 2 winners.

Thanks to:
Pol Roger for providing prizes for the event
The markers: Scott Blaber, Kees Ludekens, Peter Paterson, Simon Stokes
The Cambridge Week-end Committee: Roger East, Linda Fairbrother, Kees Ludekens
Linda Fairbrother for organising the Saturday dinner
Louise Ludekens for providing lunches
Kees: his enthusiasm and commitment ensured the tournament took place

The Giraffe Club Cambridge Week-end is to be an annual event. The event is for all Alumni, whether or not you played Real Tennis whilst at Cambridge University. It aims to be a fun social event with some tennis included. The dates for next year are 12th – 13th May 2007. Contact Kees Ludekens 01223 357106 or for further details.

The Giraffe Club is for Old Blues and supporters of the University Club. Subscriptions from the Giraffe Club go towards a fund that supports University Real Tennis players. Contact Kees Ludekens 01223 357106 or for further details.

Full Results

Division 1

Plate Final
I.Alister & J.Evans beat J.Rowe & R.Smythe 8-6

Semi-Finals:
A.Clarke & J.Trapp beat N.Balmer & G. Inman 8-7
L. Fairbrother & L.Williamson beat R.East & B.Vickers 8-6

Division 1 Final:
A.Clarke & J.Trapp beat L. Fairbrother & L.Williamson 8-7

Division 2

Plate Final:
I.Brown & R. Philipson beat B.Coombes & K.Smith 8-3.

Semi-Finals:
G. Smith & T.West beat J. Fairbrother & G. Houston 8-6
R.Brown & R.Tasker beat F.Brown & M.Grant 8-6

Division 2 Final:
G.Smith & T.West beat R.Brown & R.Tasker 8-7