March 14, 2026
- Riya Bharwad wins the LRTA Under 21 singles at Radley
- Godsill and Glasscock (almost!) win the Doubles Double
- CAMBRIDGE WIN AWAY AT MIDDLESEX!
- National League on Friday (17th)
- East Anglia Cup, 28/6/25 at Newmarket
- East Anglia Cup+ 2025 @Newmarket
- FLM IRPTA National League, Division 9: Final
- Leamington Visit Redux
CURTC Christmas Tournament
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the CURTC Christmas Tournament, would it!
So this year’s opportunity to work off some of that Christmas festive excess is on Friday, December 27th. A day of Singles and Doubles awaits!
The draw is limited to 24 players for this very popular tournament so please only book if you know you are available you can play in the morning or afternoon but please note you must be available for the finals, which start at 6pm. Ideally, please be flexible by selecting all three options when you sign up on the doodle poll.
The cost is £16 pp.
The Cambridge University RTC Student Cup
The University Student Cup is a showcase of student tennis at CURTC, and an introduction for many new student players to competitive play. Group matches will be held on Friday (November 22nd) and Saturday (23rd) across two divisions, played off handicaps. There is both a singles and doubles competition. Knock-out matches will be held on Sunday (24th), culminating in a championship match between the winners of each division. The knock-out matches on Sunday will be streamed on the CURTC YouTube channel.
We(s)t Coast Weekend
Unprepared for the size of the Court and the continuous precipitation outside, 9 of CURTC’s finest were figuratively and physically soaked when visiting the other place on Saturday. Attempts to keep our heads above the rapidly rising waters were largely unsuccessful in a 5-2 drenching which could actually have been more even worse as both CURTC’s victories came via 7-all 40-all. Names are being withheld as they have suffered enough. Nonetheless there were no signs of dampened spirits as those staying in Oxford overnight found various locations to shelter from the continuing downpour.
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Cambridge vs Newmarket in the East Anglia Pennant
Many congratulations on yesterday’s win over Newmarket. It was a close contest and very well-fought victory over a strong Newmarket side.
First up on the night was Julian who played well to win 6-3. In a slightly unusual order, up next was Julian and Alan in the first doubles, who struggled against the high quality Newmarket duo of Hugo and Ken, eventually losing 3-8. Alan then played his singles in a nail biter, narrowly losing 5-6. At this point Cambridge were 1-2 down and needed to up their game; up stepped Sonja who battled to win her singles 6-4. Sonja and Richard played extremely well to win their doubles 8-4. This left the overall score at 3-2, with only Richard’s singles remaining. Richard settled any Cambridge nerves by winning his singles 6-1 in quick time.
This concluded the matches for the evening with Cambridge winning 4-2. The Newmarket team were all very friendly and the matches were played in a good spirit, which resulted in an enjoyable evening of tennis for both clubs.
Thank you all for sorting out the food and arriving on time.
Well done again!
Andrew Barker
British Ladies Handicap Singles & Doubles Divs 1&2
Congratulations to CURTC’s Jacqui Siu who won the Div 2 Doubles!!
Centre: Megan Hawkey & Jacqui Siu, LRTA Handicap Doubles Div 2 winners @Prested 10/11/19
Photo credits: Vix Harvey
Inter-Club Tournament
Inter-Club Tournament
Cambridge was in action in Warwickshire over the weekend at the National Inter-Club Tournament. Ben Geytenbeek played in the singles draw, with David Pimblett and Christie Marrian in the doubles. After arriving in Leamington, the first matches were against a team called T&RA 2, which turned out to be locals to Warwickshire. Ben raced to a fast start against the left-handed James Richardson, who brought it back level with some quick-fire aces. Ben then regained his composure and finished it off 6/4. David and Christie then outclassed Bill and Gerry Slora 6/2, using all parts of the court to keep the ball away from their opponents. Shortly after, Ben was on again against Martin Trees (Moreton Morrell 2), winning 6/2 with very consistent play. David and Chrisite finished off the afternoon session 6/3 over Sir Andrew Hamilton and Mark Leefe (MCC) 6/3.
It was then off to Moreton Morrell for the evening matches. Read More
Cambridge Ladies vs Hatfield
Bella Harvey vs Jill Akers rec 15 – owe 15
13 year old Bella opened the fixture with a convincing win against the Hatfield match manager. Her calm forehands and solid volleys into the tambour left little room for a comeback by the home team. 6-2, 6-2
Jacqueline Siu vs Ros Emerys Roberts love – owe ½ 15
Jacqueline Siu followed suit winning some really lovely rests. Ros looked like she was making a comeback in the second set, but Jacqui didn’t give her much window of opportunity, and with a wonderful backhand under the second gallery, brought the match to a close 6-1, 6-4.
India Blaksley vs Sue Clegg love – owe ½ 15
Captain India was up next, with the first three setter of the day. The first ended in a nail biting 5 all 40 all, with game point being won by Hatfield’s Sue Clegg. India soon familiarised herself with the court, and (although the reporter went for lunch in the second set), won the second, and breezed through the 3rd: 5-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Sophia Lewis vs Sarah Sullivan owe ½ 15 – love
Sophia should have dominated the rallies in this match, with quick feet and a deadly backhand; however, Sarah found the corners frequently enough to thwart Sophia’s progress, leaving another nail biting 5 all 40 all moment in the first. An ace from Sarah stole the set. Sophia started the second a little shaky, losing the first game; however, at 3 all she suddenly picked up the pace and fought hard to close down the second set. The shortened third set ran neck and neck to 5 all 40 all yet again. At 30-40 down Sophia served two great sidewall serves to take the match to 5-6, 6-3, 6-5.
Cameron Roker and India Blaksley vs Sarah Sullivan and Ros Emerys Roberts love – owe ½ 15
(Not so) Fresh from such narrow defeat against Sophia, and an overwhelmingly unsuccessful singles campaign, our hosts showed no mercy in the doubles. The experienced Hatfield pair dominated play and won the final match 1-6, 1-6.
A great day was had by all, with an excellent lunch, a warm dedans and some very exciting play.
Vix Harvey
CURTC visit Hatfield House in the East Anglia Pennant
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Yesterday’s visit to Hatfield House Tennis Club was very successful! We can agree that they were a very hospitable and friendly team, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
First up was Andrew Barker who won 6-0 with the benefit of a generous handicap. Next up was Sonja Badenhorst who also convincingly won. We then had Alan Sharpe playing who narrowly suffered the only defeat of the evening. Finally, Richard Jones came out on top in a thrilling contest; gaining a third win for the Club out of 4 matches.
Just when we thought that the evening could not get any better, our double games commenced with Alan and Andrew winning 8-4 comfortably. Sonja and Richard matched this result 8-4.
Well done again!
Andrew Barker, Captain for the night
Photo credits Alan Sharpe
Green Court
Some more shots of the volunteers involved in the Green Court transformation. Apologies to Simon (especially), John R, Val, Louise, Vix and Bella who evaded the camera’s gaze…
Green Court Heroes
Green Still Green
The CURTC interior design team turned its attention to the Green Court over the Bank holiday and I’m sure that everyone will be pleased to know that the Green Court is still very much Green. In addition, the Penthouse planks now have ~700 more fasteners holding them in place, and the Penthouse, Galleries, Bandeau, Net Post, Grille and Chase lines have been refreshed.
After: The first game on the new Green Court
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And During:
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Special thanks to Kees and Simon who drove the whole process and the numerous volunteers who gave up their time.
The Wanderers…
…are a touring team from Down-Under and based in Ballarat (marker Kees’ alma-mater) but with representation from all-over Oz. They have returned to the UK this year to take in the East having swept through the West in 2016.
The Wanderers wandered in to the Home of Real Tennis last Saturday for a splendid afternoon of Tennis and trying to avoid (in my case) watching the drama unfolding at Headingley. “Don’t mention the cricket” was my pained request as we got underway at 1pm. for 6 Singles at 4 Doubles. The early going went in CURTC’s favour but helped by ‘Wanderer for the Day’ Ben from Adelaide, our visitors clawed back through a back and forth 8-7 win in the 2nd Doubles after we had finally got our nose in front to lead 7-6…
The denouement proved to be the final Doubles on the candy striped ‘Green’ Court with the match score tied at 4-all. The Wanderers took an early lead as the Cambridge pair refined their calling technique after a couple of shots fell uncontested down the middle of the Court. One point saw both pairs impressively switch positions mid rally and the marker very nearly lose it. Again the Cambridge pair (TK and Fiona Brown) led for the first time at 7-6 before Ben & Cora Trevarthen cranked it up a notch to take the set and our give our visitors a 5-4 win. Matters on Court concluded it was time to return to the Clubroom to thank Kees and hope that there was some Rosé left (there was) and the cricket was still not being talked about (the sound had been muted so I guess that was good enough)
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And then Sunday dawned, but I did promise not to mention the cricket…
Red, Green & Blue
When you next go to the club be prepared for a bit of surprise. (Assuming that Grange Road has reopened following the visit of a monstrous crane today.) The Car Park has lost its Green and the Blue Court is no longer as Red. On Saturday there was no Time for Questions as the CURTC Gardeners arrived with an astonishing assortment of hi- (and lo-) tech hoes, rakes, spades and forks. Within an hour or so the Green bins were full and Mark Hobbs was trying (once again) to get me to hit the ball over the Green Court net at least twice… Meanwhile the Blue Court continued its transformation into a hessian-free, brightly-painted and not-so-Red Court at the Home of Real Tennis. Everything is on track and the Court should be back to doing what it does best on Monday evening.
Many thanks to all who helped out, you can spot most of them* in the pictures below (click for larger versions).
 Blue Court, 10/8/19 |
 Terry and Other Gardeners… |
*missing are Photographer & Painter Kees, President & Painter Vix and Sustenance Provider Louise
Monster Alert
This monster has been spotted prowling up and down the Blue Court. The Gallery wall is being cleaned up and the remaining hessian removed by our valiant (and brave) tower crew of Simon & Kees. Then the painters will get started…
It looks like we are going to be in for a change of colour!
Jesmond Dene
They came from all parts, Nottingham, Hitchin, Hills Road and, yes, Newcastle by car, by bike, by rail although I don’t think anyone walked. But come they did for an entertaining day of Tennis and, dare I say it, Lunch. Of course, it would be churlish to travel all these different ways and win so our visitors were polite enough to leave the match tied at 3 apiece at the end of the regulation 50 overs. There was talk of a super-over or penalties or some other arbitrary count-back as they do elsewhere but we decided on lunch instead.
The MoD featured the CoD and only three setter (although in the spirit of transparency it was the only match scheduled for more than one set) in which Jacqui clinched the third 6-5 having lost the second 1-6. The DoD (dish of the…) was an apple strudel, courtesy of Ben’s mum, which given its Australian provenance should surely have been called an apple turnover… Talking of Ben’s mum, I asked where she was during our match. ‘Waching Jacqui’ was the reply ‘It’ll be far more exciting’. Oh well.
 CURTC, 3 – 3, JDRTC |
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Headbands, Wristbands, Elbow Band and a Cup
Charlie and James 2019 20s Category Finalists
Congratulations to all the other winners whose names will soon grace the Honours boards for far, far longer than their handicaps. The 2020 cycle starts again with the 70+ Tournament at the (very) end of November.
Thanks Peter for the photo!
CURTC is grateful for the support of our Sponsors…
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…and Supporter!
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Giraffe Club: CURTC Alumni
You Told Us….