December 19, 2025
- 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
Great day out at the Palace
In a rare excursion for real tennis players, CURTC were invited to send a team to play at the Royal Tennis Court, Hampton Court Palace on Sunday 4th December 2011.
A team of six with handicaps ranging from 35 to 62 represented CURTC, each playing two rubbers of one set each (singles and doubles, first to 8 games). Each rubber was well matched by the Royal Tennis Court (RTC) team with all games played off Level or ‘owe half 15’.
In the first rubber the experienced John Howard and inexperienced Keith Beechener (match manager) won 8-5 to get the match off to a great start. Gerald Smith took both of his matches (singles and then doubles with Pat Humphrey) to 7-7 only to see the final game go the way of the opponents. These were a both a victory for the handicap system and either team could have won both of these. CURTC fell further behind with two more losses – Keith Beechener managing to lose 6-8 after leading 6-4 and taking the next two games to 40-40, then Tome Hartley paired with John Howard losing 5-8 after showing good early form. CURTC were 1-4 behind with three rubbers to play.
It is worth mentioning at this point that the hosts at RTC provided a superb lunch with a homemade butternut squash soup and assortment of cold meats, salad and cheese plus of course a selection of appropriate refreshing beverages.
The CURTC revival was led by the ever-dependable Gary Weller who shot to a 6-0 lead before graciously allowing his opponent some brief hope and then finishing him off at 8-2. Tom Hartley traded a few games to 3-3 with his opponent before spotting a flaw in the RTC man’s defence and then proceeded to reel off the games to take the rubber 8-4. The final rubber saw Pat Humphrey join Gary Weller to take on two fresh opponents from RTC. Once again CURTC showed no mercy and took the set 8-2 to demonstrate their overall dominance and achieve a 4-4 draw for both clubs.
An enjoyable match overall and it was played in a friendly atmosphere at the oldest surviving real tennis court in England (its last extension refurbishment was in 1628).
CURTC serving to RTC
Keith Beechener
European Inter-Universities Weekend Nov 25-27, 2011
A total of 35 students from 8 Universities participated in the tournament, which was hosted by the Cambridge University Real Tennis Club for the 4th successive year. There were two tournaments running in parallel, an Individual Handicap competition and a level Inter-University Cup (IUC); in which teams played two singles and one doubles in each round.
In the Individual Handicap semi-finals James Thomas (Cambridge) raised his game to beat an exhausted Tom Lewis (Bristol) 6-2. In the 2nd semi, Tom Playford (Cambridge) won a close encounter with Charlie Marlow-Thomas (Durham) 6-4. James proved too solid an opponent for Tom in the final and took the match 8-4.
In the IUC competition, Oxford produced a clinical display to win both singles matches 10-0 in their semi-final against Middlesex. Although, in the doubles, the Middlesex pair was far more comfortable, using their lawn tennis background to full advantage. The Oxford pair’s experience was again the difference and they progressed to the final.
Cambridge and Bristol shared the singles matches in the other half of the draw with Oli Watson (Cambridge) defeating Ian Finlayson ()Bristol) 10-3 and Tom Lewis causing Cambridge to be concerned by defeating Jules Camp (10-4). James Watson strengthened the Cambridge team in the doubles, by combining well with Camp, to defeat the Bristol pair and set up an Oxbridge grudge match in the final.
The first singles match between Jules Camp (Cambridge) and Alex Evans (Oxford) turned out to be the match of the weekend, with Jules winning 10-6 and taking revenge for his defeat in the Varsity match the previous year. The 1st string singles was between Simon Roach (Oxford) and James Watson (Cambridge), and after some close early exchanges, James came through 10-5. The doubles was a closely fought match in which Cambridge led at the beginning, only to see Oxford claw back and get to 7-games first. Then James Watson justified his superior ranking by leading the Cambridge team to save a match point and later to eventually win the doubles 8/7. Cambridge won 3 matches to nil.
Particular mention goes to Tom Lewis, who competed in the tournament for his 4th and final time and to the Oxford Brookes and the Royal Veterinary College teams who made their debuts in the competition. This year Scott Blaber, the Cambridge Assistant Professional, took a leadership role in organising the event which all players agreed was extremely enjoyable. In the speeches at the Saturday dinner the Cambridge team of pros and Sue Ecob (catering) were thanked. Special mention went to Simon Marshall for establishing the weekend to what it is now; a key T&RA event, through his seven years of dedication to this task. Gratitude was also expressed for the continued sponsorship by Pol Roger, Incognito and Polistas and the support from the T&RA, all making major contributions to the success of the event.
Early exit from Brodie Cup
On Sunday 20th November a team from CURTC traveled to Lord’s to play the MCC in the second round of the 2011/12 Brodie Cup. All 5 matches were keenly fought and when skipper Gerald Smith and Keith Beechener won the first set of the first rubber (45 handicap doubles) there were great expectations of a result in our favour. However a change of tactics by the MCC pairing saw a change of fortunes and the rubber was taken to 3 sets and won by the home team.
Roger East and Nic Rhode (30 and 40 handicap singles respectively) each fought tense encounters and despite early promise yet again the home side edged two more victories to secure the tie. Gary Weller then took the 50 handicap singles in two straight sets to recover some pride for CURTC.
In the final rubber (35 handicap doubles) Julian Stafford and Jimmy Campbell fought hard and deserved to narrow the deficit but eventually succumbed to the dominant MCC. The only ashes brought back from Lord’s Cricket Ground were the remains of CURTC’s hopes of progressing in the Brodie Cup. The experience will only make the team stronger and we aim to be more competitive next year.
CURTC v MCC in the Brodie Cup
Pol Roger Champagne Leagues 2011
The Champagne Leagues are sponsored by Pol Roger, real tennis’s favourite champagne house:
Division 1 won by James Thomas, 8-6, Mark Evans runner up
| Gerald Smith Fri 16:40 Jules Camp |
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| Gerald Smith Sat 10:20 Rob Brady |
Rob Brady
Sat 12:20 James Thomas |
James Thomas
Final Sat 15:00 Mark Evans |
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| James Thomas Fri 19:20 Robin Faux |
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| Mark Evans Fri 16:40 Nick Chrimes |
Mark Evans
Sat 12:20 Nic Rhode |
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| Alex Clarke Sat 10:20 Nic Rhode |
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| Rory Davidson Fri 16:00 Nic Rhode |
Division 2 won by Tom Hartley, 8-6, Nigel Belbin runner up
| Mark Palmer Fri 20:00 Christie Marrian |
Christie Marrian
Sat 11:40 Tom Hartley |
Tom Hartley
Final Sat 14:10 Nigel Belbin |
| Dave Isherwood Fri 16:00 Tom Hartley |
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| Nigel Belbin Fri 18:40 Jeremy Davidson |
Nigel Belbin
Sat 11:40 Sonja Badenhorst |
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| Guy Kirk Sat 9:00 Sonja Badenhorst |
Division 3 won by Dominic Simpson, Ashley Courtney runner up
| Dominic Simpson Fri 19:20 Anthony Dean |
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| Dominic Simpson Sat 9:40 Peter Morrison |
Dominic Simpson
Sat 11:00 Bernie Carpenter |
Dominic Simpson
Final Sat 13:30 Ashley Courtney |
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| Kate Kirk Sat 9:00 Bernie Carpenter |
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| Peter Joy Fri 16:40 Anthony Bailey |
Anthony Bailey
Sat 11:00 Ashley Courtney |
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| Smuts Beyers Sat 9:40 Ashley Courtney |
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| Tom Playford Fri 17:20 Ashley Courtney |
Tatham Harper in British Junior Championship Final
In this year’s championships, hosted at the Queen’s Club, CURTC were represented by:
- Robert Backhurst (under 18)
- Dominic McOmish (under 16), and
- Tatham Harper (under 12)
Whilst Robert and Dominic benefited greatly from the experience of competing at this magnificent venue, they were unable to progress to the final stages in their respective age groups.
The 10 year old, Tatham Harper, playing in the Under 12 event, progressed through to the final after competing in his group stage matches. He was required to play 100 games on the Friday and to defeat last years champion.
In the final, the rather exhausted Tatham met Nicholas Milton from the Hyde Club to whom he lost 8/2. Congratulations to Tatham for this great performance and also to Scott, his coach.
Club Dinner at Queens College
The annual club dinner was a great success, held as it was in the magnificent dining hall of Queen’s College. The food was fantastic, the wine perfectly chosen, the Harry-Potter-esque surroundings truly stunning. Even the speeches from the Professionals were good value. Here’s a photo of Peter giving his speech.
Peter Paterson’s speech at the club dinner
Cambridge University Real Tennis Club USA Tour 2011
| Tour Fixtures and Results | CURTC |
| Prince’s Court, Washington | won 6-3 |
| winners of the Fowler-Hamilton Cup | |
| Racquets Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia | won 6-3 |
| The Racquet and Tennis Club, New York | won 3-2 |
| The Tuxedo Club, Tuxedo Park | won 4-2 |
| National Tennis Club, Newport | won 9-3 |
| The Tennis and Racquet Club, Boston | won 4-1 |
Tourees: Ali Hakimi (Capt), James Watson, Ed Pearson, Jules Camp, Ed Granger, Lucie Browning
Tales of copious hospitality, constant merriment and club grandeur and tradition travelled far prompting a visit to the USA by an enthusiastic band of students from the Cambridge University Real Tennis Club. Except for Aiken, South Carolina, the other seven major clubs along the east coast of the USA were visited with a busy match schedule in the waiting.
A common theme on the tour was the impressive way in which the team took to each of the foreign courts as if they were playing at home. The added sharpness gained from the touring experience gave the team an extra edge. Excellent tennis from each of the touring members ensured a complete clean sweep winning all six of the tour fixtures against the American club opposition which also included adding more silverware to the CURTC trophy cabinet by winning the Fowler-Hamilton Cup at Prince’s Court, Washington. In between the competitive tennis we also managed to make a trip to the Georgian Court, Lakewood, part of the estate built and once owned by the famous Jay Gould.
Overall the trip was a fantastic experience both on and off the court. It was an excellent opportunity for all of our players to get more match experience and improve on different aspects of their game. We thank all of those from the USCTA as well as the club professionals and members for their enthusiasm in hosting us and willingness to organise so many enjoyable and competitive fixtures. We were looked after extremely well and made to feel most welcome at all times. We are also very grateful to Harrow Sports and the Cambridge University Giraffe Club fund for their generous sponsorship.
Ali Hakimi
Cambridge Handicaps adjusted for all above 35
The large number of new players taking up real tennis and improving quickly at Cambridge has the effect of increasing the handicaps of players with established handicaps. From time to time it is deemed necessary, by our Committee, to make a general change to the handicaps of those playing off 35 and greater, to keep Cambridge in line with at other Clubs. If your handicap is 35 or greater you will notice that your handicap has been reduced by a few points (about 5%). We have waited for this moment, after the Category Tournaments have been completed, to make this adjustment and hope that you will appreciate the reasons for the change.
2011 Varsity Match Results
| Ladies’ Singles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Alexandra Walvis | beat | Charlotte Breen | 6/1 6/3 |
| Christina Fast | beat | Kimberley Green | 6/4 6/0 |
| Maggie Henderson-Tew | lost to | Helen Morgan-Rees | 6/3 4/6 4/6 |
| Victoria Ormerod | beat | Lucie Browning | 6/3 6/2 |
| Ladies’ Doubles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Maggie Henderson-Tew & Alexandra Walvis | beat | Helen Morgan-Rees & Charlotte Breen | 6/3 6/2 |
| Victoria Ormerod & Christina Fast | beat | Lucie Browning & Kimberley Green | 6/4 6/3 |
| Men’s Singles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Alex Evans | beat | Jules Camp | 6/3 5/6 6/4 |
| Johnny Beale | beat | Ali Hakimi | 4/6 6/4 6/2 |
| Simon Roach | lost to | James Watson | 1/6 2/6 |
| Sam Halliday | lost to | Robert Hird | 2/6 3/6 |
| Men’s Doubles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Sam Halliday & Alex Evans | lost to | Ali Hakimi & James Watson | 6/0 1/6 2/6 3/6 |
| Simon Roach & Johnny Beale | lost to | Robert Hird & Jules Camp | 1/6 2/6 2/6 |
Oxford Ladies win 5/1
Cambridge Men win 4/2
| Ladies’ Seconds Team Singles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Emily Scaysbrook | beat | Emma Samia-Ali | 6/2 6/2 |
| Rosie Atkinson | lost to | Leah Bramwell | 5/6 6/5 6/5 |
| Sophie Dannreuther | beat | Olivia Power | 6/0 6/0 |
| Maddy Grant | beat | Emily Brady | 6/1 6/3 |
| Ladies’ Seconds Doubles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Rosie Atkinson & Emily Scaysbrook | beat | Leah Bramwell & Olivia Power | 8/1 |
| Maddy Grant & Sophie Dannreuther | beat | Emma Samia-Ali & Emily Brady | 8/1 |
| Men’s Seconds Singles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Nick Green | lost to | Edward Granger | 6/5 6/0 |
| Tom Woolerton | lost to | Rory Davidson | 6/2 6/4 |
| Rowan Jackson | lost to | Matt Barr | 3/6 6/2 6/3 |
| Henry Faber | lost to | Jimmy Campbell | 6/2 4/6 5/6 |
| Men’s Seconds Doubles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | v. | Cambridge | |
| Henry Faber & Nick Green | beat | Edward Granger & Jimmy Campbell | 8/3 |
| Tom Woolerton & Rowan Jackson | lost to | Rory Davidson & Matt Barr | 8/2 |
Oxford Seconds Ladies win 5/1
Cambridge Seconds Men win 4/2
Scott reaches Browning Cup final
Congratulations to Scott Blaber who reached the final of the Browning Cup at the Hatfield House Tennis Club. Scott won three, tight, three setters in the early rounds of the Professionals Handicap Championship but was unable to defeat Mathew Ronaldson in the final.
Cambridge win at MCC – Saturday 11 Dec, 2010
The opening game in this inter-club friendly fixture of doubles was won by Charlotte Breen and James Campbell who overcame more experienced opposition to set us on our way. However Andrew Petrie and Rory Davidson were beaten in two sets to level the match.
Jeremy Davidson and Keith Beechener restored the lead, then David Pimblett and Matt Barr (a late inclusion into the squad) extended it in Cambridge’s favour to 3-1. Malcolm Howlett and Gerald Smith were overcome in the tightest game of the day despite taking it to 5-5 and 40-40 in the deciding set.
Tom Hartley and Ian McGonigal made the result certain with a comprehensive victory in the final game and Cambridge took the match 4-2.
Keith Beechener
Cambridge playing the MCC at Lords
Tom Hartley and Ian McGonigal at Lords
Broadband upgrade – Friday 29 Nov, 2010
The club may be offline for half an hour or so on Friday the 29th of October whilst we upgrade our broadband to a faster connection that supports the broadcast streaming of video footage of matches by realtennis.tv. We do not have details on what time during the day the upgrade may happen, but the pros should be offline for less than an hour.
More flexible court bookings – trial ended
After a canvassing of views, an analysis of court usage and some discussion, the Committee decided to end the trial allowing members to book half hour slots on both courts. The significant number of unbooked isolated half hour slots and generally reported confusion over times and courts argued for a return to the old system. All comments from members are being noted as is court usage and the whole situation will be kept under review. We apologise to those for whom the trial was an obvious success and who now regret its passing.
George Pearson
Exhibition Match – from 6:30 Thursday 11 Nov, 2010
An exhibition match between Rob Fahey, World Champion, and David Woodman (+4 former Amateur Champion) will take place on Thursday the 11th of November at 7pm. Tickets are £20 for dedans seats, £10 for the galleries (drinks included)
There is a raffle, and members will have received details through the post. Contact the pros by email
if you would like to purchase raffle tickets.
The exhibition match will be preceded at 6:30 by a game between the raffle winner, off handicap, and the World Champion Rob Fahey. The winner also receives a Rob Fahey racquet.
Following the exhibition match there will be dinner with the players (£30, limited to 30 diners)
Autumn Junior Course
Scott would like to invite members to enroll their children, between the ages of 10 -12, for his Autumn Junior Course. There will be 6 sessions in total scheduled on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. The sessions will start after half-term and will be on the following dates:
- 29 Oct
- 06 Nov
- 13 Nov
- 20 Nov
- 27 Nov
- 04 Dec
The cost of the course is £35 Please contact Scott by email if you are interested
CURTC is grateful for the support of our Sponsors…
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…and Supporter!
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Giraffe Club: CURTC Alumni
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