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
The Cambridge Leagues 2010
This year’s Cambridge Leagues have completed and the final results are in. In all, seventy five players from right across the spectrum of handicaps at the club competed in three different divisions.
Each of the five teams in each division played each other twice, once ‘away’ and once as hosts, providing the post-match food and drink. Three players from each team met at each fixture, and as each match won carried two points, and the fixture win an extra point, winning all three matches attracted seven points, winning two five and just one two points.
Winners in 2010:
- King’s Parents
- Tayabali, Tomlin and White
- Hazard When Wet
There are plans for these three winning teams to play each other, under handicap, to decide a champion of champions….
…The Cambridge League Champion of Champions
The three winners of this year’s Cambridge League played each other, on handicap, to see who should take the title of Cambridge League Champion of Champions.
Kings Parents, winners of division 1, Taybali Tomlin & White, division 2 winners and Hazard When Wet, division 3, played each other to decide this covetted title.
Taybali Tomlin & White romped through their two fixtures to become Cambridge League Champion of Champions 2010. The wooden spoon went to Kings Parents after the burden of the handicap difference wore them down in the decider fixture with Hazard When Wet. Kings Parents did, however, take the honour of the Best Post-match Food award
| Division One (handicaps 30-46) | ||||
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36 | |||
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31 | |||
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30 | |||
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28 | |||
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17 | |||
| Division Two (handicaps 46-55) | ||||
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36 | |||
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30 | |||
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28 | |||
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23 | |||
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23 | |||
| Division Three (handicaps 55-70) | ||||
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37 | |||
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36 | |||
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32 | |||
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23 | |||
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12 | |||
The Inaugural Champagne Leagues: 14 Jun – 13 Sep
Sponsored by Pol Roger
Scott, Peter and Kees hope that you will support this new idea. All you need to do is play 4 games over the summer, by Monday 13 September 2010.
All matches will be played off handicap to make it fun. Straightforward first-to-8-games format. Knockout stages will be marked.
The prizes: On Saturday 18th September
- The 4 semi-finalists of each Division will receive a magnum of Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Retail price c. £20).
- The Winners of each Division will also receive a bottle of Pol Roger Brut Reserve Champagne (Retail price c. £35)
A presentation will occur after the final match to toast the winners (and losers).
The cost to participate: Group stages: Court fees only (no extra cost to Summer Season Ticket holders)
Knockout stage: £20 per player to cover court fees and marking.
This is bound to be an exciting event, especially with the generous prizes provided by our favourite Champagne House, Pol Roger.
Please call us at the Club, 01223 359 106 or respond by email
Cambridge Weekend – 8/9 May
The fifth Cambridge Real Tennis Weekend will take place at CURTC on the 8th and 9th May 2010. It will be an ideal occasion for supporters of Cambridge Real Tennis and University Alumni to renew and strengthen their connections with the Club. There will be two social events and a handicap doubles tournament for you to participate in.
The Handicap Doubles Tournament:
Tournament play will occur on the Saturday only. Pairs will be placed into one of two divisions. Doubles is usually more enjoyable when partners are of a similar standard, so we would ask you to organise your pairing with this in mind. Alternatively, you may request that a suitable partner is found for you. The initial round robin stage of the tournament will involve groups of three pairs. Each pair will play a set (first to six games) against the other two pairs in their group. The winners will go through to the knock-out stage of the tournament.
On the Saturday evening there will be an On-Court Dinner. This will be a combined Cambridge Weekend dinner and the Cambridge Club Dinner.
An extra opportunity
For anyone wishing to enjoy some more relaxed tennis, there will be some friendly doubles on Sunday morning with impromptu pairings.
Calendar of events
Saturday 8th
8:00 am Division 1 and Division 2 Doubles Tournaments
2:00 pm Knock-out stage of the Doubles Tournaments
7:30 pm Play ends for the day
7:45 pm The On-Court Dinner and dance until 11:00 pm
Sunday 9th
9:00 am – 12 noon Social Doubles
Please contact the pros if you wish to join us. ENTRIES CLOSE Wednesday 28th April 2010
2010 Varsity Results
Friday 19th & Saturday 20th February
| First Team Mens Singles | |||
| Cambridge | Oxford | Score & Winner | |
| 1st | Robert Hird | Will Fortune | 3/6 6/1 1/6 Ox |
| 2nd | Ali Hakimi | Horatio Cary | 0/6 3/6 Ox |
| 3rd | James Watson | Sam Halliday | 6/1 6/0 cam |
| 4th | Ed Pearson | Chris Stefanowicz | 4/6 3/6 Ox |
| First Team Mens Doubles | |||
| 1st | Rob/Ed | Will/Sam | 2/6 6/3 6/4 5/6 6/4 cam |
| 2nd | Ali/James | Horatio/Chris | 6/2 3/6 5/6 6/5 4/6 Ox |
| Oxford won 4-2 | |||
| First Team Ladies Singles | |||
| 1st | Karen Hird | Victoria Ormerod | 6/0 6/0 cam |
| 2nd | Alex Bryant | Stephanie Walton | 6/0 6/3 cam |
| 3rd | Lucie Browning | Sarah Hird | 1/6 6/4 6/4 cam |
| 4th | Pippa Tregear | Charlotte Barker | 6/0 6/4 cam |
| First Team Ladies Doubles | |||
| 1st | Alex/Pippa | Stephanie/Sarah | 6/4 6/1 cam |
| 2nd | Karen/Lucie | Victoria/Charlotte | 6/0 6/0 cam |
| Cambridge won 7-0 | |||
Saturday 6th March
| Second Team Ladies Singles | |||
| 1st | Bronwen Derry | Maggie Henderson-Tew | 6/0, 6/1 Camb |
| 2nd | Kate Mason | Dara Walsh | 1/6, 2/6 Ox |
| 3rd | Georgie Ireland | Caroline Major | 2/6, 1/6 Ox |
| 4th | Olivia Lawrence-Bright | Emily Scaysbrook | 1/6, 4/6 Ox |
| Second Team Ladies Doubles | |||
| 1st | Bronwen/Olivia | Maggie/Caroline | 4/8 Ox |
| 2nd | Kate/Georgina | Dara/Emily | 6/8 Ox |
| Oxford won 5-1 | |||
| Second Team Mens Singles | |||
| 1st | Nick Sutcliffe | Simon Roach | 1/6, 1/6 Ox |
| 2nd | Jamie Stallybrass | Jules Camp | 3/6, 0/6 Ox |
| 3rd | Graham Sill | Oli Plant | 0/6, 1/6 Ox |
| 4th | Edward Granger | Alex Gilmore | 6/5, 6/5 Camb |
| Second Team Mens Doubles | |||
| 1st | Nick/Edward | Oli/Jules | 4/8 Ox |
| 2nd | Graham/Jamie | Simon/Alex | 5/8 Ox |
| Oxford won 5-1 | |||
No queuing at the Sales after Christmas
Yes, by entering the CURTC Christmas Tournament you will be excused trotting round the sales with your husband, wife, gigolo, concubine, family, in-laws, etc..
There are no more places left for this prestigious tournament on Monday 28 December, although if you would like to be considered as a ‘reserve’ should someone have to pull out you could still sign up (email or telephone the pros to enter your name on the sheet). Full details of the tournament are posted on the information board.
Details of the draw have sadly gone missing…
Click on the link above for details of the draw, which is also posted on the noticeboard. John says that, having taken into account all your preferences, please note the time at which you will be playing (NB. those whose singles start at noon and 4.00 p.m. must arrive in time for the doubles that start at 10.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. respectively).
John also says that he is having trouble with his phone at the moment, but will try to contact all of you to make sure that you are aware of the time that you are playing, and that you are still available (as if there can be any alternative).
Brodie Cup team win against Jesmond Dene
Our Brodie Cup team defeated Jesmond Dene last Sunday which sees them through to play Queens, away, at Queens club on Sunday 13th. That same day CURTC will be hosting Queens here at home in the Field Trophy. Lunch will be available for spectators: email the pros by Mon 6th Dec.
Ladies’ Afternoon – Mondays at 2pm
Ladies’ Afternoon started last week with 4 takers. This trial will run to early December. Do come along on Mondays at 2.
University and Town Book Launch – 18 Nov
Another first for our club, a book launch! Our fellow member Nick Chrimes has written an excellent book on the University and Town – with many references to tennis in Cambridge. You are invited to come to the club on Wednesday 18th November, 6:30 start for a package of book launch, with the author, and a demonstration match. The match will be refereed by Peter with two present Blues and two of a slightly older vintage playing. You can also drink immoderately at the author’s expense.
A Close Encounter of the Hird Kind
When an invitation came our way to compete in the Royal Tennis Court’s summer handicap doubles tournament, Malcolm Howlett and I jumped at this rare opportunity. "Oh you play real tennis, like Henry VIII at Hampton Court?". "Well, yes!". Although this is not actually Henry’s 1530 court, but one that was completed circa 1626. This was fortunate timing since we arrived at 1700.
The tournament was played on a time-limited format (30 mins), so the pair in front when the bell sounded won the game. Note to Fixture Secretary selves: a great way to control court timings. Note to Player selves: weird not being able to target a set number of games.
We squeaked through undefeated in the Friday evening round robin stage, which included a rubber against two members of the Hird Dynasty (mother and the "other place" triplet). Congratulations to Doris and Sarah who went on to win the plate tournament.
I think our primary focus on Sunday, having endured a hot, blocked M25, was to stay around for more than just 30 minutes. We managed to win through tight matches in the quarters and semis by just sneaking ahead in the final minutes. At times I could hear a Buddhist chant – stay calm, keep the ball down, get serve, keep serve, serve tight, make them work. Oh, and stay calm. Thanks Malcolm.
But then….in the final we met another Hird, this time one of "ours". Karen played with Kate Lawrence, a provisional 60-ish handicap, and our Zen mindset was defeated by Karen’s court coverage and accuracy – I think it’s called talent – coupled with Kate’s ability to keep her concentration and play a really solid game. We lost 4-6 and our tactical plan almost worked. Let’s face it winning RTC’s internal tournament would have been impolite, but that didn’t stop us from trying as hard as we could.
Thanks to all at RTC for their friendly welcome and hospitality (and prizes). And finally a word of advice to the tourist who departed the galleries stating "It’s just a load of old blokes playing tennis"………Dude, you watched the wrong match!
Gerald Smith
Gerald Smith, Karen Hird, Kate Lawrence, Malcolm Howlett: Summer Handicap Doubles at Hampton Court
Fahey and Hobbs win for Cambridge!
Hampton Court on Wednesday saw the final of the National League Premier Division, between CURTC 1 and RTC. Rob Fahey and Mark Hobbs, now back from injury, were up against the division leaders, Nick Wood and Ben Matthews of RTC.
The first singles, between Mark and Ben, was a close affair in the first set, with Mark volleying the return of serve effectively. Ben finally clinched it 6–4. He continued with some good tennis to win the second set 6–2. The eagerly anticipated match between Rob and Nick was up next, with their record 1–1 in the league matches this season.
Nick started the match well, taking the first 2 games, but then Rob began to play blistering tennis, taking the first set 6-3 and the second 6-0. Apart from the brilliant tennis, the crowd now had what they wanted; a doubles to decide the match. Once again, there had been nothing to separate the two teams during the season.
Cambridge started the doubles well, running off to a 4–0 lead. Then RTC came back at them, playing some fine tennis, to take the score to 4–3. The tennis then went to another level, with a succession of brilliant shots and thrilling points. We have rarely seen Rob play better in the doubles and he was well supported by Mark. The set went 8–4 to Cambridge, to win the match and the title.
The trophy was awarded by the sponsor, Maurice Lacroix; Rob was also named MVP for the Premier Division. Hampton Court provided an excellent and welcoming venue for the match, and our thanks go to the organisers and the sponsors.
Congratulations to Rob and Mark on a fine win; and also to Rob Hird and Peter Paterson, who both played for the team during the season. We look forward to another fine season in the Premier Division next year – perhaps we can make it three in a row!
Graduate Cup 2009
Malcolm Howlett took the Graduate Cup this year, beating Alex Wright 8-3 in the final :
|
Simon White
|
61
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Malcolm Howlett
(8-4) |
Malcolm Howlett
(8-0) |
Malcom Howlett
(8-6) |
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Malcolm Howlett
|
47
|
|||
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John Lees
|
44
|
John Lees
(8-5) |
||
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Jim Ludden
|
28
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|||
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Alex Clarke
|
35
|
Michael Magnay
(8-4) |
Michael Magnay
(8-7) |
|
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Michael Magnay
|
47
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|||
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John Firth
|
43
|
Roger East
(8-5) |
||
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Roger East
|
34
|
|||
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Alex Wright
|
44
|
Alex Wright
(8-5) |
Alex Wright
(8-6) |
Alex Wright
(8-7) |
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Alastair Cocks
|
48
|
|||
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Julian Stafford
|
38
|
Richard Brookes
(8-7) |
||
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Richard Brookes
|
46
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|||
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Justin McCann
|
55
|
Justin McCann
(8-5) |
Jeremy Davidson
(8-6) |
|
|
Robert Altham
|
60
|
|||
|
Alasdair Poore
|
51
|
Jeremy Davidson
(8-6) |
||
|
Jeremy Davidson
|
34
|
2009 Cambridge Weekend Results
The Cambridge Weekend was the 9th and 10th of May
Division 1
| GROUP 1A (Blue Court) | Score | Total | ||
| Ali Hakimi & Ed Pearson (19.3) | xx | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Andrew Petrie & Scott Newman (24.9) | 8 | xx | 8 | 16 |
| George Pearson & John Trapp (33.3) | 8 | 5 | xx | 13 |
| GROUP 1B (Green Court) | Score | Total | ||
| Clive Bowsher & Charles Harcourt (21.8) | xx | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Nigel Brown & Glen Pilgrim (31.2) | 8 | xx | 3 | 10 |
| Eric Nutter & Ken Smith (41.7) | 8 | 8 | xx | 16 |
| Winners Group 1A A Petrie & S Newman |
A Petrie & S Newman
(8-3) |
A Petrie & S Newman
(8-3) |
| Runners-up Group 1B N Brown & G Pilgrim |
||
| Winners Group 1B E Nutter & K Smith |
G Pearson & J Trapp
(8-7) |
|
| Runners-up Group 1A G Pearson & J Trapp |
Division 2
| GROUP 2A (Blue Court) | Score | Total | ||
| Guy Kirk & John Bailey (55) | xx | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Linda Fairbrother & Jeremy Fairbrother (47) | 8 | xx | 7 | 15 |
| John Firth & Ray Spencer (44.5) | 8 | 8 | xx | 16 |
| GROUP 2B (Green Court) | Score | Total | ||
| John Ferguson & Paul Tolkien (55.8) | xx | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| Fiona Brown & Michael Womack (58) | 8 | xx | 7 | 15 |
| Malcolm Howlett & Gerald Smith (46.2) | 8 | 8 | xx | 16 |
| Winners Group 2A J Firth & R Spencer |
F Brown & M Womack
(8-7) |
M Howlett & G Smith
(8-7) |
| Runners-up Group 2B F Brown & M Womack |
||
| Winners Group 2B M Howlett & G Smith |
M Howlett & G Smith
(8-6) |
|
| Runners-up Group 2A L & J Fairbrother |
Kleinwort Benson Cambridge Leagues final results
Kleinwort Benson Cambridge League Div 1
1st Science Park 37 points
Stew McTavish (c), Mark Perriton, Rupert Grose, Patrick Ward, Linda Fairbrother, Malcolm Howlett
2nd Tee Lorimers 31 points
John Lees (c), John Burnett, Steve Chadwick, John Howard , Phil Hind, John Trapp
3rd King’s College School Parents 30 points
Glen Pilgrim (c), Julian Stafford, Jay Harrison, Norbert Peabody, Nic Rhode
4th Frog 26 points
Eric Nutter, David Walmsley, Stuart Arrandale (c), John Kirkpatrick, Andrew Parkhouse
5th St John’s College School Parents 16 points
Graeme Menzies, Nicholas Heath, David Pimblett, Louise Ludekens (c), Martyn Downer, Paul Murray-John
Kleinwort Benson Cambridge League Div 2
1st Kleinwort Benson 41 points
Chris Wykes, Raymond Spencer, Alex Wright, Michael Magnay (c), Justin McCann
2nd Addenbrookes Hospital 26 points
Ken Smith , John Firth, Barnaby Perks (c), Nick Wareham, Steve O’Rahilly
3rd Price Bailey 25 points (higer game %)
Lawrence Bailey (c), Paul Robison, Jeremy Fairbrother, Becky Coombs, Guy Kirk, Alasdair Poore
4th Total Eye Care 25 points
Lorne Williamson, Shaun Ruffles, Richard Brookes, David Thomas (c), Julian Kirkpatrick
5th Tayabali, Tomlin & White 21 points
William Rankine, Gerald Smith, Christopher Dean, Imran Tayabali (c), Simon White
Kleinwort Benson Cambridge League Div 3
1st Shelford Rugby Club Stranglers 40 points
Rick Albrow, Tony Clarke (c), David Herbert, Neil Ruffles, Jeremy Risebrow
2nd PeopleChecking.com 33 points
Richard Holt, Michael Womack, Tom Hartley (c), Chris Walthew, Mark Flynn
3rd ARTVPS 31 points
Jeremy Davidson, Edward Johnson, Chris Eggleton, Brian Tyler (c), Robert Cassels
4th Newnham Village 21 points
John Ferguson [Cambridge] (c), Mark Palmer, Gillian Moore, Smuts Beyers, William Lawes, Stephen Armitage
5th Architecture IMG 15 points
Fiona Brown, Michael Lennox, Ian Mcgonigal (c), Ken Worthing, Peter Miller, Jonathan Spence
National League News
Premier Division News
Thursday saw CURTC 1, represented by Rob Fahey and Peter Paterson (filling in for the injured Mark Hobbs) play league leaders RTC, represented by the in-form Nick Woods and Ben Matthews.
Ben started well in the second-string singles, taking the first set 6-2. Peter then began to put him under some pressure, and looked as if he might take the second set, but Ben stepped up a gear to take the match 6-2, 6-4.
The spectators were looking forward to the match between the top two players, and they weren’t disappointed. It was a very even first set, which finally went 6-5 to Nick, who was playing at the top of his game. Rob, recovered from the injury that kept him out of the US Open, looked a little under par but came back with some fine tennis to take the next two sets and the match 5-6, 6-2, 6-3.
The doubles followed. In a hard-hitting and exciting game, RTC kept ahead until Cambridge levelled the score at 5-5. RTC then applied more pressure and ran out 8-5 to win the game and the rubber by two matches to one.
The next home Premier League match on Thursday 16 April is a double-header, with CURTC 1 playing Prested, who are currently above them in the league table, and CURTC 2 playing Petworth. Matches start at 2 p.m. and will continue into the evening. Light refreshments will be available.
The final home match of the season will be on Wednesday 22 April, between the two Cambridge teams.
Please come to support your Premier League teams: contact Kees, Peter or Scott for further details.
National League Division 2 News
Before the Premier League match above, you can come along to support CURTC 3 at 6 p.m. on Tuesday 7 April, playing their last league match of the season. In a very close league, Cambridge are only 1 point behind the two leaders, who have both played all their matches. If Cambridge can beat Oratory, they will top the league and go to the league final. Peter Paterson and Robert Hird will be playing for Cambridge.
Kleinwort Benson Cambridge League results
The Kleinwort Benson Cambridge League weekly results appear in the local paper, the Cambridge News. Below are the results from the second week of March
Division 1: Monday 9 March 2009, 5:30PM
Frog v King’s College School Parents
Stuart Arrandale lost to Nic Rhode 6/2 4/6 5/6
Eric Nutter defeated Glen Pilgrim 4/6 6/4 6/4
John Kirkpatrick lost to Julian Stafford 6/3 3/6 3/6
Kings won 2 matches to 1
Division 2: Tuesday 10 March 2009, 5:30PM
Addenbrookes Hospital v Kleinwort Benson
Steve O’Rahilly defeated Justin McCann 4/6 6/2 6/4
Barnaby Perks lost to Alex Wright 4/6 2/6
Ken Smith lost to Raymond Spencer 1/6 4/6
Kleinwort Benson won 2 matches to 1
Division 3: Wednesday 11 March 2009, 5:30PM
Architecture IMG v Newnham Village
Fiona Brown lost to Gillian Moore 6/2 1/6 5/6
Ian Mcgonigal defeated Smuts Beyers 6/3 6/3
Peter Miller lost to Mark Palmer 1/6 3/6
Newnham Village won 2 matches to 1
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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