May 4, 2024
National School Girls Level Singles and Doubles Championships U19 @Wellington 14/15 January 2023
Congratulations to Bella Harvey who reached the Final of the Singles and went one better by winning the Doubles!
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MCC vs Oxbridge
Arthur, Ollie & Jin
Last Saturday 14th Jan, Cambridge students were invited to play at the MCC courts at Lord’s. (So were Oxf*rd but that is insignificant #GDBO). All matches were played off-level, best out of 3 sets (3-3 in the final set). Despite an average of 6 handicap differences, all three Cambridge players put up an impressive fight.
I was the first one up for Cambridge facing MCC’s recent apprentice, Nat Cherry (36.4), winning the first set 6-4 but losing the next two 3-6 and 3-6. Much to learn yet a step closer to finding the rhythm of the game.
Arthur Adams (43.0) faced ever-so-calm Richard Lawrence (36.0). There were one too many outstanding rallies that left the audience in awe. Although Richard secured the match at 6-4/6-1, Arthur showed so much potential to be in a much lower handicap; it has certainly fired him up for the upcoming Varsity selection tournament.
Ollie Hilton (46.0) battled it out against a fast improver, Mark Clifford (42.5) who showcased an unorthodox yet superbly effective style. From the first set, we know this was going to be a marathon. Mark secured the first set 6-4, and started to dominate the second, reaching 5-1. Oliver was not ready to let this pass, however. He secured the next 5 games, winning the second 6-5. The third set was even more nail-biting, reaching 5-5; Mark’s relentless hitting found the base of the tambour every other shot, and won the third set and the match.
On behalf of the students, I would like to thank Simon Talbot-Williams (MCC match manager), Chris Bray (Head Pro), Nat Cherry (Apprentice) and the MCC players for their warm hospitality and insightful match advice during dinner.
Jin Lee, Men’s Captain 2022-2023
Giraffe Club Cup: Div 1 Final
[Update, link to Google Photos Album of the individual photos and more HERE]
I think no one would disagree that the Division 1 Final was the ‘match of the day’. Fresh from relatively easy semi final victories, Ed and Patrick took an early lead against Jin and Andy in spite of a substantial handicap disadvantage. However they never led by more than a couple of games and Jin and Andy finally coerced the odd mistake from their opponents and the score reached 7-all. Andy had the serve and three match points but crucially gave up a chase. A couple of Patrick’s volleys took the score to 40-all before Jin played one of the most outrageous lobs I have seen. It went so high, it disappeared from sight for those in the Dedans before creeping into the Dedans at such a steep angle it was all but unreturnable!
GCC2022, Final Division 1
While Andy kept his feet firmly on terra firma, Jin & Patrick had no such compunctions and treated us to some mind boggling volleying if you were quick enough to catch them. The collage doesn’t do them justice but …
Airborne!
Giraffe Club Cup Finals: Part 1
After the morning Group Stage, it was on to lunch and the Finals. Our semi opponents clearly lunched well and we succumbed without even a chase… But the other matches were much more interesting!
GTCC2022, Plate Final Division 2
ps several folks remarked that if the orange sweater’ed Howard had done a handstand he would essentially have disappeared!
GCC2022: Plate Final Division 1
GCC2022, Division 2 Final
Giraffe Club Cup, 26/11/22
Last Saturday saw the 2022 Giraffe Club Cup take place at CURTC. Almost all the pairs comprised of a student partnering a senior member. As you can imagine this led to some remarkably competitive tennis!
The morning comprised of the Group stage where four groups played a round robin to determine who played when during the afternoon. The camera was not everywhere but here are a couple of collages!
GCC2022, Group Stage (1)
GCC2022, Group Stage (2)
GCC2022, Group Stage (3)
All the results can be found HERE
More to come…
Intraclub Student Tournament
Finalists: Matthew Levine & Julius Gasson vs Igor Sterner & Danny Leboff
On Friday 11th November, our first student tournament was held. This was an exciting initiative driven by the new student committee members and aimed to foster an even more cohesive and inclusive environment at CURTC. We had a fantastic turnout with 4 pairs playing in a 20-minute timed Round Robin Stage. Despite the two captains’ desperate efforts to keep ahead, the weight of the heavily cut tennis balls were too much for their left-hands to handle. After some great tennis, two top pairs (Igor Sterner & Danny Leboff and Matthew Levine & Julius Gasson) battled through the finals. Igor’s fluid forehands kept the ball off the corners while Danny’s agility illuminated the dedans as we mere mortals watched on. Some may say it was a battle between a spear and a shield. After a series of intense rallies, Matthew and Julius shifted the gear and started to crack what seemed to be an unbreachable shield. Appearing calmer and collected as the games went on, Mathew and Julius developed a better strategy, utilising the chases. They went on to seal the last game in style, winning 6-5.
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The evening would not have been possible without the generous support from the Giraffe Club and students would like to thank the members as well as Andy Smith for their unquestionable care and empathy towards our mission of promoting friendly and inclusive club. Although not present on the day, our Pros continues to foster an open environment for students to develop their tennis both socially and competitively. So much goes behind the scenes and we, students, are forever grateful for their wisdom. We look forward to seeing even more students at our next event!
Jin Lee (Men’s Captain 2022/23)
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Cambridge vs The Oratory, Brodie Cup, 13/11/2022
Video starts with the 40 Singles
Congratulations to The Oratory!
Callender Cup – Sunday 6th November @Wellington
The Callender Cup brings together the UK’s Real Tennis club handicap doubles representatives. This year John Reid and Joe Zygmunt made the trip to Wellington on CURTC’s behalf. They breezed through their round robin group while losing only two games in three matches. Unfortunately, their quarter final ended with the 7-all, 40-all point going to their opponents from Prested… Still many congratulations Joe and John who sent this picture!
CURTC visit to Oxford & Bristol
Oxford is a tricky place to play. It’s not just the dimensions but the bounce can test the bottom edge of one’s racket and don’t mention the tambour… However, the welcome was as always most generous and the tennis enjoyable although we had failed to trouble the win side of the scoresheet by the time I had to head west.
The court Bristol couldn’t be more different but it must be said the welcome and hospitality was just as warm (especially the post match chilli) Our injury depleted squad (get well soon guys!) rose early for a prompt 10am start and our first visit to the plus side of the scoresheet. Three of the four team members registered a win and we had a winning lead going into the final doubles (which proved to be just as well) as there is no such thing as a dead rubber in Real Tennis.
- 10:00 Dan Brown v Alasdair Bovaird (5/9)
- 10:45 Dan Brown & Alistair Roy v Alasdair Bovaird & Alex Ridgeon (9/7)
- 11:30 Jonathan Brown v Christie Marrian (5/9)
- 12:15 Alistair Roy v Alex Ridgeon (6/9)
- 13:00 Chris Harland & Luke Sutor v Jonathan Brown & Christie Marrian (6/1 6/5)
The Early Risers
LRTA Handicap Tournaments @Prested Hall
Congratulations to Felicity Riddell-Bell who has had a great weekend at Prested Hall, winning the Div 2 doubles with her partner Saffron from Wellington and losing in the semi of the singles by the narrowest of margins!
Emily in America
Congratulations Emily, the first ever* Varsity Real Tennis and Seabright Cup double!
https://www.varsity.co.uk/sport/24232
*I’m pretty certain this is correct…
The Pol Roger Champagne Leagues KO Rounds
Following the hotly contested group stage over the summer the battle for the bottles heated up over the weekend with the KO rounds of CURTC’s Champagne Leagues.
Division 2 Final
 Almudena Cano vs… |
 …Liam Guyton |
Congratulations Liam !
Division 1 Final
 Jim Ludekens vs… |
 …Christie Somebodyorother |
Thanks Sonja for wearing out Jim physically (and mentally) and making my task even possible!
Thanks to Kees & Peter for marking and Pol Roger for their generous sponsorship.
Giraffe Club Evening at Queens
 The 2022 UK Bathurst cup team |
 The Dedans! |
The Bathurst cup team were in excellent form as a packed Dedans was treated to some spectacular Doubles play. It was a great opportunity for Jim to mark top level tennis without the pressure of it being the British Open, however still important for the job to be done well. Jim received some ball making tips from Bryn which was much appreciated.
Queens were most welcoming and the assembled company enjoyed an excellent dinner following the tennis.
Kees
#RTWC2022
Rapt!
I don’t think this was taken when Rob wins the last point to grab the 8th set 6/5
Congratulations, TK & Camice!
To the strains of ‘I’m getting married in the morning’, they tied the knot in Grantchester Village Church on June 11th (in the afternoon)!
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….