Alex Ridgeon

Ben Fawkes

The recent heatwave may have somewhat moderated but conditions outside were bright and sunny – and the courts were hot and airless – on Sunday 28 June as a gallant band travelled across to Prested to take on our three East Anglian neighbours in the annual East Anglia Cup (Division 2, aka EAC+). With the Division 1 event that was due to be played on Saturday being postponed with some clubs unable to field the four players necessary, the Division 2 event for 60 plus handicaps took top billing.

Alex Ridgeon, our reigning 60s category champion led off in the first singles against Prested against young Zach Potter, half his height and somewhat less than half his age. An even match went the way of the home side, 6-8. Ben Fawkes levelled the rubber with a tight 8-7 win in the second singles. This left James Dowson and Alasdair Bovaird to seal the match with an 8-6 win holding off a late Prested charge from a 6-2 lead.

A solid team performance saw all three games won in the match against Newmarket – 8-4 and 8-1 in the singles and 8-0 in the Doubles.

Which left the final match against Hatfield House – who had lost to Prested in their second match. A repeat of the 3-0 win in the rubber would see Cambridge triumphant without the need of a countback. Alex Ridgeon won his singles 8-4, but Ben could not overcome the odds against a higher handicap novice player so went down 8-4 before James and Alasdair sealed the rubber with another 8-0 victory in the final doubles.

Which left Cambridge and Prested level with both having won 7 of their 9 matches. A countback saw the visitors awarded the trophy thanks to their victory in their opening match against the home side. A short ceremony saw the trophy awarded to the happy foursome and we look forward to taking our turn to host the event next year.

James , Alasdair, Alex and Ben with the Trophy Recovered!

Alasdair Bovaird, Cambridge EAC+ Captain