The 12th ‘Not the Varsity Match’, held between Alumni of Cambridge and Oxford ,occupied the CURTC courts this past weekend. We had a few last minute cancellations but 28 alums battled it out in a ‘Best of 37’ contest. While Cambridge’s ‘Not the Light Blues’ won the first match, Saturday was definitely Oxford’s ‘Not the Dark Blues’ day. By the time we adjourned to the Hawks Club for a very convivial dinner, the NtDBs were 2 matches to the good with a healthy games lead in case of the dreaded countback which has decided several contests. Notable was last minute sub Sarah Tasker for the NtDBs in an appropriately coloured outfit and an early Iron man candidate in Simon Kirk who managed 3 matches in the afternoon alone.

Lunch

& Dinner!!

Sunday dawned bright which is more than can be said for the NtLBs who appeared to have feet cast in stone, perhaps as a result of a surfeit of Saturday’s refreshments. But David Palmer, an Oxford based NtLBs, completed his unbeaten streak which, along with a remarkable Lazarus-like comeback from NtVM shirt designer John Bailey and Kate Kirk, seemed to lift the mood and the tide turned. Indeed with 3 matches to go, the scores were tied as Richard Bowers finally ended Chris Swales’ NtDBs Iron man streak and dinner organising maestro Jon Fistein got his feet moving. Daniel-Konrad Cooper (aka Mr Lambie) overcame a valiant NtLB clad Sarah Tasker to put the NtDBs back in front before, by a cruel twist of scheduling fate, he had to face Mrs (Sarah) Lambie (who would be the first to admit she had not had a great weekend on court) to seal the win.

An early spell of NtDB dominance went some way to quieten the boisterous Dedans but the decibel level went back up as Sarah drew level. D-K snuck ahead and the cheering turned more groan-like but Sarah had other thoughts and three match points to tie up the overall score at 18 each. D-K saved 2 but had no answer to the 3rd and the roof almost lifted off the Penthouse.

That’s me in reflection on the right tearing out what’s left of my hair

So it all came down to the 37th and final match, the Captain’s Doubles. Modesty prevents further comment but you can find the complete results HERE and/or judge for yourself from the photos below.

NtVM12 with NtLBs to the left

Many thanks to CURTC’s President Vix for coming in on her birthday and especially to Pol Roger for their continued and generous support of the Not the Varsity Match which returns to the twin courts of Oxford and Radley next year. Finally congrats to the NtDBs skipper, Guy Kirk, for a true classic NtVM and many thanks to Kees and Peter for their Iron men approach to marking all 37 matches.

Presentation

MVP, Sarah Lambie

The NtVM Trophy