Cambridge, fresh from the first season’s play on their new courts, writes match referee David Barnes, recorded their fourth consecutive win in the Varsity Match at St. Paul’s by a comfortable margin.
In a repeat of last year’s top two singles, Cambridge’s Kay and J Brubert again had the better of Jefferies and Thomas respectively, while Malde at 3 and freshman Z Brubert at 4 also recorded good wins to give Cambridge a commanding lead at lunch.
In the doubles, Jefferies and Thomas played excellent fives to best both Cambridge 1 and 2, but that was the summit of the Dark Blues’ achievement, as all but one of the remaining twelve games went to Cambridge. Kay and Brubert showed their class as the reigning BUCS doubles champions in demolishing Oxford 2, while lower down the order Cambridge proved to have the stronger pairings, with both 3 (Ader and Law) and 4 (Pinder and Bury) showing more attacking power and sounder defence. Oxford 3 (Horsewood and Hoskins) fought hard to win their final game, but otherwise it was the Light Blues’ day.
The reserves match was a well-contested affair, with the Cambridge Sparrows eventually building on their singles lead to win by 29 points overall. Each side was well led by an Eton fives player, and unusually the eight players all came from different schools.
We are most grateful to St. Paul’s School, who have recently experienced difficulties with the ventilation and lighting of their courts, for ensuring that they were all in good condition for this match. And I am sure the players would like me to thank Champagne Pol Roger as well for their most welcome sponsorship of the event.
RESULTS
Oxford v Cambridge
Singles (Oxford names first): HKE Jefferies (St. Paul’s & Oriel) (Captain) lost to EI Kay (St. Paul’s & Emmanuel) 1-15; FR Thomas (St. Paul’s & Brasenose) (Hon. Sec.) lost to JB Brubert (Alleyn’s & Queens’) (Hon. Sec.) 10-15; JW Roberts (Tonbridge & St. Edmund Hall) lost to JK Malde (St. Paul’s & Clare) (Captain) 0-15; AD Esin (St. Paul’s & Pembroke) lost to ZD Brubert (Alleyn’s & Fitzwilliam) 7-15.
Doubles: Jefferies & Thomas bt Kay & J Brubert 10-15, 15-6; bt Malde & Z Brubert 15-7, 15-6. Roberts & Esin lost to Malde & Z Brubert 9-15, 9-15; lost to Kay & J Brubert 2-15, 0-15. AM Horsewood (Winchester & Harris Manchester) & TM Hoskins (Oundle & Lady Margaret Hall) lost to JS Ader (St. Paul’s & Pembroke) & RB Law (St. Paul’s & Pembroke) 7-15, 5-15; lost to JW Pinder (Winchester & Robinson) & T Bury (Kelly & Queens’) 9-15, 15-10. OA Even (St. Paul’s & New) & NA Whitney (Tonbridge & Magdalen) lost to Pinder & Bury 6-15, 5-15; lost to Ader & Law 9-15, 4-15.
Result: Cambridge bt Oxford 269-153.
Oxford Beavers v Cambridge Sparrows
Singles (Oxford names first): MW Hale (Winchester & St. Hilda’s) lost to R Houlden (Westminster & Christ’s) (Captain) 11-15; HR Wilman (Giggleswick & Hertford) lost to RP Mathias (Christ’s Hospital & Fitzwilliam) 9-15; EM Birkett (Charterhouse & Trinity) (Captain) bt WCK Lau (Tonbridge & Trinity) 15-6; WJ Yates (St. Paul’s & Regent’s Park PPH) lost to OJ Layton (Bradfield & Pembroke) 0-15.
Doubles: Hale & Birkett lost to Houlden & Mathias 13-15, 10-15; bt Lau & Layton 15-3, 15-1. Wilman & Yates lost to Lau & Layton 15-16, 6-15; lost to Houlden & Mathias 4-15, 4-15.
Result: Cambridge Sparrows bt Oxford Beavers 146-117
{gallery}RFA Varsity Match{/gallery}