At the time of selection, the BUCS team looked extremely strong and likely to give the RFA a close match, writes team manager David Gardner. However, by the time the day arrived, we had lost three of our top four players (Luke Thomson, temporarily retired from playing competitive events; Ed Kay involved in a clash with Real Tennis; and Dan Grant, our champion and No 1 player, injured playing in Durham the week before).
Come the doubles matches, though, the RFA team established a clear lead, winning this section of the match by 171 points to 117. Leading the way were North West doubles champions Tom Dean and Charlie Brooks, who won all their games, while John and James lost just one of theirs. Remarkably, though, two student pairs – Alan Beverly & Ed Kay, and Adam George & Luke Thomson – scored wins over reigning n/national doubles champions Hamish Buchanan and Robin Perry.
In the end, though, the more experienced players won through by 249 points to 185.
Singles
(BUCS names first): L Thomson (Loughborough) bt J Minta 15-11; E Kay (Cambridge) lost to H Buchanan 13-15; A Beverly (Cambridge) lost to C Brooks 9-15; P Hanton (Durham) lost to T Dean 4-15; A George (St. Andrew's) lost to J Marshall 12-15; A Griffiths (Durham) bt R Perry 15-7.
Singles totals: BUCS 68 pts RFA 78 pts
Doubles
Griffiths & Hanton lost to Brooks & Dean 7-15; lost to Marshall & Minta 14-16; lost to Buchanan & Perry 8-15, 9-15.
Beverly & Kay lost to Marshall & Minta 11-15; bt Buchanan & Perry 16-14; lost to Brooks & Dean 8-15, 2-15.
George & Thomson bt Buchanan & Perry 16-14; lost to Brooks & Dean 4-15; drew with Marshall & Minta 15-7, 7-15.
Doubles totals: BUCS 117 pts RFA 171 pts
Result: RFA bt BUCS 249-185 pts