Varsity Match 2009

Oxford v Cambridge 2009

(St Paul's School, Barnes)

Singles (Oxford names first): D.C Tristao (St Paul's & Lincoln) beat C.P.Jones (Tonbridge & Emmanuel 15-3; J.Fabes (Clifton & Green) beat J.B.Brubert (Alleyn's & Queens') 15-2; E.O.Ronan (Bradfield & St Hugh's) beat A.Ladak (St Paul's & Christ's) 15-0; D.M.Park (Sherborne & St Catherine's) beat C.W.D.Dewhurst (St Paul's & St John's) 15-11.

Doubles: Tristao & Ronan beat Jones & Brubert 15-0, 15-3; beat Ladak & A.Ashok (St Paul's & Queens') 15-1,15-1; Fabes & Park beat Ladak & Ashok 15-3, 15-7; beat Jones & Brubert 15-12, 15-6; S.J.Adcock (Eastbourne & St Edmund Hall) & E.J.Emmett (St Paul's & Christ Church) beat Dewhurst & W.F.A.Kelly (Winchester & Girton) 13-15, 15-10; beat R.E.Walter (Tonbridge & St John's) & C.K.Compton (Eastbourne & St John's) 15-9, 15-12; T.J.Hoolahan (St Paul's & Christ Church) & J.C.Baker (St Paul's & Pembroke) beat Walter & Compton 15-7, 15-6; beat Dewhurst & Kelly 15-0, 15-1.

Result: Oxford beat Cambridge 298-109 pts

Oxford retained the Jock Burnet trophy by a massive margin, in the process displaying some excellent fives, with strength throughout the team of eight.

Cambridge were unable to recover from a tough morning's singles, where the experience of Fabes and Ronan at 2 and 3 proved decisive as back-up to the known quality of Tristao at 1. Freshman Dewhurst gave captain Park some anxious moments in the fourth game, but could not quite sustain his challenge.

Cambridge were known to have competed well in the doubles in previous matches, but their hopes were blown away by devastating performances from the top two Oxford pairs: Tristao and Ronan conceded only five points in the afternoon (at least one of these a service into the bar) and although Cambridge I (Jones/Brubert) contested their second match vigorously there was still a convincing win for the Oxford captain and his new partner (making his debut for the dark blues as a mature former-captain-of-the-other-place). A titanic struggle took place between the third pairs, with the Cambridge freshmen Dewhurst and Kelly winning a sole game for their side, that game alone lasting longer than the whole of the top doubles. Unfortunately this took a great deal out of them and they succumbed heavily to the Pauline pair of Hoolahan and Baker. The Cambridge fourth pair also gave a good account of themselves without quite threatening to take a game, although they almost pinched the final game when Emmett took a tumble and limped through the last few points.

It was unfortunate that injuries to potential Sparrows meant that the reserves' match was cancelled. Thanks and congratulations to all who did take part in a characteristically sporting and genial spirit.