Having been given a bye through to the semi-finals, Cambridge’s Field Trophy team were determined to put on a good show against a strong Holyport team. The second doubles pair of Ed Kay and Jules Camp kicked things off against opposition that included a former ladies world champion! It was the Cambridge pair, however, that remained steady, sealing the first match with a 6/3 6/4 win.

Next was Freddie Kalfayan against Holyort’s James Bloore, who had some 6 handicap points better on paper. Despite a few tight few first games, it was James who took the first set 6/2. The second was a different story, as Freddie started hitting his volley return of serve with pace and cut (arguably the best in the club!), either forcing an error or gaining the short chase and defending the service end to storm into a 5/0 lead. A broken string seemed to affect the set, with James pulling back to 4/5, but Freddie regained his penetrating length at the right time and closed out the set 6/4 with an amazing reste. This was perhaps Freddie’s best performance to date, bodes well for the varsity match.

Alex Evans was in a similar position at second singles as he too faced an opponent who, on paper, looked the more likely winner. However, it was an in-form Alex who dominated from the service end and took the match 6/4 6/3.

With the tie now secured, the crowd wondered whether the quality would subside, but that was certainly not the case. Our first doubles pair of Duncan Colquhoun and Charles Harcourt, both very experienced in this competition, faced a pair who was out for pride. Our boys took a tight first set 6/5 before letting a few errors creep in and losing the second set 6/3. They came back fighting, regained their shot quality and the last went their way 6/3.

The last match would be an old Cambridge v Oxford rivalry as former CURTC student Ed Pearson took on former Oxford graduate Horatio Cary. Again, Holyport looked the strong favourite with some 8 handicap points advantage, but it was Ed who played some incredible tennis, constantly on the attack and winning the first set 6/2. The second set was much tighter and even though Ed had match points at 5/4 up, Horatio hit some fantastic backhands down the main wall to nick the set 6/5. Horatio now had the momentum and was starting to read the court much better, and ultimately proved why he is a 12 handicap by winning the final 3 games and the match with incredible retrieving and shot creation.

Final match score CURTC 4-1 Holyport. But make no mistake, this was a tremendous performance by our team, who now face Jesmond in the final to be played at Moreton Morrell on 10th March. Thanks to Peter who marked all 5 matches to the usual high standard we are used to!