The first fixture of the new season was at Cambridge on Saturday 7th October. It was the usual mixture of good humoured rivalry, nail biting finishes and convivial hospitality. All six players for the OR’s contributed to the 5 – 3 victory.

The opening match was between the two youngest players in the fixture, Jessy Firth (Tu 98-03), making her first appearance for the OR’s and Felicity Riddall Bell. Cambridge won this after some excellent rallies, but in the following doubles the result was reversed when Tim Bolton Carter (St 74-78) joined Jessy to add his idiosyncratic but much valued experience to proceedings. Jessy won the match with a superb volley to the dedans with the score at 9 all in the first to 10 format.

Oliver Buckley (W 67-71) was in his usual pairing with Richard Bray (M 58-63). They were a little slow out of the gate losing their doubles match but Oliver quickly recovered his form, winning his singles match convincingly and Richard, renewing his pairing with Michael Firth (W 74-78) also triumphed in his second doubles. It was left to William Jewson (C 81-86) to seal the winning margin in his singles match before we headed to the brilliantly refurbished viewing gallery for lunch and a glass or two to toast our hosts and thank the Cambridge pros, Kees and Jim Ludekens, for another very enjoyable fixture.

Michael