The inaugural Cambridge v Oxford Old Boys' match took place at Eton on Sunday 25 February, acting as a thrilling curtain-raiser to the main event later in the day. Six pairs from either side of the Light blue / Dark blue divide attempted to recreate their Varsity match heroics of yesteryear, with participants ranging from recent Kinnaird cup winners to those whose last sighting of a Fives court came when some of the current students were still in nappies.
Despite the best efforts and contrivances of the two captains to produce a 3-3 draw, Cambridge's strength in depth meant that they managed to sneak a 4-2 victory. The match was followed by a convivial lunch at the Waterman's Arms.
The intention is for this fixture to become an annual event; if there is anyone out there who attended either Oxford or Cambridge - whether in the dim and distant past or more recently - and would like to play in 2008, they can contact either Gareth Hoskins (Cambridge - garethjhoskins@yahoo.co.uk) or Sanjaya Ranasinghe (Oxford - sanjaya.ranasinghe@gmail.com).
Results
Cambridge Old Boys beat Oxford Old Boys 4-2
Cambridge names and scores first:
1st pair:Richard Tyler & Simon Purkiss beat Tom Dunbar & Quintin Ings-Chambers
12-4, 5-12, 12-9, 13-10
2nd Pair: Guy Chapman & Gareth Hoskins lost to James Toop & Sanjaya Ranasinghe 1-3
15-12, 6-12, 9-12, 1-12
3rd Pair: Dexter Davis & Peter Nichols lost to Simon Randall & Ewan Thompson 2-3
7-12, 12-14, 13-11, 12-7, 4-12
4th Pair: Graham Pulsford & Neil Margerison beat Tom Swerling & Howard Cordle 3-0
12-8, 12-2, 12-4
5th Pair: Tom Fletcher & Al Taylor beat Charlie Caroe & Alex MacKenzie 3-0
12-2, 12-7, 12-5
6th Pair: Justyn Comer & David Stephens beat Joss Knight & Jordan Schlipf 3-0
12-1, 12-0, 12-6
G. J. H.
Former Blues Match Report by Gareth Hoskins
Created 19 January 2008 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk