More good news from Cambridge Fives

17th December 2025

The past three months have seen Sparrows and players from CURFC picking up titles and medals in abundance. Following up from his success in winning the South West, South East and Yorkshire Open Singles titles, Ed Kay went on in early October to make it four in a row by successfully defending the London Open Singles. Not to be outdone, Charlie Brooks won the London Doubles for the third time in a row at the same championships, with Ben Beltrami playing in the runners-up pair.

Ed Kay (r) beats Dan Tristao to win the London Open Singles

Charlie Brooks (r) wins his 3rd consecutive London Open Doubles

Next up the Challenger Singles at Rugby School for those outside the top 16 in the National Rankings. Two-time winner Emrys Thursfield made it to the semi-final.

Emrys Thursfield (r) semi-finalist at the Challenger at Rugby

Ed Kay did not enter the West of England Open Championships but Ben Beltrami made both finals, losing the Singles to National Champion Dan Tristao, then pairing up with him to to win the Doubles.

Silver and Gold for Ben Beltrami (l) at the West of England Open Championships

Meanwhile the National U25 Championships for Men and for Women took place. Cambridge players gained more medals, with Savanna Leboff winning the Women’s Doubles, while Marcus Cloke Browne and Freddie Kottler joined forces to win the Plate in the Men’s U25 Doubles.

Savanna Leboff (l) wins Gold at the Women’s U25 Doubles …

… and Freddie Kottler & Marcus Cloke Browne win the Doubles Plate at the Men’s U25s

Success continued in the month of November, with Ben Beltrami leading his team of Old Paulines to victory in the Wood Cup, the Club Knock-out competition.

Ben Beltrami leads the Old Paulines to victory in the Owers Trophy

Ben Beltrami then won his second National Singles title, beating defending champion Dan Tristao in the final 15-2, 13-15, 15-10. It is Ben’s second Jesters Club Cup. Number one seed Ed Kay lost in the quarter-final to Tristao; Ed’s wait for the title goes on.

Ben Beltrami National Singles Champion 2025 …

… for the second time

And the year ended with another triumph for Cambridge Women’s Fives when Helena Tunks won the President’s Cup for a second time, partnering Theo Parker. And the Mate’s Plate went to Savanna Leboff.

Helena Tunks wins the President’s Cup 2025. …

… for the second time, …

… while Savanna Leboff won the Mate’s Plate

Thus a century of Cambridge Fives records draws to a close. The University’s successes began with a pair from Gonville & Caius College, WH Powell & JE Scott, winning the first Amateur Doubles in the 1925-26 season.

556 champions so far!