Further success for Cambridge players in November and December 2024

December 2024

Bob Dolby reports: As the second half of the pre-Christmas season unfolded, players from Cambridge Past and Present continued to figure in the final stages of Fives championships and tournaments, winning medals and trophies in the process.

At the National Men’s U25 Championships CURFC captain Marcus Cloke Browne won silver in the Singles, while former captain Emrys Thursfield was runner-up in the Plate final.

Marcus (r) shaking hands at the end of the final

Emrys (l) and his opponent in the Plate final

While the men were playing on courts 1-4 at St Paul’s School a contingent from Cambridge was competing on the remaining courts in the National Women’s U25 Championhips, led by captain Catherine Abercrombie. Catherine won the Singles Plate, beating Harriet Fearon in the final, and then went on to partner Juliana Murphy in winning the bronze medal in the Doubles, while Harriet won the silver with a partner from Blundell’s School.

Catherine with medal and Plate

Catherine and Juliana

The Cambridge contingent

The following week it was the final rounds of the National Singles Championship, with Ben Beltrami seeking to defend his title and Ed Kay vying to win the title for the first time. In the event Ben lost to the 7 -time champion Dan Tristao in the semi-final and Ed lost to Dan in the final, runner-up for a fourth time. Meanwhile Marcus Cloke Browne reached the final of the Plate.

Ed runner-up National Singles

Ed with organiser Sparrow Charlie Brooks

Marcus (r) with his Plate final opponent

In the President’s Cup, the final event before Christmas, held at Marlborough College, former Cambridge women’s captain, Holly Nugent, won the Love Mug with top ten player Lewis Keates. Anyone who has played in this marathon competition will know how coveted a trophy the Love Mug is!

Holly and Lewis at Marlborough