Cambridge 5 - 3 Exeter

Cambridge began Lent Term with the aim of improving upon last year’s results. After a difficult first half of the season where Cambridge had faced Bath University twice, the blues looked to get back on track against a talented Exeter team. Knowing a win would put them in the top three of the Premier division, Cambridge arrived full of determination and were handed an early boost when Exeter conceded two of their singles matches due to illness.

This advantage, which gave Cambridge a 2-0 lead, was soon squandered as Cambridge lost both of the opening matches. Exeter made a strong start and the present players made up for their bed stricken teammates as the score was soon levelled at 2-2. Despite some aggressive play captain Laura Birkinshaw-Miller was left frustrated when the second set of her singles match ended 21-17.

Shivani Ruparell and Nikki Jayatunga were also edged out in a tight doubles match against the first Exeter pair which could have gone either way. When fresher Emily James went down 21-17 21-19 to the consistent Minty Gilders Exeter took the lead for the first time in the match. The score might have looked close at 3-2 but in reality Cambridge had lost all three of the games that were played and it just didn’t seem like it was going to be Cambridge’s day.

In need of inspiration, the established pair of Karen Hird and Catherine Murphy took to the court and had a convincing win over the second Exeter partnership of Helen Meret and Kat Thorton. Fresh from this victory they immediately faced off against the first Exeter pair. Some ferocious play saw them take the first set 21-6 but an inexplicable lapse of concentration let Exeter back in the game as they took the second set. Spurred on by the home fans, Karen and Catherine dug deep, winning the decider 21-16 to give Cambridge a 4-3 lead in the tie.

With Exeter still battling for a draw, things were about to get even more dramatic. Determined to avenge their earlier loss, Shivani and Nikki made a strong start to their second doubles match with some fine attacking play. Exeter pegged them back and the first set reached a nail-biting conclusion with the Cambridge pair prevailing 25-23. Thankfully for the cheering crowd the second set wasn’t quite so nerve racking as the Cambridge duo looked comfortable in their 21-16 win.

This gave Cambridge a much deserved 5-3 victory and they will go into their match next week against UWIC full of confidence. Captain Birkinshaw-Miller heaped praise on the strong, determined performance of the Cambridge team, and the team seem on course to repeat their Varsity Match victory of last year. Captain Birkinshaw-Miller heaped praise on the strong, determined performance of the Cambridge team, and the team seem on course to repeat their Varsity Match victory of last year.