New overpower Oriel
Cuppers Tennis New 7 - 2 Oriel
In dank, dreary conditions, New College comprehensively defeated Oriel to begin the Cuppers tennis tournament. Captained by Matthew Webster, they proved too combative and consistent for Oriel’s flailing pairs. New’s A pair, Webster and Rob Porter, produced authoritative performances throughout, combining deft volleys with an array of assertive ground strokes. They began the tie by dispensing with Daisy Mitchell and Alan Wright in a hard fought contest, 7-5 6-3.
Events on the other courts were initially less competitive. Oriel’s Max Merrin slid around the greasy grass surface entertainingly but largely in vein as he and Paul Harrison were conclusively beaten by Alex Staples and James Hackson. (6-0 6-1). New’s superiority in this match up was defied only by Oriel captain Will Orr-Ewing and partner Lucy Gibson. The pair first faced Devlin and Golodetz, easily overcoming them via Orr-Ewing’s range of productive drop shots and sliced volleys.
Gibson and Orr-Ewing were then overpowered by the commanding Webster and Porter, ending any distant hopes of an Oriel recovery. In a tight game between the two strongest pairs on show, Porter’s heavy topspin drew erratic bounce from a moist surface. Gibson, particularly when serving, struggled to contend with some aggressive returns, resulting in a crucial break. With Webster’s well directed serve working smoothly, the victory was assured.
On the other courts, Devlin and Golodetz defeated the weary Harrison and Merrin 6-3. Hackson and Staples both held serve well to register an impressive victory (7-5) over Daisy Mitchell and Alan Wright. With 9 of 7 sets won by New and the gloom gathering, an Oriel concession predictably followed.
19th May 2005