Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Club (CUTwC) hosted a Royal Match last weekend to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original Royal Match played against The Goons, Spike Milligan, Peter Sellars and Harry Secombe.

On Saturday, selected CUTwC players took on the Savage Club. His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor of the University had nominated the Savage Club, a gentlemen’s club from London, to be "Royal Champions".

“The event was memorable and it was great to have members of the original Royal Match CUTwC team in the audience. The original team members consisted of Bill Steen and Lawford Howells, founder members of the club, Graham Ridge, David Moreton and Peter Downes,” said Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Club’s current president David Beckett.

The original Royal Match was held in 1958, when students at the University of Cambridge challenged HRH Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh appointed the Goons as his Royal Champions.

Cambridge players haven’t lost their touch. They repeated their victory from 1958 by winning the match 24-18.

Tiddlywinks is a complex game of strategy and tactics, which involves a fascinating mixture of manual dexterity and intellectual activity. It's not just about flicking counters into a cup. There are regular tournaments in Britain and the USA and even a world title.

The Duke of Edinburgh has served as Chancellor of the University of Cambridge since 1976 and is a life member of the Savage Club.


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