Charterhouse International Tournament
Martin Powell reports:
This is the first international tournament held at Charterhouse and was arranged by the Brigands in close association with the Zuoz Fives Club. The tournament was attended by members of the Brigands Fives Club, Old Carthusians, members of the Zuoz Fives Club and other friends of Zuoz.
The tournament is intended to take place in future every 2 years in the year when there is no Engadin Challenge.* The weekend began with a traditional gathering at the Stag at Eashing on the Friday night. Wives were welcome and separate arrangements devised to entertain them including a trip to Petworth on Saturday. On the Saturday night a magnificent 3 course dinner was held in a marquee at the house of Richard and Ros Bourne, including spit roast lamb and sumptuous desserts.On the Sunday various possibilities were offered including golf, lawn tennis and relaxation at the home of Danny and Diana Hewitt who laid on Sunday lunch for the Zuoz families.
The Fives
The fives was restricted to the Saturday and was attended by 24 players. The pairings were devised by the organiser. 3 groups of 4 pairs each contested the group round stage with each pair in the group playing each other. The winning 2 pairs in each group went into Plate A and the losing 2 pairs into Plate B.
Plate B
In Plate B of particular note was the ferocious encounter of R Murray and R Bourne who narrowly defeated R Smart and A Savage and this has subsequently developed into a cause celebre.
Semi-finals
A Taylor & D Haering beat W Ahrens & D Foster 12-3
R Murray & R Bourne beat R Smart & A Savage 12-10
Final
A Taylor & D Haering beat R Murray & R Bourne 12-6
Plate A
Plate A was distinguished by a change of partner for R Tyler since O Harris had to race off to a competing event. His place was taken by Joss Knight who rose to the occasion especially in the final.
Semi-finals
N Cox & M Halstead beat E Taylor & J Gossage 12-1
R Tyler & J Knight beat G Stucki & N Bourne 12-6
Final
R Tyler & J Knight beat N Cox & M Halstead 12-7
Appreciation
We were very happy to welcome Daniel & Seraina Haering, George Stucki, Werner Ahrens (who is a picture of fitness at 65) and Dieti & Vre Mettler (who produced such a great CD) and hope that we were able to return a little of the hospitality that they have shown us over the years. Congratulations to Seraina on the safe arrival of Ladina.
Many thanks to Richard Bourne for having such an aptly timed landmark birthday and for providing the venue for the dinner on Saturday and Sunday evening, Danny Hewitt for providing the marquee and catering at such reasonable cost and lunch on Sunday, Esther and Rod Smart for sorting the finances and logistics and Martin Powell for match fixing. Finally, none of this would have happened but for the intervention of the wives who not only effectively corralled their husbands but provided such good food and hospitality.
*Editor's Note: This was the first and only Charterhouse International Tournament...so far!