2013 Ipswich Tournament: Fletcher and Clarke are Different Gravy

The 2013 Ipswich Tournament for the Graves Cup took place at the weekend with the usual assortment of OIs, current Ipswichians and random interlopers convening on the most easterly set of courts in the country for the annual feast of eating, drinking and sleeping on the pavilion floor with a bit of Fives thrown in for good measure (at all times of the day and night). The final was an all-Ipswichian affair with two evenly matched OI/schoolboy partnerships battling it out, Tim Fletcher and Sam Clarke eventually winning 3-1 against Steve Burnell and James Gray.

2008 Ipswich Tournament

Gareth Hoskins reports:

The first weekend of 2008 saw the usual assortment of wannabes, has-beens and never-weres descend on Ipswich for the annual Ipswich Tournament. This year saw the big breakthrough on the OI Fives scene of a new generation of talent, with recent leavers Alex Yusaf, Will Gibbons, Oli Watts and James Hicks all featuring in the latter stages.

2012 Ipswich Tournament: Walking in a Wagland Wonderland

The 2012 Ipswich Tournament took place over the weekend of Jan 7th/8th with Old Ipswichians, Ipswich School pupils and guests taking part in a typically sociable yet competitive edition of this well-established January tournament. The Graves Cup was won in impressive style by Nick Bunyan and Isaac Wagland who overcame Seb Cooley and William Clough in the final.

2007 Ipswich Tournament

Mike Fenn reports:

The first weekend of 2007 witnessed an excellent if somewhat exhausting two days of Fives. The continuous supply of hot soup and keg beer was much welcomed by all the players and helped to make up for the depressing weather and to keep the aching limbs moving. All pairs were very evenly matched and it was good to see the very high standard of Fives achieved by the boys from the School. Visiting guests included Peter Scholey and Courtney Friend (Old Edwardians.)

Graves Cup 2011: Here We Go Again...

The 2011 edition of the Graves Cup was held over the weekend of 8th/9th January, with Seb Cooley and Cameron Lyle setting a record for having held the trophy for the shortest time ever, the previous edition having taken place less than three months earlier.

2006 Ipswich Tournament

John Caudle reports:

The Ipswich Tournament for the Graves Cup was held as usual at Ipswich School on the first weekend of the New Year and attracted 22 players who competed in 3 Groups to see who would go through to the knockout Stages. The players consisted of OIs and boys of Ipswich School as well as three guests including a lady player.

Graves Cup 2010: The next generation...

The 2010 Ipswich Tournament for the Graves Cup finally took place on the 16th/17th October, a mere 10 months later than scheduled and thankfully unaffected by severe weather conditions this time round.

2005 Ipswich Tournament

Tim Wyndham reports:

Fives is a game that some would argue should come with a health warning. Beware, fives may cause injury to ankles, fingers and in the case of the Ipswich tournament a severe hangover. In its defence it's been rumoured to be a very good cure for hernias.

2009 Ipswich Tournament

Gareth Hoskins reports:

Undaunted by the Arctic conditions, the usual intrepid band of schoolboys, OIs and guests braved the big January freeze to celebrate 30 years of the Ipswich Tournament and compete for the Graves Cup.

2004 Ipswich Tournament

Peter Boughton reports:

For those unfamiliar with the Ipswich Tournament, it is organised on an individual entry basis with pairings determined by the organiser with the intention of creating as many evenly-matched pairs as possible. Whilst most of those participating have an Ipswich connection, we are indebted to those outside the OI Club and the School whose presence provides a dimension that is invaluable.