Mike Hughes Cup 2017

Mark Williams reports:

06/02/17: Five schools comprising seven teams entered the inaugural Under 15 team competition for the Mike Hughes Cup, which was an encouraging start; the competition was suggested by Mike, and so it was very appropriate he offered to donate a trophy, for which we are all very grateful.

Each team played every other over three pairs in a one game match with no setting.

Eton entered 3 teams: their first won the competition, dropping just one game (2nd pair against Emanuel), and had both ability and strength in depth, so that there were only four games all day where they conceded over 6 points; their second played competitively all day against every opponent to finish in third place; their third also fought hard and finished sixth, narrowly defeating Emanuel.

Highgate brought a strong team which defeated everyone other than Eton 1, and proved themselves worthy runners-up.

Harrow had a strong first pair, who did not always play together, beating the Highgate first pair, and the team won three of their matches to finish fourth.

St Olave's competed hard all day, winning one match and finishing fifth.

Emanuel began strongly, defeating St Olave's 2-1, and played gamely against Eton 1, but rather tired as the day proceeded.

Overall, the courts were full with competitors fully engaged in playing fives to a commendable standard, and if the date had not clashed with the Northern Championships three more teams would have made the starting line-up. The competition was an excellent idea and has proved its value in its inaugral year; it should become a popular regular feature of the Schools' calandar.