Veterans Tournament: Age Is But A Number...
Graham Pulsford reports:
The Veterans Competition was held at Aldenham School, and this proved a fitting venue for the finale to the fives season.
The courts were full for the morning session and there were some nail bitingly close games from start to finish. The mild weather and sunshine assisted but what made the day memorable was the general ‘bon homie’ of players and spectators. For a flavour of the day please scroll through the photographs.
The result of the three Legends finals were:
Open Competition for the MJS-J Cup
Mike Hughes & T Walters beat Chris Austin & Sid Simmons
The MJS-J Cup continues to be an exceedingly difficult competition to win and is often a marathon with close games from start to finish. Unless of course your name is Mike Hughes.
The energetic pairing of Alex Knight & Tom Leach managed to push the Wulfrunians Chris Austin & Sid Simmons to 12-15 in a lengthy and highly energetic match and followed this up with a further exhibition of athleticism to take Richard Tyler & Graham Pulsford to 13-15. There was some exhibition fives in both these matches and Tom Leach easily won ‘shot of the day’ with a preposterous overhead volley that had class written all over it.
Marc Quinn & Johnny Saunders completed Alex Knight & Tom Leach’s day by winning 15-13 and consigning the pair to three consecutive narrow defeats.
The final was Mike Hughes & T Walters against perennial finalists Chris Austin & Sid Simmons. From the start Mike & T moved ahead but slowly and to script the Wulfrunians gradually fought back and by sheer will power drew level at 13-13. At this stage Mike Hughes and his partner traditionally receive the ‘luck of the Gods’ and, true to form, the edge of top step came to their assistance and 13-13 became 15-13. Mike has now won the Veterans 12 times – a fives demi-god!
Tony Walters presented a cup to the worthy winners.
Over 50s Competition for the Chris Cup(s)
Graham Pulsford & Richard Tyler beat Tim Gregory & Ian Mitchell
This was a very competitive group and the initial 15-14 score, between Marc Quinn & Johnny Saunders against Paul Holland & Will Thomas, set the tone for the rest of the games. The results didn’t all go to ‘script’; David Livingston & Adam Pemberton managed to push Graham Pulsford & Richard Tyler to the limit in their first game and then managed to lose their next game without scoring. Despite the magic of Marco Rimini & Patrick Gibbs and the obvious fitness of Paul Holland & Will Thomas the afternoon final was between the two unbeaten pairs of Tim Gregory & Ian Mitchell and Graham Pulsford & Richard Tyler. Tim and Ian set off strongly, cutting very well, and moved into a healthy 8-5 lead. At this stage Richard & Graham were forced to ‘up their game’, and, allied to some unfortunate cuts out of court, they moved onto a 15-11 victory.
The cup was presented to the victors by Chris Austin.
Over 60s Competition for the Walters Cup
Jon Shorrocks & Pete Shorrocks beat Peter Boughton & Simon Woolfries
This was the largest category and filled its allocated courts. The bonus was to see Tony Walters make a playing return.
During the afternoon there was some timeless fives from Tony Walters & Andrew Husselbee, some good humour from Andrew Fraser & John Talbot, a first victory for David & John Cooley (first this millennium?), and a continued wait for overall victory from Paul Kendall & Phil Lyndon.
The decisive game saw Peter Boughton & Simon Woolfries ease past the 2022 champions Matthew Beard & Stefan Nowinski and gain a little revenge for their 15-14 defeat in last year’s final. This guaranteed their path into the final for the umpteenth year in succession and joining them was the Berkhamsted pairing of brothers Jon & Pete Shorrocks.
Like last year the final was a marathon with the difference between the two pairs never more than a couple of points. It remained tense and neck and neck to the end, a spectators’ delight. The game had everything and after 55 minutes ended with a 15-13 victory for the brothers.
Tony Walters kindly presented the Tony Walters Cup to the Jon & Pete Shorrocks.
Matthew Beard & Stefan Nowinski and Paul Kendall & Phil Lyndon shared third place.
Records on the Day
Peter Boughton & Simon Woolfries have now reached more finals than any other pair.
David Cooper was confirmed as the oldest Legend to have played and won a game in the competition, a youthful 83, and with his partner John Cooley they boasted a combined pair age of 157 - another competition record.
Anthony T Walters and Tony Walters became the second father and son to have played in the same Veterans competition (following John and Seb Cooley last year).
The Roundbush
The post competition visit to the Roundbush pub was a pleasing end to the day. Many thanks to those who helped make the day enjoyable by playing and to Aldenham School as hosts.
Note: If you are over 40 you are eligible for these competitions
Note: 2024 is the 40th Veterans Competition – the more pairs the merrier!
