Putting Rossall Fives Back On The Map
Howard Wiseman reports:
28/09/26: The Rossall Fives Festival weekend was blessed with a wonderful turnout, beautiful weather and eight wonderful Fives courts; it could not have been more fun!
Three sports were “invented” back in Victorian times by this great British Public School: Rossall Hockey, Lawn Tennis*, and Rossall Fives. The Rossall code is so important, as it is a hybrid between the Rugby, Eton and Winchester codes and is the only centre that exists where these various codes can all come together on level terms. With a long line of eight courts, this really is a tremendously impressive and beautiful facility, all courts being joined by a long arched corridor made from deep red brick. These are old courts, original to when the school was build on this site; their 160 years or so of history is reflected In varying floor textures and sculpting from time of the back defining edge of the floor, all of which adds to the character and charm of the courts!
Players travelled from all over the country to take part in what was an absolute feast of Fives-playing. The unique nature of the courts produced astonishingly inventive rallies, with accuracy towards the Winchester buttress and Eton back-bricks, being well rewarded. lots of volleying, chasing-down and lightning reactions on both side of the court, made for really exhilarating matches.
The format was one big mix-around of singles and doubles, ongoing throughout both days. Lewis Keates achieved the highest average on points per match played on day one, with Richard Guthrie having enjoyed the greatest success on day two.
Many new friends were made and a fixture was even played within the Festival between the 1st IV from Rossall School, and Strathallan School, which is located an hour or so North of Edinburgh. The students, Old Rossallians and Rossall staff that took part, all felt that they had improved and learnt a lot from the event. The seasoned competition players, from all codes, professed to having played some of the most enjoyable Fives that they could remember! Seeing so many varying styles all mixed in together was a complete pleasure.
Very many thanks go to Ian Preston from the Old Rossallian Fives Club for organising everything at the Rossall end; the Saturday evening meal was just superb! Also, to the Housemaster ( and superb Fives-player!) Charlie Rowe, for hosting us at the courts and for introducing four fine players from the school, to join us. Ultimately, very many thanks to The Headmaster, Mr. Andrew McBride, for making us feel so welcome and for allowing the event ti take place. There is every hope that the National Schools’ All Fives Championships will return to Rossall from October 2027, and that the Adult All-Fives Nationals will be held there in July 2027.
Watch this space!
*Sort of...CLICK HERE for details
