March 2011 Fives: Not just a young man's game
Simon Woolfries reports:
Very Old Ipswichians vs Very Old Westminsters
This fixture, inaugurated last year, was held again at Westminster on Tues. 22nd March – as far as those taking part can remember.
2011 Schools Mixed Championship: Shrewsbury on song
Mark Williams reports:
Fifteen pairs from 5 schools entered this competition including 2 pairs from Ipswich and Anna Snowden from Haberdashers Aske's who had won the competition last year.
2011 Marsh National Schools' Championships: 96 pairs play in the Under 12s
Mark Williams reports:
A record entry of 96 pairs from 14 schools (including Rydal Penrhos and St Mary Abbott (Westway) for the first time) assembled at Eton.
This presented a challenge to the organisers, but the pools stages were nonetheless completed by lunchtime. Thereafter 64 pairs were entertained in what seemed an infinity of Plate Competitions, whilst the top 32 (23 from Highgate) proceeded to the second round. Highgate 17 defeated Summer Fields 1 12-11, Ludgrove 1 defeated Highgate 19 12-10 and Sunningdale 2 defeated Highgate 18 12-10, but no other matches were close.
2011 Kinnaird Cup Semis: Top seeds into the Final
Mark Williams reports:
Doug Foster and George Campbell started the first two games well against James Toop and Matt Wiseman, and tried to play forceful attacking fives throughout. However the latter's consistency and all round excellence with very few errors dominated the match, and they won comfortably in three straight games.
2011 Old Boy/Schoolboy team competition: A successful start
Mark Williams reports:
A most encouraging entry for this new competition which aims to unite school and old boy players over 3 pairs comprised: St Olave's (x2), Eton, Harrow, Shrewsbury, Emanuel, Berkhamsted and Ipswich. There was also interest and regrets from: Charterhouse, Highgate, Wolverhampton, King Edward's and City of London.
2011 Williams Cup: Show of strength from Shrewsbury
Mark Williams reports:
Six schools entered this National competition for three pair school teams at Eton on Sunday 6th March. Each pair from each school played five 2 game matches against their corresponding pairs from other schools. One point was awarded for each game won. It was very good to see a young team from Ipswich for the first time.
2011 Prep Schools' Tournament: Highgate dominate again
James Woodcock reports:
35 pairs from nine Schools participated at Eton this year by kind permission of the Head Master.
2011 Varsity Match: Cambridge edge historic contest
Rodney Knight reports:
In fine but cold weather, the newly refurbished Eton College courts welcomed this historic Varsity Match first, courtesy of the Provost and Fellows; and the occasion did not disappoint. Not just two men’s teams as has been the tradition now for 50 years, but for the frist time ever, two full teams of ladies contested the highly-prized result.
2011 Universities Mixed Championship: Cambridge take the title
Elli Hullis reports:
Drizzling rain did not deter nine pairs from universities across the country coming to compete in the inaugural Universities Mixed Eton Fives Championships on Sunday 13th March 2011.
2011 Kinnaird Cup: Top seeds looking strong
This year's Kinnaird Cup qualifying rounds took place at Eton over the weekend of 26th/27th February. The entry was disappointingly low this year, with 28 pairs in the main tournament and 20 in the Sunday Festival, but the level of enjoyment on court and the quality of Fives produced by the top pairs were as high as ever.