Edward Lyttelton writes - "Tributes have been paid to Lord Willingdon as a cricketer. But he was supreme as a fives player - Eton game. He helped to bring to a close the victorious career of two Cheam masters, Tancock and Wilson, who year after year challenged and defeated the Eton Keepers with only one defeat. About 1882 I felt a yearning to efface this stigma, and arranged two matches with the veterans, both of which they won. I ransacked the country, and in about 1887 secures Thomas as a partner, and at last laid the enemy low by six games to one. They had been, it is true, separated for a year, and Tancock was past his prime. But it was a mighty conflict between two traditions of play. The Cheam men evolved a technique of their own; a perfect system of colaboration, mostly "on-wall" play, whereas the Eton tradition was a free and open game, almost as much "off-wall" as "on." For a combination of gracefulness, agility, and force, I think I should reckon Freeman Thomas the best fives player I have ever seen."
This 'tribute' was kindly provided by EFA member Christopher Horne
Created 15th January 2006 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk