23 February

Temporary Discontinuance of Latest Fives News

My apologies but your webmaster is about to spend 5 weeks in Australia. In the absence of regular updates you are directed to the new Fives website currently under development and to the EFA Fives Group on Facebook. The EFA Secretary Gareth Hoskins is planning to advise all Club Secretaries weekly on the current results of league matches and tables. He can be contacted on garethjhoskins@yahoo.co.uk. Normal service will be resumed on 31st March.

23 February

RFA/EFA Newsletter 2010

The January 2010 Newsletter has been added to the website

22 February

Alan Barber, EFA Trophy & Ladies Championship - Eton 21/2/10

Barber Cup final
Old Olavians beat Old Salopians 3-0
J.Toop & M.Wiseman beat E.Taylor & R.Worth 3-0
S.Cooley & H.Wiseman beat T.Cox & T.Gerrard 3-0
P.Cohen & P.White beat M.Hughes & C.Hughes 3-0

EFA Trophy semi-finals
Old Wulfrunians beat Old Salopians 2-1
M.Yates & A.Simmons beat G.Williams & G.Thomason 3-0
M.Yates & D.Jones beat M.Quinn & C.Webster 3-0
C.Austin & G.Hammond lost to J.Pollock & B.Walker 1-3

Berkhamsted beat Cambridge University 2-1
A.Joyce & R.Perrie beat R.Desmond & L.Brock 3-1
A.Cybulski & J.O'Neill beat M.McCulloch & O.Watts 3-0
A.Theodossi & A.Rattan lost to W.Illingworth & A.Jackson 2-3

EFA Trophy final
Old Wulfrunians beat Berkhamsted 2-1
M.Yates & A.Simmons beat A.Joyce & R.Perrie 3-0
M.Yates & D.Jones lost to A.Theodossi & A.Cybulski 2-3
C.Austin & G.Hammond beat A.Rattan & J.O'Neill 3-0

3rd/4th place play-off
Old Salopians beat Cambridge University 2-1

Ladies Championships semi-finals
D.Redmond & K.White beat A.Lumbard & R.Scott 3-0
C.Cooley & M.Rees beat F.Barnes & A.Ganguly 3-0

19 February

Old Millhillians beat Old Ipswichians 3-0 at Highgate 18/2/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

14 February

Fives Newsletter 2010

The latest annual newsletter has been posted to the membership, copies if not already with you should arrive in the next couple of days.

12 February

League Results

Old Cholmeleians lost to Old Olavians 1 0-3 at Highgate 10/02/10

Highgate School beat Old Carthusians 2-1 at Highgate 11/02/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

11 February

Now you can play Fives without going to Eton

Fives at the Westway Sports Centre

10 February

League II

Old Stoics lost to North Oxford 0-3 at Westminster 10/02/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

9 February

League II

St.Olave’s School lost to Highgate School 0-3 at Orpington 03/02/10

Highgate School lost to Old Westminsters 2 1-2 at Highgate 04/02/10

Old Etonians beat Highgate School 2-1 at Eton 07/02/10

Old Westminsters II beat Old Carthusians 2-1 at Westminster 09/02/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

8 February

Death of Malcolm Mitchell - Old Salopian

The EFA is sad to announce the death of Malcolm Mitchell who died suddenly at the weekend. Many of you will remember him as the driving force behind many Northern Tournaments, a role taken up in recent years by his son Andrew.

7 February

Northern Championships - Shrewsbury

James Toop & Matt Wiseman won the final by default. Tom & Peter Dunbar won the first two games fairly comfortably but lost the third 13-14 after Peter had to stop because of cramp. Shortly afterwards the Dunbars were forced to retire.

4 February

The League

Old Millhillians beat Old Olavians III 2-1 at Highgate 02/02/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

3 February

Fame at Last - Message from Spencer Chapman

"Eton Fives got a mention on "Eggheads" yesterday. Judith was asked "how many players made up an Eton Fives team (or something like that!)" and she correctly guessed at two!"

2 February

Wolverhampton Ladies blaze the way - e-mail from Mark Yates

Saturday 23rd January WGS played Shrewsbury School Away

Ladies Match: Drawn

"Step aside Ellen McAthur, Kelly Holmes and Paula Radcliffe, WGS has its own female pioneers of sport. For the first time in 498 years, Wolverhampton Grammar School competed in a Ladies Eton Fives Fixture. Freya Husselbee, Jordan Moxey and Steph Thomas blazed the trail for all the WGS ladies with a sterling display against the Shrewsbury girls. A truly equitable match finished all square at 2-2, and lots of smiling faces. Onwards and upwards to the Ladies' next encounter."

With activity at KEHS, Birmingham, Ladies Fives is starting to grow in the Midlands.

1 February

The League

Old Edwardians beat Highgate School 2-1 at KES Birmingham 30/10/10:

Team Westway beat Windsor & Eton 3-0 at Westway 26/01/10:

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

1 February

Alan Barber Cup and EFA Trophy 31st January

The Alan Barber Cup (Eton)
Old Salopians beat Old Harrovians 3-0 (walkover)
Old Olavians beat Lancing Old Boys 3-0

The EFA Trophy

The qualifying rounds of the EFA Trophy took place at Eton and Harrow yesterday. Although a couple of late withdrawals reduced the size of the field slightly, the eventual entry of 13 teams was the biggest for many years and necessitated the use of two venues.

The Eton group developed into a close three way tussle between defending champions North Oxford A, perennial EFA Trophy contenders the Old Salopians and a young and impressive Berkhamsted team. The outcome was uncertain right up until the last couple of games, but eventually it was Berkhamsted who won the group with the Salopians second and North Oxford missing out on a semi-final place by just one point. Noteworthy too were the return to this competition after a few year's absence of Oxford University and strong showings from both Windsor & Eton and also the newly formed EFA Ladies team, who provided a fantastic advert for the Ladies game by scoring five points and finishing fifth out of seven in a highly competitive group.

At Harrow, despite some difficulties with a lack of court lighting, play proceeded smoothly and again produced a three way contest for the two qualifying places. The Old Wulfrunians - still seeking their first EFA Trophy title after several near misses in recent seasons - won the group with Cambridge University A clinching second place ahead of the Old Etonians.

Thanks are due to Mark Williams and Seb Cooley at Eton and Graham Dunbar at Harrow and also to Mark Yates for his invaluable organisational assistance.

Group A (Eton)
Berkhamsted A 16
Old Salopians 15
North Oxford A 14
Windsor & Eton 7
EFA Ladies 5
Berkhamsted B 3
Oxford University 2

Group B (Harrow)
Old Wulfrunians 14
Cambridge University A 12
Old Etonians 10
St Olave's School 6
North Oxford B 2
Cambridge University B 1

The semi-finals will take place at Eton on Sunday 21st February at 11am, with the final and 3rd/4th place play off at 2:30pm.

The semi-finals will be:
Old Wulfrunians vs Old Salopians
Berkhamsted vs Cambridge University

31 January

Jesters Annual Dinner

The 81st Annual Dinner will be held in the Mountbatten Room at the Royal Automobile Club, 89 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5HS on Tuesday the 2nd March 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

Gerald Barber L.V.O, former headmaster of Ludgrove School, is to be the guest of honour and speaker. Gerald is a longstanding Jester who captained Eton and Oxford at Eton 5's and took over from his father Alan (himself one of the original Eton 5's Jesters) as Headmaster of Ludgrove in 1973 until himself handing over to his son Simon (another Jester) in 2008. To complete the Jester connection, he is married to Janet, daughter of Edward Snell, one of the original Jesters!

30 January

Daily Telegraph Sunday 30th January

Reference to Eton Fives on page 8 in Mandrake Tim Walker column - item headed "A game with class"

"Gordon Brown may have mocked David Cameron's political strategy as being 'dreamt up on the playing fields of Eton,' but his administration does acknowledge that the school's sports facilities are good for something.

Don Foster, the Lib Dem MP, asked Ben Bradshaw, the Cultural Secretary, which types of activity were included in his department's target of getting two million people more active ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

Gerry Sutcliffe, the Sports Minister responding for Bradshaw, reeled off a list of activities including polo, six different types of yachting, lacrosse, croquet and....Eton Fives."

29 January

League Division II

Highgate School lost to Old Olavians 3 1-2 at Highgate 09/01/10:

Old Carthusians beat Old Salopians 2 at Westminster 18/01/10:

Highgate School beat Old Salopians 2 2-1 at Highgate 23/01/10:

Berkhamsted lost to Highgate School 0-3 at Berkhamsted 27/01/10:

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

28 January

League Division I

Old Harrovians beat Old Olavians 1 2-1 at Harrow 23/1/10

Old Harrovians beat Old Olavians 2 3-0 at Harrow 23/01/10

Old Cholmeleians lost to Old Harrovians 0-3 at Highgate 27/01/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

26 January

League Division II

Old Edwardians beat Old Stoics 3-0 at Stowe 23/01/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

25 January

County Championship Finals - Eton

The two semis both went the way of the seedings, with Kent and Hertfordshire proving too strong for Middlesex and Warwickshire respectively, though both matches were 2-1. First pair Herts v Warwickshire is worthy of mention, where the organiser was suggesting they stopped for lunch (pairs 2 and 3 having finished, and hence the match decided), but the players keen to battle on.

The final saw Hertfordshire complete their Hat-Trick, successfully re-defending their title. Kent were too strong at first pair, and Herts had too much strength in depth at third, so the crucial pair was always going to be second. Hertfordshire were probably the favourites, and so it proved, their pairing of the two Petes proving comfortable winners in the end.

The third-fourth playoff not only took place this year, but even saw changes to both teams - with John Saunders arriving for Middlesex, and Seb Cooley stepping in for Warwickshire. It would look like the result was hanging on a very tight fifth set at third pair, which could easily have gone either way – but second pair was actually still locked at one set all when third pair had finished all five sets! Middlesex eventually triumphed, edging third pair, and winning second pair after a marathon encounter.

Semi-Finals
Middlesex lost to Kent 1-2
Guy Chapman & Robert Desmond lost to Howard Wiseman & James Toop
6-12, 6-12, 3-12
Shuja Khan & Ryan Perrie lost to Matt Wiseman & Luke Stradwick
9-12, 5-12, 7-12
Dexter Davis & Saul Albert beat Tony Barker & Harry Ravi
12-8, 12-3, 12-3

Hertfordshire beat Warwickshire 2-1
Dave Mew & Ant Theodossi lost to George Campbell & Richard Tyler
9-12, 7-12, 13-14
Pete Cohen & Pete White beat Merlin Goldman & Tom Cox
12-6, 12-9, 12-3
Mark Herring & Doug Foster beat Pete Scholey & Chris Mellor
12-4, 12-6, 12-5

Final:
Kent lost to Hertfordshire 1-2
Howard Wiseman & James Toop beat Dave Mew & Ant Theodossi
12-10, 12-9, 12-6
Matt Wiseman & Luke Stradwick lost to
Pete Cohen & Pete White
7-12, 13-14, 4-12
Tony Barker & Harry Ravi lost to Doug Foster & Mark Herring
2-12, 4-12, 2-12

3rd/4th Play Off
Middlesex beat Warwickshire 2-1
Guy Chapman & Robert Desmond lost to Seb Cooley & George Campbell
11-12, 7-12, 9-12
Dexter Davis & Saul Albert beat Richard Tyler & Rez Malik
12-4, 10-15, 12-9, 12-10
Ryan Perrie & John Saunders bear Chris Mellor & Merlin Goldman
13-11, 15-11, 9-12, 9-12, 15-13

21 January

League Division II

Highgate School lost to Old Olavians III 1-2 at Highgate 09/01/10
Old Stoics beat Old Olavians III 3-0 at Westway 15/12/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

20 January

League Division II

Old Westminsters II lost to Old Millhillians 0-3 at Westminster 19/01/10:

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

20 January

EFA Dinner & Trophy Presentation - Eton

Date for the diary. The EFA Dinner is confirmed as Saturday 8th May. The list of Key Dates has been amended.

19 January

Fives at Rydal - e-mail from Mike Leach

Since the mid 1980’s no fives has been played at Rydal School - now known as Rydal Penrhos. However as two courts were still in reasonable order, a small amount of work to get them into playing order, an enthusiastic group of students interested in playing and an enthusiastic student John McLean, who left Lancing College in July this year has seen something of a resurgence in the game since half term.

With a weekly lunchtime practice for a small group of Year 9 pupils (male and female), regular lunchtime sessions for half a dozen Upper Sixth boys and all of our Lower Sixth PE AS Level students (part of their “History of Sport” syllabus!”) the courts are now used frequently.

In the final week of term we played a junior mixed inter house tournament and an Open Tournament with any combination of pairs possible including staff! This probably saw over 15 to 20 pairs playing – encouraging after only 7 weeks of play!

We are aiming to get the two courts floodlit in time and the possibility of having two further courts refurbished is not out of the question.

Sincere thanks are due to Howard Wiseman for not only providing the offer of some financial assistance but for recommending John who has worked wonders for “igniting” the interest of the pupils.

We are looking forward to the future!

18 January

League Division II

North Oxford beat Old Edwardians 3-0 at Summer Fields 17/01/10

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

16 January

Ipswich Mini-Tournament - Ipswich 10th January

The mini-tournament replaced the weekend Ipswich Tournament for the Graves Cup. Peter Boughton reports:

"We had a good mini tournament with 8 pairs, well, 17 people as one player couldn't get in from Woodbridge. Despite the appalling snowy weather Peter Baxter came from Brighton! It gave us the opportunity to let some of the younger pupils play and they did really well. If this group of Year 9s keep playing they will give the O.I.'s a run for their money in a couple of years time. I also invited one Under 13 as he is as good as the Yr 9s and he impressed too. Although the tournament replaced the Graves Cup it was a serious event.

Morgan Boyle (Yr 9), who made it to the final, apparently couldn't raise his arms above his waist on Sunday as he was so tired - his parents both teach at the School. All praise to Eleanor Ward in the final - Peter reports a perfect example of hanging in there and getting cuts up at the right time - which Eleanor did.

Dinner was held on the Saturday night in the pavilion as usual although it was curry takeaway rather than silver service. Couple of bottles of port of course. Not the same without the old stagers present though.

Semi-finals:
Will Gibbons & Morgan Boyle beat Alex Yusaf & Isaac Wagland
15-10
Peter Boughton & Eleanor Ward beat Steve Burnell &Oli Rackham
15-14

Final:
Peter Boughton & Eleanor Ward beat Will Gibbons & Morgan Boyle
15-13

The Plate:
Won by Peter Baxter & Henry Patten

14 January

League Division II

Old Salopians II beat Old Westminsters II 2-1 at Westminster 12th January 2010

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

13 January

Keeling Cup Round 1

Results and Table

8 January

IPSWICH TOURNAMENT (GRAVES CUP) CANCELLED

Due to the snow and freezing conditions, and more importantly Pete Scholey is snowed in with the beer, it has been decided to cancel the Graves Cup. Hopefully we will be able to reschedule it for the end of the season.

7 January

Appointment of New Fives Manager at Westway - e-mail from Richard Barber

The Westway Fives Partnership has appointed Peter Cohen to succeed Simon Thomas as Fives Development Manager at Westway. Peter's appointment is confirmed from 4th January 2010, and his first day at the Centre will be next Monday. Few people in the Fives community have Pete's credentials of enthusiasm for the game, skill as a player and vision for Westway. Every Fives player will be delighted at this news, and will wish to give Peter every possible support in his new role.

5 January

Comment for the forthcoming book and documentary on the Fleming Boys - received from Christopher Horne

"At Portsmouth we played Eton fives which I quite enjoyed, but when I got to Winchester I found that their game was different with no buttress and if I remember correctly they played with gloves while at Portsmouth we played with bare hands. (Perhaps Grammar school boys were tougher or we could not afford gloves!!) I was shy at exposing that I knew a slightly different game and as a result did not play at all."

4 January

Under 25s Championship - Highate 3 January

Mens Final:
R.Desmond & L.Brock beat A.Joyce & M.Scurr 3-1
Ladies Final:
D.Redmond & A.Lumbard beat C.Cooley & A.Ganguly 3-0
Mens Plate:
Abi Bhattacharya & Aroop Bhattacharya beat J.Emden & A.Franklin 2-0
Ladies Plate:
E.Ward & E.Hullis beat C.Walker-Jones & G.Vuqitrna 12-9

Ladies Report

23 December

Visit from representatives of the World Pelota Confederation

Wednesday 16th December, 2009. Westway Sports Centre and St. Paul 's School

England Handball, the Eton Fives Association and the Rugby Fives Association welcomed a Spanish delegation from world pelota organisation the Confederation Internationale du Jeu de Balle (CIJB), who were visiting to accept England into their federation in time for the Europilota 2010 championships to be held in Valencia. The CIJB President José Luís López, along with two other officials, were given high quality demonstration matches of both Eton and Rugby fives, before remarking that the skills required for both codes ranked extremely highly in a world context. The day ended with an excellent dinner hosted by Mr López, with Michael Constantinidi and Ron Pattison representing the EFA, Andy Pringle the RFA, and Peter Cohen from England Handball.

21 December

League Division II

Old Harrovians beat Old Westminsters I 3-0 at Harrow 15/12/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

18 December

League Division II

Old Stoics beat Old Olavians III 3-0 at Westway 15/12/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

15 December

London Tournament Final - Eton 13/12/09

Report & Results

League III Result

Windsor & Eton lost to Old Reptonians 1-2 at Eton 10/12/09:

League Results & Tables 2009-2010 updated

14 December

Website Updates

Ladder Competition 2008-2009
Club Fives Miscellanea
Kinnaird Cup 2008-2009
Northern Championships 2008-2009
Graham Turnbull 2008-2009
HSBC Schools National Championships
Southern Schools 2008-2009
Rugby & Eton Fives Coaching Agency Report 2008-2009
Our Man at Westway Interview with James Toop
The Genius of Kenneth Gandar-Dower (Old Harrovian)
Obituaries have been added:
B D Barton (1920-2009) Etonian, M A Hetherington (1934-2008) Aldenham Staff, H C Owen (1915-2008) Salopian and P G Wand (1931-2008) Citizen
Abbreviated Treasurer's Report & Accounts 2008-2009 have been added to the website
Fives The Olympic Dream Article by Giles Coren

13 December

Website Updates

Miscellaneous News 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 have been added to the website
Midlands Under14s 2008-2009
Press Articles
Historical Gems
League Results & Tables
Club Reports 2008-2009
School Reports 2008-2009

12 December

Northern Amateurs Day - Repton - e-mail from Ben Price

Last Saturday was our annual Fives get together at Repton (many thanks to Mr P Bradburn for allowing us to use the courts). With the onset of 20-20 cricket it was decided to "sex up" our tounament this year.

We had 18 players and decided that all games would be played to 7, foot down on match point, you only had to get to 7 points and did not need to win by two points. All points scored would be carried forward and the winners got an extra point. A points board showed how everybody was fairing as the afternoon went on.

We met at 1200 hrs and started playing at 13.30. This meant we had a non stop session with no breaks ( we had to finish to get to the Repton Tea rooms by 1600hrs!).

The games were played at a frenetic pace and this set up a highly charged and exteremely competitive day. The competition went to the wire and the last game where S Jordan and N Wainwright beat R Collins and R Inkley to win 7-6. They scored 61 points. The runners up S Gurgiss and R Merchant (who had previously beaten the overall winners) scored 60, so a close run thing.

Tea was taken at 1600 hrs.

An ensemble of 40 people and players, walking wounded and wives assembled at The Manor House in Quorn (where the winners and runners up trophies were presented) at 19.30. The group left by double decker bus. Curry was taken in Loughborough at 21.30 and the proceedings were terminated at midnight.

The twelve hour session over the group returned home after an exhilarating day.

11 December

Torry Hill Court Re-furbishment

The Torry Hill court has been refurbished with a roof and lights. Apparantly the Torry Hill Estate put on a roof + lights and repaired the walls. Squash & Leisure removed and re-rendered the front wall and patch-repaired the side walls.

10 December

Fives Reports 2008-2009 have been added to the website

The Federation Report `
The EFA Chairman's Report
The CFA Chairman's Report
The Website Report
International Report

9 December

League II Result

Old Westminsters II lost to Old Stoics 0-3 at Westminster 08/12/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

9 December

REFCA Under 12s Individual Tournament at Eton - 6th December

Thirty-one youngsters took part in this event, playing six random rounds, with all schools mixed in together. KES Birmingham, Ipswich, Emanuel, St.Olave's, Berkhamsted and St.Bartholomews all took part. Happily, four different schools were represented in the Final - St.Olave's & St.Bartholomew's, against Ipswich & Emanuel. The final was of a very high standard and was won by Arthur and William from Ipswich and Emanuel - both players remaining unbeaten throughout the event. The highlight of the Tournament was, beyond doubt, seeing these youngsters collaborating with one another in new partnerships after every round, despite being complete strangers to one another. It is the fastest way of focusing the mind, improving their game and above all else building their confidence (both on and off court!). Very many thanks to Sebastian Cooley and Eton College for allowing use of their courts, and to all the staff and parents who came to support. Many thanks also to Dominique Redmond who organised and ran the event splendidly and exactly to time.

Graham Turnbull Trophy at Eton - 6th December

It was a special day of Fives at Eton College. The U12s event, the Barber Cup clash between Lancing and KES, Eton College House Cup Final and the Turnbull Trophy all dovetailed wonderfully into place across the long afternoon, with the sixteen courts remaining full constantly from noon until almost 6pm. The Turnbull was therefore competed for amidst the most wonderful backdrop of Fives involvement, featuring players from age 11 to 60+, representing school and adult Fives. The purpose of the Turnbull Trophy is of course to bring school and adult Fives together. 2009 was a particularly good year in this respect. Eighteen pairs competed, representing partnerships from the Citizens, Berkhamstedians, Lancing, Olavians, Emanuels, Carthusians, Westminsters and Ipswichians. There were nine very strong pairs and nine less experienced. It was particularly pleasing to see girls taking part as well as the rare sight of a Headmaster taking part too - well done to Berkhamsted for appointing such a good man! All pairs played a full afternoon of Fives and the school boys and girls clearly loved it and improved throughout the event. The quarter-finals onwards became serious business - eight very level pairs in the line-up with little to tell them apart. In the semi-finals, the Olavians lost to Lancing, and the Carthusians lost to Westminster. The final featured two pairs who had met in their first match of the day four hours earlier. Laurie and Callum Brock from Westminster had beaten the Lancing partnership of Jamie Betts and Howard Wiseman 15-14 in that first encounter. The Final was almost as close - the outcome just as uncertain. Both school players were playing rather better than they had earlier and it was a tremendous battle. Lancing squeezed through 15-11, Jamie becomes the second Lancing schoolboy to win this event and the second member of the Betts family to do so. The Final was concluded shortly after the Lancing Old Boys' historic victory in the Barber Cup had been sealed on the court next door. In all, a momentous day in the history of Lancing Fives.

7 December

Alan Barber Cup Quarter-finals

St.Olave's beat Stowe w/o

Lancing beat KES Birmingham 3-0
D.Foster & G.Campbell beat R.Tyler & K.Turnbull
12-3, 12-6, 12-6
T.Betts & M.Scurr beat P.Scholey & C.Friend
5-12, 12-8, 12-3, 10-15, 14-12
N.Cox & P.Baddely beat R.Malik & E.Johnson
12-4, 12-2, 12-5

Shrewsbury beat Westminster 3-0
M.Hughes & C.Hughes beat S.Albert & H.de Quetteville
13-10, 12-9, 12-6
T.Gerrard & R.Nichols beat L.Brock & M.Chen
12-8, 13-10, 12-6
Westminster conceded 3rd pair

Harrow beat Highgate 2-1
T.Dunbar & R.Bryan beat N.Addy & R.Beenstock

J.Fleming & N.Shaw beat G.Chapman & S.Khan
12-4, 10-12, 12-9, 12-5
Harrow conceded 3rd pair

Semi-Finals at Eton Sunday 31st January
St.Olave's vs Lancing
Harrow vs Shrewsbury

6 December

RFA National Championships - Eton

There was a something of an Eton Fives takeover in the RFA's National Championships at St.Paul's over the weekend.

James Toop won the Singles title for the second year in a row, the first man to retain the title since 1998. In fact James won with comparative ease, not conceding any more than 7 points in any game in the whole tournament.

Anita Ganguly and Charlotta Cooley, in their first Rugby Fives tournament, were runners-up in the Ladies Doubles, and the Ladies Doubles Plate was won by another Eton Fives pair, Emmalina Thompsell and Charlie Farquharson-Roberts.

4 December

League III Result

The Abbey Club beat Windsor & Eton 2-1 at Westminster 03/12/09

League II Results

Old Salopians II beat Old Olavians III 2-1 at Westminster 01/12/09
Old Salopians II beat Old Etonians 2-1 at Westminster 02/12/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

3 December

Alan Barber Cup Emanuel 28 November

Emanuel lost to Old Stoics 0-3
Anthony Theodossi & Robin Malacrida beat Mike Skjott & Jurgen Hutter
3-1
Alun Meredith & Rahul Prashar lost to Charlie Robinson & Karl Wagner
0-3
Emanuel conceded the third pair

1 December

REFCA U14 Individual Fives Tournament Eton 29/11/09

Forty-four U14's took part in this event held at Eton College. Players from St.Bartholomews, Emanuel, St.Olave's, Ipswich and King Edward's Birmingham took part. Players from all schools achieved very high point scores across six rounds of random partnerships and random opposition. After an exciting "penalty shoot-out " into the buttress to decide which player from the joint fourth-position would proceed to the Final, some seventy spectators (participants, parents and coaches) witnessed an U14 final of the highest quality. William Phillips (St.Olave's) & Tom Claughton (KES) defeated Alex Weeks (St.Olave's) and Gavin Benson (St.Olave's), 12-9.

30 November

League II Result

Old Carthusians lost to Old Olavians 3 0-3 at Westminster 23/11/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

29 November

Annual Report & Accounts 2008-2009

Report and Accounts

26 November

League II Result

Old Ipswichians lost to Old Stoics 1-2 at Westminster 25/11/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

25 November

League II Result

Old Westminsters II lost to North Oxford 0-3 at Westminster 24/11/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

24 November

REFCA Midland Under 14 Tournament -Woverhampton 22nd November

Wolverhampton Grammar School was host to the REFCA Midlands U14 tournament, run by Dominique Redmond. Wrekin College were represented alongside the more familiar names of KES Birmingham, Wolverhampton GS, St.Olave's and Emanuel School. Sixteen pairs in total competed for the event. King Edward's 1 triumphed over St.Olave's 1 in the Final, whilst the Festival section was won by St.Olave's 4 who beat KES 3.

23 November

League II Result

Berkhamsted Club beat Old Olavians III 18 November - Berkhamsted

League I Results

Old Olavians I beat Old Harrovians 2-1 at Orpington 21/11/09
Old Olavians II lost to Old Harrovians 1-2 at Orpington 21/11/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

22 November

Alan Barber Cup Wolverhampton 21st November

Old Wulfrunians lost to Old Westminsters 1-2
M. Yates & O. Ross lost to G. Coren & E. Rose
10-13, 8-12, 12-4, 12-4, 5-12
A. Simmons & C. Austin lost to S. Albert & L. Brock
13-15, 12-8, 8-12, 9-12
M. Yates & G. Hammond beat A. Jackson & M. Chen
12-7, 12-8, 12-5

20 November

League II Results

Old Stoics lost to Old Salopians II 1-2 at Westminster 04/11/09
Old Stoics beat Old Carthusians 2-1 at Westminster 09/11/09<
Highgate School beat Old Stoics 3-0 at Highgate 19/11/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

19 November

League I Westminster 17 November

Old Westminsters I beat Old Harrovians 2-1

League III

The Abbey Club beat Lancing Old Boys 2-1 at Westminster 19/11/09:

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

18 November

News from Darjeeling - e-mail from the Master-in-Charge of Fives to Peter Knowles

Dear Peter

It is at this time of the year we remember you and your visit to the school. We are using the gloves that we recieved through your generous support. Our house matches were concluded today and there will be an exhibition match to encourage a large group of keen junior players and will be initiating house matches for the Junior school.

Best wishes,

David Cecil

17 November

Eton Fives Charitable Trust

The Chairman's Report 2009, Abridged Accounts for 2008 and the list of Grants since 2005 have been added to the Charitable Trust section

17 November

Alan Barber Cup Ipswich 15th November

Lancing Old Boys beat Old Ipswichians 3-0
Doug Foster & George Campbell beat Mark Graves & Tim Fletcher
12-6, 12-7, 12-9
Will Betts & Tom Betts beat Gareth Hoskins & Tom Fletcher
3-12, 12-5, 12-9, 12-9,
Nigel Cox & Paul Baddeley beat Tejas Thakerar & Ollie Watts
12-5, 12-3, 9-12, 15-10 (as a schoolboy Tajis not an eligible player)

16 November

League I Westminster 13 November

Old Westminsters I lost to Old Olavians I 0-3

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

14 November

Universities Championships - Eton

27 pairs from 11 different universities took part in an extremely successful 2009 Universities tournament at Eton to-day.
Summary of results below. See report

Men's Tournament
Semi-Finals:
Cambridge 1 (R.Desmond & L.Brock) beat Northampton (G.Campbell & J.O'Neill)
12-8, 12-6
Oxford 1 (R.Worth & B.Kailey) beat Bristol (T.Bossom & W.Jones)
12-5, 12-6

Final:
Cambridge 1 beat Oxford 1 1
2-8, 12-6

Plate A:
UEA (W.Gibbons & T.Elliott) beat Cambridge 4 (G.Illingworth & M.McCulloch)
15-12

Plate B
(losing quarter-finalists) won by Cambridge 2 (W.Illingworth & O.Watts)

Ladies tournament
Semi-Finals:
Cambridge 1 (A.Griffiths & K.Hird) beat Cambridge 2 (E.Thompsell & L.Bishop)
12-1, 12-4
Oxford 1 (R.Scott & H.Cutmore-Scott) beat Durham (E.Ward & L.Bell)
12-1, 12-10

Final:
Cambridge 1 beat Oxford 1
12-10, 12-10

Plate Final:
Cambridge 3 (E.Hullis & O.Prankerd-Smith) beat Cambridge 4 (R.Tennyson & C.Farquharson-Roberts)
15-10

12 November

League I Westway 11th November

Old Salopians I lost to Old Olavians I 0-3

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

9 November

Alan Barber Cup

Old Harrovians beat Old Millhillians 2-1 at Harrow 08/11/09
T.Dunbar & W.Jones beat V.Bhimjiyani & J.Lefort 3-0
14-11, 12-8, 12-7
J.Fleming & N.Shaw beat O.Sanders & C.Vincent 3-0
12-5, 12-7, 12-4
Old Harrovians conceded 3rd pair

6 November

League II Westway 4th November

Berkhamsted beat Old Etonians 2-1

League III Westminster 5th November

The Abbey Club beat Westway II 3-0

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

4 November

League II Mill Hill 3rd November

Old Millhillians lost to North Oxford 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

4 November

Midland Tournament - Repton weekend 31st/1st November

MAIN TOURNAMENT
Quarter-Finals:
H Wiseman & S Cooley beat A Joyce & J O'Neill
12-4, 12-2
D Foster & M Herring beat A Simmonds & M Yates
2-1
A Theodossi & R Perrie beat L Stradwick & B Dennis
11-13, 12-2, 12-6
D Mew & R Tyler beat P Cohen & A Cybulski
11-12, 12-8, 12-4

Semi-Finals:
H Wiseman & S Cooley beat D Foster & M Herring
12-2, 12-4
R Tyler & D Mew beat A Theodossi & R Perrie
12-7, 12-4

Final:
H Wiseman & S Cooley beat R Tyler & D Mew
8-12, 12-4, 12-9, 12-8

MAIN TOURNAMENT PLATE
G Hoskins & I Mitchell beat M Skjott & J Saunders
15-11

FESTIVAL TOURNAMENT
Quarter-Finals:
Christie & Christie beat Cooper & Black
12-7, 12-6
Ganguly & Grant beat Scurr & Root
12-6, 11-14, 12-2
Steadman & Holroyd beat Bird & Holroyd
12-6, 12-9
Leech & Rumble beat Malcolm & Hourlier
12-0, 12-0

Semi-Finals:
Ganguly & Grant beat Christie & Christie
12-9, 7-12, 12-6
Steadman & Holroyd beat Leech & Rumble
12-8,13-11, 12-3

Final:
Steadman & Holroyd beat Ganguly & Grant

FESTIVAL PLATE
Cooley & Barnes beat Kirby & Butler

30 October

League II Westway 28th October

Old Etonians beat St.Olave’s School 3-0

League I Highgate 28th October

Old Olavians 2 lead Old Olavians 1 2-0
Old Cholmeleians lost to Old Salopians ½-2½

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

26 October

County Championships Qualifying Round 25th October - Eton

Results. Report to follow.

22 October

League I Westway 20th October

Old Salopians I lost to Old Olavians II 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

21 October

Club and School

The lists of Club and School contacts have been updated

20 October

League II Charterhouse 18th October

Old Edwardians lost to Old Olavians III 0-3

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

19 October

League II Eton 18th October

North Oxford lost to Old Etonians 1-2
Old Carthusians beat Old Edwardians 2-1 at Charterhouse 18/10/09

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

18 October

Alan Barber Cup Preliminary Round

Lancing Old Boys beat Old Etonians 2-1
W Betts & T Betts beat A Knight & S Randall
12-6, 12-4, 12-3.
D Foster & N Cox beat E Remnant & H Mackenzie
W/O
T Monkton & M Searle lost to M Powell & A White (?)
8-12, 7-12, 2-12

16 October

Honour for the Fenns

"The EFA Board last night hosted a dinner at Eton to honour Mike and Athene Fenn and particularly Mike's 11 years of dedicated service as Hon Secretary of the Eton Fives Association. A distinguished group of 30 guests - including four past and present EFA Chairmen and five past and present EFA Secretaries - listened to EFA Chairman Richard Barber eloquently pay tribute to Mike's hard work, dedication and love of the game as well as reminding him that there was still plenty of work for him to do! Mike responded with his customary self-deprecation and some fond reminiscences of his time as Secretary before being thoroughly upstaged by his wife Athene and her poem telling of the life of a Fives widow. Is there anyone else out there who has slept for the past 40 years with a Fives ball next to their bed?"

16 October

League I Highgate 15th October

Old Cholmeleians lost to Old Westminsters 1-2

League II Westminster 15th October

Old Ipswichians lost to Old Salopians II 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

15 October

League II Westminster 30th September

Old Ipswichians lost to Berkhamsted 0-3

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

14 October

League II Westminster 12th October

Old Stoics lost to Berkhamsted 1-2

League II Westminster 13th October

Old Westminsters II lost to Berkhamsted 0-3

League III Eton 13th October

Windsor & Eton lost to Lancing Old Boys 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

14 October

WORLD HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 4/11th October 2009

Portland, Oregon, USA - report by Andy Pringle (RFA)

The largest number of English players ever to compete in the World Handball Championships have ensured that the 2009 event has been the most successful event ever for the country.

A total of 12 players competed – nine men and three women – and Team England had some truly impressive results: in the men's C grade, for instance, Richard Price was a semi-finalist in both the One Wall Big Ball singles and (with partner Andy Pringle) doubles, while Luke Stradwick and Gareth Price reached the quarter-finals of the four-wall event. This latter effort was a particularly notbable achivement, given that none of the English players had even set foot on a four-wall handball court, let alone played the game, before reaching Portland.

The most success, however, came in the Men's B category: not only did Dan Grant reach the semi-final of the One Wall Big Ball singles, the doubles final was an all-English affair, with the Rugby Fives pairing of Ady Lee and Dan Grant defeating the Eton Fives pair of Pete White and (a sadly flu-ridden) Pete Cohen. This ensured England's first ever piece of crystalware from a World Handball Championship.

However, this wasn't the last win for England in Portland, as the Federation Cup (a Davis Cup-style event) ran alongside the World Championships. Although neither the men's nor ladies' teams qualified for the Federation Cup finals, they both reached the final of the ELA Cup (an event that performs a role like the Europa League does compared to the Champions League in football). The women (Kerry White, Anita Ganguly and Emmalina Thompsell) lost out to the Dutch, but the men (Ady, Dan and the two Petes) went one better, claiming their ELA Cup with a 2-0 win over Mexico. As a result, the men are now ranked fifth in the world, while the women are even higher, in fourth.

Last, but very definitely not least, the entire English team also played an Ashes series – singles and doubles – against their friends and rivals from Australia, and the good news is that, just as in cricket, so in handball, the Ashes are now back in England! Which, at the time of writing, is more than squad-member Gareth Price is, after he mistakenly booked his return flight for a day later than the rest of the team...

Photos of the event can be found on the RFA website

12 October

League II Eton 11th October

North Oxford beat St.Olave’s School 3-0

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

North Oxford B beat St.Olave's School B 3-0 in a friendly (including 2 ladies pairs)

11 October

EFA Weekend Tour to Oakham and Uppingham

Martin Samuel organised a highly successful weekend tour to Oakham and Uppingham Schools. The Efa team consisted of Martin, Mike Fenn, John Brown, Ed Wass, William Wass and players from the recently formed Oakham Monday Club. Ed and Susannah Wass generously hosted a dinner at their home on the Saturday evening as well as providing accommodation for the visitors. Tea was provided at Oakham on the Saturday and lunch at Brooklands boarding house, Uppingham on the Sunday. Whilst at Brooklands the visitors inspected the two newly re-furbished courts built in 1870 and believed to be the oldest courts in the country. The exterior brickwork has been repointed and part of one of the side wall, which had been in danger of collapse, completely rebuilt. The EFA/EFCT is to provide a small grant towards repainting and re-furbishing the court interiors.

8 October

League I Westminster 6th October

Old Salopians I beat Old Westminsters I 3-0

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

7 October

World Handball Championships - Portland USA

Watch the UK Fives team live from to-day

6 October

League II Ipswich 4th October

Old Ipswichians lost to Old Edwardians 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

3 October

Foundations of the 1847 Eton Courts

Hawtrey's New Eton Courts in 1847
Some verses and epigrams in five languages at the opening of the new Fives Courts at Eton in 1847
..... One ..... Two ..... Three ..... Four ..... Five
English Translation of the Greek by former Eton classics masters D J S Guilford and J Faulkner

30 September

Frank Strawson Memorial Match & Dinner

The Annual Dinner took place last evening in the President's Room at Queen's Club following matches of all five sports. Some one hundred attended the Dinner with a strong contingent from Eton and Rugby Fives making up some 40% of the total. Ronald Pattison, with his usual persuave skills, enured that the EFA was well represented. A brief mention was made by the Chairman Robert Dolman of the retirement of Mike Fenn as Secretary of the EFA. The Eton Fives match, played at Westway, was an honourable draw with one match to the Jesters, one to the EFA and the other ending all square.

29 September

League II Westminster 29th September

Old Westminsters II beat Old Etonians 3-0

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

28 September

League II Berkhamsted 27th September

Berkhamsted beat North Oxford 3-0

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

Ladies Fiendly
North Oxford Ladies beat Berkhamsted Ladies 2-0

26 September

RFA Owers Trophy - report from Peter White

Today the Old Olavians played in the Owers Trophy, rugby fives' equivalent of the Barber Cup. The team, consisting of James Toop, Peter Cohen, Howard Wiseman and Peter White, qualified from their pool undefeated with victories over Oundle, Eastbourne and the defending champions St Pauls. However the team came unstuck in the semi-finals losing to a team of Old Boys of Pilgrims Prep School, Winchester.

25 September

League III Westminster

Lancing Old Boys beat Old Reptonians 2-1

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

24 September

League II Westminster 23rd September

Old Etonians lost to Old Olavians III 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

23 September

League II Westway 22nd September

Old Salopians II lost to North Oxford 0-3

League II - Westminster 21st September

Old Ipswichians lost to Old Etonians 1-2

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

22 September

Friendly Match Westminster 9th September

Old Ipswichians beat Jesters 2-0
Tim Fletcher & David Cox beat Ewan Thompson & Hamish MacKenzie
(4-12, 5-12, 12-6, 12-7, 12-8)
Oli Watts & Jamie Hepburn beat Richard Dennis & Michael Millership
(12-5, 12-1, 15-11)

21 September

League I Eton 20th September

Old Olavians I beat Old Salopians 3-0

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

17 September

League I Westminster 15th September

Old Westminsters I beat Old Cholmeleians 3-0:

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

15 September

League II Westway 8th September

Old Salopians II lost to Old Millhillians

League II Highgate 14th September

Old Millhillians lost to Berkhamsted 1-2 at Highgate

League Results & Tables 2009-2010

11 September

Jeu de Paume - email from Martin Fiennes from the North Oxford Club

"Just back from a nice holiday in France near Cotignac including a few days cycling. On one of the days cycle touring we came across the village of Artignosc, and watched their fabulous game of Paume. On the back of the church wall, apparently it has been played there for many centuries. I have loaded onto Youtube the 30 second video I took of it (should be there sometime today "Paume Artignosc France"). Sadly my friend failed to press the start button on the camera to record my effort at playing. Anyway I thought you might enjoy knowing of Paume's existence."

The 30 second video

Subsequent e-mail to Martin

"My name's Olivier, it was great to meet you and talk about your game "Fives" and introduce you to our sport.. I am the president of the association of the game we play in Artignosc le " jeu de Paume", or as we call it in Provencal " Pauma". We organize from time to time events around this game, next spring we would like to create over a week-end the "world cup of paume", I'll keep you posted."

"Anyway, if you come by Artignosc, Nigel and yourself or any of your friends please let me know so we can play together. Hopefully, we'll all keep in touch."

Best Regards,
Olivier

8 September

One Wall Handball Open Singles Championship - Westway

With players from as far afield as Wales, Ireland and Belgium joining the English handballers, there was a real international flavour to the 31 players in this year's UK Open Handball Championships. In the end, though, it was home-grown players who picked up the day's top trophies.

There were separate competitions for men and women, with the men’s split into two categories - Open and Challenger - but every competition began with a group stage, and the top players from each group qualified for the knockout stage. With every match played to a strict 15-minute time limit, the action throughout the day was fast and frenetic, with some players literally throwing themselves around the court in a desperate bid to return the ball.

The final of the women’s competition was an all-English affair, and saw Kerry White confirm her position as England’s top player with an emphatic win over Ashley Lumbard.

The Men’s Challenger category saw a real mix of players, and in the end, the final was played out between Irishman Fintan Creamer ( runner-up in the same category in the Irish National Championships) and top-ten-ranked Rugby Fives player Will Ellison, who was trying handball for the first time.

Perhaps amazingly, Will took the first game in the best-of-three final, only to see Fintan take a tight second game to send the match into a decider. Here, after a tentative start from both players, eventually it was Fintan’s greater experience that proved crucial, taking him through to a well-deserved win. Ireland was also the destination for the Men's Open Plate, after Tadgh Carroll beat Anthony Theodossi.

In the Men’s Open, there was plenty of local success, with no less than five of the eight quarter-finalists coming from England: the country’s top four of Ady Lee, Pete Cohen, Dan Grant and Pete White joined by RFA General Secretary Andy Pringle.

The draw meant that at least two had to fall at this hurdle, though, and while England captain Ady overwhelmed fellow ` RFA board member Andy, the EFA's Pete Cohen had to play his best to edge out Dan of the RFA. Also falling at this stage was EFA member Pete White, who lost out to Justin Evans from Wales. The last quarter-final, meanwhile, was an all-international affair, and saw Belgium’s Bastien Van Nuffelen knock out Welshman Keith Wilde.

Sadly, hopes of an all-English final were dashed when Justin beat Ady in their semi-final; and, for a while, it looked as if there might be no Englishman at all in the final, as Pete Cohen was 9-11 down to Bastien with just a couple of minutes to play in their semi-final. However, showing true grit and determination, Pete rallied at the crucial time, and managed to close the game out 13-11. It was this form that he carried through to the final, where his hard hitting and fine athleticism carried him through to a comfortable win over Justin.

RESULTS
Men's Open
Quarter-finals: Ady Lee (Eng) bt Andy Pringle (Eng); Justin Evans (Wales) bt Peter White (Eng); Bastien Van Nuffelen (Belgium) bt Keith Wilde (Wales); Peter Cohen (Eng) bt Dan Grant (Eng)
Semi-finals: Evans bt Lee; Cohen bt Van Nuffelen
Final: Cohen bt Evans
Men's Open Plate
Tadgh Carroll (Ire) beat Anthony Theodossi (Eng)
Men's Challenger
Fintan Creamer (Ire) beat Will Ellison (Eng)
Ladies' Open
Kerry White (Eng) beat Ashley Lumbard (Eng)

23 August

Possible refurbishment of the court at High Elms - e-mail received from Kay Coulton (Borough of Bromley)

"As you are aware Sir John Lubbock (later Lord Avebury) built a court at this site when it was a private estate. The site is now a public country park managed by ourselves, London Borough of Bromley.

We are in the process of applying for a variety of lottery grants to preserve and interpret the natural and built heritage of the park and this will include the high quality refurbishment of the Eton Fives court.

However, rather than just leaving it as something for visitors to view that is of heritage value, we would like to go one stage further and bring the court back in to use for the public, for enthusiasts and for semi-professional or professional players to use on a regular basis - either 'turn up and play' or through a booking system - however we will need assistance from a body such as yourself in order to make this project successful.

As the national governing body for Eton Fives we would welcome your input into this project. It would be of great assistance to us if you could visit the site to take a look at the court and its location within the park, provide advice that would help in our funding bid and (if successful in receiving a grant) partner us in introducing this sport to a new audience and developing talent."

Webmaster: The Eton Fives Association will be assisting with this project

21 August

Published in The Sun 28th July

Rugby Fives

THIS week we have part two of Rugby Fives. Rugby Fives is such as simple idea that loads of similar games (most called handball) have now sprung up around the world.

There are even World Handball Championships, and a few English men and women will be making the trip to America to compete in October this year. You needn't go that far, however, to play the simplest form of the game - one-wall handball.

In fact, pretty much all you need is a ball and a wall - and you'll probably have those on your doorstep.

Mark out a court, using either some chalk or some masking tape.

On the vertical wall, you need something roughly square (imagine a tall five-a-side football goal), then something about the same shape and size on the ground, with an extra line parallel to the front wall about halfway back. Finally, find yourself a ball - a tennis ball is ideal, as you can hit that bare-handed - and you're ready to play.

To start a rally, one person stands in the back half of the court and hits the ball against the wall (inside the lines) so that it bounces back and lands in the back half of court, for the other person to hit back.

After that, the players take turns to hit the ball, which can only bounce once on the ground (anywhere in the court) before the player hits it back; once the ball has been struck, it has to hit the front wall without touching the ground, then land back in the court. If one person can't hit the ball back 'in' or it bounces more than once before they hit it, they lose the rally and their opponent wins a point.
You can play the game to any number of points - 15 or 21 usually - and the first person to reach that score is the winner. To even the game out, just take turns serving.
The best winning shots tend to be low on to the wall or hard shots along the side lines - although, of course, those are the hardest shots. It's all too easy to hit the ball on to the ground before the wall or to hit the ball so hard it flies out of the court.
The beauty of this game is that it's so easy to play, and it will exercise the whole body.

You need to run to get to the ball and you'll have to hit it with both hands, so you'll give your legs and both arms a real work-out.

4 August

Westway

Westway League & Friendly Fixtures 2009-2010

12 May

Secretaries Meeting - Westminster

The following provides a brief synopsis of the meeting.

Prior to and post the the main agenda Clubs arranged fixtures for season 2009-2010.

Website Developments

An insight was provided into the development of the Fives On Line website and in particular plans for an interactive fixture management system. Those present were fully supportive of this latest initiative designed to assist clubs and match managers with their administration.

Friendly Fives

It was agreed that friendly Fives is reasonably healthy with the growth of Fives Centres (including Westway), fun matches similar to those arranged at different venues and the ladder. However there was general agreement that more needed to be done to stem the loss of friendly Club matches, important to School pull through and senior members who no longer make the league side. Targets such as for every 3 league matches a friendly match should be arranged was seen as a possibly way forward. However formulation of a league rule to this effect was not considered for implementation this year – vibes indicated ‘to encourage rather than dictate’ is the best way forward at the present time. All those present supported the idea and the reasons of the need for more friendly matches. Hopefully resulting from the discussion more matches will be arranged for next season.

The Ladder

There were various wide ranging ideas as how best to help improve the operation of the ladder from set days per month at each venue to pairings of best and weakest players. It soon became clear that a consensus as to the best way forward would be difficult to achieve. So as not to waste time at the meeting Clubs were asked to e-mail the ladder organiser with their ideas as how best to improve the ladder.

Key Dates

Provisional Key Dates had been issued in advance and were used to inform the fixture arrangements. (see link at the top of Latest News).

Alan Barber Cup

The Old Aldenhamians have withdrawn and the Old Westminsters requested to take part. (see link at the top of Latest News).

The League Winners and Structure for 2009-2010

Winners of the Keeble Cup - The Old Harrovians
Division II – North Oxford
Division III – Westway Club
No Club wished to be promoted or relegated
Division I next season – no change. Agreed home and away matches
Division II – Highgate II to withdraw. Berkhamsted Club to become Berkhamsted School. New entrants Old Edwardians and Salopians II. It was agreed to remain as one division with one match against each other. Home/away matches to be opposite to last season. Matrix of home/away matches provided to the Edwardians and Salopians II. Division III - Westway Club II to join. Matches home and away.
It was agreed unanimously that tables should be retained.

League Rule Adjustments/Reminders

It is a non old boys league – anybody can play for any team. The aim is to get the correct strength at the correct level.
Retention of the league – unanimous vote
Use of ineligible players – bullet points 1-3 carried almost unanimously after lengthy discussion.



• an ineligible player must be declared before pairs are exchanged at the start of the match
  
• an ineligible player must play at third pair unless the opposing side consents to them playing in a higher pair
  
• a pair containing an illegible player is automatically forfeited but no penalty point is incurred
  
• failure to declare an illegible player will result in a penalty point (Note: This last point was not raised at the meeting but is considered to be a logical consequence following the agreement of the first three bullet points).

Where the same Club has two teams in the same division both matches to be played by 31st January. (Olavians and Westway).
It was agreed that nominated players in the first division should remain at ‘4 bona fide’ players - almost unanimous. This would be subject to audit mid-term by the competitions organiser.

Membership

Those present were informed of the serious loss in membership over recent years. Many clubs were turning out non members in the league. The non-members should be encouraged by their Secretary to join the EFA. To assist in this process a Board member will monitor the league results with a note to Secretaries when non-members are seen to be playing regularly. The question of whether membership should be a condition of playing in the league was raised. Discussion was deferred as the idea is already being considered by the EFA Board who would be consulting with Club Secretaries as to the best way forward to encourage new members.

Westway
Simon Thomas, Development Manager at Westway, referred to the facilities available for hosting matches and friendlies at the Westway venue. He has recently e-mailed a calendar of events for 2009-2010 to all Clubs.”