20 June

Annual Review and Pocket Booklet

Copy has to-day been sent to the printers

19 June

Club, School and Key Dates

Club Secretary and School Master-in-Charge details have been updated
Key Dates 2009-2010 have been finalised

18 June

Tournament Reports 2008-2009

Keeling Cup
Heath Tournament

17 June

Zuoz Tournament Geneva - report by John Reynolds

Some twenty players have just competed in an annual tournament on the courts near Geneva, run by the old boys of Zuoz school in Switzerland.

Two Old Citizens - Alex Kasterine and John Reynolds - were there representing the EFA. John Reynolds won the tournament in partnership with Filippo Variola - joining a list of players which includes Seb Cooley, Grant Williams and Howard Wiseman to do so. 

Zuoz school itself sent a group of keen and skilful players including a strong girls' contingent.

Among others present at the event were Benny Oei, 85 this weekend. One-time sugar mogul Benny has been a friend of fives for many decades.

If anybody is visiting Geneva and fancied a game at the courts, at a City Green sport complex in a suburb called Veigy which is just over the French border, they could contact Filippo at Mobitex@borade.com.

16 June

Tournament Reports 2008-2009

Rossall Schools
Midland Tournament
London Tournament

have been added to the website

15 June

Fives at Wrekin - report from Mark Yates

The endeavours of the sixth form pupils at Wrekin College, amongst them Sam Wright, John Dyer and Alex Shanklin, have seen one of the Fives courts cleared and play recommenced. Originally there would have been 8 courts, four back to back, and each with covered seating for spectators. Two courts have been converted to a storage shed and boiler room, however, six remain. Of the remaining six, three are used by the groundsmen for storage and still have their slate roofed spectator huts in place. The final three have been used to accumulate a variety of unwanted bric-a-brac from around the school. The courts are in good condition with sound roofing and some lighting.

14 June

Who says Fives is not a Glamorous Sport

Emmalina featured in The Sun 22 May 2009

13 June

Cambridge Ladies Half Blues

Annabel Griffiths (Gonville & Caius & Ipswich) and Karen Hird (St. Catharine’s & Wycombe HS) have been awarded half blues in the 2009 Varsity Match. The first time that half blues have been awarded in the ladies match.

31 May

Latest News will next be updated after 14th June

23 May

Eton Fives in America - e-mail from Dale Vargas

The entry in the Harrow School Register 1800-1911 for Lewis Henry Morgan (1882¹ to 1883²) has the intriguing subscription: “Went out to America and entered Harvard University; introduced Eton Fives Courts into America”.

14 May

King Alfred School North London

Note sent to Peter Knowles EFA Archivist

"Dear Peter

Thank you for your recent enquiry concerning Fives at KAS. You are in luck: the two courts have not yet been demolished! They were built 1926/7 on ground leased to a club, the members of which seem to have comprised parents, pupils and ex-pupils of the school.

The archives contain match reports from 1928.

It seems that the club was short lived, because the Annual Report of 1929 reveals that the school had taken back control. After the war, there are reports of repairs to the fives court in 1949. I understand that they remained in use until the 1960s. I have been with the school since 1983, during which time they have sadly been derelict. Recently, they have housed portacabins, variously used for music lessons and storage."

From Brian Rance, Archivist, King Alfred School

See also the King Alfred School website. Sadly the courts are to be lost as part of the school redevelopment plans although it is likely that the name will be retained - 'The Fives Court Building'

13 May

MJS-J Report

The MJS-J Veterans Report 2008-2009 has been added to the website

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.”

11 May

The Heath Tournament (Jim Fredenham Cup) - Aldenham

Played yesterday in excellent weather.

Winners this year were Paul Kendall and Chris Cernuschi who beat Jim Fredenham and Pete Scholey in the final. Jim was delighted to make the final of 'his'cup!

10 May

2009 Results added to the Tournament section of the website

Kinnaird Cup
Midland
Northern
London
Graham Turnbull
Schools HSBC Nationals

Full reports to follow

3 May

EFA End of Season Dinner

Some 60 members and their guests enjoyed a splendid end of season dinner last evening at Bekynton, Eton. Chairman Richard Barber provided an up beat report on successes of the year ranging from the 900 entry and collection of pupils details at the Schools Nationals, the new website developments, advancement of Ladies Fives to the importance of communication and the need to listen to the membership. Richard thanked individually those members who had provided a major contribution during the past twelve months thus ensuring that the Association goes forward into next season on a high. The proceedings were brought to a close with the presentation of trophies by host Mark Williams and Secretary Mike Fenn to the season's competition winners followed by an impromtu speech by Ronald Pattison thanking the Chairman and Secretary.

Our thanks go to Michael Constantindi's splendid organisation, to host Mark Williams, to Ronald Pattison and others who were instrumental in helping to ensure the success of the end of season celebrations.

2 May

2009 Reports added to the website

Ladies Championship
Mixed Championship

30 April

League Division I

Old Olavians I beat Old Olavians II 2-1
J Toop & H Wiseman lost to S Cooley & W Sorrell
3-1
P White & A Theodossi beat P Cohen & W.Dennis
3-0
Old Olavians II conceded 3rd pair

Results & Table have been updated

27 April

League Titles 2008-2009

The results are subject to ratification by the Competitions Organiser

Division I - Keeble Cup Winners Old Harrovians, runners-up Old Olavians I
Division II - Winners North Oxford, runners-up Old Millhillians
Division III - Winners Westway Club, runners up Old Reptonians

26 April

Orley Farm Teacher Inset

Seven members of staff took part in an introductory/training day at the Westway Centre under the guidance of Howard Wiseman. Most of us had never stepped on a fives court before and were in for a pleasant revelation. All of us enjoyed the simple progression of activities – some gently competitive, some mutually supportive - that led to the playing of near full-rules matches by the end of the afternoon. From the point of view of those involved, we had a most enjoyable and useful inset day. From the school’s point of view, we have more staff interested in our fives programme. This was an inset day we will repeat.
Brian Smith

20 April

Championship Results - Eton 19th April

Ladies Championship
Dom Redmond & Kerry White beat Marianne Rees & Charlotta Cooley
12-7, 12-2, 12-2
(5th in a row together, 10th in total for Kerry)

Mixed Championship
Seb Cooley & Charlotta Cooley beat Peter Cohen & Kerry White in a close final
13-12, 13-15, 12-9

MJS-J Veterans Championship
Graham Pulsford & Courtney Friend beat John Reynolds & Nigel Cox in the final.

Reports to follow

19 April

League Division II

North Oxford beat Old Stoics 3-0 at Eton
G Hoskins & G Pulsford beat A Theodossi & J Hutter
12-4, 12-6, 8-12, 12-8
P Scholey & T Bossom beat M Skjott & J Saunders
5-12, 12-7, 12-3, 11-13, 12-7
C Davies & S Chapman beat J Ware & R Malacrida
12-3, 12-3, 12-4

Results & Table have been updated

18 April

Aberconway Fathers & Sons

Aberconway Cup Fathers & Sons report has been added to the website

17 April

B D Barton

It is with sadness that we report the death of David Barton. David was Treasurer of the Eton Fives Association 1952-1971 and a Vice President from 1972.

16 April

League Division I

Old Salopians lost to Old Olavians I 3-0 at Westway
Old Olavians I beat Old Westminsters I 3-0 at Highgate

Results & Table have been updated

15th April

Keeling Cup

Results and Table after round 4

14th April

League Division II

Old Millhillians beat Old Etonians 2-1 at Highgate
Bhimjiyani and Lefort lost 3-0
Sander and Tailor won 3-0
Vincent and Coakley won 3-0.

Results & Table have been updated

5th April

Aberconway Cup (Fathers & Sons) - Eton

Semi-finals
Mike & Chris Hughes beat Tim & Jonathan Best
12-4, 12-3
Tony and T Walters beat Grant & Guy Williams
12-8, 12-3
Final
M & C Hughes beat A & A Walters
12-5, 12-9

3rd April

Former Court at Haverfordwest Grammar School - e-mail from John Morgan

I've been reading your excellent guide to Eton Fives, having been reminded, by a photo of the court, of the game that I used to play at Haverfordwest Grammar in the early 60s. There was just the one court. It, and the lovely old stone building, were victim to 60s planners who flattened it in about 1966. The area where the court stood is now a car park and the internet service I use is in the County Library which stands where the school building once was. I just typed "image of old grammar school haverfordwest" into Google and a front view of the school appears at the top of their results page.

The court is shown in Douglas James' 1961 book A History of Haverfordwest Grammar School. Unfortunately, the photograph is taken at an angle such that the inside of the court is not clear. As I remember it, it was like that shown in your "Court Diagram Showing Salient Features".

2nd April

League Division II

Old Millhillians beat Old Carthusians 2-1 at Highgate
Vishal Bhimjiyani & Justin le Fort lost to Alex Burrows & Richard Tyler
1-3
Oliver Sander & Chris Vincent beat Martin Lyndsay & Will Sorrell
3-1
Joe Cokeley & James Hutcheson beat Roman Heindorf & Ronald Pattison
3-0

Old Stoics beat St Olave's 3-0 at Westminster
Conceded by St Olave's

Results & Table have been updated

31st March

League Division I

Old Cholmeleians beat Old Olavians II 2-1 at Highgate
D Davis & N Gill lost to S Cooley & P. Cohen
12-0, 2-12, 2-12, 6-12 (First game claimed due to late arrival)
R Desmond & N Brand beat T Macdonald & L Stradwick
12-7, 11-13, 12-8, 15-13
(Olavians unable to field a 3rd pair)

Results & Table have been updated

30th March

League Division II

North Oxford beat Old Olavians III 2-1 at Eton
G Hoskins & G Pulsford lost to S Ranasinghe & S Faultly
15-12, 7-12, 12-9, 3-12, 7-12
P Scholey & C Friend beat R Harpham & C Wilson
12-7, 12-1, 12-3
Old Olavians conceded the third pair

Results & Table have been updated

29th March

Kinnaird Cup Final - Report by Mark Williams and Analysis by John Reynolds

T G Dunbar & P R Dunbar beat J P Toop & H M E Wiseman
12-9, 14-12, 12-6

On a sunny, but chilly afternoon at Eton all four players started rather nervously and there were plenty of unforced errors in the early exchanges. Tom Dunbar’s ability to consistently return cut helped to establish an 8-4 lead, but the ball was rarely being killed, and both Dunbars were struggling with their cut. Howard Wiseman and James Toop suddenly found some accuracy and confidence and not only caught up, but moved to a 9-8 lead, applying pressure with a wide variety of shots. Immediately the Dunbars countered, and in a single game of hands won impressively with some confident play 12-9.

Both pairs played well at the start of the second game, and after the initial skirmishes the score reached 3-3. With the Dunbars cutting again ineffective, Toop and Wiseman played in a business-like manner, and with consistent and accurate play, established an 11-4 lead. Once again the reply was positive and immediate: six points coming in a single hand with Tom Dunbar serving, and suddenly the confidence and momentum had switched. At 11-11, the game was set to two, and Toop and Wiseman led 12-11 before a tantalising period of no scoring. Eventually it was the Dunbars who pulled away to win 3 points in a single hand to take the game 14-12.

Once again, after several hands, it was level-pegging at the start of the third game 2-2. The Dunbars forced a 5-2 lead, only to see the score bought back to 5-4 by some determined play. Both pairs exchanged a couple of points before, with Peter increasingly confident and accurate, the Dunbars forged ahead one final time, and with five points in two hands, won the game 12-6.

A refreshing hallmark of the match had been the high standard of sportsmanship displayed by all four players: quick resolutions to all decisions, an acceptance of lets when requested, and honesty when asking for, or when offered lets. The second game was clearly decisive, and the 30 or so spectators were left wondering what might have happened had the result of it been reversed. The Dunbars appeared significantly fitter than for a couple of years, and Toop and Wiseman played the rallies with their usual versatility, variety and wit. There were some impressive high speed tussles, with the ball being taken out early, and the standard of retrieving under pressure was high. The cutting on both sides lacked consistency, rarely was the ball killed when someone stood on the back wall for instance, but in the end, the Dunbars’ ability to return more cuts, and to volley more accurately and find the buttress was decisive, and gave them their third Kinnaird success together, and Tom’s sixth overall.

Analysis
The key passage of play was the second half of the second set, when the Harrovians recovered from 3-11 down to win 14-12. Wiseman and Toop had established their lead by raising the pace, playing a variety of aggressive shots and forcing some errors from the brothers. It seemed at that stage that the Harrovians had no answer and would struggle to contain a rampant Olavian pair.

However, Wiseman and Toop could not close the set out and they began to make errors as the Dunbars launched their recovery. Suddenly the Dunbars seemed nerveless and were returning a very high proportion of cuts; there was one hand which saw the defending champions forced to change cut twice. It didn't seem possible for them to lose the set after being eight points ahead, but they lost two set points and never really looked likely to clinch it after that. The Dunbars' charge took them to 11-11, and after a brief stutter to 11-12, they swept to the set. It was the kind of comeback which decides titles.

The Olavians' cause was fatally undermined by two factors - firstly an inability to cut the Dunbars down often enough and secondly a failure to translate pressure into points. Rally after rally would see Wiseman and Toop play the more attacking shots and establish the upper hand but be unable to finish the point off. The Dunbars proved superb retrievers from the buttress and, faced with such a high retrieval rate, the Olavians eventually seemed to run out of ideas when they had attacking opportunities. Their shots into the buttress were always coming back, and apart from the first half of the second set, they rarely explored other ways of winning points when an aggressive opportunity presented itself.

The cornerstone of the challengers' style is the "Dunbar triangle"; almost invariably when they have a shot back court, they play the ball into the buttress via the left hand wall, often with side spin which takes the ball left. The approach lacks variety, but it is very reliable and is a very effective platform for the Dunbar brothers. The shot will rarely win the point outright but opponents are forced into playing the ball from beneath the ledge if they don't cut the ball out before it reaches the buttress (which is not easily done) and the Dunbars are very good at punishing the ball if any volleying opportunity arises.

26th March

League Division I

Old Westminsters I lost to Old Olavians I 0-3
A Illingworth & J Reynolds lost to H Wiseman & J Toop
10-15, 3-12, 5-12
G Coren & D Foster lost to D Mew & P White
6-12, 8-12, 8-12
L Brock & N Fry lost to R Perrie & A Theodossi
6-12, 12-15, 3-12

Results & Table have been updated

24th March

Schools National Championship Finals - Eton

OPEN COMPETITION:
HIGHGATE (S C Little & H Hatchwell) beat ETON (E G J Morrison & J M MacDonagh)
8-12, 12-4, 12-9, 8-12, 12-2

UNDER 16 COMPETITION:
HIGHGATE (M J Kovars & C D Most) beat SHREWSBURY (G Thomason & J Hudson-Williams)
14-12, 12-6, 12-9

UNDER 14 COMPETITION:
HIGHGATE (J Berriman & C Noble) beat ST OLAVE'S (S Kundu & C Self)
12-10, 12-4, 12-6

UNDER 12 COMPETITION:
HIGHGATE (M A Budgett & A H Robinson) beat HIGHGATE (R M Footman & D M Light)
12-6, 12-2

LADIES OPEN COMPETITION:
LYCEUM ALPINUM ZUOZ (F Kuenburg & S Becker) beat HIGHGATE (C D T Mantle & J S Varma)
12-6, 12-7, 12-6

LADIES UNDER 15 COMPETITION:
HIGHGATE (H Rapley & F Howell) beat HIGHGATE (L Foch & E Most)
13-12, 11-14, 12-6

UNDER 15 COMPETITION:
ST OLAVE'S (H Ravi & T W Barker) beat ETON (J B Abbott & D A S Byam Shaw)
12-6, 12-4, 12-7

UNDER 14 BEGINNERS' COMPETITION:
ETON (R J M Collins & N W A Russell) beat SHREWSBURY (M Pragnall & E Lloyd)
12-4, 12-9, 12-6

21st March

Keeling Cup

Results and Table after rounds 2 and 3

20th March

Prep Schools Championship - Eton

Report and results have been added to the website

19th March

HSBC Insurance National Schools Championship Dinner

The HSBC Insurance Annual Dinner was held last evening at College Hall, Eton by kind permission of the Provost and Headmaster. Some 100 guests were welcomed by the Headmaster Mr Anthony Little. Toast to the Game was proposed by Mr Peter Newnham, Head of Education Practice HSBC Insurance Brokers, and the reply by Mr Richard Barber OBE Chairman of the Eton Fives Association.

16th March

League Division III

Old Reptonians beat Lancing Old Boys 2-1
James Ware & Karl Wagner lost 0-3
Will Skjott & Oliver Malcolm won 2-0 (played best of three games)
Lancing conceded the third pair

Results & Table have been updated

17th March

League Division II

Old Stoics beat Old Etonians 3-0 at Westminster
Anthony Theodossi & Ryan Perrie beat E Taylor & A Knight
3-2
Mike Skjott & Jurgen Hutter beat F Colqhoun & M Powell
3-0
Simon Warren-Thomas & Simon Baring beat
F Eckersley & T McCall
3-0

Results & Tables have been updated

League Division III

Old Reptonians beat the Abbey Club 2-1 at Westminster
Jurgen Hutter & Mike Skjott won 3-1
Johnny Saunders & Ronald Pattison won 3-1
James Ware & Oliver Malcolm lost 0-3

Results & Tables have been updated

Early Court Plans - e-mail from Prof. Michael Woolridge, University of Melbourne

"I am a collector of material related to racket and ball sports. Some years ago, I purchased a 4 page printed document dated 1847, folio size with the following title,

"Gymnasii Novi Pilaris Etonensiym Opibus Inchoati Fundamenta Posuit. Edvardus Craven Hawtrey STP Regaie Scholae Etonenis Magister Informator. Prid. Non Dec. A D MDCCCXL VII."

Text is in Latin, Greek, German, French and Italian. It is signed and dated in ink by the architect Henrico Currey. Contains one lithograph with three elevations of a Fives Court.

Would you be able to tell me anything about this, please? As a printed document, I assume a number were printed, although as they were individually signed by the architect, probably not too many were done. The courts were built in 1840, but remodelled in 1847. Perhaps these drawings relate to the remodelling?"

(Webmaster: A response has been sent to Michael providing historical background to the origins of Eton Fives and suggesting he contacts the Eton College archivist Penny Hadfield for further information.) Michael has agreed to send a copy of the historic document to the EFA.

16th March

Pol Roger Varsity Match - Eton

The report and results 2009 have been added to the website.

Varsity Old Boys - Eton

Report and Results

15th March

Kinnaird Cup - Eton

Semi-finals
J P Toop & H M E Wiseman beat C W Sorrell & E O Taylor
12-4, 12-1, 12-8
T G Dunbar & P R Dunbar beat M C T Wiseman & S K P Cooley
12-6, 12-7, 12-1

13th March

King Edward School, Stratford - e-mail from Andy Pringle General Secretary RFA

"Just thought I'd drop you a quick line about the possibility of a court in Stratford after seeing a brief mention on your website.

According to the school's website, and a plan of the school on there (www.kes-stratford.org.uk/visitors/documents/visitor_info.pdf), there does still seem to be a court in existence at the school. According to the RFA records, it's a Winchester Fives court, but I'm not sure how active the game is at the school.

12th March

League Division II
Old Ipswichians beat Old Olavians III 3-0 at Ipswich
Old Olavians conceded all three pairs

Old Etonians beat North Oxford 2-1 at Westminster
W.Sorrell & A.Knight beat G.Pulsford & S.Purkis
12-8, 12-10, 12-8
M.Powell & F.Wickes beat J.Byam Shaw & N.Cox
12-6, 12-8, 12-6
Old Etonians conceded the third pair

League Division III
Abbey Club beat Windsor & Eton 2-1 at Westminster
Windsor & Eton conceded one pair

Results & Table have been updated

11th March

King Edward School, Stratford - e-mail from Rez Malik

I was in a meeting last week with an executive from NFU Mutual based in Stratford and the conversation somehow wandered onto fives, at which point he announced that he used to play at school in Stratford upon Avon!!! (Webmaster: One court believed to have been demolished in the 1880s. It is possibly still in existence?)

10th March

HSBC UNDER 12 SCHOOLS COMPETITION 2009 - Eton

A huge entry of 71 pairs from 8 schools entered this competition, and apart from the usual excellence of the Highgate pairs, The standard of the leading pairs from all of the other schools was significantly higher than in the past. This led to some very close matches in the fourth round and quarter-final stages, several of which went to three games: Summer Fields 1 and 2, St Olave’s 1 and 2, Ludgrove 1 and Orley Farm 1 standing out. The competition became a real test of stamina since it had to be completed in one day.

In the quarter-finals Highgate 1 dismissed Highgate 5 easily, but Ludgrove 1 and Summer Fields 1 had to play well to beat both St Olave’s pairs in straight games. Highgate 2 and 3 were very well matched, until the former ran away with the final game. In the semi-finals both Highgate 1 and 2 proved too strong for Ludgrove and Summer Fields, who were visibly tiring at this stage.

The final provided a feast of attacking fives and reached a remarkable standard for boys of this age. The quality of Budgett and Robinson’s volleying and approach play stood out, as did Footman and Light's cutting. The latter fought hard all the way, and there were some fine rallies, but in the end the superior quality of shot of the first pair won the day.

Semi-finals:
Highgate 1 (M A Budgett & A H Robinson) beat
Ludgrove 1 (H D M Farr & T G Weld)
12-4, 12-0
Highgate 2 (R M Footman & D M Light) beat
Summer Fields 1 (T M Nevile & T M Skinner)
12-5, 12-5

Final:
Highgate 1 beat Highgate 2
12-6, 12-2

Plate A:
St Olave’s 4 beat St Olave’s 5

Plate B:
Emanuel 1 beat Cranleigh 1

Plate C:
St Olave’s 6 beat St Olave’s 7

9th March

Williams School Cup - National Schools 3 Pair Competition

Report & Results

8th March

League Division I
Old Harrovians beat Old Salopians 3-0 at Harrow
Results & Table have been updated

5th March

League Division II
Highate I beat Old Olavians III 3-0 at Highate
Conrad Ryan & Nick Lindo won
13-14, 15-10, 12-6, 12-7
Joe Marks & Ollie Rowlands won
13-14, 12-9, 12-7, 3-12, 12-6
Guy Woolf & Alex Franklin Match conceded to Highgate
Results & Table have been updated

3rd March

Kinnaird Festival - Eton

Quarter-finals:
S Bickerton & M Yates(1) beat R Pattison & N Cox
12-1, 12-4
S Fautly & R Harpham(4) beat S Leach & S Welti
12-5, 12-4
A Knight & A Clayton(3) beat H Ravi & T Barker
12-1, 12-5
J Tse & T Elliot beat M Scurr & T Betts
9-12, 12-7, 12-8

Semi-finals:
S Bickerton & M Yates(1) beat S Fautly & R Harpham(4)
12-7, 12-7
J Tse & T Elliot beat A Knight & A Clayton(3)
12-13, 12-7, 12-9

Final:
S Bickerton & M Yates(1) beat J Tse & T Elliot
12-0, 12-0

Festival Plate A
Quarter-finals:
R Wilson & P Wilson beat G Scholey & P Leveque
12-5, 12-2
S Warren-Thomas & J Saunders beat H Tobias & J Staley
12-8, 5-12, 12-8
R Dunk & S Kirtikar beat P Chen & J Cooley
12-1, 12-1
D Cooper & R Cooper beat L Potter & J Acton
12-5, 12-10

Semi-finals:
R Wilson & P Wilson beat S Warren-Thomas & J Saunders
12-8 scr
D Cooper & R Cooper beat R Dunk & S Kirtikar
12-10, 12-9

Final:
R Wilson & P Wilson beat D Cooper & R Cooper
13-11, 12-10

Festival Plate B
Semi-Finals:
H Ravi & T Barker beat C Self & S Kundu
14-13, 12-9
H Tobias & J Staley beat L Potter & J Acton
12-4, 12-5

Final:
H Tobias & J Staley beat H Ravi & T Barker
12-10, 12-4

Festival Plate C
Final:
P Chen & J Cooley beat M Manso-De-Zungia & S Stein
14-13, 12-4

2nd March

League Division II
Old Stoics lost to Old Olavians III 1-2 at Westminster
A Theodossi & R Perrie beat S Ranasinghe & T Macdonald
3-0
J Saunders & M Skjott lost to L Stradwick & W Dennis
0-3
J Ware & R Malacrida lost R Harpham & S Fautly
0-3
Results & Table have been updated

Ladies Championship, Eton - report from Dom Redmond

We had a magnificent turn out for the ladies championships this year with twenty pairs competing. They consisted of School pairs from St Batholomew's, Lancing College and Highgate, and Cambridge University with the superb organisation by captain Annabel Griffiths. As we had such a large entry we were able for the first time in years to have a straight knock-out event which resulted in many close and well contested matches.

Quarter-finals
D.Redmond & K.White (1) beat A.Ganguly & S.Evans
12-1, 12-1
L.Redmond & F.Barnes (2) beat A.Griffiths & K.Hird
12-1,12-3
A.Lumbard & H.Cutmore-Scott (4) beat L.Bell & S.Maguire (5)
9-12, 12-8, 12-10
C.Cooley & M.Rees(3) beat C.Mantle & J.Varma (6)
12-2, 12-1

Semi-Finals
D.Redmond & K.White (1) beat A.Lumbard & H.Cutmore-Scott (4)
12-1, 12-0, 12-3
C.Cooley & M.Rees (3) beat L.Redmond & F.Barnes (2)
12-7, 12-9, 7-12, 12-7

Ladies Quarter-finalists Losers Plate
C Mantel & J Varma beat A Griffiths & K Hird
12-1, 7-12, 15-14

Plate B Semi-finals:
R Tennyson & C Ward beat S Haining & A Walker
12-8, 11-12 scr
L Bishop & E Thompsell beat L Lilenthal & K Martharu
12-5, 12-1

Final:
L Bishop & E Thompsell beat R Tennyson & C Ward
12-8

Plate C
E Scoones & R Khaw beat F Din & R Patel
12-1, 12-1

I would like to thank all the Ladies and Masters in charge for making this event such a success and Mark Williams for running it on the day. The Ladies Final will take place on 5th April at Eton college 1.30pm- all spectators welcome!

1st March

Kinnaird Cup - Eton

Quarter-Finals:
H Wiseman & J Toop(1) beat J Ho & S Little(9)
12-9, 12-9, 12-6
E Taylor & W Sorrell(4) beat P White & P Cohen(5)
12-9, 14-13, 12-9
S Cooley & M Wiseman(3) beat D Mew & R Tyler(6)
12-4, 12-6, 12-4
T Dunbar & P Dunbar(2) beat T Walters & R Worth(7)
12-1, 12-3, 12-3

Plate A - Pepperpot Trophy

Semi-finals:
B Dennis & L Stradwick beat W Betts & B Kailey
12-7, 12-5, 12-8
G Thomason & T Welti beat R Salmon & R Abrol
12-3, 10-12, 12-6, 12-5

Final:
B Dennis & R Stradwick beat G Thomason & T Welti
12-4, 15-13, 11-12, 12-9

Plate B
Winners A Theodossi & R Perrie

28th February

Kinnaird Cup - Eton

First Round:
H Wiseman & J Toop(1) beat H Hatchwell & C Most
12-0, 12-1, 12-4
J Comer & D Stephens beat O Watts & A Jackson
12-5, 9-12, 12-4, 13-10
N Bunyan & P Boughton beat A Buchanan & T Whitehouse
12-8, 12-9, 12-5
H Lewis & L Wang - Bye
A Theodossi & R Perrie(8) beat D Newman & J Maclean
12-0, 12-0, 12-4
B Jones & J Hudson-Williams - Bye
J Ho & S Little(9) beat C Lewis & D Elliot
12-0, 12-0, 12-1
B Michaels & J Elansei - Bye
P White & P Cohen(5) beat D Davis & N Gill
12-1, 12-0, 12-2
J Hopton & F Goodman - Bye
G Hoskins & N Shaw(12) beat M Jones & J Betts
12-1, 12-4, 12-2
J Ingrey & S Stein - Bye
E Taylor & W Sorrell(4) beat W Betts & B Kailey
12-1, 12-1, 12-6
R Dunk & M Manso-De-Zungia - Bye
J Reynolds & G Coren(13) beat C Ryan & M Karamani
12-7, 12-7, 12-9
R Salmon & R Abrol - Bye
S Cooley & M Wiseman(3) beat R Malik & C Mellor
12-1, 12-0, 12-0
S Leach & S Welti - Bye
T Greene & P Stewart beat R Pattison & N Cox
12-13, 12-4, 12-7, 12-8
T Jayapani & R Griffiths - Bye
D Mew & R Tyler(6) beat B Dennis & L Stradwick
12-1, 12-7, 12-3
T Witherow & H Meakin - Bye
M Little & R Desmond(11) beat J Batting & J Batting
12-1, 12-1, 12-1
G Thomason &T Welti - Bye
T Walters & R Worth(7) beat H Tobias & J Staley
12-3, 12-4, 12-3
M Bassot & J Moore - Bye
E Rose & D Foster(10) beat M Scurr & T Betts
12-2, 12-5, 12-7
L Wooldridge & S Eglund-Newby - Bye
T Dunbar & P Dunbar(2) beat S Warren-Thomas & J Saunders
12-0, 12-1, 12-0
L Brock & W Illingworth beat G Brazg & L Redmond
12-2, 12-3, 12-2
S Fautly & R Harpham beat J MacDonagh & W Harman
6-12, 12-10, 12-4 scr

Second Round:
H Wiseman & J Toop(1) beat J Comer & D Stephens
12-1, 12-1, 12-3
N Bunyan & P Boughton beat H Lewis & L Wang
12-8, 12-7, 12-4
A Theodossi & R Perrie(8) beat B Jones & J Hudson-Williams
12-3, 12-6, 12-5
J Ho & S Little(9) beat B Michaels & J Elansei
12-4, 12-1, 12-2
P White & P Cohen(5) beat J Hopton & F Goodman
12-2, 12-5, 12-2
G Hoskins & N Shaw(12) beat J Ingrey & S Stein
12-0, 12-2, 12-0
E Taylor & W Sorrell(4) beat R Dunk & M Manso-De-Zungia
12-3, 12-4, 12-5
J Reynolds & G Coren(13) beat R Salmon & R Abrol
12-9, 12-5, 12-6
S Cooley & M Wiseman(3) beat S Leach & S Welti
12-1, 12-1, 12-2
T Jayapani & R Griffiths beat T Greene & P Stewart
12-4, 12-8, 12-7
D Mew & R Tyler(6) beat T Witherow & H Meakin
12-2, 12-0, 12-3
M Little & R Desmond(11) beat G Thomason & T Welti
12-4, 13-10, 12-4
T Walters & R Worth(7) beat M Bassot & J Moore
12-5, 12-3, 15-11
E Rose & D Foster(10) beat L Wooldridge & S Eglund-Newby
12-3, 12-6, 12-4
T Dunbar & P Dunbar(2) beat L Brock & W Illingworth
12-0, 12-0, 12-4
S Fautly & R Harpham beat J Tse & T Elliot
12-3, 12-9, 9-12, 12-2

Third Round:
H Wiseman & J Toop(1) beat N Bunyan & P Boughton
12-5, 12-3, 12-1
J Ho & S Little(9) beat A Theodossi & R Perrie(8)
12-6, 12-5, 12-6
P White & P Cohen(5) beat G Hoskins & N Shaw(12)
12-3, 13-11, 13-10
E Taylor & W Sorrell(4) beat J Reynolds & G Coren(13)
15-10, 12-4, 12-3
S Cooley & M Wiseman(3) beat T Jayapani & R Griffiths
12-2, 12-1, 12-4
D Mew & R Tyler(6) beat M Little & R Desmond(11)
12-6, 12-11, 12-9
T Walters & R Worth(7) beat E Rose & D Foster(10)
15-10, 12-6, 12-4
T Dunbar & P Dunbar(2) beat S Fautly & R Harpham
12-4, 12-3, 12-1

27th February

League Division II
Old Ipswichians beat Old Westminsters II 3-0
Tom Fletcher & Richard Robinson bt Giles Coren & Matt Chen
15-12 12-4 12-7
Ollie Watts & David Cox bt Jonny Sells & Shyam Shah
12-6 12-6 13-11
Simon Woolfries & Peter Forrest bt Chris Watts & Justin Byam Shaw
12-3 10-12 12-4 12-1

Old Millhillians beat Highgate II 3-0 at Highgate
Lefort and Sander won 3-2
Vincent and Hutcheson won 3-1
Leader and Weller won 3-2

Results & Table have been updated

26th February

Westminster Court Bookings The bookings for 2008-2009 have been updated

25th February

League Division II
Old Carthusians v Old Etonians drawn 1.5/1.5
Justyn Comer and Ronald Pattison beat E Haig Thomas and R Wallis 3-2
Mark Platt and N Bourne lost to A Knight and F Cloquehan 2-3
A Burrows and N Higgins drew with M Powell and J Harbord Hammond 2-2 (5th game abandoned due to time although OCs 8-4 up)

League Division III
Old Reptonians lost to Westway Club 1-2 at Westway
Windsor & Eton lost to Westway Club 0-3 at Westway

Results & Table have been updated

24th February

Additions to the website

The 2008-2009 Universities Championship and County Championship reports have been finalised

The record of past Champions has been updated with the winners in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 to date

23rd February

Alan Barber Cup Final - Eton
Old Olavians beat Old Cholmeleians 3-0
J Toop & H Wiseman beat G Chapman & J Ho
12-2, 12-9, 12-4
M Wiseman & S Cooley beat N Addy & J O'Callaghan
12-0, 12-5, 12-5
D Mew & P White beat R Beanstock & D Davis
12-6, 12-7, 15-10

Report and full results of the 2008-2009 Alan Barber Cup

EFA Trophy - Eton

Semi-Finals:
Old Salopians beat Old Wulfrunians 2-1
G Williams & C Hughes beat A Simmons & O Ross
12-8, 12-7, 13-14, 12-9
C Webster & T Welti lost to C Austin & M Yates
3-12, 0-2 ret
M Quinn & J Pollock beat M Yates & J Brazier
13-10, 12-9, 8-12, 13-10

North Oxford beat Old Westminsters 3-0
N Shaw & G Pulsford beat G Coren & F Krespi
12-4, 12-0, 12-2
C Davies & T Bossom beat M Chen & J MacDonald
12-6, 12-8, 12-6
S Chapman & J Byam Shaw beat S Sakhrani & N Tandy
14-11, 12-5, 12-8

Final:
North Oxford beat Old Salopians 2-1
N Shaw & G Pulsford beat G Williams & C Hughes
8-12, 12-0, 9-12, 12-4, 12-9
C Davies & S Chapman lost to M Quinn & T Welti
7-12, 1-12, 5-12
T Bossom & J Byam Shaw beat J Pollock & R Pattison
12-4, 12-10, 12-7

Report and full results of the 2008-2009 EFA Trophy

22nd February

League Division I
Old Cholmeleians lost to Old Olavians I 2.5-0.5 at Highgate
N Addy & N Gill lost to H Wiseman & P White
6-12, 15-14, 1-12, 8-12
R Beenstock & J Ho lost to J Toop & R Perrie
6-12, 3-12, 3-12
D Davis & A Varma drew with D Mew & S Ranasinghe
12-3, 14-15, 12-3, 7-12, 2-0

Old Cholmeleians currently 2-0 to the Harrovians played at Highgate 15th January
G Chapman & N Addy lost 0-3 to P Dunbar & R Tyler
S Little & J Ho lost 0-3 to J Fleming & Bryan
3rd pair to be played at a later date
Results & Table have been updated

19th February

League Division II
Old Millhillians beat Old Ipswichians 2-1 at Highgate
J Patel & S Tailor lost to R Robinson & J Rose
5-12, 14-15, 8-12
J Lefort & C Vincent beat P Forrest & D Leach
12-5, 12-3, 12-4
J Hutcheson & F Mir beat M Fenn & O Watts
12-8, 15-11, 12-3
Results & Table have been updated

13th February

Eton Cup for Repton - email from Ben Price

"I have just purchased a 1897 Eton Fives House Trophy. It will be given each year to the winners of our December gathering at Repton. Hope this will get the numbers up to 30!"

12th February

League Results

League Division II
Old Carthusians beat Highgate I 2-1 at Highgate
Ronald Pattison and Justyn Comer lost to Sam Little and Harry Hatchwell 0-3
Simon Parrish and Marc Quinn beat Alex Pavitt and James Curry 3-0
Alex Burrows and Phil Lyndon beat Ollie Rowlands and Guy Woolf 3-0
Results & Table have been updated

11th February

League Division I Result

Old Harrovians beat Old Westminsters I 3-0 at Westway (Played 21st December)

Results & Table has been updated

10th February

Birmingham Mail 29th January

Under the guidance of Mark Yates Midlands Eton Fives is once again thriving. Splendid press coverage by the Birmingham Mail under the heading Birmingham school team "prepares to take on the best in Britain" has placed King Edward's High School for Girls firmly on the Fives map.

The health of School Fives in the Midlands can be seen in the Spring Schools Fives Ladder held at King Edwards Boys School

9th February

League Division I Result

Old Harrovians beat Old Olavians I 2-1 at Harrow

T Dunbar and W Jones lost to J Toop and P White
7-12, 9-12, 12-10, 6-12
P Dunbar and J Fleming beat H Wiseman and .Ranasinge
12-8, 12-7, 12-1
R Tyler and N Shaw beat A Theodossi and R Perrie
12-5, 12-9, 9-12, 12-15, 12-6

Old Harrovians beat Old Olavians II 3-0 at Harrow

T Dunbar & P Dunbar beat P Cohen & S Cooley
12-7, 15-14, 12-11
R Tyler & W Jones beat L Stradwick & S Stringer
12-5, 12-7, 12-3
J Fleming & N Shaw beat L Gurdenli & A Kalra
12-3, 12-2, 12-5

Results & Table has been updated

8th February

Possible Courts update - further e-mail from Simon Batten

There have been three locations for the playing of fives at Bloxham School since its foundation by Philip Reginald Egerton, an Old Wykehamist,in 1860.

At first there was one open air court attached to the building known as Botany Bay (now the Art School). No photographs exist of this court and we do not know which variety of the game was played.

In 1879 a new court was built on the end of the Pavilion with the money left over from a memorial fund for the Matron Mrs Arkell, who died in 1875. For this reason it was known as the Arkell Fives Court. The court had no back wall. This court was in use until it collapsed in 1929. The earliest set of rules we have, from 1881, makes it clear that this was a Rugby Fives court.

In 1909 two new Fives courts were constructed next to the school’s new Gymnasium (now the Music School), and they are still there to this day. They are Rugby Fives Courts and are said to be on the large side (“suitable for lobbing”). As late as 1898 there was a bat fives tournament as well as hand fives.

I hope this is of interest. It does not look like Egerton brought Winchester Fives to Bloxham but he did introduce a strange version of football (Winchester football) to Bloxham which was played until 1874, when the school changed to Association football (and then to Rugby in 1921).

7th February

Possible Courts update - e-mail from Simon Batten

Please note that Under “Possible Courts in England” your website states for Bloxham School in Oxfordshire “1 court, but possibly a Rugby Fives Court? Still in use in 1964.” We have two courts, still in regular use by pupils and staff – I was playing on one only yesterday - but they are indeed Rugby Fives Courts.

6th February

Former Courts update - e-mail from Dr Graham Dry

"St.Wilfrid's Preparatory School, Seaford, Sussex"
2 courts. Demolished in 1983.

The name of the school was‚ St. Wilfred’s and had one (glass-roofed) court only, which I played in often and very well from 1955-7: on the days of waterlogged pitches, when football was impossible, school walks were the awful order of the day, but could be avoided by bona fide fives players, which I was quick to become!

"Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex"
? courts - non-standard. Demolished in the 1980s?

This was then known as‚ St. John’s College, Hurstpierpoint, now ‘Hurstpierpoint College’, which I attended. The single fives court was a sorry, rust-walled, rather run-down open-air affair and I never saw anyone ever playing.

5th February

Mid Term Newsletter

The Newsletters finally arrived from the printers yesterday and after a busy day labelling and stuffing are now all in the post. Hopefully members should, subject to weather conditions, receive their copy before the weekend.

4th February

League Results

League Division II
Old Millhillians beat Old Olavians III 2-1 at Westway
Lefort and Bhimjiyani won 3-0
Tailor and Patel lost 3-1
Vincent and Sander won 3-0
Results & Table have been updated

3rd February

January Newsletters

Unfortunately due to the bad weather conditions the printer has been unable to deliver the January Newsletters for addressing and stuffing. If received to-morrow (Wednesday) they should be posted out by Thursday.

2nd February

League Results

League Division II
North Oxford beat Old Westminsters II 3-0 at Eton
G Pulsford & T Bossom beat J McDonald & H de Quetteville
15-12, 12-3, 12-7
C Davies & S Chapman beat E Levy & N Margerison
12-6, 12-8, 12-8
Old Westminsters conceded third pair
Results & Table have been updated

Northern Championships Shrewsbury - results from Andrew Mitchell

Quarter-Finals:
James Toop & Howard Wiseman beat Richard Tyler & Guy Chapman
2-0
Peter Cohen & Peter White beat Ed Taylor & Will Sorrell
2-1
Seb Cooley & David Mew beat John Reynolds & Mark Moore
2-0
Tom Dunbar & Peter Dunbar beat Anthony Theodossi & Ryan Perrie
2-0

Semi-Finals:
J Toop & H Wiseman beat P Cohen & P White
3-0
T Dunbar & P Dunbar withdrew through injury when leading 2-0 against S Cooley & D Mew

Final:
Toop & Wiseman beat Cooley & Mew
12-4, 12-8, 12-7

Plate A (Pool losers):
Adrian (Sid) Simmonds & Stuart Bickerton beat Olli Watts & Will Gibbons
2-0

Plate B (Knockout losers): Winners Anthony Theodossi & Ryan Perrie

Festival
Final:
Hugo Tobias & John Staley beat Richard Black & Stephen Brooke
13-10, 7-12, 13-11, 13-11

Plate A
Mike Blake & Jamie Doran beat Alex Williams & Charlie Bailey
2-0

Plate B:
Winners Oliver Wilcox & Laurence Gribble

There was a great entry this year both in terms of numbers and quality, and the worst of the weather held off for the weekend. Shame about the walkover in the semi but still, we can't have everything

1st February

Quandrants Handball Ball - e-mail from Robin Nagy in Australia

They play a curious playground game at Cranbrook School called "quadrants" where they basically play hand tennis with four positions arranged in a square – the "King" occupies the last square and they all shuffle round when one goes out. The aim is to occupy (and continue to occupy) the "King's" spot. Don't know whether this is unique to Cranbrook or Australia-wide, but it is great to watch the evolution of a hand-ball game in the playground!

31st January

2008 Reports added to the website

Club Reports 2008
Fives Recharging by Ed Taylor

30th January

League Results

League Division II
Highgate I beat St Olave's 3-0 at Highgate
Pair 1. S.Little and H.Hatchwell won 10-12, 12-8, 12-6, 12-7
Pair 2. N.Lindo and C.Most won 12-2, 12-5, 12-6
Pair 3. A.Pavitt and J.Curry won 12-10, 9-12, 12-4, 12-8

League Division III
Abbey Club lost to Westway 2-1 at Westminster
Results & Table have been updated

2008 Reports added to the website

Schools
Prep Schools
Obituary Michael Charlesworth (Salopian)

29th January

2008 Reports added to the website

EFCT Chairman's Report
Website Report
Accredited Coaching
Article 'Fun of the Game'
Song of Pelota

2008 Tournament Reports Finalised

Aberconway Cup
Kinnaird Cup
Ladies Championship
Mixed Championship
Graham Turnbull Trophy
Rossall Schools Championship

28th January

League Results

League Division II
Old Westminsters II beat St Olave's 2-1 at Westminster
Results & Table have been updated

Reports added to the Website

Chairman's Report 2008
Treasurer's Report & Accounts 2008
International Report 2008
City Fives Association Report 2008
Federation Report 2008
Westway Report 2008
Ladder Competition Report 2008
Refca Report 2008
Irish Handball Championships 2008
Obituary Richard Bourne
Eton Fives Charitable Trust Accounts 2007

27th January

Website updates

Alan Barber 2008
Club Miscellanea
Schools Miscellanea
Bibliography
Press Cuttings

Reports added to the Website

Old Olavian 2 Up 2 Down Tournament 2008
Ipswich Centenary Report
Varsity Former Blues Report 2007
Varsity Former Blues Report 2008
Sardauna Tournament, Nigeria 2008
The Heath Tournament 2008
One Wall Festival 2008
Keeling Cup 2008

26th January

Alan Barber Cup Semi-finals

Old Olavians beat Old Salopians 3-0
Toop & H Wiseman beat E Taylor & A Walters
12-6, 7-12, 10-15, 12-1, 12-4
M Wiseman & S Cooley beat P Nicholls & R Nicholls
12-2, 12-1, 12-2
P White & D Mew beat R Worth & M Hughes
12-7, 7-12, 12-5, 12-6

Old Cholmeleians beat Old Edwardians 2-1
N Addy & J Ho beat R Tyler and S Purkiss
15-10, 12-10, 14-11
R Beenstock & M Little beat P Scholey & C Friend
12-8, 5-12, 12-9, 12-3
D Davis & J O'Callaghan conceded to C Mellor & R Malik
7-12, 12-6, 13-14, 12-5, 7-5 scratched

The final will be held at Eton on Sunday 22 February

EFA Trophy

A grand total of 12 teams and 76 players took part in the qualifying rounds of the EFA Trophy at Eton on Sunday, the largest entry for a long time and one which comfortably kept all 16 courts occupied all day. The Fives was both enjoyable and competitive, with the qualifiers from the two groups not being decided until the final pairs of the final round of matches. Group A was dominated by the Old Wulfrunians, with North Oxford A just pipping the Old Etonians to the second qualifying place. Group B was even closer, with four teams evenly matched and competing for the top two positions. As the final round of matches began it was clear that the Old Westminsters were just going to win the group, Cambridge University were going to narrowly miss out and that the winner of the Westway versus Old Salopians match would claim second place. With first and third pair shared, it all came down to the second pair clash, which was eventually won 15-14 by the Old Salopian pair, thus qualifying them for the semi-finals by the closest possible margin.

Group A
Old Wulfrunians 14
North Oxford A 11
Old Etonians 10
Berkhamsted 7
Old Citizens 3
Cambridge University B 0

Group B
Old Westminsters 11
Old Salopians 10
Westway 9
Cambridge University A 9
North Oxford B 5
Windsor & Eton 1

The semi-finals and final will be held at Eton on Sunday 22 February:
Old Wulfrunians vs Old Salopians
Old Westminsters vs North Oxford A

25th January

League Results

League Division II

Highgate II lost to St Olave's at Orpington 2-1
Pair 1. Ali Buchanan and Milton Karamani lost 12-3, 9-12, 11-14, 13-14
Pair 2. Tom Whitehead and Ali Coleman-Bennett lost 9-12, 7-12, 3-12
Pair 3. Aroop Bhattacharya and Mark Collins won 12-4, 12-9, 12-5

Results & Table has been updated

24th January

Formation of the Eton Fives Association, Kinnaird Cup and Alan Barber Cup

With the assistance of Roger Beament the background to the formation of the Eton Fives Association has been adjusted as part of the introduction to 'Former & Present Officers of the Association.' In addition new information provided by Peter Knowles (EFA Archivist) has enabled additions and adjustments to be made to the introduction and early years of the Kinnaird Cup and the Alan Barber Cup 'Past Champions'.

In addition the list of Directors and EFA responsibilities has been adjusted to take in to account recent changes.

23rd January

League Results

League Division II

Highgate I beat Old Ipswichians 3-0 at Highgate
Sam Little and Harry Hatchwell won 10-12, 13-11, 12-4 (match conceded after cramp)
Joe Marks and Nick Lindo won 12-2, 12-6, 12-7
3rd pair conceded by Ipswich

Highgate II beat Old Etonians 2-1 at Highgate
Ali Buchanan and Milton Karamani won 12-7, 12-5, 12-3
Tom Whitehead and Alex Thomas lost 7-12, 9-12, 7-12
3rd pair conceded by Eton

Old Westminsters II lost to Old Millhillians 3-0 at Westminster
Saul Albert & Harry de Queteville lost to Vishal Bhimjiyani & Justin Le Fort
13-14, 12-7, conceded due to injury
Conrad Shawcross & Edward Levy lost to Sunil Tailor & Jitesh Patel
4-12, 8-12, 14-15
Bruno Lacey & Matt Chen lost to Oliver Sander & James Hutcheson
5-12, 3-12, 6-12

Results & Table has been updated

22nd January

January Newsletter 2009

The RFA/EFA joint Newsletter, complied by Gareth Hoskins and Andy Pringle and edited by the latter, is currently with the printers. All being well copy should be with the membership late next week or during the first week in February.

21st January

League Result

League Division III

Lancing Old Boys Lost to Westway Club 3-0 at Westway
Results & Table has been updated

20th January

County Championship, Eton 17th/18th January - report from Richard Tyler

Fortunately the overnight storms had abated by the time the four County teams met at Eton for the mornings semi-finals. Warwickshire 1st & 3rd pairs won reasonably comfortably winning both two games to nil against Staffordshire. However the 2nd pair was a closer affair with the Staffordshire side Mark Yates and David Jones prevailing 12-3, 4-12, 12-8.

Hertfordshire succeeded in winning both pairs in their semi-final against Middlesex, the later conceding a pair at the outset. However Hertfordshire were given a fright at first pair Jamie Fleming & Ryan Perrie pushing Peter White & Peter Cohen the full distance.

Hertfordshire were reinforced by Dog Foster and George Campbell in the afternoon final. Warwickshires Seb Cooley and Richard Tyler attempted to come up with a master plan to overcome Herts' greater strength in depth by winning the first two pairs. Seb Cooley & Tim Fletcher performed their part of the bargain (just), but Courtney Friend and Richard Tyler failed to hold off David Mew & Doug Foster in a hard fought 2nd pair game, which lasted best part of 3 hours. Congratulations to Hertfordshire in retaining the trophy.

A very good standard of Fives was played all day and with appropriate promotion and positioning the Championship should go from strength to strength.

Semi-finals
Warwickshire beat Staffordshire 2-1
Hertfordshire beat Middlesex 2-1

Final
Hertfordshire beat Warwickshire 2-1
P Cohen & P White lost to S Cooley & Tim Fletcher
14-13, 5-12, 12-9, 3-12, 11-14
D Mew & D Foster beat R Tyler & C Friend
11-14, 13-11, 12-9, 12-10
A Theodossi & G Campbell beat R Malik & S Purkiss
12-4, 14-11, 12-6

19th January

League Result

League Division II

Highgate School II beat North Oxford 2-1 at Highgate
C Most & G Sulkin lost to G Hoskins & N Shaw
0-12, 1-12, 0-12
T Whitehead & M Karamani beat S Chapman & N Cox
12-4, 13-12, 9-12, 12-9
A Buchanan & A Coleman-Bennett beat I Mitchell & A Millership
12-1, 12-4, 12-9

Old Carthusians beat Old Ipswichians 2-1 at Highgate
J Comer & D Jones beat T Fletcher & D Leach
12-2, 12-7, 12-5
A Burrows & S Parrish lost to M Graves & N Bunyan
11-13, 12-9, 8-12, 8-12
R Pattison & N Higgins & beat D Cox & T Thakerar
12-9, 8-12, 12-9, 12-9
Results & Table has been updated

18th January

Tournament Reports/Results

The following page has been added to the website:
The Ipswich Tournament - report and results

17 January

League Result

League Division I

Old Olavians I beat to Old Olavians II 2-1 at Orpington
Old Olavians II lost to Old Westminsters I 2-1 at Orpington
Results & Table has been updated

15 January

League Result

League Division III

Windsor & Eton beat Lancing Old Boys 2-1 at Eton
Results & Table has been updated

12 January

League Result

League Division II

Old Millhillians beat Old Stoics 2-1 at Westminster
Bhimjiyani & Lefort lost to Theodossi & Perrie
Patel & Tailor beat Schuth & Baring
Sander & Vincent beat Malacrida & ?
Results & Table has been updated

11 January

Ipswich Tournament

Final: Peter Forrest and Alex Yusaf (Old Ipswichians) beat Mike Fenn (O.I.) and Nick Bunyan ( Windsor & Eton)
12-9, 12-1, 12-8

The Scholey family were triumphant in the two Plate competions, father Peter winning Plate A and son George Plate B.

Plate A: Peter Scholey (Edwardian) & Tejas Thakerar (Ipswich School) beat
Mark Graves (O.I.) & Seb Rios-Hall (School) 19-4 in a best of one extended game.
Plate A:Tim Gregory (O.I.) & George Scholey (Old Edwardian) won Plate B on a round robin basis one game to 15 v all others.

4 January

League Results

League Division I

Old Harrovians beat Old Cholmeleians 2-1 at Harrow
Results & Table have been updated

1 January

A Happy New Year to one and all from the Eton Fives Association

24 December

Christmas Greetings

To all suporters of Eton Fives

18 December

The Northern Amateurs -email from Ben Price Old Reptonian

We had our annual Fives outing at Repton on Sat 6th December. I was hoping to get a team of 24 to play but unfortunately had to settle on 18 as injuries and Xmas engagements reduced the numbers at the last minute.

My thanks must go to Mr P Blackburn for letting us borrow some gloves and use the courts. I have not played proper fives since leaving Repton in 1972 so the game we play is taken from the rules but is not for the "purist"!

Last years champions of J Holberry and R Collins were knocked off their perch by N Wainwright and R Patel (who is the first of the juniors to play). This year we introduced 4 new people to the game who will be returning next year with guests of their own. We hope to have another event over Xmas with the juniors and another in May.

The Fives was followed by tea at The Repton Tea Rooms and then the evening commenced with the players and their wives meeting at the Manor House in Quorn and then a Double Decker bus took them to a Restaurant near Loughborough . The bus returned at midnight and wiggled its way through the Leicester countryside dropping off the participants in the early hours of Sunday morning.

We will be running this again next year if anyone wishes to participate.

17 December

League Results

League Division I
Old Westminsters I beat to Old Salopians 3-0 at Westminster

League Division III
Westway Club beat Windsor & Eton 3-0 at Westway
Results & Table have been updated

15 December

The London Tournament held at Harrow 13/14th December

Semi-finals
T Dunbar & P Dunbar beat P White & P Cohen
12-4, 12-4, (White & Cohen withdrew due to injury)
H Wiseman & J Toop beat E Taylor & W Sorrell
15-14, 11-13, 12-6, 12-8

Final
T Dunbar & P Dunbar beat H Wiseman & J Toop
12-7, 12-14, 14-13, 12-6

Festival
Semi-finals
J Saunders & M Goldman beat H Tobias & J Stayley
15-4
D Grant & J Furnis beat D Redmond & K White
15-4

Final
D Grant & J Furnis beat J Saunders & M Goldman
15-8

13 December

Old Salopian Diamond Jubilee

The Old Salopian Fives Club celebrated their Diamond Jubilee on Wednesday 10th December at Vinopolis Bank Street London. A gathering of eminent Salopians from the Fives world were joined by their guests in an evening of nostalgia. The original minute book in which Cyril Alington was appointed a Vice-President and written up by M L Charlesworth was on display. The Chairman of the EFA Richard Barber, himself an Old Salopian, welcomed those present and in a short address reflected on the history and achievements of the Club.

12 December

League Results

League Division I

Olavians I beat to Old Salopians 3-0 at Westway
Results & Table have been updated

11 December

League Division II

Old Stoics beat Old Westminsters II 3-0 at Westminster
Ryan Perrie & Simon Baring beat Edward Levi & Patrick Ell
3-0
Anthony Theodossi & Jurgen Hutter beat Andrew Aitken & John Sanderson
3-0
Johnny Saunders & James Ware beat Matt Chen & Napper Tandy
3-0

League Division III

Abbey Club lost 2-1 at Westminster
Westway beat Lancing Old Boys 3-0 at Westway - Lancing conceded all 3 pairs

10 December

The London Tournament 2008

The recruitment for this year's competition is going well. presently we have over 35 pairs entered into the events across the weekend. More entries welcome. If you would like to play, we are taking entries up until the night before, so if you suddenly become free or full of renewed energy and enthusiasm - then contact, Howard Wiseman on 07792226036 or via e-mail to refcaevents@hotmail.co.uk.

Anthony Trollope, the first of The Barsetshire Novels called The Warden 1855 - e-mail from David Davies

Chapter 8 Plumstead Episcopi about 5 pages in where Trollope is describing the Archdeacon Grantlly's children. "The eldest Charles James (school Westminster), though he looked as though there was something in him, never seemed to have much to say, and what he did say he would always unsaythe next minute. He told me once that he considered cricket, on the whole, to be a gentlemenlike game for boys, provided they would play without running about, and that fives, also was a seemly game, so that those that played it never heated themselves."

Dale Vargas comments - "I wonder what sort of Fives Trollope was referring to. He was born in 1815 and so was at school (Winchester and Harrow) probably 1825-33 i.e. before there was any fives at Harrow – I don’t know about Winchester."

9 December

Graham Turnbull

The Graham Turnbull Trophy took place at Eton on Sunday last. Nineteen pairs took part divided into 4 groups of 4 and one of 3. The best winning two pairs went through to the quarter-finals with plate A for those in 3rd place and Plate B for those in 4th place. The winners by 15-12 were Seb Cooley and Martin Bassett (St Olave's) playing against reigning champions Doug Foster and Andrew Joyce (Berkhamsted).

8 December

Alan Barber Cup 2nd Round

Old Cholmeleians beat Old Harrovians at Highgate 2-1
N Addy & G Chapman beat P Dunbar & N Shaw
5-12, 12-2, 15-14, 10-12, 12-6
R Beenstock & J Ho lost to T Dunbar & J Fredericks
10-15, 12-10, 1-12, 9-12
Harrow conceded 3rd pair

Old Olavians beat Old Etonians 3-0 at Eton
H Wiseman & J Toop beat W Sorrell & F Colqhoun
12-0, 12-4, 12-2
S Cooley & P Markannen beat M Powell & S Randall
12-0, 12-2, 12-1
Etonians conceded 3rd pair

Old Ipswichians lost to Old Edwardians 2-1 at Ipswich
G Hoskins & T S Fletcher lost to R Tyler & S Purkis
7-12, 3-12, 4-12
M Graves & P Boughton beat C Friend & P Scholey
12-6, 12-11, 12-8
O Watts & E Leach lost to C Mellor & R Malik
9-12, 6-12, 6-12

Old Salopians beat Old Emanuels 3-0 at Eton
Ed Taylor & Richard Nichols won 3-0
Mike Hughes & Tom Gerard won 3-0
T Walters & Peter Nichols won 3-0

Semi-finals to be played at Eton on Sunday 25th January
Old Olavians v Old Salopians
Old Edwardians v Old Cholmeleians

7 December

League Results

League Division I

Olavians I lost to Old Harrovians at Orpington 2-1
Old Olavians II lost to Old Westminsters I at Orpington 3-0
Westminster I drew with Old Harrovians at Westminster 1.5-1.5
Results & Table have been updated

6 December

Rugby Fives National Singles Championship - Manchester

James Toop has beaten Ed Fuller to win the National Singles Championship in a three-game final at the Manchester Y Club. This is the second time James has won the championship – and, with it, the Jesters Cup – and means that he has the distinction of simultaneously holding both the Rugby Fives National Singles Championship and the Eton Fives Association's Kinnaird Cup, partnered by fellow Olavian Howard Wiseman.

It is an outstanding achievement and follows in the footsteps of the great sportsman K C Gandar Dower. In 1932 Kenneth Gandar Dower partnered fellow Harrovian, G R McConnell, to win the Kinnaird and in the same year he also won the Rugby Fives Amateur Singles Championship for the Jesters Cup. The story goes that when Gandar Dower proposed entering the Rugby Fives tournament he was ridiculed with comments that he did not even know the rules of the game. His response was that he would by the time he reached the sem-finals!

Richard Barber, Chairman of the EFA, reports "I know that everyone will share my delight in his achievement and I have sent James multiple congratulations on behalf of us all - and indeed of the whole Eton Fives-playing community!"

5 December

League Results

League Division I
Old Salopians lost to Old Cholmeleians 2-1 at Westway
Old Salopians lost to Old Harrovians 3-0 at Westway
Old Westminsters I lost to Old Cholmeleians 2-1 at Westminster
Old Olavians II lost to Old Harrovians 2-1 at Orpington
Results & Table have been updated

League Division II
Old Ipswichians lost to North Oxford 3-0 at Westminster
M Graves & T S Fletcher lost to G Hoskins & G Pulsford
12-9, 2-12, 9-12, 4-12
P Forrest & D Leach lost to P Scholey & S Purkiss
2-12, 5-12, 5-12
S Woolfries & R Wood lost to S Chapman & J Byam Shaw
9-12, 6-12, 3-12

Highgate II beat Old Stoics 2-1 at Highgate
M Kovar & C Most lost to J Hutter & A Theodossi
6-12, 12-5, 11-12, 1-12
Pair 2. M Karamani & J Ho beat M Skjott & J Saunders
12-7, 12-3, 12-4
Pair 3. T Whitehead & A Coleman-Bennett beat J Ware & M Makhoul
12-2, 12-2, 8-12, 12-7

Old Carthusians beat Old Olavians III 2-1 at Orpington
Justyn Comer & Simon Parrish beat Edward Sanderson & Billy Dennis 3-1
Ronald Pattison & Mark Platt lost to Stewart Faulty & Steven Piper 1-3
Alex Burrows & Nick Higgins beat John Cooley & Tom MacDonald 3-0

Highgate I lost to North Oxford 2-1 at Highgate
S Little & C Ryan beat G Hoskins & N Shaw
13-11, 12-9, 9-12, 12-8
J Meyrick & J Marks lost to C Davies & C Lloyd
7-12, 4-12, 8-12
O Rowlands & A Bhattacharya lost to P Scholey & S Chapman
0-12, 6-12, 4-12

Old Stoics beat Old Ipswichians 2-1 at Westminster
Anthony Theodossi & Michael Skjott beat Tom Fletcher & Richard Robinson
12-8, 12-4, 8-12, 12-8
Simon Baring & Johnny Saunders lost to Mark Graves & Peter Boughton
10-12, 3-12, 8-12
Ryan Perrie and James Ware beat Jim Wright & Richard Wood
12-3, 12-7, 12-3

Old Ipswichians beat Old Westminsters II 3-0 at Westminster
Mark Graves & Richard Robinson beat James Mcdonald & Napper Tandy
12-0, 12-1, 12-2
Dave Leach & Tom Fletcher beat Jonathan Sells & Bryan Lacey
12-3, 12-1, 12-4
Simon Woolfries & Richard Wood beat Jon Sanderson & Matt Chan
12-3, 12-6, 12-6

League Division III

Windsor & Eton lost to Old Reptonians 3-0 at Eton
Simon Baring & Simon Warren-Thomas won 3-0
James Ware & Oli Malcolm won 3-0
Johnny Saunders & Max Makhoul won 3-0

4 December

Alan Barber Cup - First Round

Old Salopians beat Old Wulfrunians 2-1
Saturday 29th November 2008 saw the return of the Old Wulfrunians to the Alan Barber Cup after many years in the wilderness. Clad in their Red Shirts, the Wulfrunians faced a tough 1st Round fixture against the Old Salopians, the last team to win the Barber Cup who were not from Kent! The Salopians fielded a team with a delicate blend of youth and experience - Mike Hughes providing the experience, everyone else the youth. The Old Wulfs welcomed back Oliver Ross to competitive Fives for the first time since Harrow in 1992. A competitive fixture played in a gentlemanly spirit saw the Salopians progress and the Wulfrunians left to anticipate next year's draw!

Ed Taylor & Anthony Walters beat Sid Simmons & Chris Austin
3-0
Mike Hughes & Tom Cox beat Mark Yates & Mark Yates
3-1
Tom & Ben lost to Oliver Ross & Greg Hammond
3-2

Old Etonians beat Old Millhillians 2-1 at Eton
W Sorrell & S Randall lost to V Bhimjiayani & O Sanders
1-12, 5-12, 11-15
T Dawson & F Colqhoun beat C Vincent & J Hutcheson
12-8, 7-12, 5-12, 5-12
3rd pair conceded by Old Millhillians

Old Stoics lost to Old Edwardians 3-0 at Eton
Jurgen Hutter & Chris Lloyd lost to R Tyler & S Purkiss
1-12, 5-12, 11-15
Mike Skjott and James Marshall-Andrew lost to C Mellor & R Malik
12-8, 7-12, 5-12, 5-12
3rd pair conceded by Old Stoics

Old Cholmeleians beat Lancing Old Boys 3-0 at Highgate
N Addy & J Ho beat W Betts & D Foster
3-0
G Chapman & R Beenstock beat S Duncan & R Black
3-0
3rd pair conceded by Lancing Old Boys

Old Emanuels beat Old Aldenhamians 3-0 , the latter failing to field a side.

OFFICE CLOSED FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL 4th DECEMBER

18 November

Junior Under 14 Midlands - Report by Robert Dunk

This year Midlands Schools Championships was held at Wolverhampton Grammar School on Saturday 15th November. There were ten pairs in total taking part in the tournament with players from, St Olave’s, King Edwards Birmingham, Wolverhampton Grammar School and Emanuel.

The day began with two pools of five pairs in a round robin style. These matches consisted of one game matches to 12 points, with the top 2 pairs going through to the semi-finals. There were good performances from Wolverhampton Grammar School and St Olave’s that saw both their top 2 pairs going through to the latter stages of the competitions. Pairs that did not finish in the top 2 positions were entered into the plate. This was another round robin group with 6 pairs. After their earlier disappointments some sterling performances saw King Edwards Birmingham 1 claim the top spot snatching the plate title from the grasp of Emanuel 1. St Olave's I succumbed in an epic final to Wolverhampton 1, despite a mature performance from Ben Kwok, who despite being the youngest players on court was not outclassed in any way. Third place was taken by St Olave’s 2.

All those involved with the Midlands Championships would like to thank the headmaster of Wolverhampton Grammar School for allowing us the use of his courts and the Master-In-Charge Mark Yates for organising transport and light refreshments. Thanks must also go to Dominique Redmond for running the event and George Worthington for bringing there players to this event. We all hope to see you all next year.

18 November

League Division II

Highgate I beat Old Westminsters II 2-1 at Westminster
S.Little and J.Ho won 12-5, 12-7, 12-9
H.Hatchwell and C.Ryan won 12-5, 12-1, 12-3
Miss C.Mantle and Miss J.Varma lost 3-12, 0-12, 0-12

Anthony Brunner reports: "Our pair 3 (boys) pulled out at 5.30 pm this afternoon and as we had our Tuesday after school practice for girls and no time to get another boys' pair we took our Senior Girls Pair 1 to play and gain some experience. Although the score does not suggest it they played very well - just could not get enough cuts up. Anyway, afterwards the two noble gentlemen from Westminster gallantly paired up with a girl and had a terrific match, won 13-12!"

17 November

Universities Championships - report by Julian Black

The Universities tournament was held this year on Saturday 15th November at Highgate School. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to persuade players from farther-flung universities to attend, but instead we got a good turnout from Oxford and Cambridge, the only two universities with active Eton Fives clubs, including three (and a half) Ladies' pairs.

After an intense morning session with many hard-fought games but no upsets, we proceeded to the semi-finals after lunch with Cambridge 1 (Max Little & Rob Desmond) playing Oxford 2 (James Batting & Peter Stewart) and Oxford 1 (Will Betts & Rex Worth) playing Cambridge 2 (Will Illingworth & Laurie ?). These were two extremely competitive games, resulting in Cambridge 1 and Oxford 1 proceeding to the final.

Both pairs played extremely well in a high-octane game with both sides seeking to dominate from the front of the court. Cambridge 1 triumphed in the end in two games, with the scores 12-9, 12-7. All in all, an extremely enjoyable day for all involved, and it was fantastic to see such a strong showing from the ladies as well.

I would like to extend my thanks to Anthony Brunner, the EFA committee and also the Illingworths for their kind help with the lunches.

16 November

Alan Barber Cup - First Round

Old Stoics lost to Old Edwardians 3-0 at Eton
Jurgen Hutter & Chris Lloyd lost
1-12, 5-12, 11-15
Mike Skjott and James Marshall-Andrew lost
12-8, 7-12, 5-12, 5-12
Old Stoics conceded one pair

15 November

St Pauls School Darjeeling - e-mail from EFA member Peter Knowles

I got back yesterday from three weeks trekking in the Himalayas. We finished our trek a day early which gave me an extra day in Darjeeling. I decided to call in at St. Paul's School and met the Rector (Head) who immediately whisked me off to the fives courts where a house match was in progress with the master i/c watching (David Cecil). They gathered up some junior players and I did an impromptu coaching session for about an hour at their request. However, the good news is that they have just completed a total refurbishment of their two courts which were apparently in a bad way at what must have been very considerable expense. They are excellent (lights fitted and in an enclosed block) and appear perfectly standard (at the moment the whole of the shared wall is considered in play but a new red line is all that it would need). The boys were enthusiastic, clearly talented games players as one might expect given the cricket background in India. They were serving underarm but quickly changed when I showed the normal serve. There was a lot of volleying front and back but not much with the left hand.

14 November

Division II Result

Highgate II beat Old Olavians III 2-1

Pair 1. C.Most and M.Kovar lost
5-12, 12-9, 9-12, 0-12
Pair 2. M.Karamani and A.Buchanan won
12-9, 12-5, 12-9
Pair 3. T.Whitehead and A.Coleman-Bennett match conceded to Highgate 2 ( OO's only ` brought 2 pairs)

12 November

Division II Result

Old Ipswichians beat St Olave's 3-0 at Orpington

Richard Robinson & Mark Graves beat Ben Michales & Robert Dunk
12-0, 12-0, 12-2
Peter Boughton & Dave Leach beat Matt Hargrenn & Shavel Kirtikar
12-5, 12-2, 12-8
Simon Woolfries & Pete Forrest beat Sam Eglund Newby & Matt Manso
15-13, 12-6, 12-2

11 November

First Ladies Match at Ipswich - e-mail from Peter Boughton

"Annabel and Eleanor

Many congratulations on both arranging and winning the first Ladies Fives match at Ipswich. Good to be there when history is being made. We will have to work on how we take the O.I. Ladies Fives forward - all ideas gratefully received. Any volunteers for Ladies Secretary?

For the benefit of those copied in - Annabel Griffiths and Eleanor Ward O.I.'s beat Lina Thompsell and Lizzie Burgess Cambridge University 12-1, 12-0, 12-3. The match incidentally was played on the Mike Fenn court, now splendidly decked out with ceramic embossed name plaque , fitting one might say.

Annabel, also at Cambridge, will be representing Cambridge at next Saturday's University Championships at Highgate and would be pleased to have any O.I. support if anyone is in the area."

Division II Result

Old Carthusians lost to Old Stoics 2-1 at Westminster
1st Pr A Theodossi and R Perry beat J Comer and S Parish 3-0
2nd Pr J Hutter and S Baring beat R Pattison and N Bourne 3-0
3rd Pr M Skjott and J Saunders lost to A Burrows and N Higgins 1-3

10 November

County Championship Preliminary Round - Eton

Guy Chapman reports that six counties took part yesterday, in an all-play-all format, and there were some good games. Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and Middlesex went through to the semis in January. Full Report

Pete Cohen claims a record - "Hertfordshire won 15 games in a row (5x 3 pair matches of 1 game each) to finish top of county qualifying. We also won all 9 games in the county finals earlier this year - that's 24 games in a row and every game in the calendar year - surely a record for a county team in the modern era??!"

9 November

Stoke House Prep School East Sussex - e-mail from Laurence Gibbs

Stoke House had two Eton Fives courts. I was there from 1956 to 1960. It's a wonderful game which I loved to play. It should be the most popular court game in the world. I live in Canada now and of course nobody has ever heard of it. One day its time will come.....

6 November

Division II Results

Old Carthusians beat Old Berkhamstedians 3-0 at Highgate:
1st Pair J Comer and D Jones beat D Foster and P Bird 3-0
2nd Pair R Pattison and S Parrish beat J Holroyd and C Holroyd 3-0
3rd Pair N Higgins and N Bourne beat T Hadden and M Chappel 3-0

Highgate 2 beat Old Ipswichians 2-1 at Highgate:
Pair 1: M.Kovar and C.Most lost to M Graves & R Robinson 0-12, 9-12, 2,12
Pair 2: M.Karamani and J.Ho beat P Boughton & D Leach 12-5, 12-6, 12-8
Pair 3: T.Whitehead and A.Coleman-Bennett beat J Wright & D Cox 12-6, 14-12, 12-5

3 November

Division II Result

North Oxford beat Old Millhillians 2-1 at Aldenham
G Pulsford & C Friend lost to V Bhimjiyani & O Saunders
3-12, 9-12, 12-9, 12-6, 9-12
G Hoskins & J Byam Shaw beat C Vincent & J Hutcheson
12-1, 12-0, 12-5
C Mellor & A Fraser beat P Mason & N Krendel
12-1, 12-6, 12-7

2 November

Midland Tournament Repton - Ronald Pattison & Rodney Knight

"We are just back from the the Midland competition this last weekend. It was a great success organised by Howard and Dom with 32 pairs starting on the Sat morning (including an Old Wellingtonian pair) and some more pairs coming on the Sunday. Everyone had a very good time which included a dinner in the evening at the hotel where everyone was staying."

"Another excellent w/e I am pleased to report. Very good turnout of all ages from 15-68 ! Needless to say the oldies were the last to leave the courts; Cox, Pattison, Black,Brown (Old Olavian), Phil (Monday Club) etc kept their poor wives sitting in the freezer for hour after hour as they battled through 8 matches per day! I looked on with amazement! Some really super fives with Seb the best player of the tournament; he and Jeff Lawrence beating the Yateses from Wolverhampton in the final having narrowly disposed of Howard and Will Betts, who is turning out to be quite a player. No doubt you will hear more in time."

Championship Final: S Cooley & J Lawrence beat M Yates & M Yates
12-7, 14-11
Festival Final: B Christie & C Christie beat J Williams & S Newby
2-0

30 October

League Results

League Division I
Old Olavians I beat Old Cholmeleians 3-0 at Eton
Old Cholmeleians beat Old Westminsters I 3-0 at Highgate
Old Cholmeleians beat Old Salopians 2-1 at Highgate
Results & Table have been updated

22 October

Radio TalkSport

Last week Howard Wiseman did a splendid job explaining the finer points of Eton Fives in a five minute interview on Radio TalkSport.

16 October

The Midlands Fives Tournament 1/2nd November 2008

This years event is promising to be even better than the relaunch last year. As last year we received a good deal at the Menzies Hotel where all the players returned after a great day of Fives to enjoy use of the swimming pool and jacuzzi followed by a 3 course meal in the private function room with the players and partners and guests.

The recruitment for this years event is unbelievable. We are two and a half weeks away and have 60 players entered, for a Fives tournament this is excellent news, as players usually enter two or three days before not weeks. We already have over 70 people taking part over the weekend, with families and partners coming along to take advantage of our fantastic & unique offer. We have many players entered who represent the following clubs:

Old Berkhamstedians
Old Carthusians
Old Emanuels
Old Cholmeleians
Old Millhillians
Old Olavians
Old Reptonians
Old Salopians
Old Stoics
Old Westminsters
Old Wulfrunians
Oxford University
Lancing Old Boys
Shrewsbury Monday Club
Westway Club
Windsor & Eton club
North Oxford Club
Derby Moor Club

It is not too late to enter so if you don't see your club listed or you don't want to miss out on this wonderful tournament you can enter or get more information via e-mail to "refcaevents@hotmail.co.uk" or call Howard Wiseman on 07792 226036.

16 October

Radio TalkSport

Howard Wiseman did a splendid job explaining the finer points of Eton Fives in a five minute slot on Radio TalkSport yesterday. The interviewer seemed somewhat perplexed by his excellent description of the sport we hold so dear and especially the interesting slant that it was like playing doubles tennis with players on the same side of the net! Handball and Rugby Fives both received a mention as did the excellent public facilities at Westway.

16 October

League Results

League Division III

Westway Club beat Old Reptonians 3-0 at Westway

David Mew and James Hammond beat Mike Skjott and John Saunders
8-12, 12-8, 14-11, 12-9
Ryan Perrie and Carlo Makhoul beat Nick Higgins and James Ware
12-1, 12-8, 12-1
Anthony Theodossi and Andrew Pilkinton beat William Skjott and Simon Warren-thomas
12-5, 12-1, 12-4

Results & Table have been updated

15 October

League Results

League Division I
Old Salopians beat Old Westminsters I 2-1 at Westway
Results & Table have been updated

14 October

Eton Fives to be featured on Radio TalkSport

Howard Wiseman is to be interviewed on TalkSport this Wednesday at approx 2.30pm

13 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, Rez Malik, Edward Johnson, Ed Wass and William Wass. Ed and Susannah Wass kindly hosted a dinner at their home on the Saturday evening with the Masters-in-Charge of both schools in attendance.

12 October

League Division II

St Olave's lost to North Oxford at Orpington 3-0

B.Michaels & S.Eglund-Newby lost to G.Hoskins & G.Pulsford
5-12,3-12,0-12
J.Elansei & S.Kirtikar lost to N.Cox & S.Purkis
8-12,15-13,8-12,4-12
D.Hewlett & S.Ridgeway lost to I.Mitchell & J.Hindle
14-13,4-12,7-12,13-15

11 October

Rossall Tournament Weekend 4/5th October

This year's event was an enormous success, with some ninety pupils from nine different schools taking part, representing all codes of Fives. Dr Winkley, the Rossall Headmaster, was in attendance to award the prizes and spectate alongside many parents, staff, Old Rossallians and Rossallian pupils. There was the ideal outcome - four different schools winning the four main titles on offer.

The U15s Singles Went to one of St Olave's best players - Tony Barker, who narrowly beat Harry Ravi in the Final (also from St.Olave's). The U15s Doubles title went to the Westway pair of- Alex Peppiate & Sam Matthews who beat a very strong Rossall pair.

The Open age category was one of the best we have had in years. The main shcok of the event was Sam Ridgeway who was St Olave's 10 in the singles beating top seed, and defending champion, Malvern 1 in the second round. Thisleft the title open to be claimed by a new player from a different school - Malvern had held that title for the past 3 years. In the Open Doubles St Olave's 5 reached the final, defeating many seeds en route. The defending school, Malvern college, were ultimately too strong.The Open Singles title went to- Mylo Scurr of Lancing College who beat David Hewlett of St Olave's- a rare show to have two left handers battling it out! The Open doubles titile went to Malvern college for the 4th time in a row, Stephen Coffey and Will Bishop beating Sharvil Kirtikar & Matthew Hagreen from St Olave's.

The trophies were given out by the Headmaster of Rossall School, Dr Winkley, who is delighted to see his schools' eight courts now in constant use by his own pupils, and also the annual venue for such a well attended championship. This event has steadily grown over eleven years and is now a most valuable event in the world of School Fives.

Rossall School hosted the event wonderfully - special thanks to Tom Root, The Master-in-charge for all his hard work and also to his collleague, Charlotta Cooley for looking after all the result-keeping and Draws.

We hope to have even more schools join us next year.

Full report to be posted when available

10 October

League Division II

Old Millhillians beat St Olave's 3-0 at Highgate
1st Pair, Vish and Justin, won 3-0, 12-6, 12-10,12-5
2nd Pair, James and Oli, won 3-0, 12-2, 12-4, 14-12
3rd Pair, Faisal and Rohan, won 3-2, 12-10, 2-12, 6-12, 12-4, 12-8

Old Berkhamstedians beat Old Westminsters II 2-1 at Berkhamsted

9 October

League Division II
Old Stoics beat Berkhamsted Club 2-1 at Berkhamsted
Mike Skjott & Simon Baring lost 3-0
Jurgen Hutter & Simon Warren-Thomas won 3-0
Sam Basu & James Ware won 3-2

Highgate 1 beat Old Etonians 3-0 at Highgate
S.Little and C.Ryan won 12-4, 12-3 (match best of 3 games due to late arrival)
J.Ho and J.Marks won 12-3, 12-3, 12-6
Old Etonians conceded the third pair

League Division III
Old Reptonians beat The Abbey Club 3-0 at Westminster
Mike Skjott & James Ware won 3-0
Sam Basu & Oliver Malcolm won 3-0
Simon Warren-Thomas & Johnny Saunders won 3-0

7 October

Eton Fives Charitable Trust Reception RAC Club, Pall Mall

The Reception last evening, sponsored by Rensburgh Sheppards, was a huge success and many many very complimentary messages have since been received. Some 170 supporters, friends and sponsors were in attendance. The two short two speeches were spot on: exactly the right sentiments and length. The flow of drinks was nicely judged and the canapés delicious and plenteous. The service was attentive and charming. Congratulations to all concerned – especially Trustees Richard Black and Derek Whithead who carried the major workload.

6 October

Rossall Tournament

A highly successful tournament took place at the weekend at Rossall. Some seven schools were represented by 90 pupils. The weather was somewhat unkind on the Saturday but a lovely Sunday ensured that the tournament could be completed albeit somewaht more hectically than planned. A full report and results will be published on receipt.

5 October

League Result Division II

Old Carthusians lost to North Oxford 1-2 at Charterhouse

N.Bourne & A.Burrows lost to G.Hoskins & C.Friend
6-12,7-12,7-12
R.Pattison & M.Platt lost to P.Scholey & S.Chapman
10-12,1-12,5-12
N.Higgins & I.Clarke beat N.Shaw & P.Leveque
14-11,12-2,4-12,14-13

Full report and photos can be found on the North Oxford Website

4 October

League Table Division II

The Table for 2008-2009 has been created

2 October

League 2 Results

Old Etonians beat Old Westminsters 2-0 at Westminster
Old Ipswichians beat Old Berkhamstedians 2-0 at Westminster
Both matches down to two pairs due to light failure

1 October

News of Kerrie White, Ladies UK Champion, in Ireland

"Ireland was a great success, we played at the Irish One Wall Handball Nationals 2008 based in County Sligo back in June. I managed to get to the final, unfortunately I lost there but I was very pleased with how I played in general beating the second seed (if my memory serves me correctly?) in the quarter-finals!

Six of us are off to Italy in November for our next competition so we are training for that at the moment, so ill keep you posted with our progress there!

28 September

League 2 Results

North Oxford beat Berkhamsted 3-0 at Aldenham
G.Pulsford & G.Hoskins beat D.Foster & A.Joyce 3-2
9-12,8-12,12-3,12-7,12-3
P.Scholey & C.Friend beat G.Whitehead & J.Steadman 3-0
12-4,12-9,12-4
C.Davies & S.Chapman beat R.Ariyapala & J.Winterburn 3-0
12-0,12-0,12-1

27 September

Giles Coren Opinion The Times Saturday 27th September

He is contrasting the position of David Cameron and his Etonian cohorts with the failure of the OE Fives Club ` in the first division and their descent for the first time he says in 120 years to the second! On the other hand, he is vaunting the Old Westminsters for whom he says he played every match last season. noting that Ruth Kelly was at Westminster with him and other ministers ! Its a fun article but it does give Eton Fives one hell of an airing!

26 September

League 2 Results

Highgate 1 v Old Millhillians at Highgate
Pair 1: S.Little and H.Hatchwell lost to Bhimjiyani and Lefort
9-12, 12-10, 8-12, 8-12
Pair 2: J.Ho and A.Yanovski beat Vincent and Hutcheson
12-1, 12-5, 12-7
Pair 3: C.Ryan and J.Marks beat Vleck and Krendel
12-4, 12-3, 12-7

Highgate 2 v Old Carthusians at Highgate
Pair 1: M.Little and M.Kovar won 12-5, 12-2, 12-11
Pair 2: G.Sulkin and C.Most won 12-6, 3-12, 12-6, 12-2
Pair 3: T.Whitehead and N.Lindo won 12-10, 4-12, 2-12, 12-4, 12-10

Old Etonians beat Old Ipswichians 2-1 at Westminster

15 September

League II Match Results

Old Berkhamstedians lost to Old Millhillians 3-0 at Berkhamsted
Old Reptonians lost 2-1 to Lancing Old Boys at Westminster

21st May

Secretaries Fixture Meeting - Westminster

It was agreed at last nights Secretaries Meeting that the make up of The League for 2008-2009 would be as follows:-

Division I - Matches Home and Away
Old Olavians I
Old Westminsters I
Old Harrovians
Old Salopians
Old Cholmeleians
Old Olavians II

Division II - One Match only Home or Away due to enlargement of the Division
Old Etonians
Old Olavians III
Highgate School I
North Oxford
Old Millhillians
Old Ipswichians
Old Stoics
Old Carthusians
Old Westminsters II
Highgate School II
Berkhamsted Cub
St Olave's

Division III - Matches Home and Away
Old Reptonians
Abbey Club
Lancing Old Boys
Westway Club
Windsor & Eton

Alan Barber Cup
First Round to be played as a normal fixture by the end of November. Second Round to be played on the 6th or 7th of December.
Eton (Home) v Mill Hill, Winners away to St Olave's
Emanuel (Home) v Aldenham, Winners home to Shrewsbury
King Edwards (Home) v Stowe, Winners away to Ipswich
Highgate (Home) v Lancing, Winners home to Harrow

Individual Challenge (Keeling Cup) Dates
26th November, 7th January, 15th February, 11th March, 22nd March, 5th April

28th April

League Result

League Division II
Old Olavians III beat Highgate 3-0 at Westway

The outcome of League Division II depended on the result of this match. A win to the Olavians saw them take the league title for 2007-2008. Highgate School were in the lead for most of the year and to finish in second place is a most creditable perfomance in this their first season in the league.