Eton College provided an ideal venue for the first International Eton Fives Championships, sponsored by SAAB. The Championships were held over four days, commencing on Friday evening, 1st May and finishing on Monday, 4th May. The competing sides were England, England Under 21, Switzerland, Scotland, West Germany, Wales and the rest of the World. The basis was a three pair team and over the period of the Tournament, all sides competed against each other. It was perhaps not surprising that both Switzerland and West Germany, with as yet little opportunity for competition and match play, were fairly heavily beaten by the home countries, but both teams played with enthusiasm and vigour, and the experience gained should be of considerable benefit for future years.
Wales, resplendent in their new team strip, and almost in National dress, produced a strong challenge and this might have had more effect if their captain, Mark Williams, had not received an eye injury on the Sunday morning which kept him out of the remainder of the Tournament. The Championships all hinged on the last day when tke England side, captained by Tony Hughes, and the England Under 21 team captained by Richard Lambert, met to decide the Championship on the final afternoon. England were successful in all three pairs, and without dropping a game, but it must be mentioned that the England Under 21 side were without Andrew Husselbee, and that the match at first pair was particularly close in both the second and third game.
However, England's victory, which could possibly be strongly forecast, was somewhat overshadowed by the first pair match between Wales and England Under 21. Here, John Reynolds, the present British Champion and Andrew Husselbee, an experienced young campaigner were defeated quite comprehensively in straight games by Mark Williams and Robin Moulsdale. The bare result does not reflect the correct picture, and it must be reported that the match was dominated by Moulsdale, whose years exceed 50, and who rarely plays outside the Shrewsbury courts. Here he demonstrated that quite definitely today he is still amongst the country's leading players, and on neutral courts the win he achieved was, to those who know him by no means unexpected.
The final table reads as follows:
This is, of course, only the bare bones of what was a very rewarding event, and our sincere thanks must go to The Provost and the Head Master of Eton College for not only the use of the courts and the School facilities, but also for the delightful cocktail Party which they provided for all competititors on the Saturday evening. Sunday evening produced yet another memorable occasion with the EFA Chairman, Graham Turnbull, acting as an excellent host to all competitors and friends, and these two events certainly provided a distinct social flavour to the Tournament.
On Monday, the teams met at Bekynton for the final speeches after tea and presentation of the trophy, kindly provided by Moss Bros. Ltd., to England, and it is pleasing that the initial success should mean that the Tournament will become a regular event with, hopefully, sides from Nigeria and India taking part in future years.
Saab International 1981
Created 7th February 2006 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk