The Eton Fives Association


    Rossall School Open Fives Championships 1999-2000

    (Held at Rossall on 16/17th October, 1999)

    (Sponsored by: The Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Pilling Gloves
    Run by:The Rugby & Eton Fives Coaching Agency)

    Forword

    The Second Schools' Championships for players of all types of Handball and Fives saw forty-four entries for the Singles Championships and fourteen entries for the Doubles. Emanuel School, St.Olave's, Shrewsbury, Whitgift, St.Dunstan's College, Christ's Hospital, King Edward's Birmingham, Malvern, Aldenham and many Irish Handball Champions were all present.

    A coach had been chartered to transport the players from and back to London, as well as to pick up players from various schools en route. As with the inaugural event last year, there was an opening reception on Saturday afternoon upon arrival at Rossall School, followed by a full evening at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach for all the participants. The Blackpool Pleasure Beach had most generously sponsored these championships, and everyone was most grateful for the free evening of entertainment that they provided. The festivities and entertainment on this opening day helped to create a very friendly atmosphere amongst all competitors, ready for the fives-playing itself to commence the following day.

    Doubles

    The Irish players held the greatest disadvantage, having never played any other code of Fives before. However, they adapted to the Rossall Fives courts, and the Fives ball, extremely well, playing with great flair and determination. The Irish Doubles Champions, Gregan and Willoughby played particularly well, eventually overcoming the strong Shrewsbury pair of Walters and Everson, 15-14 in the Semi-final. The Shrewsbury pair had in turn defeated Smithson and Aveston from Christ's Hospital school, 15-4 in the Quarter-finals. One of the delights in this tournament, is to see the contest between various schools who would never otherwise compete against one another during the course of their normal Fives season. On the other side of the draw, the Quarter-finals consisted of St.Olaves against St.Dunstan's College, and St.Olave's against another Irish pair. Both Olavian teams reached the semi-final, with Powell and Barter defeating Marriott & Sarmah for a place in the Final.

    Final

    The Final was certainly the best match played in this year's Doubles Championship. Powell and Barter established an early lead over the Irish pair of Gregan and Willoughby who were finding themselves on the defensive for too much of the time. Eventually the Irish players stopped the rot, and clawed their way back into the match. The score was levelled at thirteen all. Barter and Powell ran out as winners, taking the Final 15-13.

    Singles

    The Singles Championship saw some extremely close matches. Christ's Hospital, Ireland, St.Dunstan's and St.Olave's were all represented in the Quarter-finals. The surprise of the tournament was the string of giant-killing performances by the unseeded Olavian player, Mark Marriott. Marriott defeated a seeded player in every round of the tournament, to reach the Final. Matthew Barter from St.Olave's had convincingly reached the Final on the other side of the draw. Barter only conceded one point in the Final, to complete a highly successful day of Fives.

    Summary

    All the participants played a large number of matches, and went home suitably exhausted!

    The Championships were again a great success. Much down to the superb hospitality of the host school. Rossall is a beautiful school, and we are most grateful for the use of their facilities. The food and accommodation could not be better. Many thanks to the staff at Rossall Enterprises, and for the support of the Headmaster.

    Results

    Singles

    Quarter-finals:

    • M Barter (St Olave's) beat M Gregan (Carnew V. College) 15-11
    • S Willoughby (FCJ, Bunclody) beat P Sarmah (St Olave's) 15-1
    • W Powell (St.Olave's) beat N Omaboe (St Dunstans) 15-11
    • M Marriott (St. Olave's) beat H Aveston (Christ's Hospital) 15-13

    Semi-finals:

    • Barter beat Willoughby 15-4
    • Marriott beat Powell 15-13

    Final:

    • Barter beat Marriott 15-1

    Doubles

    Quarter-finals:

    • M Gregan and S Willoughby (FCJ, Bunclody) beat J Day and S Walters ( St.Olave's) 15-5
    • J Walters and R Evason (Shrewsbury) beat H Aveston and B Smithson (Christ's Hospital) 15-4
    • M Marriott and P Sarmah (St.Olave's) beat R Bennett and N Omaboe (St.Dunstans) 15-6
    • W Powell and M Barter (St. Olave's) beat B Mough and T Eastham (Ireland/King Edward VII) 15-0

    Semi-final:

    • Gregan and Willoughby beat Walters and Evason 15-14
    • W Powell and Barter beat Marriott and P Sarmah 15-6

    Final:

    • Powell and Barter beat Gregan and Willoughby 15-13

    H.M.E.W.

    Constructed by Mike Fenn
    7th March 2001
    efa@etonfives.co.uk

    Go to EFA Home page