International Youth Fives and Handball Championships 2000-2001

(Held at Rossall School on 28th January 2001)

(Sponsored by: Pilling Gloves
Run by:The Rugby & Eton Fives Coaching Agency)

Forword

The Third National Schools' Fives Championships, which embraces players from all codes of Fives and Handball took place after Christmas this season, so as to avoid a clash with the Millenium Championships that took place in Marlborough before Christmas. For the first time, players were present from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The variety of codes and style of play undoubtedly makes this one of the most exciting and unpredictable Championships available to Fives players - rewarding only the most versatile and all-rounded Handballers (a title that includes all Fives players!). The fourteen schools represented were: Rossall School, Malvern College, Emanuel School, Ability College(Co.Meath, Ireland), Pengham School (Wales), St.Augustine's College (Co.Waterford, Ireland), Aldenham School, St.Olave's, Stoke Newington, Highgate School, Edinburgh Academy, Omagh CBS (C.Tyrone, Ireland), St.Dunstan's College, St.Nathy's College (Co.Mayo, Ireland).

The standard of play was extremely high. The Welsh players were very young this year, but outstandingly talented, and are certainly going to be serious contenders for winning a title at these Championships in the near future. The Irish Players were all superb - the Irish Handball Council send their top players to these Championships as a prize for having won various youth championships in Ireland. Since the eight Rossall Fives courts are the perfect neutral battleground for Eton, Rugby and Winchester Fives players ( the courts being a hybrid between the three types of court), there is no doubt that the Welsh and Irish Handballers have to adapt the most from their normal game in order to compete on these courts. This deficit is always made up, however, by the determination, enormous skill and also vast competition and competitive match experience that these Handballers possess. The English and Scottish schools represented the full range of codes, with Highgate and the Edinburgh Academy appearing in the line-up for the first time.

Singles

This tournament is very difficult to seed, and every battle between the players is fascinating and unpredictable on these courts. In the Singles Championship, all of the Handballers made it through the pools in first or second position. All matches were played as one-game to eleven points, which makes every point all the more valuable, and the atmosphere on court particularly tense! The Second Seed from Highgate, Alick Varma narrowly escaped defeat in the third round when he launched a come-back from 3-10 down to defeat Richard Walsh from Malvern who had played with great determination to establish such a commanding lead. All quarter final matches were hard-fought.

The first seed, Patrick Finnegan (Ability college), found himself in the Semi Final, against the young Rugby Fives Champion from Stoke Newington - Dash Mason Malik. This was an astonishing match. Whilst Dash shook hands with his opponent - the towering figure of Handball Champion Patrick Finnegan, some three years his senior, Dash apologised that this match wouldn't take long!! This match was however far from a foregone conclusion. Dash proceeded to run his senior opponent all over the court, demonstrating incredible tenacity to get everything back himself on the few occasions that he was himself on the defensive. Dash won 15-1, against all the odds.

In the other Semi-Final, Alick Varma defeated Kenny Keane (St.Augustine's Collge) 15-3 , displaying a faultless blend of power and guile. In the Final everyone was hoping to see Dash Mason-Malik throw in another performance to match his Semi-final upset. Alick Varma was too powerful, and kept dash on the defensive throughout the match. The Final was won by Alick Varma, 11-2.

Doubles

The Doubles Championship also produced many fine matches. The best mactch of all was played between An and Walsh from Malvern College and McCann and Finnegan from Ireland. This match was close all the way with the Irish players eventually winning 15-14.

Lim and Mason-Malik (Stoke Newington) played very well to reach the Semi final, where they were defeated by the Highgate/St.Olave's pairing of Varma and Sarmah. The Final was won 15-8 by Paran Sarmah and Alick Varma.

Summary

The atmosphere at this tournament has been extremely friendly each year. All competitors eat together, and spend Saturday evening as a group (usually at the Blackpool pleasure Beach!). A lot of new friends are always made at this event, and all matches are played in the right spirit with no need for umpires or outside interference. It is worth noting that at the final presentations, Kenny Keane, from the Irish team, stood up and congratulated the young Dash Mason on his performances in the Singles Championship, and pointed out that this was a great example of not giving up on a match before it is played - the underdog always stands a chance of winning!! The Catering and food at Rossall school is superb, and the organisational assistance that is provided each year from Rossall Enterprises is excellent. Many thanks to Rossall Enterprises and the Headmaster for all their help!

Results

H.M.E.W.

Constructed by Mike Fenn
14th September 2001
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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