The tenth Harrow Beginner’s Tournament was held at Harrow School on Saturday 29th November. Sixty-two players turned up on the day – we never know what to expect until the start time arrives!! This was almost the perfect number, and surprisingly high, given that various regulars couldn’t make the date. It is always such a great sight to see all of the Harrow School courts overflowing with use. All the courts were in good playing order, and as always, made for the perfect venue for this event. Players from Westway, Oakham, Uppingham, St.Olave’s, King Edward’s Birmingham, Westminster and Berkhamsted all made it to the line up, and for the first time, there was a large number of girls in attendance.

The Berkhamsted girls had not been playing for very long, and really did well – several of them gaining very high scores. Indeed, Camilla Burch achieved the maximum full score after seven one-game matches, entering the final as the top scorer. She then won the whole event in partnership with George Illingworth from Westminster school, defeating Laurie Brock (Westminster) & Ben Anstis (St.Olave’s) in the final. Although Uppingham just missed out from being represented in the final, they certainly won the award for the highest average scorers from one school. Uppingham were represented by 16 players who all reached very good scores – congratulations to them for exploding back onto the Fives circuit with a fantastic looking team!!

The Advanced section of the tournament was won by Dominique Redmond (Westway) and Martin Bassott (St.Olave’s), defeating Richard Cooke (Berkhamsted) and Scott Bennett (St.Olave’s).

Next year there will be two such events – after ten years it is time to expand!! – with more and more schools using this event as the main focus for their beginners’ fives at the end of the first term, there is now a real need for there to be one after Christmas too. Many thanks to all the Masters who brought their pupils to this event, giving up their precious Saturday afternoon – and especially to David Goldschmidt who helped run the event, and to Graham Dunbar who so kindly lends us the use of the Harrow courts as guests of the Harrow School Fives Club.

Hope to see many of your new pupils here next year!!

H.M.E.W.

Beginners Tournament 2003-2004 by Howard Wiseman
Created 15th December 2004 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk

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