10 teams entered the Barber Cup this year, but both first round matches were conceded, leaving the 8 quarter-finalists. Old Salopians and Old Olavians beat Lancing and Eton respectively convincingly, and the Harrovians beat the Ipswichians conceding the third pair. However there was a titanic struggle at Highgate between the Cholmeleians and Edwardians, where the latter finally triumphed 2-1, with two of the pairs going to five games.
In the semi-finals at Eton, Olavians convincingly beat a weakened Edwardian side 3-0, but the match between the Harrovians and Salopians was extremely close. Ed Taylor and Ian Hutchinson achieved a notable victory in straight games against the Dunbar brothers, and in the third pair, Alex Titchener-Barrett and Nick Shaw proved just too strong, winning in four games. The match was therefore decided at second pair, where Jamie Fleming and Ross Bryan recovered from 1-2 to defeat Mike Hughes and ‘T’ Walters in a very well balanced match.
In the final, James Toop and David Mew surprised the Dunbar brothers by taking the first game with attacking play, but the Harrovians then settled into their game without further mishap. Howard Wiseman and Seb Cooley were too strong for Jamie Fleming and Ross Bryan, although the third game was 14-11. All attention focused on the third pair where veteran Pauli Markkanen, partnered by Pete Cohen, was making a rare appearance, and in the first two games they outplayed their opponents. Alex Titchener-Barrett and Nick Shaw won the third game however, and the fourth was in the balance, before Pauli’s considerable will-power won through 12-8.
Thus the Old Olavians won the trophy for the fifth time in the last six years, and the sixth time overall, and completed the league and cup double.
Results
First Round:
Lancing Old Boys v Old Berkhamstedians and Old Etonians v Old Aldenhamians
W/o Lancing Old Boys and Old Etonians
Bye - Old Ipswichians
Old Salopians beat Old Etonians 3-0 at Eton
A Walters & M Hughes beat W Sorrell & C Nissen
12-6, 12-8, 9-12, 9-12, 12-5
E Taylor & D Bloefield beat H Mackenzie & A Barker
12-2, 12-4, 12-0
F Nicholson & G Gow beat M Powell & E Remnant
12-2, 12,6, 13-11
Old Cholmeleians lost to Old Edwardians 1-2 at Highgate
N Addy & S Rasheed lost to R Mason & C Friend
9-12, 12-8, 7-12, 9-12
A Varma & A Patel lost to R Tyler & S Purkis
4-12, 10-13, 14-11, 12-10, 9-12
G Chapman & J O'Callahagn beat P Scholey & K Turnbull
12-8, 12-8, 9-12, 12-14, 12-9
Old Olavians beat Lancing Old Boys 3-0 at Orpington
O Cooley & Charlotta Cooley beat N Jones & E Paul
12-4, 12-4, 12-1
Lancing Old Boys conceded 2 pairs
C.M.B.W.
Alan Barber Cup Report by Mark Williams
Finalised 11th January 2006 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk