With Oxford (Iffley Road) and Cambridge (Magdalene College) the only British universities with direct access to their own courts, it was pleasing that this competition – not held last year due to organisational difficulties – first took place and second attracted a record field of entry. Two innovations made this possible: the competition was held away from Edgbaston for the first time, moving to the more easily accessible Highgate School; and the entry-fee was dispensed with due to the generous support of the Eton Fives Association. The new location made it possible for more students to attend the tournament, particularly those studying at universities where no Eton Fives Club exists, than before. The EFA’s support ensured that the tournament could go ahead at all.

The competition saw thirty-two students from seven different universities gather at Highgate School’s lower courts on a bright and crisp Saturday morning in early November to do battle for the Tony Hughes trophy. Cambridge and Oxford, benefitting from established club structures, provided the majority of the entry, contributing eleven pairs between them. This impressive entry was supplemented by individual pairs from Birmingham, Warwick, UCL, Imperial and QMUL. It only just got off to a prompt start after the Cambridge team and competition organiser were delayed by engine trouble, but this was the closest thing to a mishap, however, and four groups of four played out a highly contested first round of single-game matches to fifteen. The group winners went through to the semi-finals in the afternoon alongside which there was a plate competition for those not successful in the morning. Oxford I (1), Cambridge I (2), Cambridge II (3) and Warwick (4) were the seeded teams. Cambridge II were lucky to benefit from the disappointingly late withdrawal of a fancied Durham pair, weakening the third group and making their progress to the semi-finals a little easier. Thanks must go to Cambridge’s sixth pair for volunteering to step in at such late notice and for putting in such an impressive performance in doing so.

The Group Stage

All four seeded pairs topped their groups, but progress was not smooth across the board. Notable highlights of the morning’s play saw Birmingham pair Olly Cooley and Dave Goldschmidt, playing together for the first time, combine effectively to push Oxford I (Kinnaird-winner Peter Dunbar and his partner Olly Butler) all the way before being unlucky to go down by the odd point in a tight match; Cambridge III (Bobby Friedman and Paul Jefferys) played consistently well in all three of their matches to register a comfortable win, edge out Oxford II (Freddy Krespi and Henry Mostyn) 15-13 in a tight game, and surprise the group seeds, Warwick (Tim Fletcher and Alex O’Callaghan) before being unlucky to lose 15-11. Cambridge had an excellent morning all round, with Charlotta Cooley and George Pender at sixth pair claiming the noteworthy scalp of Oxford 4 , winning 15-12, and both Cambridge seeded pairs winning all their games without encountering any problems. All the pairs from the London universities put in good performances. None however registered a win, as greater practice and experience on the part of their opponents combined to make their task particularly difficult.

Semi-finals
After a short break for lunch the semi-finals got underway. In the first, Cambridge II (Nick Gill and James O’Callaghan) took on Oxford I (Peter Dunbar and Olly Butler). After a fast start in the first game which saw Cambridge take an early lead, Oxford quickly adjusted to the pace of the game and hauled the Cambridge pair back before forcing their opponents into errors and going on to prevail 12-7. The second followed a similar pattern, with Cambridge in front early, but never far enough to be comfortable. The Cambridge pair fought harder in the second game, but were ultimately unable to counter Peter Dunbar’s excellent top step play, eventually losing the longest game of the day and the match 15-12. The Second semi-final promised to be equally close with Warwick’s Fletcher and O’Callaghan taking on Cambridge’s first pair Aly Patel and Alick Varma. In fact, though, the Warwick pair was never allowed to settle by the dynamic play of their opponents and the Cambridge pair swiftly registered a comfortable victory, 12-4 12-6.

Final
After a tough semi-final Olly Butler unfortunately had to retire hurt, meaning that Oxford I effectively conceded the title. Peter Dunbar and Freddi Krespi sportingly agreed to play the final anyway and the assembled spectators were treated to a very close match despite the result being academic. Excellent shot-making was displayed by both pairs in an impressively fast-paced encounter. The pairs were never more than three points apart in the first game. Cambridge emerged into an early lead at 4-1 and went on to take the game by the same margin, 12-9 without losing the lead, but needing to withstand concerted pressure from the Oxford pair. In the second game, Cambridge prevailed over their dark blue rivals by the same scoreline, but only pulled away at the very last to win 12-9 and bring to an end an excellent day’s fives.

Michael Constantinidi warmly thanked all present for their involvement in making the day’s proceedings so successful, before generously congratulating Cambridge for performing so well across the board and the tournament winners Aly Patel and Alick Varma for retaining the trophy for Cambridge in such style. The organiser would like to do the same and also wishes to add his thanks to the EFA, Richard Barber, Dan Hawkins for their help in getting the competition off the ground in its new format, Highgate School for their permission to hold the event there and all present for first agreeing to play, then turning up and, lastly, ensuring that the game was played in such a good spirit throughout.

N.J..T.

Universities Championships: Report by Nick Gill
Created 17 June 2007 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk

Go to EFA Home page