The early rounds were distinguished by the performance of the Old Ipswichians in beating first the Old Etonians and then the Old Cholmeleians to reach the semi-finals. They came up against a much weakened Old Harrovian team (neither Dunbar was available) who conceded the third pair, but were still strong enough to win the two pairs played. Meanwhile the Old Olavians beat the Old Salopians very comfortably in the other semi-final.
In the final, Tom Dunbar was still injured, which significantly weakened the Harrovian side, and Peter Cohen and David Mew duly won the third pair very easily. The first pair match started evenly, with Peter Dunbar and Jamie Fleming putting the Olavians under some early pressure, but Howard Wiseman and James Toop upped their game to take the crucial first game 12-8, and thereafter remained entirely in control to win comfortably in straight games. In the second pair, Peter White and Pauli Markannen narrowly won a close first game against Nick Shaw and Ross Bryan and the game was evenly poised at 10-9 to the Harrovians when a hand injury to Markannen forced a retirement. Thus the Olavians won the trophy for the fifth year in succession, and ninth time overall.
Old Millhillians lost to Old Olavians 1-2 at Millhill
J Hutcheson & M Halstead lost to D Hawkins & P White
2-12, 0-12, 1-12
F Mir & W Hughes beat E Sanderson & J Acton
14-15, 12-8, 12-6, 12-5
Old Millhillians conceded the third pair
Old Harrovians beat Lancing Old Boys 3-0 at Harrow
T Dunbar & P Dunbar beat N Cox & W Betts
12-2, 12-2, 12-3
R Bryan & J Fleming beat R Black & J Nelmes
12-1, 12-0, 12-0
Lancing conceded the third pair
Semi-finals - Eton
Old Harrovians beat Old Ipswichians 3-0
G Hoskins & T S Fletcher lost to R Bryan & N Shaw
3-12, 6-12, 5-12
M Graves & T L Fletcher lost to J Fleming & J Frederick
9-12, 5-12, 5-12
Old Harrovians conceded the third pair due to injury
Old Olavians beat Old Salopians 3-0
J Toop & H Wiseman beat P Nichols & A Walters
12-1, 12-4, 12-1
P Markkanen & P White beat R Nichols & A Sentance
12-7, 12-4, 12-3
D Mew & P Cohen beat A Mitchell & A Walters
12-1, 12-2, 12-1
Final - Eton
Old Olavians beat Old Harrovians 2-1
James Toop & Howard Wiseman beat Peter Dunbar & Jamie Fleming
12-8, 12-3, 12-2
Peter White & Pauli Markannen conceded to Ross Bryan & Nick Shaw
12-6, 9-10 (injury)
Peter Cohen & David Mew beat James Willis and John Frederick
12-0, 12-0, 12-2
C.M.B.W.
Alan Barber Cup Report by Mark Williams
Created 22nd April 2008 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk