After many long nights of going through the Fives online database, calling and emailing, we had a firm entry of 28 pairs for this year’s London Tournament. There were 16 pairs in the main competition and 12 in the festival. This year’s entry was a great improvement from last year, with many top players and re-surfacing players entering. This year’s competition was held at Harrow where we had rain-free weather! It was, however very cold, which made tea and coffee essential! Along with the drinks we also provided snacks, sandwiches and light refreshment along with some toast to keep people going.
Quarter-Finals
The quarter-finals were best of five games. Top seeds Peter Dunbar & brother Tom, took on the university pair of Paul Jeffries and Mike Birkett. It was all over far too quickly in the eyes of the Cambridge pair, but they did manage to get thirteen points off the top seeds. Second seeds Richard Tyler & Will Sorrell took on the Oxford pair Will Betts and Peter Kennedy and won in straight games, also conceding thirteen points along the way. The long awaited end of pools B & C saw Alick Varma & Dave Mew taking on another Cambridge pair of Nick Gill and James O’Callaghan, winning in straight games, but the match became quite a contest. The Olavian pair of Peter White and Peter Cohen, third seeds took on the fast improving pair of Anthony Theodossi and Ryan Perrie, winning comfortably. “Pistol Pete” Cohen destroyed them with his killer shots and Pete White’s amazing consistency applied just too much pressure.
Semi-Final
The semi-finals took place on the Sunday morning at 11am. The Dunbar brothers were to play the fourth seeds, Dave Mew and Alick Varma, and Will and Richard were to play the Peter’s. Dave and Alick started off well, but the Dunbar’s levelled the points and marched on and eventually dominating Alick and Dave with their terrific play in the buttress and their top court vollies. The Dunbar’s had made it into the final for the third year in a row. The other semi-final saw the Olavian pair storm into the lead with a 9-2 advantage. Somehow Will and Richard battled their way back into the match and over–took, taking the first game 13-10. The second was full of surprises and was well contested with the Olavian pair taking the lead yet again, but as before could not grab the final point. Will and Richard happily did winning 14-11. The third game was even closer but this time the second seeds took the lead which forced the Olavian pair to chase. There were only two points in it, but the second seeds triumphed, winning in straights games, taking the third 15-13. This match was so level that the three games took three hours to complete.
Final
After a long lunch break, the Dunbar’s returned fresh and ready to take on a very tired pair who had chosen to go straight into the final with only a ten minute break. All spectators, wrapped up in several layers, watched the final. Peter and Tom took the lead, but were soon caught up and the players were in a deadlock for five minutes or so. The Dunbar’s took the first game 12-10. The second was more relaxed with the tiredness catching up on some of the players. Most of the match was focused around the buttress with volleying and superb retrieving from Tom & Pete. The Dunbar’s took the second 12-6. Two games down it seemed impossible for Will and Richard to make a come back as Pete and Tom were getting stronger and stronger. They dominated the third and final game winning 12-2 and taking the London title for the third year in a row.
Semi-Finals:
T Dunbar & P Dunbar beat A Varma & D Mew
12-6, 12-5, 12-4
R Tyler & W Sorrell beat P Cohen & P White
13-10, 14-11, 15-13
Final:
T Dunbar & P Dunbar beat W Sorrell & R Tyler
12-10, 12-6, 12-2
Quarter-Finals
B Michaels & J Elansei beat H Pattenden & J Duboff
12-0, 12-0, 12-10
Hammond & S Eglund-Newby beat E Cole & S Matthews
12-4, 12-1, 12-0
T Betts & J Betts beat J Cooley & A Meredith
12-1, 12-4, 12-3
A Lumbard & R Cooper beat L Redmond & J Lumbard
12-6 ,12-2, 12-7
It was a fantastic event and congratulations to all players who took part and the eventual winners in both events. I do hope to see you all next year and at the other major tournaments.
D.E.A.R.
London Tournament 2007-2008 Report by Dominique Redmond
Created 17th January by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk