 |
RFA v BUCS REPRESENTATIVE MATCH |
St. Paul's School, Barnes, 7th March 2010 |
[posted 07 March 2010] |
In their representative match against the RFA, the British Universities, having unusually established
a lead in the singles, were given a severe lesson in doubles play by the experienced RFA top pair,
Hamish Buchanan and Bruce Hanton.
Late arrivals because of traffic problems meant that the singles match between Dan Grant and Inigo
Ackland was postponed to the end and eventually remained unplayed; but in the other singles the
students, especially Dan Tristão at one and Ed Ronan at six, scored heavily enough to ensure a lead
of 12 points before the start of the doubles.
Although the BUCS pairs held their own initially in the doubles, the turning point in the match
came at the halfway stage, when the BUCS top pair, twice Universities’ champions Ackland and
Alex Griffiths, were heavily defeated in both games by Buchanan and Hanton. This produced a
swing of 22 points to the RFA, which the other BUCS pairs, despite stout resistance on their part,
were unable to reduce.
Superior tactical play and pressure saw the RFA take a further 15 points profit from the final
doubles exchanges to ensure victory without the deciding single having to be played.
All in all, the match was full of irony: two players who lost their singles games by quite a wide
margin played the decisive winning role as a doubles pair. Who said fives wasn’t a team game?
Many thanks to St. Paul’s School for the use of their facilities, and to BUCS for the very smart
team kit.
|
|
RFA v BUCS results
|
Back to
top
|
VETERANS' AND MASTERS' CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Christ's Hospital, Horsham, 10/11th April 2010 |
[posted 05 March 2010] |
The organisers of the National Veterans and Masters Championships are now accepting entries for the tournaments. Both evemts will be held at Christ's Hospital School over the weekend of April 10/11th, with John Hawke running the Veterans' event, and David Bawtree taking control of the Masters, who will be playing only on the 10th.
Qualifying age for the Veterans is a minimum of 45 years on or before 10th April 2010, while Masters must be at least 65 on the same date. For full details of both tournaments, simply click on the appropriate link below to download the official entry form.
|
|
National Veterans' Championships entry form [Word file, 32KB]
National Masters' Championships entry form [Word file, 32KB]
|
Back to
top
|
NORTH OF ENGLAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Durham, 27/28th February 2010 |
[posted 28 February 2010] |
STOP PRESS: There was a double triumph for youth over experience in Durham this year, as younger players took the singles and doubles titles against far more experienced opposition. Just a week after Dan Tristao led his Oxford University side to a record win over Cambridge, he picked up his first open singles title, beating 2008 champion John Minta in three games. John (with partner Hamish Buchanan) was also on the losing side in the doubles final, losing out to Will Ellison and Marcus Bate - again in three games. (Full report to come)
|
|
North of England Open Championships results
|
Back to
top
|
VARSITY MATCH |
St Paul's School, Barnes, 20th February 2010 |
[posted 20 February 2010] |
Sport can sometimes kick you when you’re down, and this year’s Varsity Match at St. Paul’s was a cruel example of this for the losing team, writes David Barnes.
Oxford were almost unchanged from last year’s victorious eight – only adding freshman Hine to give them extra fire-power in the doubles – while Cambridge, still without home courts, were forced to field a side weakened by a combination of illness and unavoidable absence. This inevitably led to something of a mismatch, at least as far as the scores were concerned.
Oxford, led by British Universities and National Under 25 champion Tristão, boasted a formidable singles line-up, including some seasoned veterans. Fabes at two, a winning captain for Cambridge back in 2002, and Ronan at three had each played in four previous Varsity Matches. In the event, Oxford’s top three overwhelmed their less experienced – though talented – opponents, Malone, Ladak and Rowland; while at four, last year’s captain, Park, beat the Cambridge secretary Compton with something to spare. 60 points to eight was the score at lunch.
The doubles brought Cambridge no relief, as none of their pairs was able to make any real impression on the well-balanced Oxford line-up. The third and fourth Oxford pairs played as well as any of recent years and gave Cambridge little chance. The first eight games of doubles were so conclusive that the result of the match was already determined by that stage, with none of the Cambridge pairs reaching double figures in any game.
The question now was this: could Oxford keep pressing to create a remarkable record by scoring 300 points and limiting their opponents to fewer than 50? Despite whole-hearted resistance from Cambridge, they managed to achieve this aim, conceding only 38 points overall while amassing a maximum – the first time since the very first Varsity Match in 1925 that the winning margin has been over 250 points.
No progress has yet been announced on the West Cambridge site, where a Sports Centre with Rugby and Eton Fives courts has been planned for a number of years, without attracting enough funding so far. Please sign the petition on the website www.800yearswithnosportscentre.org if you are interested in supporting the campaign to get this facility built. It is vital for the future of Cambridge Fives – and of the Varsity Match itself.
Meanwhile, this fine Oxford side should surely enter a team or two for the Wood Cup in April!
|
|
Varsity Match results
Click here to sign the petition for the Cambridge Sports Centre
|
Back to
top
|
WEST OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Sherborne, Dorset, 13/14th February 2010 |
[posted 17 February 2010] |
STOP PRESS: Boys from Derby Moor and St Paul's dominated the West of England Schools' Championships, which were held in February after the event was postponed from January because of the weather. Sadly, the originally planned entry dropped from 70 to 50 because of the new dates, but the event still played host to boys from nine schools.
In both the Open and Colts tournaments, however, the winners' silverware was shared between Derby Moor and St Paul's. In the Open singles,
reigning National Schools Champion Ed Kay of St Paul’s won a thrilling final against last year’s National Colts champion Luke Thomson of Christ’s Hospital, coming back to win the third game having been 10-5 down. The doubles, meanwhile, went to the Derby Moor pair of
Anthony Goodwin and Max Frost, who beat Luke Thomson and Seb Stracey of Christ’s Hospital in another tight encounter over three games - and that after beating the top-seeded St Paul’s in the semis.
It was Max's second win of the weekend, as he had already picked up the Colts singles championship,
overcoming stern resistance from David Butler of Bradfield and powering his way to a win in three games. The Colts doubles final, meanwhile, was
an all-St Paul’s affair, with Francis Thomas and Sam Russell overcoming their team mates Theo Parker and Richard Law.
|
|
West of England Schools' Championships results
|
Back to
top
|
NATIONAL WINCHESTER FIVES DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP |
Bradfield College, Berkshire, 14th March 2010 |
[posted 09 February 2010] |
Organiser David Barnes is now accepting entries for the National Winchester Fives Doubles Championship. The competition - for the Barnes Bridge trophy - will be held at Bradfield College on Sunday March 2010, and the closing date for entries (which must be submitted by Royal Mail, NOT email!) is Friday February 26th. To download a copy of the entry form, simply click on the link below.
|
|
'Barnes Bridge' entry form [PDF, 60KB]
|
Back to
top
|
NORTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Durham, 27/28th February 2010 |
[posted 01 February 2010] |
Organiser Ady Lee is now accepting entries for the North of England Championships, which will be held in Durham over the last weekend of February. The singles championship will take place on the Saturday, with the doubles following on the Sunday, and the closing date for entries is Sunday February 21st. For full details, simply click on the link below to download the official entry form.
|
|
North of England Championships entry form [Word file, 40KB]
|
Back to
top
|
UNDER 25s CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Merchant Taylors School, Northwood, 30th/31st January 2010 |
[posted 31 January 2010] |
And so it was that time of year again when some of the best athletes in the world all came under one roof to compete for some of the most prestigious awards in sport. Yes, the Australian Open was in full swing in Melbourne. But at Merchant Taylors’ School, the Under 25s Nationals was also rocking the world.
The first match on Singles Saturday was a lonely preliminary match between veteran Abecassis and top MTS school boy Judge. The youngster pulled out some impressive resilience which saw the senior player collapse on the floor with exhaustion after nearly every point. However, in the end it was wisdom over teenage beauty as Abecassis nicked the second game 16-15 to ensure his place in the first round. However, it was to be fashion sense over wisdom from there on in as Steve Korris went on to annihilate Abecassis in record time. The rest of the 1st round matches also went on seeding, with relatively easy matches for all, except for 8th seed Inigo Ackland, who was closely beaten in a tasty match by stalwart good-guy Charlie Brooks 15-3, 16-15.
The quarter finals was also a mainly seeded-led affair, though Dan Tristao was pushed to two 16-14 sets by Brooks, who once again played his best fives. However, the second upset of the day came as Dean, who had worked hard over the past months to gain a 4th seeding, worked equally hard to lose it on that day as he was creamed by Burrows 15-1, 15-0. The semi-finals were almost a repeat of last year, except this time Dan Tristao was playing Burrows instead of Korris (who had been easily beaten by Ellison in the quarters). Again Tristao infuriated his opponent by purposefully allowing him to smell the glory, before whipping it away from under his nose, as he won 16-14, 16-14 for a second time. In the other semi, Ellison faced up against Grant. The first set was close with a few silly mistakes creeping in at the end, allowing Ellison to win 15-10. However, if Dan G had banked on Ellison to have another mammoth sugar crash (see National prelims), he would be disappointed, as Will came out strongly to take the second set 15-5.
This left us with a repeat of last year’s final. Tristao vs. Ellison. Last year it was a marathon match, and so it was this year. The fives was, as always special (though unfortunately there was a special tennis match on at the same time which drew many of the spectators and, shamefully, this organiser to a nearby TV set). However, in good fortune Federer won in three, so at least we could all watch the end of the match! Ellison, who was in his 158,000th singles final, and still yet to win, walked on court with fire in his eyes. He dominated the first game and took it decisively 15-6. Dan fought back in the second though, and steady pace shined through as he took the game to a third set with a 15-10 scoreline. Now, no-one really knows what happened next. Some say Ellison blacked-out and his limbs acted on their own accord. Others say Tristao whispered to the ball and it magically began to follow his every command. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Dean who watched Murray, also watched Ellison. Whatever happened, Will Ellison shot to a 14-3 lead in the third. What followed, was a comeback so unbelievable that you may dismiss it as embellished storytelling. Don’t! It actually happened. Tristao faced 11 match points and Ellison had 5 chances to win. But Dan clawed back, like the resilient mongrel he is, overcoming tiring fitness and mental anguish along the way to attain an incredible victory, winning 16-14. A quite spectacular finish to reclaim the singles trophy. Which is useful, because he hadn’t engraved it from last year yet.
An arduous plate match also saw Dan Ackland win over Bowden, with a respectable 25-17 scoreline.
Now to doubles! Unfortunately there were several withdrawals, which made the draw a lot smaller than we’d have hoped, but the valiant twenty fivesers soldiered on to make the most of it. In the bottom of the draw, the virgin pairing of Dan Grant and Dan Tristao (Dan Squared) easily reached the final with a comfortable win over Burrows and Dean. The top half, however, was not so clean cut. Last year Ellison and Korris, the no.1 seeds, had decimated all opposition, but this year they were taken to three sets by some quite remarkable fives from Hay and Brooks. The latter excelling himself, producing some of the best fives the world has ever seen. Midway through the third game, with Brooks and Hay up 7-3, tragedy occurred as Ellison’s scream echoed through the rafters. He had fallen badly on his thumb. Dr Frank Ackerman rushed to the rescue and it turns out the thumb didn’t need amputating. So Will bravely soldiered on, playing predominantly on the left (even serving there too). This may have actually been a blessing in disguise as this tactic was too difficult for Brooks and Hay to counter. With Steve far stronger on the right, smashing everything into the nicks with gusto, and poor little Hay being picked on worse than that ginger fat kid at school, it was not long before the no.1 seeds took their place in the final once more. It was no surprise that Brooks and Hay then went on to win the plate with a 25-4 scoreline over a decent pairing of George and Hunter, who had taken out Burrows and Dean in the semis.
And so that left the final. Defending champions Korris and Ellison, whose thumb was now feeling hittable again, vs Tristao and Grant, in their first and third U25s doubles final respectively. In front of a few sturdy spectators, the four played some superb fives in a brilliant final, if I say so myself. The Dan’s raced to the lead in the first set, only to have the experienced duo power back with several quick points on the trot. In a nail biting finish, the Dan’s clinched the first set 16-14. The second set was also impressive, but this time the Dan’s began to harmonise at partners. Tristao’s retrieval was exceptional and even under constant bombardment, rarely hit a shot down. When the ball eventually made its way to Grant, the ball was returned with more aggression which unbalanced the no.1 seeds. Combined with quick volleys and rolling nick shots, Dan Squared raced to a 14-5 lead. Ellison and Korris fought back valiantly, but could only get to 9 before the inevitable hammer thundered down. Grant, who you should never play against with a loved one watching (you have been warned), winning his first Rugby Fives national title since the schoolboy singles seven years ago and Tristao attaining the double.
Though things were not over. The prestigious flair award –or the Jack “Furniss” Off Booby Prize as it is otherwise known – was still to be presented. Each flair shot was assessed over several criteria, marked out of 10. Poise, intentionality, grace, limb flails, finish and gloating were all taken into account. Schoolboy Smith made a fine attempt at flair with what has been described as a “Matrix followed by a reach-around”. This organiser doesn’t want to know what the ‘reach-around’ involved. Veteran Brooks showed that fives is an instinct, and not a learned skill, as a reverse-angle-back-handed-nick-flipper scored him 30 points. Grant topped it with a Mortal Kombat “FINISH HIM” Spin Dice Drop, which astounded all on court, including himself, with a remarkable drop shot, slowly spinning midway off the sidewall on match point (finishing marks were high!). But not to be outdone, and with a clean-sweep possibility, Tristao won the award, achieving 31 points for intentionally allowing a game to go to 16 on not one, not two, but SIX occasions! A remarkable feat; the gloating to Ellison sealing the deal!
We look forward to next year’s tournament, but know there’s work to be done to increase numbers and keep the tournament a healthy success.
|
|
Under 25s Championships results
|
Back to
top
|
EASTBOURNE COLLEGE LADIES' FIVES |
Oundle School, 24th January 2010 |
[posted 30 January 2010] |
Tessa Mills and Charlotte Dodds made history by becoming the first ever girls to represent Eastbourne College at Fives – in a match against Oundle School. Playing singles and doubles on unfamiliar courts against an Oundle pair of Bryony Choy and Suzi Burrows, the Eastbourne girls won by 66 points to 13, a score which did not do justice to how well the Oundle girls had played.
After the match, Eastbourne coach Alex Smith (himself an Old Oundelian and RFA board member) said, "It has been fantastic to see the girls play so well in their first competitive Fives fixture." The girls won't be resting on their laurels, though. They already have their next match lined up against Christ's Hospital, and hope to take part in the Ladies' Winchester Fives tournament at Bradfield on March 13th, where they will be joined by another of their schoolteachers, Kathleen Briedenham.
|
| Eastbourne College's website |
Back to
top
|
NORTH WEST OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Y Club, Manchester, 23rd/24th January 2010 |
[posted 24 January 2010] |
STOP PRESS: Players from Manchester dominated their home championships, with John Minta taking the singles title before teaming up with Phil Bishop to win the doubles as well – and securing Phil's fifth consecutive North West doubles title in the process. Even the doubles plate went to a Manchester pair – John Beswick and Matt Bowness – and the only main prize not to stay in Manchester was the singles plate, won by Londoner Charlie Brooks. However, Charlie may take more pride in his first ever appearance in an Open championships final, as he and James Bristow finished as runners-up in the doubles tournament. Also taking a runner-up's tankard back down south was James's fellow Old Wykehamist Will Ellison, who was runner-up to John Minta in the three-game singles final.
Full report to follow...
|
|
North West Open Championships results
|
Back to
top
|
LADIES WINCHESTER FIVES CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Bradfield College, 13th March 2010 |
[posted 24 January 2010] |
Denise Hall-Wilton is now accepting entries for the Ladies National Winchester Fives Championships, which are being held at Bradfield on Saturday March 13th. The championhips include both singles and doubles, and players of all standards are welcome – including novices. Play will start at about 11am, and entries must be received by Wednesday 24th February. For full details, simply click on the link below to download the official entry form.
|
|
Ladies Winchester Fives Championships entry form [PDF, 72KB]
|
Back to
top
|
NATIONAL UNDER 25 CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Merchant Taylors School, Northwood, 30th/31st January 2010 |
[posted 14 January 2010] |
Organiser Dan Grant is now accepting entries for the Under 25 Championships, which (after some debate!) are now confirmed to be held at Merchant Taylors over the weekend of January 30th/31st. There will be singles and doubles championships, as well as some awards unique to these championships, such as the Best Dressed Player and Best Flair Shot. For full details, simply click on the link below to download the official entry form.
One thing potential players in the championships should know is that the organiser has advised the RFA that there may well be some difficulties getting to the school by public transport on the day. Players are strongly advised to go to the event by car - or at the very least arrange lifts as soon as possible.
|
|
Under 25 Championships entry form [Word file, 36KB]
|
Back to
top
|
NATIONAL OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP |
St Paul's School, Barnes, 9th January 2010 |
[posted 10 January 2010] |
Despite the treacherous weather conditions, several pairs – including two from Derby – took part in the London qualifying tournament for the National Doubles Championship, with three places in the finals up for grabs. In fact, the only concession to the weather was to transfer the event from Alleyn's to St Paul's, where the courts are warmer – and indoors!
The beauty of this year's tournament was that, although there were plenty of familiar names in the draw, they were playing in unfamiliar pairs. That said, it was two established pairs who made it through the preliminary rounds: Derby's Kirk and Christie beat the ex-Malvern pair of Bishop and Murray, while St Paul's current top pair of Kay and Ward scored a good win over old Paulines Furniss and Barlow.
In the end, though, it was the more fancied pairs who won through to the semi-finals. In the top half, Steve Korris and Hal Mohammed (who had never played as a pair before, but had both partnered Will Ellison to doubles titles in 2009) scored a fine win over Mark Gibbor and Chris Burrows. Meanwhile, the bottom half produced the closest match of the day. Andy Pringle & Tom Dean shared the first two games with Charlie Brooks and James Bristow, and staged a huge fightback in the third game, coming back from 2-12 down to lead 13-12; however, at the crucial moment, their concentration lapsed and James and Charlie closed the game out 15-13, to seal a place in the final.
Here, they were soundly beaten by Hal and Steve, but both pairs safely sealed their place in the last eight, alongside the top four seeded pairs (reigning champions Hamish Buchanan & Robin Perry, 2009 runners-up Will Ellison & Marcus Bate, plus Manchester's John Minta & Ben Taberner, and the England handballers Ady Lee and Dan Grant). That left one Finals place up for grabs, with a match between the two losing semi-finalists to decide it. In the end, despite some major bruising to his left hand, Tom Dean and his partner Andy Pringle hung on to beat Mark and Chris in two close games.
The eighth Finals place will be decided at a South-West qualifying tournament later in the year.
|
|
London Qualifying tournament results
|
Back to
top
|
WEST OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIPS |
Sherborne, 9/10th January 2010 |
[posted 09 January 2010] |
Because of the adverse weather conditions affecting the whole of the UK, and after consultation with the competing schools, the RFA has decided to postpone this weekend's West of England Schools' Championships, which were due to be held in Sherborne. The organisers are now looking into playing the event on the weekend of February 13/14th and will advise potential players as soon as possible.
|
|
Back to
top
|
|
|
|
|
