T Walters reports:
A total of eight teams entered the competition this year, with North Oxford doubling their chances of winning by entering two teams! Other new teams included the Pepperpotters, Westway and the Old Ipswichians who added to the regular ensemble of the Old Salopians, Old Olavians and the Old Etonians.
The Pools Round took place on Sunday 29th January with the eight teams split in two pools of 4, the top two teams of each going through to the semi-finals. In Pool A, the seeded Old Olavians and Old Etonians proved too strong for North Oxford B and Westway. In Pool B, the Old Ipswichians showed their strength in depth, overcoming the seeded North Oxford A team to come 1st in the group, with the Old Salopians also securing a semi-final spot. The Pepperpotters made a rather swift exit, but it was a pleasure to have them take part.
The Semi-finals and finals were played on Sunday 5th March. In their semi-final the Old Ipswichians proved too strong for the Old Etonians, winning their match 3-0. M Graves & J Caudle beat A Knight & E Remnant; P Boughton & Tim Fletcher beat M Powell & J Bennett; P Scholey & Tom Fletcher beat E Salt & J Hindle.The other semi-final saw the Old Olavians beat the Old Salopians. T MacDonald & C Jewkes beat R Pattison & M Yates; P Sarmah & A Moore beat M Quinn & B Hyett. It was a shame that the epic 5 setter between E Sanderson & S Fautly and F Nicholson & G Coren became irrelevant because of the 2nd and 3rd pair results, but it was a splendid battle to watch all the same.
The Final saw a confident Old Ipswichian team play a good Old Olavian line up. A tight game in all three pairs ensued, but overall the Old Ipswichians were too strong and the title was won with a 3-0 clean sweep.
Many congratulations to the Old Ipswichians, and my thanks to all those who organised a team - particularly those new teams and the double North Oxford effort. We look forward to an even stronger turnout next year.
Results
Semi-finals:
Old Ipswichians beat Old Etonians 3-0
M Graves & J Caudle beat A Knight & E Remnant 12-3, 12-8, 13-10
P Boughton & T L Fletcher beat M Powell & J Bennett 12-4, 12-8, 12-1
P Scholey & T S Fletcher beat E Salt & J Hindle 12-8, 12-4, 12-10
Old Olavians beat Old Salopians 3-0
E Sanderson & S Fautly beat F Nicholson & G Coren 12-7, 12-7, 9-12, 8-12, 12-6
T MacDonald & C Jewkes beat R Pattison & M Yates 10-12, 12-9, 7-12, 12-6, 12-2
P Sarmah & A Moore beat M Quinn & B Hyett 15-13, 12-2, 15-14
Final:
Old Ipswichians beat Old Olavians 3-0
M Graves & T L Fletcher beat E Sanderson & S Fautly 12-9, 13-11, 14-11
P Scholey & T S Fletcher beat T MacDonald & C Jewkes 12-3, 6-12, 12-1, 12-9
J Caudle & P Boughton beat A Moore & P Sarmah 12-10, 12-7, 12-3