This year saw the largest entry in both the singles and doubles for some years, with 10 entrants for the singles and, after some very late entries, a field of 14 pairs for the doubles.
The intention of the organiser is to ensure that, on both days, everybody has a surfeit of Fives, regardless of their ability. To this end, the competitions were organised in President’s Cup style, with those defeated in the first two rounds of the Cup then competing for the Plate, and those removed from the early rounds of the Plate contesting the final competition for a bottle of beer (the BOB). The only players to suffer from this format are the defeated semi-finalists, who might only have played four games. It is always the organisers hope that those deprived in this fashion are quiet, retiring, persons, so at the end of the day the only voices heard are those complaining of too much exercise. This year the wish was, spectacularly, not fulfilled, as our President was knocked out in the semis both days!
Singles
The Singles Cup competition produced only one real upset, when Dick Warner defeated an injured Tony Hamilton in two close games.
The final, as usual, was a demonstration of hard play between two skilled opponents. In the first game it appeared that another upset may be on the way, when Neil Roberts easily overcame an out of sorts Hamish Buchanan, to win 15-4. But between games Hamish recharged himself, eventually grinding down Neil to win 4-15, 15-4, 15-4.
Stuart Kirby eased his way through the plate competition to come away with the spoils. On his way he defeated the aforementioned Tony Hamilton, debutant Keith Kennerley, and experienced campaigner Angus Hanton.
An unbalanced draw for the final competition was threatened by the overdue withdrawal of Tony Hamilton due to that skiing injury. Unto the breach stepped a youthful John East, having stiffened the sinews with a warm-up in the Masters (over 65s) tournament earlier in the day. He showed that he was worth his breeding by winning the prized bottle of beer, although this remarkable trophy was claimed by Tony, in John’s absence, during the presentations on Sunday evening.
Doubles
On Sunday there appeared to be an enormous number of people milling around, most of whom were competing. The Cup competition proceeded surprisingly quickly, with no matches going to three games. Up to the final there was only one really tight game, with the Clarke and de Belder pairing being eventually defeated 10-12 in their second game by East and Hamilton.
As is usual in this event, the final showed that hard hitting and competitiveness is not limited by age. Hamish Buchanan and Bruce Hanton eventually overcame Neil Roberts and Wayne Enstone 15-10, 15-9 to retain the trophy.
As on Saturday, the losers in the first two rounds of the Cup proceeded to compete for the Plate. Again Tony Hamilton pulled out to prevent further damage to what appeared to be a nasty injury, leaving only nine pairs in the competition. Sutcliffe and Walter finally got into their stride after their unexpectedly easy defeat in the Cup, vanquishing all. In the final they overcame the pairing of Kirk and Kennerley , a pair put together by the organisers dating service; they had never met before the start of the day.
The BOB was fought out by five pairs, with Clarke and de Belder coming out on top in the only three game match of the day. A trophy to put in the recycling bin on their first outing in the competition!
As usual, thanks must go to Stuart Kirby for providing the bulk of the food, the others who bought those wonderful cakes, to President Dick Warner for making the presentations, and to Ed Hatton and Christ’s Hospital for providing a fitting venue. In addition, Ross Stuart, a master at Christ’s must be lauded for stepping in at the last minute to make up an extra pair, and then having the energy to take an unofficial party to see the treasures of the CH dining hall.
RESULTS
Singles
First Round: Buchanan bt Kennerley 15-2, 15-1; Roberts bt A Hanton 15-1, 15-1
Second Round: Buchanan bt Stubbs 15-2, 15-0; Walter bt Kirby 15-12, 15-5; Warner bt Hamilton 15-13, 16-14; Roberts bt Christie 15-1, 15-1
Semi-finals: Buchanan bt Walter 15-5, 15-5; Roberts bt Warner 15-3, 15-1
Final: Buchanan bt Roberts 4-15; 15-4; 15-4
Singles Plate
Prelim Round: Kirby bt Hamilton 15-7; Christie bt Stubbs 15-3
Semi-finals: Kirby bt Kennerley 15-3; A Hanton bt Christie 15-13
Final: Kirby bt A Hanton 15-2
Singles BOB
Semi Finals: Kennerley by Stubbs 15-3, East bt Christie 15-6
Final: East bt Kennerley 15-6
Doubles
First Round: B Hanton & Buchanan bt P Atkinson & Ryan 11-8, 11-6; East & Hamilton bt Clarke & de Belder 11-9, 12-10; Warner & Schroeter bt Hawke & Kiteley 11-3, 11-2; Kirby & Christie bt Walter & Sutcliffe 11-3, 11-8; Enstone & Roberts bt Kennerley & Kirk 11-0, 11-1; B Atkinson & Sandie bt McIntyre & Stuart 11-0, 11-2
Second Round: B Hanton & Buchanan bt Arnott & Wilkinson 11-0, 11-0; Warner & Schroeter bt East & Hamilton 11-1, 11-5; Kirby & Christie bt Stubbs & A Hanton 11-8, 11-8; Enstone & Roberts bt Atkinson & Sandie 11-1, 11-4
Semi Finals: B Hanton & Buchanan bt Warner & Schroeter 15-6, 15-1; Enstone & Roberts bt Kirby & Christie 15-8, 15-12
Final: B Hanton & Buchanan bt Roberts & Enstone 15-10, 15-9
Doubles Plate:
First Round: P Atkinson & Ryan bt Stubbs & A Hanton 15-12, Walter & Sutcliffe bt Clarke & de Belder 15-1, Kennerley & Kirk bt McIntyre & Stuart 15-5, Atkinson & Sandie bt Hawke & Kiteley 15-8
Semi Finals: Sutcliffe & Walter bt P Atkinson & Ryan 15-6, Kennerley & Kirk bt B Atkinson & Sandie 15-12
Final: Sutcliffe & Walter bt Kennerley & Kirk 15-1, 15-3
Doubles BOB:
Prelim Round: Stubbs & A Hanton bt McIntyre & Stuart 15-4
Semi Finals: Arnott & Wilkinson bt Stubbs & A Hanton 15-8, Clarke & de Belder bt Hawke & Kiteley 15-9
Final: Clarke & de Belder bt Arnott & Wilkinson 9-11, 11-4, 11-7