The Vintage, over 55's Rugby Fives tournament was held on Sunday 24th March at a very snowy Oundle School. The format for the day was singles in the morning with seven players entering, followed by doubles in the afternoon with six pairs entering.
The singles kicked off with two pools of players fighting for the chance to play in the three set final. The winner of each pool playing in the final and second and third going through to two semi finals and then a final for the plate. Wayne Enstone forged ahead in pool one winning both his matches. The second pool had four players of very similar standard and we were entertained to some fine fives with Brian Nithsdale eventually winning through to take on Wayne in the final. Wayne, consistent as ever, conducted a masterclass in singles fives with superbly controlled touch shots against the front wall and deep diagonal shots into the opposite angles allowing him to win through in two games. The plate was eventually won by new boy Stuart Kirby over tournament regular Phil Atkinson.
The doubles kicked off with two pools of three teams. The doubles tournament semi finals consisted of winners from pool 1 playing second in pool 2 and vice versa for the privilege of playing in the final. Eventual finalists Hamilton and Beal had an epic battle with Sandie and Sutcliffe with serve changing hands over and over again. Sandies steadfastness and Sutcliffes incredibly powerful hitting resulted in a first game win. Hamilton and Beal however, changed gear in the second game and through managing to return Sutcliffes hard shots combined with far more accurate ball placement into the back corner angles and side wall nicks allowed them to win the second game. The atmosphere was tense as the third game commenced since the finely balanced match could have gone either way. Eventually Sandie and Sutcliffe gained a lead, consolidated their position and the tiring Hamilton and Beal capitulated to tumultuous applause. The match, lasting for over one hour, was a classic.
Phil Atkinson and Mark Kitely won a two game match against the tiring Nithsdale and the evergreen stalwart Bernard Atkinson for the plate.
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RESULTS
SINGLES
Pool A: W.Enstone bt R.Warner 15-3, bt P.Atkinson 15-10; Warner bt Atkinson 15-9
Pool B: S.Kirby bt R.Sandie 15-3, bt A.Hamilton 15-11, lost to B.Nithsdale 10-15; Sandie bt Hamilton 15-4, lost to Nithsdale 8-15; Hamilton lost to Nithsdale 3-15
Final: Enstone bt Nithsdale 11-4, 11-3
Plate: Kirby
DOUBLES
Pool A: A.Hamilton & S.Beal bt R.Warner & E.Clarke 15-4, bt B.Atkinson & B.Nithsdale 15-12; Warner & Clarke bt Atkinson & Nithsdale 15-5
Pool B: R.Sandie & R.Sutcliffe bt M.Kitely & P.Atkinson 15-9, bt B.Kirk & S.Kirby 15-9; Kitely & Atkinson lost to Kirk & Kirby 7-15
Semi-finals: Hamilton & Beal bt Kirk & Kirby 15-3; Sandie & Sutcliffe bt Warner & Clarke 15-9
Final: Sandie & Sutcliffe bt Hamilton & Beal 11-4, 6-11, 11-6
Plate: Kitely & Atkinson