07/03/23: The Old Olavians won their 23rd Alan Barber Cup title at Eton on Sunday, equalling the all time record held by the Old Cholmeleians.
Old Olavians beat Old Salopians 2-1 at Eton 05/03/23:
J.Toop & T.Barker beat E.Taylor & G.Thomason 3-0 (12-6, 12-9, 12-3)
S.Cooley & M.Pugh beat R.Worth & H.Blofield 3-0 (12-10, 12-8, 12-3)
H.Wiseman & P.Sathiyamoorthy lost to C.Hughes & S.Welti 1-2 (14-13, 7-12, 5-12)
The Old Olavians have dominated this competition since the turn of the century, winning 22 of the last 24 editions of the Alan Barber Cup, and once again proved too strong for the Old Salopians, who have been regular finalists in recent years but who were again unable to find a way past the defending champions.
The \"old guard\" of Howard Wiseman, James Toop and Seb Cooley were joined by Tony Barker, Morgan Pugh and Prajeeth Sathiamoorthy to take on the Old Salopian line-up of Ed Taylor, George Thomason, Rex Worth, Henry Blofield, Chris Hughes and Sam Welti. As has so often been the case, it was the senior players in the Olavian team who were the key players, with James Toop looking in fine form at first pair as he and Tony Barker beat Taylor & Thomason, while any team who can afford to field Seb Cooley at second pair is always going to take a bit of beating, Seb teaming up with Morgan Pugh to see off the threat of Rex Worth & Henry Blofield.
The third pair match between Hughes & Welti and Wiseman & Sathiyamoorthy was evenly poised at 1-1 as the other two pairs were finishing and the players finished off with a third game after the presentation ceremony had been conducted by Richard Barber, nephew of Alan and former President of both the Old Salopian Fives club and the Eton Fives Association.
Can anyone prevent the Olavians winning number 24 next year and taking the record outright?
Our thanks go to Eton for hosting the final, to all of the clubs who took part in the competition and to Advanta Wealth for their continued sponsorship.
You can see the full results from this year's competition HERE.
Overall the Alan Barber Cup has been won by:
Old Cholmeleians 23*
Old Olavians 23*
Old Edwardians 4
Old Salopians 3
Old Berkhamstedians 2
Old Etonians 2
Old Wulfrunians 1
Old Harrovians 1
*Both Clubs have recorded a 15 year consecutive run, and the Olavians have won 22 of the last 24.