Matilda and Ruby played some fantastic Fives yesterday at Eton, and were runners up in the U13 Girls’ National finals, which is a phenomenal achievement.
The pairing of Matilda Hamilton and Ruby Halstead have made huge progress over the year and went into this competition with a measure of confidence. However, it was always going to be a difficult assignment when they were up against the power house schools of Berkhamsted and Highgate, with courts at their schools and full-time Fives coaches.
The group stages went well, with the girls seeing off pairs from both of these schools and winning all their games comfortably.
The knock out phases went equally well, with comfortable wins in both the last 16 and then the quarter-finals.
The semi-final saw them drawn against a big and powerful Highgate pair. The girls cruised through the first game winning 12-5. The second game, however, was a fraught affair. We were always behind before the girls dug in to pull back to 10-10, then eventually winning 13-11.
This was a huge achievement and the School’s first appearance in a National Fives final. The girls put up an extremely spirited performance in the final before losing to a very strong Berkhamsted pair.
Mark Halstead, Fives coach, said “Although we have had many girls playing Fives over my time at the Prep School, it has never been a first choice for the girls who would all benefit from exposure to this wonderful game. It would complement all the other games we play but, with the introduction of the girls’ competition, I hope this is the catalyst which encourages more girls to play.
I could not have been more proud of all they achieved. They were absolutely amazing and a real credit to the school.”
It’s been a busy two weeks for the Fives coaches, with U12 and U13 Nationals at Eton also taking place. Mark Halstead comments “It has been wonderful to see the improvements our pupils have made over the year. With all the pairs it is just a case of keeping trying and getting on court as often as possible. The more they play, the better they will get.”
Many thanks to Mark and coaches, Mike Till and Harry Thomas, who all give so much to Fives at the Prep School. Huge congratulations to all involved. They did the school proud.
