On Thursday 8th March, CPS entered four pairs for the Fives U11 Boys’ Championships at Eton. As ever the cold wind was blowing along the Eton ‘wind tunnel’ making it rather chilly for the competitors.
All four pairs qualified from their pool games into the knockout stages; a fine achievement in itself. Sadly three of our pairs were eliminated in the next round. However, there was plenty more Fives ahead as they all entered one of the plate competitions.
Archie and Paddy, our fourth pair, improved in leaps and bounds and were soon beating higher ranked teams. Indeed pair two, consisting of Ivan and Rory, met our pair three, namely Jamie and Monty, in the final of their plate competition. After a close and fiercely fought duel Rory and Ivan were victorious.
Our first pair, Henry and James, progressed into round 3 where they met Summerfields 1. It was a fabulous match, and a really high standard of Fives was displayed by both pairs. Indeed they only narrowly lost to Summefields who, I understand, went on to win the competition outright. Their coach was full of praise for our boys; in future years they will surely be one of the leading pairs on the prep schools’ circuit.
James and Henry went on to win the Plate Competition, easily beating Highgate 1 and Berkhamstead 2 along the way; two notable scalps.
Mike Till, coach, says “It was a grand day out; the boys were fabulous in their approach and displayed excellent sportsmanship. Above all they have improved and gained valuable experience of a Fives tournament”.
