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2002/03 Alan Barber Cup

Mark Williams reports:

Ten teams produced a side in this year's competition, and the four seeded sides reached the semi-finals.

Semi-finals

Old Edwardians could not produce a third pair, and so once the Cholmeleians had won the first pair easily, the second pair was conceded with the Cholmeleians 2-1 up. In the other semi-final, Old Olavians and Old Salopians won the first and third pair 3-0 respectively, and the match hung on an intriguing encounter between the Walters brothers (Tony and Jacob) and Howard Wiseman and David Mew. Olavians won the first game, but the Salopians played with great spirit and determination in a splendid match to win the next three games.

Final

In the final, all three games at first pair were close, but Cholmeleians Ed Wass and Alick Varma shaded all three. At second pair, Salopians Mike Hughes and Mark Lascelles were too strong for their opponents. Once again the Walters brothers held the key, and in a match much admired by the twenty or so spectators for its high standard both of Fives and fair play, they found themselves 2-1 down to Niifio Addy and Shanu Rasheed. The Salopians played the more positive Fives to win the fourth, but the fifth was desparately close and inevitably reached sudden death. The Cholmeleians served three times for the match before the more attacking play of their opponents finally won the day. Congratulations to the Salopians for their third triumph in this competition, and a special word of praise for Tony and Jacob Walters, who won both of the key matches to win the tournament.

 

Results

First Round (14 November)



Old Aldenhamians beat Old Berkhamstedians 2-1

Old Etonians beat Lancing Old Boys 3-0

Old Ipswichians beat Old Carthusians 3-0


2nd Round (12 January)

 

Old Aldenhamians lost to Old Olavians at Aldenham 1-2

G Pulsford & J Rose lost to J Toop & D Mew 0-3 (5-12, 2-12, 10-13)

J Knowles & A Tennant lost to H Wiseman & E Anderson 0-3 (2-12, 3-12, 3-12)

P Lyndon & S Randall lost to S Ranasinghe & C Jewkes 2-3 (12-8, 5-12, 2-12, 12-4, 15-12)

 

Old Cholmeleians beat Old Ipswichians at Highgate 3-0

E Wass & J Halstead beat M Graves & G Hoskins 3-0 (12-7, 12-2, 12-2)

N Addy & D King beat S Woolfries & S Burnell 3-0 (12-6, 12-3, 12-1)

Old Ipswichians conceded third pair



Old Edwardians beat Old Etonians at Highgate 3-0

J Mole & R Tyler beat S Barber & A Illingworth 3-1 (12-3, 3-12, 12-7, 12-10)

C Friend & R Mason beat T Dawson & R Horne 3-0 (12-3, 12-8, 12-4)

Old Etonians conceded third pair



Old Salopians beat Old Harrovians at Shrewsbury 3-0

Old Harrovians conceded all three pairs

 

Semi-finals, Eton 9 February



Old Cholmeleians beat Old Edwardians 3-0

E Wass & J Halstead beat R Tyler & C Friend 3-0 (12-4, 12-2, 12-4)

A Varma & D King beat R Mason & P Knowles 2-1 (6-12, 12-6, 12-7 ret)

Old Edwardians conceded third pair



Old Salopians beat Old Olavians 2-1

M Hughes & E Taylor lost to J Toop & M Wiseman 0-3 (4-12, 4-12, 10-13)

A Walters jr & J Walters beat H Wiseman & D Mew 3-1 (6-12, 12-9, 15-14, 12-9)

M Lascelles & G Gow beat S Fautly & P White 3-0 (12-8, 12-8, 12-6)

 

Final, Eton 2 March

 

Old Salopians beat Old Cholmeleians 2-1

E Taylor & I Hutchinson lost to E Wass & A Varma 0-3 (8-12, 11-13, 10-12)

M Lascelles & M Hughes beat J Halstead & D King 3-0 (12-8, 12-3, 12-3)

A Walters jr & J Walters beat N Addy & S Rasheed 3-2 (6-12, 14-12, 7-12, 12-8, 15-14)