2013 Northern Tournament: Dunbar and Cooley unchallenged

For the second time in three years, the final of the 2013 Northern Tournament at Shrewsbury turned out to be something of an anticlimax. Two years ago an eye injury to James Toop brought an early end to the final; this year the final never got started as Peter Dunbar was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury sustained towards the end of his and George Campbell's semi-final victory over Toop and Howard Wiseman. It is surely a unique feat for Tom and Seb to have won this competition three years in a row having only had to win three games in the final in three years!

2009 Northern Tournament

Andrew Mitchell reports:

Championship

This was the strongest field for many years, both in terms of numbers (26 pairs) and quality.

2012 Northern Tournament Festival: Cymru am Byth

The Northern Tournament Festival was won at the weekend by Cardiff University pair Alex Yusaf and Edward Leakey, who defeated Shrewsbury School pair Sansom Yick and Jamie Humes 2-1 (12-7, 11-12, 12-5) in the final to win the Malcolm Mitchell Memorial Shields.

2008 Northern Tournament

Andrew Mitchell reports:

A respectable 18 pairs entered the competition and, although a number of the top players were once again absent, the continuing re-emergence of Old Wulfrunian Fives partly filled the gap.

North Stars: Cooley and Dunbar retain the 2012 Northern

Top seeds Tom Dunbar and Seb Cooley retained their Northern Tournament title with a convincing 3-0 (12-7, 12-3, 12-7) win over James Toop and Matthew Wiseman at Shrewsbury on Sunday.

2007 Northern Tournament

Andrew Mitchell reports:

Global warming does have its benefits: a mild weekend meant relatively comfortable conditions for spectators and, despite the attractions of the six nations rugby on television, many players, supporters and passers-by enjoyed watching some high-class fives and plenty of more social, if still highly competitive, games.

2011 Northern Tournament: Shrewsbury injury jinx hands title to Dunbar and Cooley

The Northern Tournament took place at Shrewsbury over the weekend with around 50 pairs taking part, split across the main tournament and the festival. Much of the interest was centred on how the newly formed partnership of Tom Dunbar and Seb Cooley would perform. A slightly tentative start in their semi-final against Howard Wiseman and Peter Cohen was soon overcome as they won through in straight games to face top seeds James Toop and Matthew Wiseman, who had seen off a determined challenge from Peter White and George Campbell in the other semi.

2006 Northern Tournament

Andrew Mitchell reports:

After several years of comparatively clement weather (for February), a wet and windy weekend welcomed a total of 48 pairs, and a few hardy spectators. The entry for the main competition, at 26 pairs, was the highest for some years although the turn-out for the festival, 18 pairs, was a little disappointing.

2010 Northern Tournament

Andrew Mitchell reports:

A highly successful Northern Tournament was held at Shrewsbury over the weekend of Feb 6th/7th and was won by James Toop and Matthew Wiseman, who beat the Dunbar brothers in the final 3-2, having lost the first two games, won the third 14-13 and then been given the last two after Peter Dunbar had to withdraw due to cramp.

2005 Northern Tournament

Andrew Mitchell reports:

After several years of comparatively clement weather (for February), a wet and windy weekend welcomed a total of forty-eight pairs, and a few hardy spectators. The entry for the main competition, at twenty-six pairs, was the highest for some years although the turn-out for the festival was a little disappointing. It was, however, good to see so many women taking part.