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Lancing With The Stars

Matthew Beard reports:

03/09/19: The weather played ball again and a great weekend of Fives was played at Lancing last weekend.

As ever a great ranges of ages (12-81) and abilities (novice to nationally ranked) took part and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Saturday consisted of the main Ladywell trophy competition and the veterans tournament for "The Lionhearts". While the Lionhearts, whose cumulative age amounted to around 400, did battle in court 1, the remainder occupied courts 2-4 for a series of well-contested timed games. The final of the Ladywell Trophy was keenly fought between Ashley Lumbard & Alex Knight and Alex Abrahams & Ralph Morgan; Abrahams and Morgan eventually prevailing after a competitive game at the end of a long day.

A most enjoyable dinner was held on Saturay evening at the Angmering Manor Hotel, with 23 attending and the fabulous Ladywell trophy being presented to the winners.

Sunday morning dawned bright and fresh - unlike the Saturday players - and around 16 players enjoyed some social Fives. It was great to see Nigel Wheeler on court again and his partner Spencer Beal, who plays very handily without gloves.

The brainchild and inspiration for this event was Richard Black, OL and President of the Eton Fives Association. Richard hatched the idea of the weekend with Nigel Cox in 2010 and it has now become a regular and eagerly awaited event at the end of the summer holidays. Richard’s enthusiasm for the game is unbounded and he inspired all that attended over the weekend. Richard is the Director of the EFA's Fivestar Project, which is an ambitious project to increase Fives-playing significantly across the country and he spends a considerable part of his life devoted to Eton Fives. Richard flew back from France especially to attend the weekend such is his enthusiasm for the game.

The event was organised by Mathew Beard and assisted by Rob Cooper, but would not have been possible without the commitment and enthusiasm of participants and the kind permission of the college to use the courts.

The OLs continue to support Fives at the college and welcome students, staff and parents to take up the best court game in the world - Eton Fives. Matthew can be contacted This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..