2012/13 Alan Barber Cup: All Betts are off

The final Barber Cup first round matches were completed at the weekend and the quarter-final line-up is now decided. The make-up of the top half of the draw was already known with the Wulfrunians taking on the Carthusians and the Ipswichians the latest club to attempt some giant-killing against top seed the Olavians.

The Etonians were the first club through and they will now play old rivals the Harrovians, who came through a potentially tricky away tie against the Berkhamstedians, with both Dunbar brothers in fine form. Also at the weekend, a very young Westminster side, with Ed Rose the only player over the age of 25, saw off the challenge of the Edwardians in a match split between Eton and Birmingham.

The final tie was the match of the round with second seeds the Salopians facing a tough challenge down on the South Coast against Lancing. The Salopians rose impressively to the occasion to win all three pairs, with another very young side - T Walters, Rex Worth, George Thomason, Henry Lewis, Tom Cox and Sam Welti - taking on and beating a Lancing side featuring wily campaigner Nigel Cox, Kinnaird semi-finalists George Campbell and Doug Foster plus a Betts brother in all three pairs (a Barber Cup first maybe?). The highlight of the tie was a five game win for Thomason and Lewis over Foster and Tom Betts at second pair and the Salopians now move forward to take on the Westminsters on Sunday at Eton.