Fives is hot hot hot!

Natalie Lilienthal reports:

11/08/26: Six teams assembled in the everlasting London heatwave of 2026 to play some blazing Fives in the 32 degree sunshine at Westway.

Instead of the usual Summer SuperLeague running across multiple weeks, this year saw the trial of a condensed one-day version for summer fives: the SuperDay. The idea being simpler organisation for teams after the main season and a way to gather all the keen players who wanted even more Fives. The format stayed true to SuperLeague traditions with teams of four competing in different pairing combinations to create balanced matches from the differently levelled players. The handicap system was also in place to support those who don't play as much competitive Fives to enjoy their time on court against some of the game's best.

The day was a joyous mixture of local players, far-flung visitors, old-hands, recent school-leavers (QE Barnet) and returners to game, all spear-headed by new organisers, having fun in the sun. Including appearances from the Emanuel Wanderers and an Old Citizen proving that if you knock them down they'll just find other courts to play on.

It was all rather amicable in the group stages until Round 3 when the tension in scorelines built along with the heat of the day to mean the final sets across all four courts would be definitive for both groups, and leaving the organiser struggling to watch four courts at once, but both went 4-2 in the end setting up a final between 'Westway: Best of the Rest' and the Cholmeleian-Cantabrigian team 'Handalorians'.

In a day involving ice cream runs, many water refill trips, hydration breaks and even a cute dog... the home team 'Westway: Best of the Rest' were victorious in the end.

They'd been pushed hard by the 'Handalorians' who came second only on point countback after a 3-3 draw.

The Lancing 'Budget Cuts' and 'NO-Emanuel' shared third place in an honorable draw at 2-2 agreeing the final match of their round didn't need to be played in such hot weather. The 'Old Elizabethans' beat the 'Barnet Citizens' 5-1 to secure fifth place.

The glory of the Golden Glove, a side-quest for most shots in the hole, was jointly awarded to Aroop Bhattacharya and Karen Hird, with Charlotta Cooley and George Linfield as joint runners-up.

Results

1. Westway: Best of the Rest

2. Handalorians

= 3. Budget Cuts

= 3. NO-Emanuel

5. Barnet Citizens

6. Old Elizabethans

Golden Glove - award for most shots in the hole (not including cuts)