Shrewsbury

Strong start to the Fives season at Shrewsbury

February 9th 2024

Fives has enjoyed a strong start to the season, with good wins for junior and senior squads versus Highgate School, and a draw against Harrow in our block fixtures so far.

We started the term with the Jago Ainslie Memorial Match. It was a high turnout, with over 60 players turning out to take part in the fixture. The Jago Ainslie side won the fixture 9-6 against the Old Salopians & Jesters side.

On Sunday 14^th January, Shrewsbury achieved a 1^st and 2^nd Place finish in the Richard Barber Cup, which similar to the Graham Turnbull trophy, pairs Alumni with current students. Ed C (O, UVI) , Michael D (I, V) and George B (O, V) and their Old Salopian partners Mr Cooley, Sam Welti and Chris Hughes lost just one set all day, as Shrewsbury retained the trophy for the 3rd successive year.

Also on Sunday 14^th January, 27 U14 Boys and Girls travelled to Repton School for the U14 Individuals tournament. Shrewsbury pupils improved significantly throughout the day. The Boys competition saw Arjan B (SH, III), Arjun C (O, III), Callum D (I, III) + 1 from Ipswich reach the final, with Arjan & Callum winning 12-2. The Girls’ Final saw Fleur J-J (QEH, III), Jasmine P (G, III), Hannah R (MSH, III) + 1 from Ipswich draw 8-8.

On Sunday 21^st January, the U14 and U15 squads competed in the Hughes Cup, named after the Old Salopian Fives President Mike Hughes. I am delighted to report that Shrewsbury achieved its highest ever finish, with the team of Sam S (SH,IV), Monty S (Rt, IV), Kieran H (Rt, IV), Oscar W (S, IV) , Daniil M (S,IV) & Arjan B(SH, III) finishing runners up and finishing ahead of schools such as Eton, Harrow and Charterhouse.

Last weekend saw Shrewsbury host the Northern Championships, which welcomes over 100 of the best Fives players in the country. There were some impressive performances by Shrewsbury students which challenged our top end in both the Main Competition and the Festival. It was also extremely pleasing to see so many Old Salopians back at school and competing in the latter stages of the competition.

Next term we look forward to the Williams Team Cup, The Ladies Championships and the National Championships which this season will be held at Repton School. We will also compete in block fixtures against both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, Eton and Harrow.