Shrewsbury retains the Richard Barber Cup for fourth consecutive year

A remarkable Richard Barber Cup took place at Eton as Shrewsbury retained the Richard Barber Cup for the fourth consecutive year.  

The Richard Barber Cup is the three pair team competition for current and former pupils.  

Our first match was against Eton as Rex Worth and Michael D (I, LVI) took on Eton 1. Unfortunately Eton were too strong and we lost 0-2, but Shrewsbury's strength in depth showed, with Sam Welti and George B (O, LVI) overcoming Eton’s second pair and Adam Morris and Louis H (S, UVI) winning comfortably at third pair over Eton 3 and secured a 2-1 win. 

Shrewsbury had an opportunity to wrap things up early on as they took on St.Olave's in the second game. The senior Olavian schoolboys were unavailable, but their U15/U16 players were up to the challenge, aided by the formidable adult support of Seb Cooley, Gwydion Wiseman and Kieran Walton.  

Adam and Louis at third pair again proved to be Shrewsbury's bankers, taking advantage of some Olavian rustiness to win in straight games, meaning a win for either of the other two Salopian pairs would guarantee them the trophy. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be at second pair as St Olaves two put in an inspired and high intensity performance to win against Sam and George.  

First pair was in the balance, however, Rex and Michael taking the first game against St Olave’s 1 to 8. The Olavian pair came back strongly, though, Seb beginning to find his range and Oscar more than playing his part, with some solid support play and excellent cut returning at crucial times and they won the next two games to 7 to give St.Olave's the 2-1 win and put them in pole position going into the final round. 

With Shrewsbury’s win hanging in the balance, our only hope rested on Eton defeating St Olave’s 2-1 and the points difference to go in our favour. Luckily for Shrewsbury, that is exactly what happened as Shrewsbury retained the Richard Barber Cup by the barest of margins, with just 4 points between Shrewsbury and runners-up Eton. 

Shrewsbury beat Eton 2-1 

R.Worth & Michael D lost to R.Perrie & T.Webster 0-2 (6-12, 4-12) 

S.Welti & George B beat J.Turcan & L.Turcan 2-0 (12-9, 12-6) 

A.Morris & Louis H beat A.Clover & H.Turpin 2-0 (12-3, 12-5) 

St.Olave's beat Shrewsbury 2-1 

S.Cooley & O.Rushton beat R.Worth & Michael D 2-1 (8-12, 12-7, 12-7) 

G.Wiseman & H.Etherington beat S.Welti & George B 2-0 (12-4, 12-8) 

K.Walton & K.Bhavsar lost to A.Morris & Louis H 0-2 (2-12, 8-12) 

Shrewsbury - 7 sets won, 6 sets lost, points difference +7 

Eton - 7 sets won, 7 sets lost, points difference +3 

St.Olave's - 7 sets won, 8 sets lost, points difference -1 

Adam Morris

Teacher i/c Fives