This is an annual competition whereby Old Salopians partner current pupils in a series of best-of-three pairs matches (i.e. two of the three pairs need to win in order to win each match).

This year's competition was played at Eton, and Shrewsbury School and the OS Fives Club each brought six players, so we entered two teams – the only school to do so.

The top team made up of Tom Bromley-Davenport (Rt UVI), Will Sissons (Rt LVI), Nav Hari (PH UVI), Chris Hughes (SH 2004-09), Sam Welti (I 2007-12) and George Thomason (G 2006-11) were unbeaten in the group stages, going through top. 

In the other group, the second string Shrewsbury team didn’t get through, but Karist Ng (Ch UVI), Gen Songthammakul (I UVI) and Dom Ainslie (S UVI) will have learned a lot playing with seasoned pros Mike Hughes (SH 1975-80), Marc Quinn (M 1983-88) and James Skelton (O 1980-85).

The top team faced St Olave's in the semi-final, who included multiple Kinnaird Winners (the National Fives competition).  The semi-finals were finely poised at 1-1 in all three pairs.  Sam Welti and Nav Hari managed to win 2-1 in their Pair 3 game; however, Chris Hughes, Tom Bromley-Davenport, George Thomason and Will Sissons both lost 2-1 in very close games.

For a full report on the day's play, please see http://www.etonfives.com/news/2415-richard-barber-cup-2017-18