Fives Club 2014 Round Up
04 June 2014
The Aldenham Fives Club had another busy and successful year with a ladder competition run every six weeks and our first entries into the Barber Cup and EFA Trophy for many years.The ladder is played every six weeks and is particularly popular with four courts regularly filled. Josh Rose (B1994-99) is proud of winning more ladders than anyone else despite being only an occasional player. Other winners included Graham Pulsford (M1971-75), Chris Austin and Chris Cernushi (K1998-2005). Each winner is awarded the new Phil Marsh Trophy which they retain until the next ladder competition. Fittingly this is a silver tankard which we know Phil (M1958-60) would have appreciated.Our return to the Barber Cup was brief but enjoyed by the players. OAs Josh Rose (B1994-99) and Carl Rennie (M2006-13) (1st pair); Rubel Mallik (and Andrew Rennie (M2006-13) (2nd pair); and Darshan Patel (R2006-12) and Nirav Patel (R2005-12 (3rd pair) battled hard but were beaten 1-2 overall by the eventual winners, St Olaves.Our first entry into the EFA Trophy ended with a narrow 2-1 defeat in the semi final against Oxford (a combination of Oxford University and Oxford). This is a squad event and we came through the six qualifying rounds in impressive style; a clear indication of the depth of quality in the Aldenham ranks. The performances of the youngsters, the Rennie brothers and Darshan Patel, were particularly encouraging and these players will provide a solid core of quality players for future years. Note: Rubel and Chris – you no longer qualify as youngsters. With further fixtures against the Brigands, Lancing Old Boys, North Oxford, Eton and the Jesters, there was plenty to keep Aldenham’s players busy.“Our enthusiastic players will continue to turn out every Tuesday evening over the summer. Players from other clubs are very welcome to join us,” says club secretary Phil Lyndon (K1976-81).