For several years now the Old Tonbridgians Fives Club has operated on a very sociable and friendly basis, meeting regularly on a Tuesday evening at Tonbridge for some enjoyable social fives. We are most fortunate to be allowed to use the facilities provided by the school and, with one of two rare exceptions, we have been able to play on every evening since the season began in September. We regularly play on either Rugby or Winchester fives courts thereby varying the game and increasing the interest.
Generally we do not worry about changing facilities for evening social events but, on the occasions when we have a fixture I usually arrange for a meal within the school contracts, most ably provided by the catering department. I remain indebted to Dr Ian Jackson, currently master-in-charge of fives and also house master of Ferox Hall, who very kindly liaises with me and helps in providing changing facilities.
During the course of the last season we have arranged matches between ourselves and:
...and a fixture against the school which is held towards the end of the Lent term. We also play the RFA on two occasions.
This season, starting in September, has been better than average and I am pleased to see an increased overall number of regular players. At the time of writing we still have two fixtures to go, these are matches playing only Winchester fives against the Masters of Christ's Hospital and the Bank of England.
From time to time we are joined on our regular Tuesday evening by boys from the school who wish to play more fives and improve their own game. It is always much appreciated and we welcome them and delight in seeing their game improve. Recently we played against the current school first 4 and - despite the insistence on a game of singles for all - the OT's returned victorious.
New players to the game are always very welcome and, if they wish to join in, should contact me in the first instance so that arrangements can be made. Currently we have between six and eight people playing regularly on this club night and it has been, by comparison to the last season, somewhat easier to produce a good team of four for matches. The evidence for this as you will see is in the results chart.
We look forward to an even better season next year.
E-mail: Neil.D.Arnott@btinternet.com
Fives Report, December 2002
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