The Salopian Summer 2023

SCHOOL NEWS 71
FIVES
The Shrewsbury School Fives Club has enjoyed another
successful season, and there continue to be a healthy number
of players coming through the ranks. It was a privilege
for us to host the 2023 Schools’ National Championships
at the School in March. During that week we welcomed
over 600 players, who competed in 11 different age group
tournaments. In nine of these tournaments, Shrewsbury
players reached the semi-final or final.
U14 Boys
After great enthusiasm throughout the introductory sessions
in the Michaelmas term, a healthy number of U14 Boys
opted to play fives in the Lent term. The squad started the
season strongly, with Daniil M (S 3) winning the individuals’
tournament at Repton. A strong showing in our fixture with
Eton led to Shrewsbury entering an U14 squad into the U15
Hughes Cup. The team finished 7th, an excellent effort with
some superb individual performances.
The squad continued to progress as the season went on,
and one week before the Nationals, six players were in the
running to be in the first pair. In the U14 Main Competition,
which mainly comprises experienced players who have
played for several years, Shrewsbury gave a good account
of themselves, with several pairs progressing from the group
and into the knockout rounds. Canon Farrer (Ch 3) and Tyger
Leverton-Griffiths (PH 3) were the surprise package, reaching
the last 16 from pair 3.
The next day was the U14 Beginners’ Tournament, with
players from the major Fives-playing schools present. Five
Shrewsbury pairs reached the last 16 stage of the tournament,
with Shrewsbury’s first pair, Sam Spiby (PH 3) and Miguel
Aranguren Martín (SH 3) making it through to the quarterfinals,
where they defeated Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet
2-0 (12-6, 12-2). They then took on Eton 1 in the semi-final.
What followed was a three-hour spectacular, with Shrewsbury
coming out 3-2 winners (12-5, 12-8, 6-12,6-12,12-9). The next
day they took on Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet 1, hoping
to win the U14 Beginners’ trophy for Shrewsbury for the first
time since March 2019. Sam and Miguel stepped up to the
challenge and produced their best fives to date, defeating
QEB 3-0 (12-4,12-7,12-5)
U15 Hughes Cup
U15 Boys
A year of development for our U15 Boys this season. There
has been a core of committed and talented sportsmen who
have set about learning the intricate nuances of Fives and
have made great progress. A 4th Place finish in the Hughes
Cup was Shrewsbury’s best performance in some years, and
the strength in depth of the squad allowed us to rotate and
rest key players throughout the tournament. Yee Lok Mak,
Oliver Paine, Harrison Vaughan, Freddie Ogilby, Jonty Swan
and Max Milbank all showed great potential and provided
good competition for our first pair. As the season progressed,
it was clear that this year had bridged the gap significantly as
we competed in some tight affairs against Eton and Harrow
in particular. In the Nationals, four Shrewsbury pairs reached
the last 16, with 2nd Pair (Oliver Paine and Yee Lok Mak)
having to withdraw mid-way through a tight encounter with
Harrow 1 after injury. Our 1st pair progressed through to the
semi-final after overcoming Ipswich 1 3-0 (12-5, 12-6, 12-7).
Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the semi-final, losing
0-3 (7-12, 12-14, 7-12) to a very talented Berkhamsted pair.
Best Performers: Michael Draper (I 4) & George Battersby (O 4)
Most Committed: Jonty Swan (O 4) & Miles Tomblin (I 4)
Most Improved: Yee Lok Mak (S 4) & Freddie Draper (Rb 4)
End of Season Awards:
Best Performers: Sam Spiby & Miguel Aranguren-Martín
Most Committed: Tyger Leverton-Griffiths & Jack Lupton
Most Improved: Dan Metelskiy & Maksym Blahodyr
U15 Boys
U14 Boys
U16 Boys
The U16s Boys have been a great source of fun and
enthusiasm this year. Late to the game, they have been up
against it in terms of catching up with those who started
playing in prep schools. They have set about the challenge
with great determination and are always good value on court.
Louis Hursthouse, Louis Malanaphy and Harry Mitchell have