On Sunday 23 March a group of 12 intrepid Carthusians made the journey to Shrewsbury School for the U15 National Eton Fives Championships. With six pairs we were the largest entry in the tournament and the largest Charterhouse team at a national finals in over 20 years!
A fascinating sport, Eton Fives is played from September to March each year at Charterhouse, with the finals serving as the end-of-season crescendo. Facing boys who have been learning the game since the age of 10 and for whom it is a major sport played three times a week, I am delighted to say that our pairs won matches against multiple schools. Additionally, four of our pairs made it into the semi-finals of their respective Plate competitions.
Our first pair, Jack and Sacha (Year 10), made it through the pool stage without dropping a set and progressed to the next round, before being knocked out by a strong Harrow pair in a marathon two-hour encounter.
The most improved were our 5th and 6th pairs, who, competing in their first-ever national tournament, defeated schools such as Eton and Shrewsbury in the main draw and went on to win their respective Plate competitions.
The boys had a superb time in Shropshire and returned to school tired, happy and determined to make it even further at the U16s next year!
Mr Tom Constable
