OE Fives: Eastbourne VII v Tonbridge VII, 14 July 2026

On Tuesday evening, seven adventurous Eastbourne fives players (Spencer Beal, Paul Lovatt-Smith, Andy Oliver, James Holman-Dine, Richard Penrose, Milo Folkes, Mark Edwards) set off for foreign fields to play a return match against the Old Tonbridgians, whom we had defeated earlier in the season on home courts. This turned out to be a memorable occasion!

The away team arrived early and were duly met by opposition leader Neil Arnott, who instantly put our men (Tonbridge players yet to appear) to work to clear the courts of accumulated Maintenance Dept. debris, tools, materials etc. Unfortunately we only had time to clear the three courts containing the least 'stuff' - one Rugby and two Winchester courts - which meant "the dice were loaded from the start" (Dire Straits) because of (a) the lengthy journey (b) 20 minutes of hard labour (c) away courts (d) an alien form of the game which some of our team had never before encountered.

Eventually some fives broke out and great fun was had by all, although the delayed start meant that the promised meal in the Ivy House had to be cancelled unless we restricted the total playing time to a mere 45 minutes. And although the final tally of points (164-99) suggests that we lost the match, it was a great a credit to the team that we managed to win three of the 16 matches played, and everyone appreciated the opportunity to experience a game of Winchester fives, one way or another. We then had to move all the 'stuff' back into the courts before hastening, unwashed but unbowed, to the pub where we were generously and warmly hosted by Tonbridge.

An evening of convivial sporting rivalry that will live long in the memory for a whole variety of reasons. Thank you, Tonbridge, and thanks, too, to Nigel Wheeler, who came along to support and take a few pictures.