Two Newport men had a big hand in capturing the Eton Fives Association Trophy.
Former Castle House pupil David Jones and Newport-based accountant Mark Yates were involved as The Old Wulfrunians Fives Team that lifted the trophy.
The team, based in Wolverhampton, completed a successful qualifying campaign in January, defeating Old Etonians en-route to the semi finals.
Their last four showdown saw a re-match of last year’s all Midlands affair against Old Salopians.
But this time Old Wulfs had their revenge and progressed to the final against Berkhamsted Fives Club.
And Old Wulfs used their experience against their youthful opponents to win the competition in Eton at the end of February.
Yates said he was delighted to be involved with the team’s unlikely success.
He said: “This year’s EFA Trophy entry saw more club sides than ever before, with the qualifying rounds having to be split between Eton and Harrow to provide sufficient courts.
“Having only returned to competitive Fives in 2007, it was great to see the Old Wulfs showing that they’d lost none of their skill and awareness.”
Eton Fives is a hand-ball game, similar to Rugby Fives, played as doubles in a three-sided court.
The object is to force the other team to fail to hit the ball upwards off the front wall.
Any any variety of wall or ledge combinations can be used as long as the ball is pushed up before bouncing twice.
