Taylorian 2020

103 U nfortunately the 2020 season was a limited one. Though boys continued to be able to play on squash courts in games sessions from September until just before Easter, most of the fixtures were scheduled for after the date the school closed and consequently did not go ahead. In the fixtures that did go ahead, the 1st IV won at Rugby but lost narrowly at Christ’s Hospital and by a larger margin at Winchester. The U16s achieved a decisive victory in their only match of the year at Christ’s Hospital. Every fixture was entertaining and keenly contested, and plenty of good fives was on show. The main highlight was how well Anikait Garella and Mitul Matthews played in their debuts at the senior level, which augurs well for next year. The Nationals unfortunately had to be cancelled this year. Although this was disappointing for all the boys who would have taken part, it must have been particularly so for Jamie Graham, our captain and last year’s national doubles champion, who did not get the opportunity to defend his crown. He was, however, able to play in the Schools’ Winchester Fives Doubles Championship in November, ably supported by Tunveer Mangat, although they were not quite able to bring the trophy back to MTS for a second year. I would like to thank all our departing senior players for their contributions on the fives court in their time at the school. Jamie in particular has been truly outstanding. To have been a national champion in any form of fives at all is a fantastic achievement; to have been a national champion in two forms of the game whilst still in the Lower Sixth is all the more remarkable. Though the season has been cut short, I have again been impressed this year by the commitment and enthusiasm of the players at the school. The help of Mr Hull, Ms Lumsden and Mrs Rashid in taking boys to fixtures has been much appreciated, and the expert coaching from Gareth Price has been invaluable. I look forward to seeing rather a lot more fives played again next year. Captain: J.W. Graham Seniors: J.W. Graham, M.S. Mangat, T.S. Mangat, N. Shetty Colts: A. Garella, M.T.A. Matthews, A.G. Tillotson, D.J. Tillotson Sport Sport Fives