Results 2011/12

26/05/12 at St.John's, Leatherhead: North Oxford/Old Edwardians beat St.John's School 3-0

J.Reynolds & P.Scholey won 3-0

K.Hird & M.Sartorius won 3-2

G.Hoskins & C.Friend won 3-0

This year's unusual courts fixture went one step further than those in previous years, this time taking in a unique form of Fives. The courts at St John's do bear some resemblance to an Eton Fives court, with three walls and a (lower than standard) buttress, but there are no side walls behind the buttress, a long open back court, no steps, no ledges apart from one at floor level on the left hand wall between butress and front wall, and a lower minimum height for each shot to hit the front wall. The serve is very different too, with the server throwing the ball underarm to hit the right hand side wall then the front wall - to the satisfaction of the receiver a la Eton Fives - and the receiver hitting the ball back the same way i.e. right wall then front wall. The receiver is also the potential points scorer in each rally. The morning session - in glorious sunshine - saw a combined NOEFC and Old Edwardians side take on the schoolboys and master the rules and subtleties of the game sufficiently to gain a 3-0 victory, with St.John's Master-in-Charge Mark Sartorius subbing in for the unavailable Spencer Chapman. The afternoon session was even hotter for the North Oxford v Old Eds games, with Chris Davies, Ralph Morgan and Robert Scholey bringing the numbers up to a round eight. No record of the scores were kept, with a rotating ladder style pairs format and attempts to play St John's rules and also normal Eton Fives rules. This was a great day out, very much in keeping with the traditions of this fixture and we're already looking forward to next year's instalment. St.Bee's next year, anyone?

25/03/12 at Aldenham: North Oxford lost to Aldenham 0-3

P.Scholey & R.Wilson lost to G.Pulsford & R.Malik 0-3 (5-12, 5-12, 3-12)

S.Chapman & I.Mitchell lost to P.Lyndon & C.Rennie 0-3 (7-12, 12-13 7-12)

G.Hoskins & S.Jones lost to P.Kendall & A.Fraser 0-3 (2-12, 6-12, 10-12)

A glorious spring morning's Fives at Aldenham saw North Oxford wilt in the sunshine and subside to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of an impressive Aldenham team. With the roles reveresd from last weekend, Graham Pulsford gained revenge for his EFA Trophy defeat at the hands of Robert Wilson, teaming up with Rubel Malik to beat Robert and Peter Scholey in emphatic style. Spencer Chapman and Ian Mitchell at second pair had chances to win all three games but it was the home side who had the killer instinct, with skipper and Phil Lyndon and Carl Rennie comgin from behind in both the second and third games. Gareth Hoskins and Stephen Jones found the going tough at third pair to start with against Paul Kendall and Andrew Fraser and lost the first game quickly. Stephen, in particular, improved as the match went on and had they been able to pinch the third it might have been a different story but by then it was too late. An outdoor pub lunch in the sunshine for both teams at the Round Bush soon removed memories of defeat and with many of the Aldenham players contributors to North Oxford's league success we can always claim plenty of the credit anyway!

20/03/12 at Westminster: North Oxford beat Old Westminsters 2-0

R.Wilson & C.Rennie beat F.Krespi & C.Shawcross 3-0 (12-1, 12-4, 11-14, 12-5)

J.Hindle & K.Hird beat M.Mostafavi & J.Macdonald 3-0 (12-4, 12-5, 12-4)

North Oxford were back at Westminster for the second time in a few weeks to take on the Old Wesminsters again, this time in a friendly. A young NOEFC team, all in their teens or early twenties, produced an excellent display to win both pairs comfortably. Carl Rennie and Robert Wilson got off to a flyer at first pair and despite a stutter in the third game they came through in fine style to win in four games against ex-Oxford University players Freddie Krespi and Conrad Shawcross. Jeremy Hindle was back in North Oxford colours at second pair alongside skipper for the evening Karen Hird and they simply had too much class for another ex OUEFC player in Majid Mostafavi, playing alongside James Macdonald who was returning to the game after a two year break.

18/03/12 at Highgate: North Oxford lost to Old Wulfrunians 0-3

G.Pulsford & C.Rennie lost to C.Austin & A.Simmons 0-3 (6-12, 0-12, 9-12)

S.Chapman & C.Lloyd lost to A.Husselbee & G.Hammond 1-3 (5-12, 11-12, 12-7, 11-12)

J.Black & K.Hird lost to M.Yates & R.Ambler 1-3 (2-12, 4-12, 12-7, 6-12)

The Old Wulfrunians matched our performance in beating London Universities 2-1 to set up a best of five final. Both teams are recent winners of this competition and hopes were high for a good final. The Wulfrunians got off to a strong start, going 2-0 up in the first and third pairs pretty quickly and winning the first game of the second pair match 12-5. It looked as though a rout could be on the cards but the NOEFC team showed great spirit to begin fighting back in all three pairs. In the first two games, Graham Pulsford and Carl Rennie at first pair had suffered the consequences of Chris Austin and Sid Simmons losing to London Universities for the Wulfrunians earlier on, as they went down 6 and 0. Graham and Carl got much closer in the third game but were unable to stop the fired up Wulfrunian pair winning 12-9 to take the first point. The comeback was proving to be more successful in the other two pairs, however. Spencer Chapman and Chris Lloyd missed chances to win the second game, going down 12-11, but won the third 12-7 in fine style. Julian Black and Karen Hird had also suffered in the early stages, losing their first two games to 2 and 4, but a change of tactic to a more attacking game and an improvement in their cutting and returning turned things round and gave them the third game, also 12-7. At this point North Oxford had the scent of victory in their nostrils but the Wulfrunians rallied and Mark Yates and Richard Ambler regained control in the fourth game of their match against Julian and Karen closing it out 12-6. Spencer and Chris continued to fight, converting a 9-6 fourth game deficit into a 10-9 lead, but with Greg Hammond struggling with injury and Andy Husselbee tiring (in fact the Wulfrunians would not have been able to continue into a fifth game) the chances came and went again in a repeat of the second game as the Wulfrunians won the sudden death battle 12-11.

EFA Trophy Final action

18/03/12 at Highgate: North Oxford beat London Universities 2-1

G.Pulsford & C.Rennie lost to R.Wilson & Aroop Bhattacharya 0-2 (8-12, 5-12)

C.Davies & C.Lloyd beat A.Archer & Abhishek Bhattacharya 2-0 (12-9, 12-7)

S.Chapman & K.Hird beat A.Meredith & K.Raj 2-0 (12-1, 12-0)

The entry for this year's EFA Trophy was reduced to a mere three teams by a series of late withdrawals, which meant that it became a three team shootout over one day's play at Highgate. North Oxford got off to a strong start with a 2-1 over London Universities, skipper Spencer Chapman and Karen Hird setting the tone with a crushing win at third pair. Graham Pulsford and Carl Rennie found the Universities first string of Robert Wilson and Aroop Bhattacharya too hot to handle but it was the ever reliable combination of Chris Davies and Chris Lloyd who booked our place in the final with a 12-9, 12-7 win over Abhishek Bhattacharya and Alex Archer.

EFA Trophy semi-final action

06/03/12 at Eton: North Oxford lost to Lancing Old Boys 0-1

S.Chapman & K.Hird lost to N.Cox & J.Black 0-3 (7-12, 6-12, 10-12)

Tuesday night's friendly at Eton against the Lancing Old Boys was reduced to a one pair game to to a lack of Lancing availability. Spencer Chapman and Karen Hird flew the flag for North Oxford in a tough contest against Nigel Cox and Julian Black. Karen continued to demonstrate the improvements in her game this year, showing why she is rapidly becoming one of the leading players at the very top end of the women's game, but it was Julian Black who was the difference between the sides with his impressive volleying from front and back court. With Nigel as steady in support as ever and keen to put one over NOEFC after being described as an uberveteran on the EFA website by the club captain, the Lancing duo had a bit too much for Spencer and Karen, although had the North Oxford pair managed to claim the close third game, which they lost 12-10, things might have been different.

21/02/12 at Westminster: North Oxford beat Old Westminsters 2 3-0

G.Pulsford & C.Austin beat F.Krespi & C.Shawcross 3-0 (12-1, 12-1, 12-0)

S.Chapman & P.Scholey beat C.Watts & E.Levy 2-1 (12-9, 8-12, 12-10, 9-9 timed out)

C.Davies & J.Shaw beat A.Aitken & M.Chen 3-0 (12-9, 12-9, 12-9)

North Oxford moved within a mathematical whisker of a second Division 2 title in four years with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Old Westminsters 2 in their own back yard on Tuesday night. Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin were in imperious form at first pair, brushing aside the challenge of ex-Oxford University pair Freddie Krespi and Conrad Shawcross for the loss of just two points. Spencer Chapman and Peter Scholey had a much tougher time of things at second pair, grinding their way to a 2-1 lead and 9-9 in the fourth when time ran out at 10pm. In the end Peter's top step play proved decisive in the crucial third game and the second point was in the bag. Third pair saw a welcome return from injury for Justin Shaw, who partnered Chris Davies to a straight games win; although the opposition scored 9 points in each game, Chris and Justin were always in control and doing enough to stay ahead. With one league game to go - against the Old Carthusians in April - the only side who can overtake us at the top of the table is Berkhamsted 2, who would need to win all seven of their remaining matches 3-0 with us failing to score a point against the OCs. Hopefully it shouldn't be too long before our win is confirmed - the champagne is on ice!

18/02/12 at Eton: North Oxford drew with Cambridge University 3-3

J.Reynolds & C.Austin beat R.Griffiths & R.Wilson 3-0 (12-4, 12-2, 12-3)

S.Chapman & P.Lyndon lost to G.Illingworth & E.Winfield 2-3 (12-8, 12-9, 7-12, 9-12, 12-15)

G.Hoskins & K.Hird beat A.Crawford & S.Sakhrani 3-0 (12-5, 14-11, 12-6)

R.Pattison & S.Jones lost to A.Rattan & S.Patel 0-3 (8-12, 5-12, 3-12)

N.Cox & J.Nelmes beat A.Wessely & N.Tandy 2-0 (12-6, 12-7)

J.Nelmes & E.Scoones lost to J.Weller & R.Morgan 0-2 (7-12, 4-12)

The annual multi-pair fixture between North Oxford and Cambridge University took place at Eton on Saturday with honours even between the teams at the end of an exciting fixture. A late Cambridge drop out meant that they were only able to bring 11 players. A lower order reshuffle ensued with a return to the Light Blue ranks for recent graduate Ralph Morgan and a double appearance at both 5th and 6th pairs by Jonny Nelmes, who partnered fellow OL Nigel Cox to victory against Westminsters Alex Wessely and Napper Tandy before teaming up with Emily Scoones and losing to Jack Weller and Ralph Morgan. The strong Cambridge first pair were given a tough test against Fives legend John Reynolds and Chris Austin and despite going down to what looks like a comprehensive defeat, the Cambridge pair acquitted themselves well. Karen Hird confirmed the great strides that she has been making this season with an impressive display at third pair, partnering skipper Gareth Hoskins to a three game win. Ronald Pattison and Stephen Jones fought hard at fourth pair but were unable to prevent a win for Alex Rattan and Shaneil Patel, which left all matches finished and North Oxford 3-2 ahead with the exception of second pair, which was turning into an epic. Spencer Chapman and Phil Lyndon - making his NOEFC debut - were looking strong as they took the first two games against Ed Winfield and Cambridge captain George Illingworth. The Cambridge pair struck back in the third but as Spencer and Phil established a 9-4 lead in the fourth, a North Oxford victory looked to be on the cards. As tiredness began to kick in, however, Ed and George went on a run of 8 unanswered points to level at 2-2. It would have been easy for the North Oxford pair to have surrendered to fatigue at that point but they showed some true NOEFC grit to fight their way through the early stages of the fifth, once more moving into a winning position at 9-3. Buoyed by their comeback in the previous game, the Cambridge boys once more began to claw back the advantage, cutting well and taking the game all the way to 10-10. The last few points took a long time to get but Spencer and Phil had little left in the tank and eventually went down 15-12, leaving the overall match score level at 3-3. NOEFC are in action again on Tuesday evening, with the chance to wrap up the Division 2 title with a game to spare against the Old Westminsters 2.

22/01/12 at Aldenham: North Oxford beat Old Ipswichians 3-0

G.Pulsford & C.Austin beat N.Bunyan & D.Leach 3-0 (12-9, 12-6, 13-10)

C.Davies & S.Chapman beat T.Fletcher & R.Wood 3-0 (12-8, 12-4, 12-7)

Old Ipswichians conceded third pair

A second maximum points win in a row at Aldenham on Sunday has now put North Oxford in pole position to win the Division 2 title for the second time in four years. Sunday's victims were the Old Ipswichians and again the strength and commitment of North Oxford's squad compared to some of the other teams in the league was rewarded with a walkover at third pair, with Nigel Cox and Carl Rennie the unfortunate players having to sit this one out. The four who played, though, had to overcome some stout resistance from a strong Old Ipswichian quartet and both NO pairs were made to work hard for their victories. At first pair, Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin had to contend with promising OI youngster David Leach alongside veteran Nick Bunyan, recent winner of the Ipswich Tournament and fuelled by his traditional pre-match courtside breakfast of double burger and chips and a dodgy looking roll. Even that was not enough to put Graham and Chris off their stride as they marked their return to the side after a week off with a controlled and classy performance under pressure to win in three. Chris Davies and Spencer Chapman at second pair took a while to find their range in the first game against Tom Fletcher and Richard Wood before Chris started to take control on the top step to win the first game 12-8 and then take an unassailable lead early in the second. A dip in form allowed the OI pair a glimmer of hope in the third game, but with Graham and Chris providing encouragement from the back of the court, Chris Davies refound his volleying length and Spencer began hitting the bricks at the back - not to mention adding in a couple of physical assaults to intimidate OI skipper Fletcher - and the North Oxford pair got the 3-0 win they were looking for. With two games to go, our fate is now entirely in our own hands: 4 points from the remaining 2 matches would almost certainly be enough to take the title, and 5 would make it mathematically certain. Next up are the Old Westminsters on Tuesday Feb 21st.

15/01/12 at Aldenham: North Oxford beat Old Citizens 1 3-0

G.Hoskins & P.Scholey beat N.Gill & B.Friedman 3-0 (12-0, 12-7, 12-6)

C.Davies & C.Rennie beat J.Powell & M.Stockton 3-0 (12-3, 12-4, 12-7)

N.Cox & J.Nelmes beat S.Chapman & D.Cooper 3-1 (12-6, 12-6, 11-14 ret)

Normal league service was resumed for North Oxford with a resounding 3-0 over the newly promoted Old Citizens 1 team at Aldenham. With the Citizens one player short, Spencer Chapman - an Old Citizen himself - was loaned to the opposition; this meant that the third pair point was already in the bag before North Oxford's Lancing duo of Nigel Cox and Jonny Nelmes stepped on court to take on Spencer and veteran (yes, even older than Dr Cox himself) David Cooper. Nigel and Jonny won the first two games before allowing the Citizens pair back in in the third, at which point everyone else had finished and the Citizen pair conceded defeat gracefully, or at least as graceful as Spencer ever gets on a Fives court. The third pair were last to finish because North Oxford's top two pairs had made short work of the Citizens top four. Gareth Hoskins and Peter Scholey at first pair blasted out of the blocks and were 4-0 up in the second game before conceding a point. Their opponents - ex Cambridge half blues Nick Gill and Bobby Friedman - did manage to rally somewhat after that but the result was never in doubt, which was also the case at second pair as Chris Davies and Carl Rennie were able to cruise through their match in second gear and move North Oxford three points clear at the top of the table.

Chris Davies and Carl Rennie in control at second pair

12/01/12 at Eton: North Oxford drew with The Brigands 1-1

R.Wilson & D.Byam Shaw beat H.Turnbull & S.Woolfries 3-0 (12-5, 12-3, 12-6)

K.Hird & W.Skjott lost to N.Cox & M.Powell 1-3 (8-12, 12-10, 6-12, 2-12)

An experimental North Oxford line-up played out a creditable 1-1 draw at Eton on Thursday against a highly experienced Brigands IV. Cambridge fresher Robert Wilson stepped in at first pair to partner young Etonian Dan Byam Shaw against Harry Turnbull and Simon Woolfries and the two North Oxford teenagers put in a highly impressive performance to beat a decent pair in straight games. Karen Hird and Will Skjott were together at second pair against the equally experienced Nigel Cox and Martin Powell and after a close fought and shared first two games, Will's recent travels back from Denmark began to catch up him and the Brigands pair ran out 3-1 winners to share the spoils overall on the night.

11/12/11 at Eton: North Oxford lost to Old Olavians 3 1-2

G.Pulsford & C.Davies lost to S.Cooley & C.Cooley 0-3 (12-13, 7-12, 13-14)

G.Hoskins & C.Lloyd lost to P.White & D.Redmond 2-3 (5-12, 12-11, 12-9, 7-12, 4-12)

H.Tobias & S.Chapman beat G.Jenkins & D.Hewlett 3-0 (12-2, 12-9, 12-3)

The unpredictable Division 2 season continued at Eton on Sunday as North Oxford came up against a tough Old Olavian team at Eton. NOEFC had had a stroke of good fortune earlier in the week with title rivals the Old Stoics scratching their match against Highgate and conceding three penalty points. This put North Oxford back into pole position in the table after the 3-0 win over Highgate in November and a home game against the side propping up the table seemed to be the ideal way to end 2011 and confirm top position in the table. The Olavians pulled a surprise out of the bag, however, arriving with both Seb Cooley and Peter White in their ranks to field a side way stronger than any other Olavian 3 side this season. Undeterred, the North Oxford team set about their task in determined fashion. Spencer Chapman and Hugo Tobias drew first blood at third pair with a convincing win against the Cambridge pair of David Hewlett and George Jenkins. At first pair, Graham Pulsford and Chris Davies were keeping pace with the Cooley siblings; the North Oxford pair had several foot down chances in both the first and third games but were unable to convert any of them and went down in three tight games to the reigning Kinnaird Cup champion. Gareth Hoskins and Chris Lloyd were involved in a tough match at second pair which revolved around the North Oxford's pair's ability to return enough cuts. After a poor start in the first game it looked like things were turning their way after a brave decision to choose sudden death at 11-11 in the second game paid off and the third was won 12-9. Peter White's fitness and exceptional cutting in the fourth and fifth games were too much, however, and with Dom Redmond the model of steadiness around the court, the Olavian pair went on to win in five. The point gained has taken North Oxford back to the top of the table but there remains much work to be done in the remaining fixtures in order to bring the Aston House Cup back to Summer Fields for the second time.

20/11/11 at Eton: North Oxford beat Highgate 5-1

G.Pulsford & N.Shaw beat G.Chapman & Aroop Bhattacharya 3-1 (12-6, 5-12, 12-5, 13-11)

G.Hoskins & C.Davies beat D.Davis & A.Noar 3-2 (12-5, 8-12, 12-13, 12-8, 12-1)

C.Lloyd & S.Chapman beat M.Goldman & S.Moulding 3-0 (12-5, 12-5, 14-11)

N.Cox & C.Rennie beat M.Willet & M.Wintle 3-0 (12-5, 12-3, 12-8)

N.Bunyan & W.Skjott beat Abhishek Bhattacharya & J.Angel 3-1 (12-8, 13-11, 9-12, 12-7)

K.Hird & M.Barnes lost to E.Smith-Bingham & A.Paul 3-0 (2-12, 5-12, 2-12)

After the setback against the Stoics at Westway a couple of weeks ago, North Oxford got their Division 2 title challenge back on track with a 3-0 league win and a 5-1 overall win against a strong Highgate team. Back at Fortress Eton and reunited at first pair, Graham Pulsford and Nick Shaw saw off the dangerous combination of Guy Chapman and Aroop Bhattacharya at first pair, winning well in four games. Second pair started well with Gareth Hoskins and Chris Davies 12-5, 3-0 up when Chris pulled a calf muscle. This initially looked like it would cost the NO pair the match as 3-0 quickly became 3-8 and then 8-12. The third game was tight as the North Oxford pair began to work out a method of playing together with Chris struggling to move freely and unable to cut at full pace; when the third was lost 12-13 it looked like the game might be up but in an heroic performance - the Fives equivalent of Gordon Greenidge on one leg blasting Botham, Willis et al to all parts of Lord's in 1984 (look it up on Youtube if you're under 35) - Chris played through the pain and he and Gareth were able to turn the match around and finish convincing 12-1 winners in the fifth. A solid performance from Spencer Chapman and Chris Lloyd clinched the third league point at third pair and Nigel Cox and Carl Rennie won equally convincingly at fourth. Windsor & Eton guests Nick Bunyan and Will Skjott completed the 5-0 win in the men's pairs by grinding out a hard-earned four game win at fifth pair. The Highgate girls Eve Smith-Bingham and Aimee Paul are exceptional talents and are already one of the top ladies pairs in the country; North Oxford's Karen Hird and Mandie Barnes pushed them hard and produced some good Fives but were unable to prevent a 3-0 defeat.

09/11/11 at Westway: North Oxford lost to Old Stoics 1-2

G.Hoskins & S.Chapman lost to D.Mew & E.Hewens 0-3 (4-12, 5-12, 11-13)

C.Austin & C.Davies lost to R.Perrie & M.Skjott 0-3 (1-12, 2-12, 7-12)

N.Cox & J.Shaw beat R.Malacrida & K.Wagner 3-0 (13-11, 12-1, 12-11)

North Oxford suffered their first defeat of the season at Westway last night against fellow Division 2 high flyers the Old Stoics. A formidable looking Stoic top four meant that the top two NOEFC pairs were always going to have their work cut out to get anything from the match and so it proved. Gareth Hoskins teamed up with Spencer Chapman, fresh from a recent first pair Barber Cup win for the Citizens, and they came up against an Ed Hewens in inspired form for the first two games, which resulted in routine wins for the Stoic pair. Ed's level dropped in the third and Gareth and Spencer were able to find more consistency and establish a lead, but this was the cue for top 10 ranked Olavian Dave Mew to raise his game and time his run for the finish line perfectly. Second pair was not proving any easier: on paper, the North Oxford combination of Chris Austin and Chris Davies looked a strong one but they were simply blown away in the first two games by the quality of Ryan Perrie - on his home courts - and the big left hand of Mike Skjott. As with first pair, the North Oxford duo offered a bit more in the third game but were unable to prevent another 3-0 loss. This meant that it was down to Justin Shaw and Nigel Cox at third pair to salvage a point for North Oxford and this they did, although they were made to work hard in the first and third games by Karl Wagner and Robin Malacrida, finally coming through 13-11, 12-1, 12-11. This result leaves the top of the table as a three way fight at the moment between North Oxford, Highgate and the Stoics with Highgate next up for NOEFC at Eton on Sunday 20th November in what looks like it could be a crucial match.

26/10/11 at Iffley Road: North Oxford drew with Oxford University 1-1

J.Hindle & H.Tobias beat F.Collings & J.Drummond-Moray 3-0 (14-12, 12-2, 12-3)

J.Nelmes & S.Jones lost to F.Goodman & M.Noyes 0-3 (5-12, 1-12, 9-12)

The season's first local derby took place at Iffley Road last night and ended with honours even. It was good to see Jeremy Hindle back in North Oxford colours at first pair and he led the way in partnership with Hugo Tobias at first pair, beating young Salopians Frank Collings and Jamie Drummond-Moray (late replacements for Etonian duo Hopton and Slater) in three games; the key to the match was the very first game, which Jeremy and Hugo had to fight hard to win 14-12. After that it became plain sailing and they cruised through the next two. Second pair saw North Oxford represented by the Teddies duo of Jonny Nelmes and debut-maker Stephen Jones. They were up against Oxford freshmen Matthew Noyes from High Wycombe and Etonian Felix Goodman. The North Oxford pair fought hard in the first then suffered a disastrous second game before digging in and coming close to taking the third and maybe turning the match around, lack of cut returns probably proving to be the decisive factor. Hopefully this should be the first of several fixtures against the University this year.

23/10/11 at Eton: North Oxford beat Old Salopians 2-1

G.Pulsford & C.Austin beat E.Taylor & B.Alderson 3-0 (12-9, 12-4, 15-12)

G.Hoskins & P.Scholey lost to M.Hughes & P.Nichols 1-3 (11-14, 14-11, 12-13, 3-12)

S.Chapman & J.Nelmes lost to D.Davis* & I.Mitchell 1-3 (3-12, 3-12, 12-9, 3-12)

*ineligible player named in advance

North Oxford continued their unbeaten run at Eton on Sunday against stiff opposition in the form of the Old Salopians. With no Salopian team in Division 1 this season, all of their big guns were available for selection and at first pair Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin were up against former Kinnaird finalist Ed Taylor and former schools' finalist Ben Alderson. The North Oxford pair were on fine form, with Chris in particular playing his very best Fives to establish a 2-0 lead. In the third game, Ed came out firing, looking to dominate the court and take everything he could but the NO duo held firm to claim an impressive 3-0 win. At second pair Gareth Hoskins and Peter Scholey were also being made to work hard against reigning Veterans and Fathers & Sons champion Mike Hughes (on his new home courts as Eton coach) and former Cambridge half-blue Peter Nichols. Gareth and Peter managed to establish 9-4 leads in both of the first two games but couldn't convert them to easy wins; Mike and Pete fought back to win the first game 14-11 and almost repeated the dose in the second game before Gareth and Peter held on to level at 1-1. The third game went the other way, with the Salopians opening up a 10-6 lead before being pegged back to 10-10 and then 12-12. The next few hands were crucial to the outcome of the match: the Shrewsbury pair won it 13-12 and then with the North Oxford pair tiring, Nichols playing more steadily and Hughes dominating the top step, the Salopians made short work of the fourth game. At third pair, the presence of another ex-Cambridge half-blue in the shape of Dexter Davis was something of a double-edged sword. He stepped in to play as the Salopians were a man short, but as a Highgate player was ineligible for the league, meaning that the crucial league point was won by the North Oxford pair before a ball had been struck. His presence on court, alongside North Oxford's own Ian Mitchell, meant, however, that Spencer Chapman and Jonny Nelmes were going to have their work cut out to win. A spirited comeback in the third game, which they won 12-9 having lost the first two to 3, raised hopes of a successful fightback, but the Salopian pair restored order in the fourth and won again to 3. Overall, this was a very high quality Division 2 match and the two points gained against potentially one of our closest rivals for the top spot could prove to be invaluable at the end of the season. Next up are the unbeaten Stoics at Westway in a couple of weeks time.

09/10/11 at Eton: North Oxford beat Old Etonians 3-0

G.Pulsford & C.Austin beat F.Wickes & J.Hindle 3-0 (15-14, 12-2, 12-3)

G.Hoskins & P.Scholey beat J.Asquith & H.Mackenzie 3-0 (12-5, 15-10, 12-2)

Old Etonians conceded third pair

The North Oxford Division 2 bandwagon rolled merrily on at Eton yesterday with a 3-0 against potentially dangerous opposition in the form of the Old Etonians. Unfortunately the Etonians conceded third pair the day before - a rather disappointing effort given the location of the match - which meant that Spencer Chapman and Hugo Tobias had to sit it out as North Oxford's pairs put in a workmanlike display to claim the two available points. Defector Jeremy Hindle, back in the bosom of his alma mater this season, started as if he had a point to prove at first pair against Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin, and it took all of the North Oxford duo's experience to edge the first game 15-14. Once that had been achieved, things became a lot more straightforward and Graham and Chris raced through the next two games. At second pair, Gareth Hoskins and Peter Scholey also had a go at losing one of their games, in their case having to come from behind to win the second after a sticky patch in the middle. Either side of that spell, they were pretty much in control of the match at all times and in the end won fairly comfortably without necessarily playing at their best. The 3-0 win means 8 points from the first three games and a nice lead at the top of the table, although many clubs still have to play their first matches and with a tough game against the Old Salopians to come in a couple of weeks time, there's no time to rest on our laurels.

27/09/11 at Mill Hill: North Oxford beat Old Millhillians 2 2-1

G.Pulsford & N.Shaw lost to J.Coakley & S.Tailor 2-3 (15-13, 14-12, 4-12, 12-14, 11-15)

G.Hoskins & S.Chapman beat J.Adler & F.Mir 3-0 (12-8, 12-4, 12-2)

P.Scholey & C.Rennie beat J.Hutcheson & O.John 3-0 (12-4, 12-4, 12-9)

North Oxford's strong start to the season continued at Mill Hill last night with a 2-1 win over the Old Millhillians. With their first team now in Division 1, the one club to beat us in the league last year were always going to have less strength in depth in Division 2 this time around and Gareth Hoskins and Spencer Chapman took advantage of that with a routine win at second pair, as did Peter Scholey - back in the NOEFC fold after his two year Edwardian sabbatical - and Carl Rennie at third. The Millhillians were able to field a very strong first pair of Joe Coakley and Sunil Tailor, however, and Nick Shaw and Graham Pulsford quickly found themselves in a tight battle, which right from the start looked destined to go the distance as the North Oxford pair won the first game 15-13. Hopes were raised of a straight games win when Nick and Graham clawed back a 7-1 deficit to take the second game 14-12 but the Millhillian pair struck back with a dominant display in the third game to take it 12-4. With the other pairs finished, and OM captain James Hutcheson a lone Millhillian voice amongst the raucous North Oxford support, the nip and tuck pattern of the first two games was resumed. Nick and Graham came close to winning in four, but the OM pair narrowly won the fourth 14-12 to take the match into a fifth and final game. The early signs were not promising as the Oxford pair went 5-1 down and looked as if they were beginning to flag. However, Graham found some extra energy from somewhere (had he been secretly helping himself to Spencer's protein shake?) and with Nick producing an inspired spell, the game was turned round and at 10-7 it looked like this was the third point in the bag. With the clock nudging 11pm, though, there was still time for one final twist as the cut returns dried up for a few crucial hands and the Millhillians pair took advantage to level at 10-10 and then go on to win 15-11 and claim victory a classic contest. Despite that setback, we have taken five points out of six in our first two matches and sit at the top of the early season Division 2 table. Can anyone knock us off?

25/09/11 at Berkhamsted: North Oxford beat Berkhamsted 2 3-0

G.Pulsford & C.Austin beat J.O'Neill & J.Holroyd 3-1 (8-12, 12-8, 12-1, 12-5)

C.Davies & H.Tobias beat A.Rattan & C.O'Gorman 3-0 (12-3, 12-4, 12-9)

S.Chapman & A.Bishop beat O.O'Gorman & S.Gaunt 3-0 (12-0, 12-3, 12-3)

The North Oxford league campaign got off to a strong start on Sunday with a convincing 3-0 away win over Berkhamsted. Spencer Chapman and Andy Bishop won in double quick time at third pair, losing only 6 points in three games, and maestro Chris Davies teamed up with the fast improving Hugo Tobias at second pair to record an equally comfortable - if slightly less ruthless - victory as some of the Berkhamsted schoolboys found the going tough at this level. Berkhamsted's strength was in their first pair with recent old boys Jeremy O'Neill and James Holroyd potentially awkward opponents. Graham Pulsford and Chris Austin at first pair lost the first game to 8 but then got into their stride and stopped playing to their opponents' strengths, running away with the next three games to get NOEFC off to a flyer in our attempt to improve on our second place finish last year.

18/09/11 at RGS High Wycombe: North Oxford beat Wycombe Club 2-0

S.Chapman & S.Nowinski beat C.Turnbull & N.Turnbull 3-0 (12-8, 12-5, 12-4)

I.Mitchell & M.Barnes beat J.Black & F.Turnbull 3-1 (12-8, 4-12, 12-7, 12-8)

The last time that North Oxford played at High Wycombe, the courts were in a poor state of repair. It was a great pleasure for us to be able to return there a few years later to play on refurbished and roofed courts against the newly formed Wycombe Club. We had the honour of being the opposition for Wycombe's first ever fixture and hopefully did our bit to encourage and enthuse the players learning the game there. For the record, the result was a 2-0 win to North Oxford with Spencer Chapman and Stefan Nowinski winning 3-0 at first pair against father and son duo Colin and Nathan Turnbull with Ian Mitchell and Mandie Barnes teaming up at second pair for a mixed doubles game against Julian Black and young Francesca Turnbull, which they won in four games.