OMT Fives Club is dedicated to finding new members, as well as galvanizing former players. The OMT Sports Club will (eventually) move from Croxley Green and relocate to the school (sources say Spring 2008). Because there were no courts at Durrants, Fives has spent many years not feeling part of the club. With a brand new clubhouse to be built on the school grounds, Fives will spend no more time in the wilderness. It is up to everyone to spead the word of this gentleman's game.
New members of either sex, of any age and ability are welcome to join. It is free to come and have a go and equipment can be provided. We can safely guarantee that if you play once, you will be hooked. Rugby Fives is as engergetic as squash - if not more since the rallys are longer - but extremely cost effective. Gloves start at around £15 a pair (see links for supplier) and tend to last a lifetime, judging by the protective nature of some of our older members.
For those who have played before - especially those who gave up after leaving Merchant Taylors' - all we ask is that you make an effort to support the club. It would be fantastic to have a larger playing base, but we do understand that lifestyle or location may proclude this. If this is the case, please get in contact anyway - we are looking for as much support as possible to enable us to progress as a club
Practice starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday nights and is ongoing throughout the year.
Member Profiles
Bhaswar Baral - Club Captain
Bhas attended Merchant Taylors' and played fives there for two years. Bhas is right handed, but fancies himself as having a deft touch with both. Recent honours include runner up in the 2005 (December) President's Cup - Mate's Plate, played at the OMT courts. Bhas has been the driving force behind the club for longer than he wishes to remember and has worked tirelessly to form a bunch of waifs and strays into a healthy and competetive club.
Bhaswar recently captained his newly invigourated OMT side to the semi finals of The Owers Trophy at St Pauls School, assuring the OMT's a seeding in next season's competition.
Gareth Price - Club Secretary
Gareth left the school in 1996 and spent some years in the wilderness (University in Manchester near the YMCA and he didn't even take his gloves!). However, in 2005 he was back with a vengeance; his year finishing with a fantastic win in the 2005 President's Cup. Since then Gareth has played in various tournaments and intends to make his mark on the rankings in the 2008/09 season.
Richard Price - Hon Secretary
Richard started playing Fives at 14 when the school discovered he knew nothing about hockey. Working his way into the 1st IV before he was sixteen, this left hander felt the world was his oyster. Failing to get past the semi finals in any national competition dented his confidence over the years and he rather went to seed. Richard has recently made a bit of a comeback and now regularly competes in national doubles tournaments where his game is improving at a pace.
Richard Fetherston
Richard is a dedicated member and is to be found on the courts most weeks. The right hander's recent honours include beating our honourable Club Captain in the final of the Mate's Plate, and taking yet another plate at the 2008 Ingram Cup.
Nick Hillier
Nick, an Oxford Blue for Fives, joined OMT after taking up the position of Master in Charge of Fives at the School. Proving his credentials was crucial and he did it in style in February 2006, winning the Plate at the National U25's Championships in Durham. Nick is currently coaching the boys in his winning ways, and OMT Fives hopes to join him for several coaching sessions throughout the season.
John Walter
They call him - amongs many other things - Mr Fives. None of the club are sure why. John has been a major proponent of the game for longer than some members have been alive and is a mesmeric character to watch as he - in his own words - minces around the court most Wednesday evenings (see photo below - red T-shirt).
Prashant Chopra
Ever modest, ever the quiet man, ever ready to pounce on a loose shot. Prashant is the man to beat, and all at OMT V's know it. Sadly for 'Chops', a skiing accident has seen him undergoing months of physio on his shoulder. Recently however, Prashant has made a return, and sadly for the rest of us is showing signs of his former invincibility... albeit one shot at a time.
Daniel Grant
Currently the national number 13 seed (lucky for some!), Dan is arguably the most stylish player in the country. At the tender age of 23, Dan has numerous accolades under his belt, but somehow you feel that his best years are yet to come. Truly a gift to the sport, Dan's mission for the 08/09 season is to win the U25's tournament in January.
Bhaswar Baral - Club Captain
