Fives
Just like squash but with padded gloves instead of a racket, Fives has been played at Marlborough for well over 100 years. An easy sport to enjoy but taking a lifetime to master, the game requires both hand–eye coordination and cardio fitness; whether singles or doubles, it works both sides of the brain and the body. There’s no umpire, so Fives players can be relied upon for an acute sense of fairness and sporting responsibility. Fives is open to boys and girls of all ages as a sports option in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. Seniors coach the Shell on Wednesday afternoons.
Tom Kiggell
Head of Fives
Facilities
We are one of the few venues with both Eton Fives and Rugby Fives courts. The adult members of Marlborough Town Fives Club play regularly on our courts all through the year. The College courts are highly sought-after: we host the British Universities Championships, the National Schoolgirls Championships, the National Veterans Championships and the President’s Cup.
Fixtures
Marlborough always competes in the Winchester Championships, the West of England Schools’ Championships and the National Championships. On the fixture circuit we play Winchester, Radley, Sherborne, Bradfield, Malvern, St.Paul’s and Oxford University. We also play against the Jesters, the RFA, the EFA, the town Fives Club and the Wessex Fives Club.
In 2017, our U16 boys were runners-up in the National doubles. In 2018, our U14 girls were runners-up in the National Doubles, and our U18 girls retained the singles & doubles titles. Our top pair won the U16 doubles that year, and then took the U18 title in 2019. We won the National U14 plate singles in 2021.
Collaborations and Coaches
Tim Brown of the Marlborough & District Fives Club is our visiting coach.