By Gwyn Pratley | Posted: Thursday December 9, 2021
Year 10 student Jonathan Tucker was crowned the J. J. J. Mallard Junior Fives champion in front of a large crowd this week, when he defeated fellow Year 10 student Fergus Oberlin-Brown in a final that will be long remembered.
Tucker however did not have it all his own way on the road to the 2021 silverware with Oberlin-Brown taking the first set, 11-12 in the best of 3 set final. He then powered back into the match winning the second set 12-7, which took the match to a deciding set. It was a third set for the fives purists with both players matching each other point for point. At 11-11 in the final set and the need to win by 2 points – Tucker stole the ascendancy to claim a hard-fought championship victory 11-12, 12-7, 14-12.
Although the hands will be wringing for the next few hours the memories will undoubtably last a lifetime. Well done to both boys for the spirit in which the final was played. Congratulations also to the other 32 Year 9 and 10 students who competed in the 34 strong championship field of 2021.