The Rugby Fives Association
27th June 2025
Charlie Brooks writes: It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for…. How have our efforts from this season translated into ranking points? Have I climbed up or tumbled down? Who are the big movers? There are now 214 players ranked in the Open Singles and 224 in the Open Doubles.
Top 10
Singles: Ed Kay, Dan Tristao and Ben Beltrami keep their spots at one, two and three respectively, with Ed’s greater consistency keeping him just ahead. Julian Aquilina (4), Richie Murby (5), Lewis Keates (6) and Theo Parker (8) have their best ever end of season ranking, all being rewarded for the breadth of tournaments they play.
Doubles: Dan and Ed have their singles rankings reversed in the doubles, well clear of the chasing pack after retaining the Nationals. Once again, quite a few of the top ten find themselves higher than ever – Ben Beltrami (3), James Tilston (7) and Cameron Low (10) join Julian (6) and Lewis (8), who repeat their singles successes in doubles.
Top Movers
Singles: Freddie Hammond Giles leaps up to 14th after a breakthrough season, whilst there’s lots of movement in the Top 25, with the likes of Boyd, Cloke Browne, Grant, Wiseman, Chai and Lacewing heading northwards. There are significant gains elsewhere, notably Theo Vernacchio (47th, up by 60) and Julian Hanton (51st, up by 161).
Doubles: Plenty vying for the crown of top mover in doubles, but the standout performer has to be Val Fikhter (20th, up by 101), although Penn Chai (up 16 places to 11th) might have something to say about that…. Freddie Hammond Giles, Seb Ion and Patrick Harrison also storm into the top 40.
Top Newbies
Singles: Seb Ion, James Toop (ever heard of him?) and JP Cheng are the highest placed ‘new’ entrants, all squeezing into the Top 40; of course, James isn’t really new to the rankings, he just fell off after three years conserving his energy. Riki Houlden also makes it into the Top 50.
Doubles: Julian Hanton and JP Cheng (again!) are the highest ranked newbies. Similar to James in the singles, Kevin Brice and Tom Maconie re-enter the fold, straight into the Top 50.
Superb effort everyone, and if you don’t see your name in the rankings, make sure to enter some tournaments next season!