2025 Lake Kezar Invitational Tournament
Maine, USA
October 17-19 marked the second annual Lake Kezar Fives Invitational Tournament, which took place at the beloved Rugby Fives court in Lovell, Maine, which dates from 1924.
Despite the court being, as you can see from the photos of last year’s event, really a “corridor” singles court, there was some informal warm-up doubles before the serious matter of the singles. There were eight entrants, and the early rounds went according to the expected seedings.
The first semi-final featured Tom Siddall, head heavyweight rowing coach at Harvard University taking on Jacob Knight, an Eton Fives-playing PhD student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (who was last year’s runner-up), and produced what was the closest game of the tournament. It was played to 11 points, one ahead, and reached 10-10 without either player being able to establish dominance. There followed several more changes of serve before Siddall eventually played a crucial volley to gain the upper hand in the rally and take the game 11-10.
The second semi-final featured two of last year’s semi-finalists, Jason Baldachino and Aaron Nickelsberg, both members of the Union Boat Club in Boston. Nickelsberg came out of the gates swinging, quickly going up 10-1 before faltering at match point. Baldachino was finally able to get a foothold and gather a few more points, but Nickelsberg’s consistency was simply too strong and he closed out the match 11-4, stamping his ticket to the final.
In the final, Nickelsberg lost the first point, but then established complete control, not allowing Siddall any further joy, and became this year’s champion with a 15-1 win.
The “back draw” (what UK players would call the Plate) final, was between the tournament director, Nick Margitza, and amateur fives historian, and reporter of this tournament, Trevor Jones. It was a tight back-and-forth contest through much of the match, but at the midway point Jones took the momentum winning the match 11-4, a scoreline that does not do the match justice.
RESULTS
Semi-finals: T Siddall beat J Knight 11-10. A Nickelsberg beat J Baldachino 11-4
Final: Nickelsberg bt Siddall 15-1
Plate: T Jones beat N Margitza 11-4
Further information will be provided in the next President’s Newsletter
