David Arnold (Bedford & Caius)

It is with great sadness that we report the death of David Arnold at the age of 65. He collapsed and died on court at Eastbourne College while playing the game he had loved all his life.

David played 6 times in the Varsity Match between 1971 and 1977, each time on the winning side.

David was a devoted fives player who holds an unusual record: he appeared in the British Universities Doubles final six years running, losing the first three and winning the rest. In 1976, after his final win, he presented an engraved silver trophy for the event, a cup which is still awarded to the winners each year.

David was the most loyal of Sparrows, attending and playing in almost every Past v. Present fixture since he went down.

In David Barnes’ words: It’s no immediate consolation to his family and friends, but in due course we can celebrate the fact that he played fives on the last day of his life and played winners to the end.

Our heart-felt condolences go to his wife Angela and his two sons.

A full tribute to David will be published in due course by the RFA on its website at www.rugbyfivesassociation.net .

David Arnold (l.) in The Pickerel in 2007 holding his beloved two-handled beer mug