Chairman’s Report
110 entrants, slightly down on previous events, entered the
South at Broxbourne. This Regional was, as usual, held in
brilliant sunshine. Unfortunately, anyone who didn’t cover
their screens found out that when the sun disappeared, it
was extremely cold and the frost appeared! As usual, Karen
Lane and her band of helpers, including the trusty Vernon,
made sure everything ran like clockwork (as you would expect
from the PA to the boss of Ofcom !!
The courts at Broxbourne are a delight, very hot and no need
for tracksuits. Yet, even with an enormous bounce they take
a drop shot perfectly and in effect, the better the
technique, the easier it was. There were some real matches
to savour.
The Mens O75 saw Tony Seare start the weekend off
badly (for him) by braining himself against the (very hard)
wall. End of Tony. This group saw Lance Kinder get
very close to John Woodliffe, who is enjoying his
Regionals.
In the O65’s a stand out match on the Friday, between
two very elegant shot players, both of whom enjoy the good
life. With no speed factor involved, Dave Hardern, one of
the few players to beat John Perrott (only six years ago)
came back from the dead to sneak past Vets Club Secretary
Nigel Belle in an entertaining match. World Champion Chris
Ansell came unstuck against a resurgent Graham Fisher, after
the latter had given Mike Clemson a bit of a seeing to. In
the other half, sponsored by Players No 6 and coughing
beautifully, Rod Boswell blitzed Adrian Wright,
patently not well, and then came back from the dead 5/8 in
the fifth, on court no4 to break Graham Fisher’s heart,---
the latter nearly, ever so nearly, winning his first
Regional.
In the O60’s, again on court 4, Larry Grover also
came back from the dead, saving four match balls in an
unusual score line 9/4 0/9 0/9 10/9 9/7 against Martin
Pearse who blew 9 match balls on the same court in the Semi
Final the year before!! Grover then removed Phil Godfrey,
who was shocked at his own downfall and then Allen Brown in
the Semi. Brown looked home and dry, 2/0 up but Larry stuck
in there and came through in the 5th.
Earlier on, Barry Featherstone, down 7/9 6/2, nip and tuck,
could have gone either way scenario, had to retire with a
damaged back. What Barry will do for the next week or so is
anybody’s guess. A retiree on an Army pension, he does the
crossword at noon and then trains every afternoon, plus his
matches. I think another crossword is the solution. In the
other half, Peter Smith gave Keith Jones a tough
battle (Jones said it was his most difficult match in the
60’s) and Ian Graham looked favourite at most times against
Howard Cherlin. But Cherlin forgot about his leg, flew round
the court like a stoat and showed all his talents to
overcome the dogged Graham. However, all energies were spent
for his Semi with the superfast Jones. Grover’s luck turned
the wrong way on the Sunday and after an initial early
start, saw Jones come into his own to return a 9/4 9/0 9/4
scoreline. But 2 Finals in two tournaments is not to be
sneezed at.
In the O55’s, a very weak draw, saw Mark Cowley
far too good for the opposition, winning all his matches 3/0
in the Final against No 3 seed Simon Evendon, who beat
Stuart Hardy 3/0, the latter continuing to play despite two
knee operations. The only match that went past three was
Evenden’s victory over Martin Collins Ballands, a long five
setter.
The O50’s saw another week, another winner, as a
resurgent James Ockwell, after some severe training
(on the court) was too good for all and sundry. No 1 seed
Duleep Adihetty flattered to deceive and for the first time
since his injury, Ian Bradburn showed flashes of his old
brilliance. As Bradder’s is quite low to the ground, so to
speak, the ball stays at the same trajectory, very hard and
fast. It used to be the weapon of one Hiddy Jahan and it
certainly has stood the Junior Fox well over the years. He
took out Adihetty, albeit with a 10/9 but found Ockwell just
too clinical 7/9 3/9 0/9.
The O45’s have some standout players, Both the top
two seeds would do well in the 40 group Some of junior age
groups would be well advised to study Messrs Gunter and
Price (at length). Both reached their allocated places,
but Price had to up a gear to overcome the Army’s Chris
Wilson, who took the first 9/5. But both Price and Gunter
have the all court ability to place the ball rather than
just wallop it and retrieve, and Gunter’s drops to
perfection were the main reason he broke Price’s game plan
up, or so it seemed to me! An enthralling match 9/7 5/9 10/9
9/2 Gunter. Earlier on Andrew Eilfield took out newcomer Rob
Watkins and as in other groups, going up in age doesn’t
necessarily mean it will be easier! Duane Harrison overcame
the higher seeded Darren Withey 9/6 7/9 9/3 9/0 and Mark
Hildred had to retire after a couple of rallies when he
pulled a muscle.
The O40’s was not including Kevin White and David
Youngs, but 45 year old Steve McLoughlin proved age
is no barrier, beating Andrew Murray 6/11 11/7 8/11 8/11,
whilst Glen Ragou, as usual, received his monies worth, on
and off the court. He says he is drinking apple juice, but
you and I know it is rather different (this at 1.30am). His
constitution is legendary, however, and an epic Final saw
McLoughlin up/down, eventually up – 12/10 11/7 11/13 10/12
11/4.
The O35’s house some very, very fit and fast
specimens – but that doesn’t last forever! Barry Elworthy
lost his seeding to Chris Stanley 11/4 7/11 9/11 9/11, who
then went down to Jago Nardelli 7/11 7/112 9/11.
Goodrich, the Daddy of the group, took out his County
Champion, Ian Cox 13/11 12/10 11/9, but the Final was
Nardelli’s 7/11 3/11 11/7 7/11, a very pacy match on a very
bouncy court!
The Women’s O35 was won by Isabelle Tweedle,
but the match which probably would have defined the group
never got going as Sarah Parr injured herself on the
Saturday morning. Tweedle beat Sam Mueller 9/1 9/5 9/5 to
decide first and second.
The very strong O45’s saw three of the World Top 5,
Fran Wallis, Bea de Dreu Spitze and Mandy Akin, all
battling. Fran, not too well, still manages to banish minor
problems as she ferociously concentrates. Her trickle boast
is lethal, when she plays it, and on the day she was too
good for both Bea 9/7 8/10 2/9 0/9 and Mandy 1/9 7/9 10/8
8/10. In the battle for her second, Bea came out on top 9/6
9/4 4/9 0/9 9/2. Round 5 at Pontefract!
In the O50’s Tammy Bennett, fresh from the 45’s
started brightly, beating Elaine Chubb and Lynn Davies
before crashing out to Helen Gould and Karen Hume.
Gould was too powerful for her fellow opponents and recorded
four 3/0 victories. The resilient Lynn Davies, despite
losing to Bennett, came second by dint of her victory over
Karen Hume 9/6 5/9 3/9 1/9.
Finally, thanks to all at Broxbourne and all the Markers.
See you all at Pontefract.
Chairman |
World Masters
2012
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