Manchester, 3rd/4th December 2011
James Toop today scored his fourth successive N/national Singles title, winning in two games over Will Ellison. For James, this title – his fifth in total – moves him into a clear second place behind Wayne Enstone in the list of all-time winners, overtaking Eric Marsh and John Pretlove, each with four titles. It will undoubtedly be a disappointment for Will to fall at the final hurdle for a second year, but he does have the consolation of having beaten Dan Tristao for the first time in competition. However, it could be that that win – only secured with a 16-15 win in the third of three games! – took too much out of him to mount a significant challenge to James, who by contrast had a more routine two-game win over former champion Matt Cavanagh in the semis.
The qualifying tournaments were played in four regions this year, with Scotland being added for the first time to the list of the South, South West and North. Simon Fraser took full advantage with a tightly fought victory over Richie Murby in the Scottish final. Matt Cavanagh was a comfortable winner in the South, while Alex Rew was pushed very hard by schoolboy Samuel Wyatt-Haines in the South West and Marco Skogh beat Matt Bowness in the North.
There are some cracking games in prospect this year, right from the first round, with Minta v Fraser particularly enticing. The competition will no doubt intensify as the tournament progresses, as James Toop aims to land his fourth consecutive crown..
N/national Singles Championship draw [PDF, 36KB]