Two titles for Will Ellison in Manchester

North West Open Championships

Manchester Y Club, 18/19th January

Will Ellison won two titles in Manchester, taking his first North West Singles title, before teaming up with John Minta to retain the doubles title.

Before the full report, though, writes organiser John Beswick, firstly a big thanks to all the players for supporting the tournament once again, with a special thanks to Sedbergh School, Durham University and Derby Moor.

In the first round of the singles Butler from Durham had a good win against the elder statesman and restaurant guru Dave Fox, and in the other side of the draw Widdop showing some real Yorkshire grit beating Beswick in three.

The last eight went to the seeded players, setting up two great semi finals, Ellison beat Brooks in two, always having that extra gear. Toop beat Grant in three, showing his great resolve as a many times Open champion in two sports!! Just seemingly knowing how to win.

The Final was a game of great quality, Toop was all over the court but Ellison was not going to be denied his first North West title, winning in two games, playing like a true champion, MOTWB.

The plate tournament bought together in the final, after some hard fought games, Fox, a Sedbergh old boy and Butler from the 'David Barnes school of fives'. In a great game, Butler, the younger man won, even though he spent the most of the day complaining that his legs were cramping up!!

The doubles was retained by Ellison and Minta, they beat Brooks and Dean in two very fast and furious games of hard hitting high quality fives. Well done to both pairs.

A mention has to also go to a new pairing Grant and Widdop who took Brooks and Dean to three games in the semis.

The final of the doubles plate was an all-Derby Moor event: Anthony Goodwin retained the plate trophy with a new partner, Robert Whitehorn, beating colt John Halligan and his coach Stuart Kirby.

And a big thank you from the RFA to John Beswick, who has now organised this tournament for 25 years. The contract for the next ten is in the post!

RESULTS (full results to come)

Singles
1st round: W Ellison bt T Robinson 11-0,11-2; D Butler bt D Fox 11-6,11-8; M Bate bt S Russell 11-4, 11-2; C Brooks bt B Lawry 11-1, 11-1; D Grant bt J Gravatt 11-6, 11-2; T Dean bt J Lidiard 11-0, 11-1; T Widdop bt J Beswick 8-11, 11-3, 11-3; J Toop bt G Wainwright 11-0, 11-3
Quarter-finals: Ellison bt Butler 11-3, 11-0; Brooks bt Bate 11-5, 11-4; Grant bt Dean 11-9, 11-3; Toop bt Widdop 11-0, 11-5
Semi-finals: Ellison bt Brooks 11-2, 11-4; Toop bt Grant 11-9, 4-11, 11-6
Final: Ellison bt Toop 11-6, 11-6
Plate: Butler

Doubles
1st round: W Harrison & B Nithsdale bt T Farmer & G Wainwright 11-0, 11-1; J Halligan & S Kirby bt J Lidiard & C Wright 11-1, 11-2; A Goodwin & R Whitehorn bt B Lawry & T Robinson 11-5, 11-3
Quarter-finals: W Ellison & J Minta bt Harrison & Nithsdale 11-4, 11-0; J Beswick & N Roberts bt M Bate & G Price 11-9, 1-11, 11-9; C Brooks & T Dean bt Halligan & Kirby 11-1, 11-3; D Grant & T Widdop bt Goodwin & Whitehorn 11-6, 10-12, 11-8
Semi-finals: Ellison & Minta bt Beswick & Roberts 11-1, 11-1; Brooks & Dean bt Grant & Widdop11-9, 11-6
Final: Ellison & Minta bt Brooks & Dean 11-7, 11-8
Plate: Goodwin & Whitehorn