YORKSHIRE OPEN DOUBLES
Giggleswick, 12/13th October 2013
The efforts made this year to attract the quality players to the Yorkshire Open Doubles paid off, with the pairings of Tristao and Price and Grant and Minta attempting to knock reigning champions Buchanan and Ellison off their pedestal. Also, for the first time, we welcomed a lady to the Giggleswick tournament, as Alex Steel made the trip from London to the Frozen North. We look forward to seeing her and other ladies in future.
Play in the Cup competition lived up to expectations, with upsets to the seeding early on as Butler and Gravatt disposed of Beswick and Roberts in the quarter finals. Ed Hawke and Widdop also gave Buchanan and Ellison a hard first round, finally losing 16-15, 15-7; the closest anyone got to beating the top pair. Highlight of the day, however, was the semi final between Price and Tristao and Grant and Minta. A hard fought match, which could have gone either way up until the last few points, was eventually won by Price and Tristao 15-13, 13-15, 15-12.
Unfortunately, the damage wreaked on the bodies of the winning pair by this marathon made their final encounter with Buchanan and Ellison one mountain too many. They put up a brave and skilful challenge, eventually falling 15-9, 15-12 to the champions of the last few years.
As is the custom of the organiser, those not involved in the later rounds of the cup were thrown into the multiple plate competitions. The first plate, a knock-out competition, allowed Beswick and Roberts to depart with some pride, when they defeated a fatigued Ed Hawke and Widdop in the final. Those who fell in the early rounds of the first plate were then treated to the delights of a round-robin second plate tournament, which, after a long day and too many games of Fives, saw Harrison and Nithsdale beat Christie and Kirk to the trophy by a close margin.
On Sunday an American Tournament was held in conjunction with Rossall School, for the remnants of the Saturday participants who were still standing, and pupils and staff from Rossall. A day enjoyed by all who took part.
The organiser is grateful to the Head Master and staff of Giggleswick School for their loan of the Fives courts for the weekend, and the use of their excellent changing facilities. Early enquiries indicate that they would be happy to host a full singles and doubles tournament in future!
RESULTS
Cup
Preliminary Round: E Hawke & Widdop bt Dyke & Ms Steel 15-0, 15-4; Butler & Gravatt bt Harrison & Nithsdale 15-1, 15-5; Baxter & Halligan bt J Hawke & Sandie 15-4, 15-13
1st Round: Buchanan & Ellison bt E Hawke & Widdop 16-15, 15-7; Butler & Gravatt bt Beswick & Roberts 15-5, 15-12; Price & Tristao bt Christie & Kirk 15-11, 15-9; Grant & Minta bt Baxter & Halligan 15-4, 15-3
Semi-finals: Buchanan & Ellison bt Gravatt & Butler; Tristao & Price bt Minta & Grant 15-13, 13-15, 15-12
Final: Buchanan & Ellison bt Tristao & Price 15-9, 15-12
Plate: Beswick & Roberts
1st Plate:
Preliminary Round: Harrison & Nithsdale bt Baxter & Halligan 15-6; E Hawke & Widdop bt J Hawke & Sandie 15-4; Dyke & Ms Steel bt Christie & Kirk 15-12
Semi-finals: Beswick & Roberts bt Harrison & Nithsdale 15-3; E Hawke & Widdop bt Dyke & Ms Steel 15-4
Final: Beswick & Roberts bt E Hawke & Widdop 15-13, 15-4
2nd Plate (Round Robin):
Dyke & Ms Steel bt J Hawke & Sandie 12-10; Christie & Kirk bt Baxter & Halligan 11-7; Christie & Kirk bt J Hawke & Sandie 11-4; Christie & Kirk bt Dyke & Ms Steel 11-4; Baxter & Halligan bt Dyke & Ms Steel 12-10; J Hawke & Sandie bt Baxter & Halligan 11-7; J Hawke & Sandie bt Harrison & Nithsdale 11-8; Harrison & Nithsdale bt Baxter & Halligan 11-5; Harrison & Nithsdale bt Christie & Kirk 11-2; Harrison & Nithsdale bt Dyke & Ms Steel 11-4
Winners: Harrison & Nithsdale