The Giggleswick gods provided us with a beautiful, cold, day for the tournament this year, so any worries that the courts might sweat proved unfounded, writes organiser John Hawke.
In spite of clashing with the early days of the Handball Worlds in Dublin, the turnout was impressive, matching the 12 pairs of last year. As last year, the competition was run as 4 round-robins of 3 in the first round, with the winners of each group going on to the Cup semi-finals, the second to the first plate semis, and the third in the group to the second plate. Within the restrictions imposed by two courts, this format appears to give each pair a reasonable number of competitive games whilst compressing the competition into a single day.
The round-robin stage provided two dents to the organiser's pride: first, the almost local pair of Pearson and Sandie bucked the seeding by beating Gravatt and Warner in a thrilling 16-15 game; second, an upset might have appeared on the horizon in the game between Buchanan & Ellison and Hawke & Hawke. One Hawke came out of the blocks like lightning, gaining a 7-0 advantage over last year’s champions. However, the other Hawke failed to give the required assistance, cowering in one back corner or the other until the game eventually went with the form book, 15-7 to Buchanan & Ellison. I will leave it to cognoscenti to insert the initials E and J in the correct places, and allocate blame accordingly.
Closest of knockout competitions was the second plate. Both semi-finals went to three games, leaving a final between the White Rose club and Bedford School. The final was less nail-biting, though still exciting, with the Bedford pair of Davey & Jones sinking Paul McIntyre & Woodhouse in two games. Gravatt and Warner were victorious in the 1st plate, winning a close fought pair of games against Christie and Kirby 16-15, 15-12.
After relatively easy wins for Minta & Roberts over Peter Hanton and Aquilina (15-8, 15-5), and for Buchanan & Ellison over Sandie & Pearson (15-3, 15-6), the final turned out a cracking affair with the long, fast rallies which typify quality doubles. Eventual, deserved, winners were Hamish Buchanan and Will Ellison, who defeated John Minta and Neil Roberts 15-12, 15-7.
All in all an excellent day; an enormous quantity of food was devoured, old friendships continued and new ones made. Much praise must go to the lads from Durham, who were as competitive as ever, and especially to Matthew Jamieson who brought himself and three pupils from Bedford School for their first adult tournament. They return to school in triumph, bearing the proceeds of their efforts in the form of the Second Plate.
Thanks are due to Giggleswick School, who loan us the courts and let us use their beautiful sports centre, and to Neil Roberts for liaising with the school and ensuring that the courts were ready for use. The tournament would be nothing, however, without all those who gave up their Saturday, and in many cases travelled great distances, in order to play, talk and otherwise take part. Many thanks to all of you.
Results
Cup
Semi-Finals: Minta & Roberts bt P Hanton & Aquilina 15-8, 15-5; Buchanan & Ellison bt Pearson & Sandie 15-3 15-6
Final: Buchanan & Ellison bt Minta & Roberts 15-12, 15-7
1st Plate
Semi Finals: Christie & Kirby bt Hawke & Hawke 11-2, 11-9; Gravatt & Warner bt Bowden & Spencer 11-9, 11-8
Final: Gravatt & Warner bt Christie & Kirby 16-15, 15-12
2nd Plate
Semi Finals: Davey & Jones bt Baxter & Rob Christie 9-11 11-8 11-4; P McIntyre & Woodhouse bt Jamieson & Sorensen 7-11, 11-8, 11-7
Final: Davey & Jones bt P McIntyre & Woodhouse 11-4, 11-8