Scottish Open Championships: Tristao, Hatton & George victorious

News

Loretto School, Musselburgh, 3rd/4th May 2014

What was billed as possibly the last Scottish Fives Championships before Scotland gains independence from England took place in Musselburgh over the weekend of May 3rd -4th. A strong entry from south of the border including the top two ranked singles players, a distinguished former president of the RFA and a dedicated group from Durham University who travelled north to lock horns with the cream of the local Scottish talent.

In the singles competition, there were no major surprises in the early rounds, although special praise should go to the youthful enthusiasm of Ben Boyd from Edinburgh Academy for taking the age and experience of tournament organiser Neil Roberts to 3 games in the first round.

The semi-finals saw Dan Tristao overcome local coach and Caledonian club stalwart Richie Murby while, in what was possibly the game of the day, Dan Grant eventually triumphed 11-7 in the third against former title holder Will Ellison in a match of exceptional quality whose outcome was in doubt until the very last rally had been completed.

In the final featuring the two Dans, a very close first game was edged 12-11 by Dan (Tristao) who, with Dan (Grant) beginning to tire after his exertions in the previous round, went on to retain the Cuthbertson quaiche by winning the second game 11-4 at 8.20pm.

The doubles competition the following day produced some close and entertaining matches, with Adam George and Ed Hatton eventually defeating defending champions Will Ellison and Mike Kemp in the final. Dick Warner made up for his disappointment of not winning the singles and being disqualified from the singles plate by partnering Dan Grant to victory in the doubles plate.

Many thanks should go to Loretto School for allowing us to use the school facilities to host the tournament, which is always an enjoyable weekend.

Scores

Singles
Prelims: N.Roberts bt B.Boyd 11-6, 9-11, 11-3; Guthrie bt Jordan 11-7, 11-4
1st round: Russell bt Roberts 11-5, 4-11, 11-4; Murby bt Guthrie 11-0, 11-1; Hatton bt Brechin 11-0, 11-3; George bt Tansay 11-2, 11-0; Butler bt Warner 11-3, 11-5
Quarter-finals: Tristao bt Russell; Murby bt Hatton 11-2, 11-9; Grant bt George 11-6, 11-9; Ellison bt Butler 11-7, 11-6
Semi-finals: Tristao bt Murby 11-9, 11-6; Grant bt Ellison 11-1, 3-11, 11-7
Final: Tristao bt Grant 12-11, 11-4
Plate: Butler

Doubles
Round-robin: Tristao & Brechin lost to Grant & Warner 14-16, lost to Ellison & Kemp 10-15, bt Murby & Roberts 15-13, lost to Hatton & George 4-15; Grant & Warner lost to Ellison & Kemp 6-15, bt Murby & Roberts 15-12, bt Hatton & George 15-13; Ellison & Kemp bt Murby & Roberts 15-6, lost to Hatton & George 6-15; Murby & Roberts lost to Hatton & George 4-15
Final: Hatton & George bt Ellison & Kemp 11-6, 12-10
Plate: Warner & Grant