Silverware returns home at the North West Open

News

Manchester Y Club,
Saturday/Sunday 13/14 January 2018

STOP PRESS: In a repeat of the recent National Singles final, played on the same courts, Dan Tristao beat Will Ellison once more but this time not before Will was receiving at 11-5, 10-10. In the Plate, Cambridge student Andrew Boyd claimed the prize, beating the defending plate-holder Henry Jefferies. In the Doubles National Champions Brooks & Ellison, undefeated together to date, were too strong for defending champions Kay & Shaw, while  — much to organiser John Beswick’s delight — locals Ged Darlington & Shaun Small took the Fred Beswick Plate in a close contest with Keith Kennerley & Brian Kirk.

Organiser John Beswick reports: The standard of fives was simply fantastic.

The singles final between Dan T & Will was totally absorbing. Both players have everything: power, shots, movement, speed, fitness — and they play the game with total sportsmanship,

Dan won in three but Will and partner Charlie Brooks won the doubles against last year’s winners Ed Kay & Matt Shaw in another  fascinating game.

Andrew Boyd won the singles plate. He’s one to watch for the future, as long as he gives up the kebabs!

… and Ged Darlington & Shaun Small from the YM won the doubles plate, which is great news for the Y-Club.

There is only one thing better than the fives — the atmosphere off-court. I cannot remember a group get on so well ever; moreover they have introduced to fives the “Pre Match Chat”, i.e. you ask a pair to go on court, then they take 20 minutes putting their gloves on and having general banter!

I would say Dan Grant is the top of the PMC rankings, followed closely by Dave Butler.

It would be remiss of me to not mention Lewis & Watson’s 65-year-tour*. I’m not too sure if that is the length of time they have been playing (!) but it should be noted they won their first match.

* Probably longer than that! No, seriously: it’s a round-the-circuit double-birthday tour of all the events in the 2017-18 season, showcasing their skills, commitment, friendship, love of the game and expertise in banter [Ed.]

Scores

Singles

1st round: D Tristao bt D Fox 11-8, 11-3; M Shaw bt O Arnold 11-4, 11-6; B Beltrami bt P Hanton 12-11, 11-3; D Grant bt A Boyd 2-11, 11-5, 11-0; W Ellison bt J Smith 11-0, 11-1; D Butler bt H Jefferies 11-4, 11-5; J Aquilina bt B Jourdan 11-6, 11-1; E Kay bt K Kennerley 11-4, 11-2
Quarter-finals: Tristao bt Shaw 11-6, 11-4; Beltrami bt Grant 11-7, 11-5; Ellison bt Butler 11-0, 11-0; Kay bt Aquilina 11-4, 12-10
Semi-finals: Tristao bt Beltrami 11-5, 11-7; Ellison bt Kay 11-5, 11-4
Final: Tristao bt Ellison 5-11 12-10, 11-5
Plate: Boyd bt Jefferies 15-8

Doubles

1st round: Lewis & Watson bt Annett & Fairbank 11-2, 11-4; Arnold & Beltrami bt Kennerley & Kirk 11-3, 11-4; Boyd & Jourdan bt Hanton & Jefferies 9-11, 11-3, 11-6; Lidiard & McGuire bt Darlington & Small 11-9, 11-2
Quarter-finals: Brooks & Ellison bt Lewis & Watson 11-0, 11-2; Arnold & Beltrami bt Aquilina & Grant 11-4, 11-5; Butler & Tristao bt Boyd & Jourdan 11-3, 11-3; Kay & Shaw bt Lidiard & McGuire 11-0, 11-1
Semi-finals Brooks & Ellison bt  Arnold & Beltrami 9-11, 11-5. 11-3  ; Kay & Shaw bt Butler & Tristao 10-12, 11-5, 11-3
Final: Brooks & Ellison bt Kay & Shaw 11-12, 11-0, 11-7
Plate: Darlington & Small bt Kennerley & Kirk 15-13

Undefeated now in seven finals

Undefeated now in seven finals

Home pair keep the Plate

Home pair keep the Plate