Event Report
It was a hot day of Racketball at Chapel Allerton with another good turn out to the UK-Racketball Series, with over 60 people taking part. Chapel A is one of the nicest clubs in the series with a fantastic setting and the tennis courts which can be seen out of the balcony. The hot weather made more for an interesting atmosphere on court with some of the courts getting incredibly hot. Some brutal matches took place.
Click here to see: Photos - Results
Click here to see: Photos - Results
A Grade
In group A it looked like Dan Soar was going to come through to make it through the group stages yet again in a UK-Racketball tournament, but he came unstuck against Mike Toleman in a match which he lost 2-0. This led to a two way tie which was very unfortunate for Mike Toleman. Both players finished on five points, but as Mark Francis beat Toleman in the group matches he went through to play in the semi finals. As Toleman pointed out afterwards, if he had lost a game to Soar the three of them would have finished on 5 points and then it would have gone on count back so it was very unfortunate for Toleman they he did not make it through.
Racketball favourite Mike Dickens played in his first ever UK-Racketball Series tournament, but unfortunately the long absence from squash and no racketball training did not lead to very many points.
Racketball favourite Mike Dickens played in his first ever UK-Racketball Series tournament, but unfortunately the long absence from squash and no racketball training did not lead to very many points.
In group B, with 5 players, it was always going to be a hard day, especially in the heat. Ollie Turner, probably the youngest and the fittest of the group came through as the eventual winner with 8 points but was pushed really hard by Chapel A rising star Nick Bond who finished on 7.
The A grade final was one of the most entertaining UK-Racketball finals we have ever had, with both players in their first ever UK-Racketball final, but in the end it was Ollie Turner who managed to pick up enough balls to see him through. Mark Francis had several match balls in order to finish it off but with some desperate retrieving Ollie managed to just hang on and claim his first ever UK-Racketball Series final tournament victory.
The A grade final was one of the most entertaining UK-Racketball finals we have ever had, with both players in their first ever UK-Racketball final, but in the end it was Ollie Turner who managed to pick up enough balls to see him through. Mark Francis had several match balls in order to finish it off but with some desperate retrieving Ollie managed to just hang on and claim his first ever UK-Racketball Series final tournament victory.
B Grade
Carl Ramsdon came through in group A with 6 points with Terry Horne, Jeremy Whiting and Peter Widdowson all finishing on 3 points in a three way tie. The group's second place was decided with a three’s play off. Group B was again another tight group with Alex Musselwhite defeating both Graham Greensall and Jonathon Leat before coming unstuck against Lee Walton and losing 2-1. Fortunately for Alex Musselwhite, Lee Walton in turn lost to Jonathon Leat 2-0 and passed Alex the group win and a place in the semi finals.
Group C saw local player Kasey Hall come through with two 2-0 victories whilst Ian Thompson won group D, although he was pushed hard by group runner-up Neil Bowyer in a 2-1 encounter.
Group C saw local player Kasey Hall come through with two 2-0 victories whilst Ian Thompson won group D, although he was pushed hard by group runner-up Neil Bowyer in a 2-1 encounter.
In the semi-finals, Carl Ramsdon won 2-0 against youngster Alex Musselwhite from Hallamshire, who fought hard all day. Meanwhile Kasey Hall ran hard, as he always does, managing to defeat Ian Thompson in the other semi-final.
The final was a fantastic match between Carl Ramsdon and Kasey Hall. Ramsdon relentlessly tried to play winners but Kasey picked everything up. It really was a clash of styles with Kasey Hall coming through as the eventual winner. Whether it would have been different on a colder court, we’ll never know.
The final was a fantastic match between Carl Ramsdon and Kasey Hall. Ramsdon relentlessly tried to play winners but Kasey picked everything up. It really was a clash of styles with Kasey Hall coming through as the eventual winner. Whether it would have been different on a colder court, we’ll never know.
Over 40's
The over 40’s was a small group of just three but it was John Leat who won. Winning both games 2-0, Andy Wood came the closest and beat Matthew Wickstead to come in second place.
Over 50's
In Group A, Andy Heap was defeated by both Paul Haigh and Garry Culverwell before suffering an injury forcing him to withdraw ahead of his match against Jeremy Turner. Haigh and Garry both UK-Racketball Series veterans fought hard against each other but on this occasion it was Haigh who came through in the end with a 2-0 win.
In group B very strong Paul Brooks won his games against Terry Horne and Andrew Laker but suffered defeat at the hands of Andy Hall who came through as the group winner.
In group B very strong Paul Brooks won his games against Terry Horne and Andrew Laker but suffered defeat at the hands of Andy Hall who came through as the group winner.
Group C local player Louis McLeod managed to scrape through a win against UK Racketball favourite Michael Keogh 2-0, with Michael English managing to beat Akhtar Khokhar 2-0. The group clear winner was Mark Banfield who went through to the semi finals.
Group D saw the return of Nigel Millington after an absence to the UK-Racketball events due to injury, he stormed the group winning all 3 matches 3-0. Another return to the UK-Racketball Series after a bit of an absence was Gabriel Uttley and great to see him back. Peter Fielding and Neil Widdowson battled it out for the last spot in the group with Neil Widdowson just coming through 2-1.
Group D saw the return of Nigel Millington after an absence to the UK-Racketball events due to injury, he stormed the group winning all 3 matches 3-0. Another return to the UK-Racketball Series after a bit of an absence was Gabriel Uttley and great to see him back. Peter Fielding and Neil Widdowson battled it out for the last spot in the group with Neil Widdowson just coming through 2-1.
The Semi-finals were always going to be a competitive and tough affair; Paul Haigh came through against Andy Hall with Mark Banfield recording victory against Nigel Millington. It was a tough final between Paul Haigh, one of the most successful UK-Racketball players, and Mark Banfield. On the hottest court at Chapel A, Mark Banfield won the final 2-0.
Over 60's
The over 60’s was a 5 man group looking like there was a lot of games in the heat. It started off with two withdrawals which quickly whittled down the size of the group. Ian Coulson, despite beating Michael Keogh ended up injuring his back and having to withdraw before his game against Stephan Uttley. Uttley, coming back from an injury himself was unlucky in his first match against Graham Greensall and very narrowly lost against Michael Keogh, a series favourite and always a good character
at the events.
Graham Greensall showed a solid performance winning his first title. He played a tremendous number of events to get to his first title, but it was great to see him finally take one.
at the events.
Graham Greensall showed a solid performance winning his first title. He played a tremendous number of events to get to his first title, but it was great to see him finally take one.
Women's
The women’s grade is always one of the biggest at Chapel A. With 3 equal groups of four, this years women’s grade was again one of the biggest. Group A saw Chloe Widdowson, a young player from Hallamshire come through winning all her games 3-0, with Vicky Toats coming in second place with 4 points. In Group B, local player Jayne Dixon come through with 6 points and Gill Taylor with 4. Maryann van Blerk fought hard in both beginners and women’s, managing to come close to Sylvia Blaney.
In Group C it was another young Hallamshire player who nearly took the group but in the end was defeated by experienced Racketball player Laura Morris 2-0 in the group decider. It came right down to the wire with Jayne Dixon coming close to both Chloe and Laura, being defeated 2-1 on both occasions.
The deciding match between Laura and Chloe was always going to be tight. Chloe got a lot of balls back, ran hard and is set to be a very successful Racketball player, just being beating by a more experienced, very determined player Laura Morris.
In Group C it was another young Hallamshire player who nearly took the group but in the end was defeated by experienced Racketball player Laura Morris 2-0 in the group decider. It came right down to the wire with Jayne Dixon coming close to both Chloe and Laura, being defeated 2-1 on both occasions.
The deciding match between Laura and Chloe was always going to be tight. Chloe got a lot of balls back, ran hard and is set to be a very successful Racketball player, just being beating by a more experienced, very determined player Laura Morris.
Beginners
It was a four player group which is the first time this has ever happened in a UK-Racketball Series event. Tom Greensall, Graham Greensall’s son, won the grade. This was the first time we have ever had a winning father son combo, winning two events on the same day. Second place was a local player Maryann who also played in the women’s grade but was defeated by Tom Greensall 2-0. Emma Fielding, daughter of Peter Fielding, one of the UK-Racketball regulars, battled hard all day in her first ever event but unfortunately was defeated by Simon Jackson, resulting in him coming in third place with a 2-0 victory.
Introduction
In July, UK-Racketball returned to Chapel A; building on the success of the event in previous years. Situated in leafy suburban Leeds and the heart of 'racketball Yorkshire', Chapel A always promises to be a perfect venue for our UK-Racketball Series event.
Club Head Coach Peter Edwards is largely responsible for the increasing development of racketball at the club and he is a great supporter of the UK-Racketball Series. Edwards himself reached the semi-finals in the Over 50’s category in 2012, losing out to Paul Haigh who went on to claim the crown.
In 2013 once again we saw a great number of entries to make the event a huge success once again. The a grade final finished with Ted Jeal taking out Fuller 2-0.
Club Head Coach Peter Edwards is largely responsible for the increasing development of racketball at the club and he is a great supporter of the UK-Racketball Series. Edwards himself reached the semi-finals in the Over 50’s category in 2012, losing out to Paul Haigh who went on to claim the crown.
In 2013 once again we saw a great number of entries to make the event a huge success once again. The a grade final finished with Ted Jeal taking out Fuller 2-0.
Grades
It is important to remember that UK-Racketball Series events are designed to be inclusive. Although the A grade does attract the best racketball players in the country the events really are for players of all ages and abilities. We have never had a competitor who felt they were not good enough for an event when they took part.
A Grade – County, national or good club player
B Grade – Regular club player
Women’s – All ages and abilities, these events have a great range of players which makes for a fun and competitive day.
Over 40’s – For players over the age of 40
Over 50’s - For players over the age of 50
Over 60’s – For players over the age of 60
Beginner – This is for players who have recently started racketball. Players who have previously played squash to a high level and have now started playing racketball may be better off in the A or B grade. To maintain a fun atmosphere for this grade, only trophies will be awarded to the winners however there will also be a reduced entry fee of just £10.
A Grade – County, national or good club player
B Grade – Regular club player
Women’s – All ages and abilities, these events have a great range of players which makes for a fun and competitive day.
Over 40’s – For players over the age of 40
Over 50’s - For players over the age of 50
Over 60’s – For players over the age of 60
Beginner – This is for players who have recently started racketball. Players who have previously played squash to a high level and have now started playing racketball may be better off in the A or B grade. To maintain a fun atmosphere for this grade, only trophies will be awarded to the winners however there will also be a reduced entry fee of just £10.
Venue Facilities
Chapel Allerton is one of the nicest clubs in the Series, boasting six squash courts – three of them glass backed – a great gym, lively bar and a bistro area. Food is served at the club during the day, with a wide variety of meals and snacks.
The club first purchased a wooden squash court in 1960. Due to the popularity of the sport, they officially changed their name from Chapel A Lawn Tennis Club to Chapel A Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. However, in recent years Chapel A has become a hotspot of Racketball talent and is now one of the leading Racketball clubs in the country.
The club runs many events and leagues throughout the year and is also home to the annual North East Racketball Championship and Yorkshire Racketball Closed Championships.
The club first purchased a wooden squash court in 1960. Due to the popularity of the sport, they officially changed their name from Chapel A Lawn Tennis Club to Chapel A Lawn Tennis and Squash Club. However, in recent years Chapel A has become a hotspot of Racketball talent and is now one of the leading Racketball clubs in the country.
The club runs many events and leagues throughout the year and is also home to the annual North East Racketball Championship and Yorkshire Racketball Closed Championships.
Location
Chapel Allerton is not far from the M1 making in an attractive event to a lot of players from the Midlands and the South.
Chapel Allerton Tennis, Squash & Gym
Wensley Avenue
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS7 3QX
Club Phone number: 0113 22 666 22
Click here for the club website: www.chapel-a.co.uk
Chapel Allerton Tennis, Squash & Gym
Wensley Avenue
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS7 3QX
Club Phone number: 0113 22 666 22
Click here for the club website: www.chapel-a.co.uk
