Event Report
A Grade
Group A
club coach Ashley Knight faced Lee Foster, Matt Baker and Jason Russell. Jason is a UKRB series regular who decided to make the jump to the A grade for this event and he started off well, picking up a game against Ash and winning his match with Lee. However, Matt Baker was out to win it and topped his group without dropping a game.
Group B
Top seed Mark Fuller was drawn against Christian Turner, Mike Gregory and Tom Temple-Murray. With the absence of Series leader Ted Jeal, this was Fuller’s strongest chance, and whilst he dropped a game to both Mike and Christian, he went into the final after topping his groups with 3 wins.
Final
And so it was Matt Baker versus Mark Fuller in the final. Despite a strong display from Matt, it was Fuller who took the match and with it, the A Grade title.
club coach Ashley Knight faced Lee Foster, Matt Baker and Jason Russell. Jason is a UKRB series regular who decided to make the jump to the A grade for this event and he started off well, picking up a game against Ash and winning his match with Lee. However, Matt Baker was out to win it and topped his group without dropping a game.
Group B
Top seed Mark Fuller was drawn against Christian Turner, Mike Gregory and Tom Temple-Murray. With the absence of Series leader Ted Jeal, this was Fuller’s strongest chance, and whilst he dropped a game to both Mike and Christian, he went into the final after topping his groups with 3 wins.
Final
And so it was Matt Baker versus Mark Fuller in the final. Despite a strong display from Matt, it was Fuller who took the match and with it, the A Grade title.
B Grade
This was the biggest grade we have had out of any event all year, with 22 players battling it out.
From the group stages, Billy Jones, Natalie Lawrence, Brendon Bennett, Will Peshall, Tim Baker, Andy Jones, Paddy Martin and Ben MacDonald made it through to the quarters.
Quarters
The first quarter final was between Billy Jones and Natalie Lawrence, which Billy Jones won in straight games. The second quarter-final was between ‘lucky losers’ Brendon Bennett and Will Peshall and was won by Brendon.
The third quarter-final was won by Andy Jones 2-1 when he faced Tim Baker. The fourth quarter-final was won by Ben MacDonald when he faced Paddy Martin.
Semis
Billy Jones beat Brendon Bennett 2-0 in the first semi-final, whilst Ben MacDonald beat Andy Jones 2-0 in the second semi-final.
Final
Billy Jones had gotten to several finals in the B Grade but had yet to emerge as the victor. He clearly put in all of his efforts and strength for this match though, because he won the encounter 2-0 to win his first ever B Grade title!
From the group stages, Billy Jones, Natalie Lawrence, Brendon Bennett, Will Peshall, Tim Baker, Andy Jones, Paddy Martin and Ben MacDonald made it through to the quarters.
Quarters
The first quarter final was between Billy Jones and Natalie Lawrence, which Billy Jones won in straight games. The second quarter-final was between ‘lucky losers’ Brendon Bennett and Will Peshall and was won by Brendon.
The third quarter-final was won by Andy Jones 2-1 when he faced Tim Baker. The fourth quarter-final was won by Ben MacDonald when he faced Paddy Martin.
Semis
Billy Jones beat Brendon Bennett 2-0 in the first semi-final, whilst Ben MacDonald beat Andy Jones 2-0 in the second semi-final.
Final
Billy Jones had gotten to several finals in the B Grade but had yet to emerge as the victor. He clearly put in all of his efforts and strength for this match though, because he won the encounter 2-0 to win his first ever B Grade title!
Women's
Again, the women’s draw was really strong in this tournament, with several players contending for the title.
Group A
Natalie Lawrence was on top form from her win in this grade in Nottingham last month and she overcame group members Abbie Jones, Siobhan Gartland and Jo Clark without dropping a game.
Group B
Relative newcomer to the series Rachel Woolford continued with the form that served her well at Nottingham and also topped her group, with two wins out of three against Jo Moseley, Ann Hancock and Karen Bealey. Karen matched her for points, but it was Rachel’s win over Karen that sent her through into the winner’s group.
Group C
It was number 8 ranked national player Rhianne O’Donnell who topped her group, picking up wins against Caroline Curtis and Liz Cowley.
Winner’s Group
So the winner’s group was comprised of Natalie Lawrence from group A, Rachel Woolford from group B and Rhianne O’Donnell. This was a really tight group and it wasn’t clear exactly who would prosper out of these three women. In fact, it came down to the wire!
Natalie beat Rhianne, but Rhianne beat Rachel and Rachel beat Natalie! All three won one out of their two games, but it was Rhianne who picked up a game in her loss against Natalie that saw her lift the winner’s trophy!
Group A
Natalie Lawrence was on top form from her win in this grade in Nottingham last month and she overcame group members Abbie Jones, Siobhan Gartland and Jo Clark without dropping a game.
Group B
Relative newcomer to the series Rachel Woolford continued with the form that served her well at Nottingham and also topped her group, with two wins out of three against Jo Moseley, Ann Hancock and Karen Bealey. Karen matched her for points, but it was Rachel’s win over Karen that sent her through into the winner’s group.
Group C
It was number 8 ranked national player Rhianne O’Donnell who topped her group, picking up wins against Caroline Curtis and Liz Cowley.
Winner’s Group
So the winner’s group was comprised of Natalie Lawrence from group A, Rachel Woolford from group B and Rhianne O’Donnell. This was a really tight group and it wasn’t clear exactly who would prosper out of these three women. In fact, it came down to the wire!
Natalie beat Rhianne, but Rhianne beat Rachel and Rachel beat Natalie! All three won one out of their two games, but it was Rhianne who picked up a game in her loss against Natalie that saw her lift the winner’s trophy!
Over 40's
In group A, Rob Watkins overcame both Jamie Jones and Carl Stokes to find himself with the first spot in the Over 40’s final.
Joining him was Paul Brooks from group B, who defeated Brendon Bennett, Alan Voyce and Ian Fudge on his way there.
The final was contentious was both players keen for the win. In the end though, it was Rob who was victorious!
Joining him was Paul Brooks from group B, who defeated Brendon Bennett, Alan Voyce and Ian Fudge on his way there.
The final was contentious was both players keen for the win. In the end though, it was Rob who was victorious!
Over 50's
Group A
Paul Brooks topped the group against Paddy Martin and Jerry Thomas to go into his second final of the day after getting to the Over’s 40 final.
Group B
It was Paul Smith who headed into the final against Brooksy, after beating Chris Hawken and Paul Henderson in straight games.
Final
So the final of the two Pauls saw Brooksy have his second opportunity of the day to walk away with a trophy and this time, he would not be beaten. He triumphed over Smith in straight games to take the Over 50’s title.
Paul Brooks topped the group against Paddy Martin and Jerry Thomas to go into his second final of the day after getting to the Over’s 40 final.
Group B
It was Paul Smith who headed into the final against Brooksy, after beating Chris Hawken and Paul Henderson in straight games.
Final
So the final of the two Pauls saw Brooksy have his second opportunity of the day to walk away with a trophy and this time, he would not be beaten. He triumphed over Smith in straight games to take the Over 50’s title.
Over 60's
Group A
This saw the second a third seed, Roy Burns and Graham Greensall battle it out along with Dave Mudge and Peter Hamlett. Who went into the final came down to only one point; both players had beaten Dave and Peter and so it came down to their match, which Graham won 2-1.
Group B
The reigning champ Ian Graham faced old rival Dave Manning and Lyn Smith. There was a bit of controversy over who would lead the group, Ian or Dave but in the end it was Ian who won both matches in straight games.
Final
So the final was Graham Greensall versus Ian Graham. Neither of these are newcomers to the UKRB series and Ian won the last event at Nottingham. His current form is still really strong and he used it to overcome Graham to take the Over 60’s title.
This saw the second a third seed, Roy Burns and Graham Greensall battle it out along with Dave Mudge and Peter Hamlett. Who went into the final came down to only one point; both players had beaten Dave and Peter and so it came down to their match, which Graham won 2-1.
Group B
The reigning champ Ian Graham faced old rival Dave Manning and Lyn Smith. There was a bit of controversy over who would lead the group, Ian or Dave but in the end it was Ian who won both matches in straight games.
Final
So the final was Graham Greensall versus Ian Graham. Neither of these are newcomers to the UKRB series and Ian won the last event at Nottingham. His current form is still really strong and he used it to overcome Graham to take the Over 60’s title.
Introduction
Once again UK-Racketball will be making the trip to the South West and one of the country’s best racketball venues: Devon and Exeter! The Devon and Exeter club is one of the best supporters of racketball in the county; with a fantastic local following, it is a beacon for the sport in the South West.
The Devon and Exeter club is one of the best supporters of racketball in the county; with a fantastic local following, it is a beacon for the sport in the South West.
With the help of ESR South West regional manager Matt Baker, racketball has really kicked off at this club. In fact, so much so that one of their courts recently converted to a gym has been reconverted back to a squash court, such is the demand for racketball.
Last year’s event was well contested across all grades with local D+E girl Karen Beeley coming through her group in the B grade before being beaten by club mate Louis Robjant in the final.
In the Over 50’s racketball veteran Steve Wall once more demonstrated his fantastic control of the racketball by beatingManuel Costa in a very high quality Over 50’s final. It was Costa’s first loss at a UK-Racketball event but this statistic was quickly to be followed by the defeat of another UK-Racketball favourite and winner of the 2010 Series Rob Watkins.
Like Costa, Watkins had never been beaten in a Series Event but his experience wasn’t enough to see him through against Jason Russell who battled hard and didn’t give up on a single point. Watkins was heard to say “end of an era” as he left the court but it was also the start of a new one with Russell going on to eventually claim the Over 40’s Series Crown.
The Devon and Exeter club is one of the best supporters of racketball in the county; with a fantastic local following, it is a beacon for the sport in the South West.
With the help of ESR South West regional manager Matt Baker, racketball has really kicked off at this club. In fact, so much so that one of their courts recently converted to a gym has been reconverted back to a squash court, such is the demand for racketball.
Last year’s event was well contested across all grades with local D+E girl Karen Beeley coming through her group in the B grade before being beaten by club mate Louis Robjant in the final.
In the Over 50’s racketball veteran Steve Wall once more demonstrated his fantastic control of the racketball by beatingManuel Costa in a very high quality Over 50’s final. It was Costa’s first loss at a UK-Racketball event but this statistic was quickly to be followed by the defeat of another UK-Racketball favourite and winner of the 2010 Series Rob Watkins.
Like Costa, Watkins had never been beaten in a Series Event but his experience wasn’t enough to see him through against Jason Russell who battled hard and didn’t give up on a single point. Watkins was heard to say “end of an era” as he left the court but it was also the start of a new one with Russell going on to eventually claim the Over 40’s Series Crown.
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.
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mark Fuller directly on 07846067505 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
If entries to a category are not sufficient grades may be merged, however all participants will always be informed in advance and they will have a choice if they would still like to play, this has never happened in the last three years.
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.
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mark Fuller directly on 07846067505 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
If entries to a category are not sufficient grades may be merged, however all participants will always be informed in advance and they will have a choice if they would still like to play, this has never happened in the last three years.
The venue
Facilities
Being a venue that caters exclusively to squash and racketball, there is a great club atmosphere; a perfect setting for this UK-Racketball Series Event.
The club itself boasts six courts including a championship glass back, with the bar area situated so you can see the court conveniently from your barstool.
Hot food will be served all day long; last year the food was great and was very reasonably priced.
On the day, there is a racket stringing service available and a physiotherapist on hand.
Location
The club is easily accessible, being located only a couple of miles away from the M5 motorway.
Devon & Exeter Squash & Racketball club
Prince of Wales Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX4 4PR
01392 436100
Visit the club website for more information:www.devonandexetersquashandracketball.co.uk
Being a venue that caters exclusively to squash and racketball, there is a great club atmosphere; a perfect setting for this UK-Racketball Series Event.
The club itself boasts six courts including a championship glass back, with the bar area situated so you can see the court conveniently from your barstool.
Hot food will be served all day long; last year the food was great and was very reasonably priced.
On the day, there is a racket stringing service available and a physiotherapist on hand.
Location
The club is easily accessible, being located only a couple of miles away from the M5 motorway.
Devon & Exeter Squash & Racketball club
Prince of Wales Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX4 4PR
01392 436100
Visit the club website for more information:www.devonandexetersquashandracketball.co.uk
