Our first event of the 2023 UK Racketball Series took place at Broxbourne Sports Club on 11th February and with a fully packed out draw it was always going to be a good one. This year's event certainly didn't disappoint!
There were some class matches across all the categories, from a high quality Open Final between Nick Mulvey and Luke Bishop (the former getting a revenge win from his loss last year), to some brutally tight Doubles, B Grade and O50s Semis and Finals. Player of the day has to go to local Broxbourne legend Danny Weights, who not only captured the O40s title after a hard 3/1 win over Alexis Smith, but also alongside partner Adam Grilli managed to topple top seeded pairing Luke Bishop and Amber Marshall in the Doubles Final!
The list of winners can be seen below, along with the link to the event page on Sporty HQ for all the other results from the draws. It was great to see everyone back in action once again and we look forward to keeping the Series rolling with the next event at Hallamshire on 25th March for the North East Open!
Category Winners:
Open: Nick Mulvey
B Grade: Jodey Watts
O40s: Danny Weights
O50s: Chris Wase
O60s: Patrick Osborn
O70s: Graham Greensall
Doubles: Danny Weights / Adam Grilli
Full Results here:
https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-1-East-of-England-Racketball-Open-11th-February-Broxbourne
There were some class matches across all the categories, from a high quality Open Final between Nick Mulvey and Luke Bishop (the former getting a revenge win from his loss last year), to some brutally tight Doubles, B Grade and O50s Semis and Finals. Player of the day has to go to local Broxbourne legend Danny Weights, who not only captured the O40s title after a hard 3/1 win over Alexis Smith, but also alongside partner Adam Grilli managed to topple top seeded pairing Luke Bishop and Amber Marshall in the Doubles Final!
The list of winners can be seen below, along with the link to the event page on Sporty HQ for all the other results from the draws. It was great to see everyone back in action once again and we look forward to keeping the Series rolling with the next event at Hallamshire on 25th March for the North East Open!
Category Winners:
Open: Nick Mulvey
B Grade: Jodey Watts
O40s: Danny Weights
O50s: Chris Wase
O60s: Patrick Osborn
O70s: Graham Greensall
Doubles: Danny Weights / Adam Grilli
Full Results here:
https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-1-East-of-England-Racketball-Open-11th-February-Broxbourne
East of England Racketball Open
The return of the UK-Racketball Series in 2023 begins once again at Broxbourne for the East of England Racketball Open!
The Broxbourne tournament was new to the Series in 2018 and has proved very popular ever since with the event in 2019 selling out early. In February 2020, the East of England Open became the first and last event of the year, as the series came to a premature end. We came back with a bang in 2022 with a very strong A Grade draw. This saw Luke Bishop take a marathon 2/1 win over local favourite Nick Mulvey to retain his title at the club.
Paul Cousins took out the fast improving Oliver Staunton in the B Grade, with local legend Adam Grilli just losing out to the relentless Ryan Loska in the O40s.
Jason Russel took the first of his 2022 series titles in the 50s, beating Roger Camp in the Final, and Nick Sims was the 60's Champion over Exeter's Graham Holmes.
Our first year of O70s age group events saw Series regular Graham Greensall beat Alec Livingstone in the final. Really great to have such a good O70's uptake! Finally, Luke Bishop & Amber Marshall took the Doubles title in an entertaining match against the retrieving skills of Loska and the ball skill of Paul Knocker Norton!
It is likely that Broxbourne will be popular again this year falling straight after the winter break and being the first of the 2023 series. If you are planning to play then you are advised not to leave it to the last minute. This is a lovely tournament and not one to miss out on!
Broxbourne Sports Club has a wide range of top class facilities centred in the county of Hertfordshire. Well maintained and warm courts with a cozy bar that overlooks two of the courts. The glass back show court will once again be used for the event finals. Dan Fernandez, Patrick Osborn, Adam Grilli, Mark Banfield, Amber Marshall and Marc Thornley are all local to Broxbourne and long standing players in the Series, feel free to ask them about the events. For online entries follow this link to the Broxbourne Tournament page on SportyHQ.
The Broxbourne tournament was new to the Series in 2018 and has proved very popular ever since with the event in 2019 selling out early. In February 2020, the East of England Open became the first and last event of the year, as the series came to a premature end. We came back with a bang in 2022 with a very strong A Grade draw. This saw Luke Bishop take a marathon 2/1 win over local favourite Nick Mulvey to retain his title at the club.
Paul Cousins took out the fast improving Oliver Staunton in the B Grade, with local legend Adam Grilli just losing out to the relentless Ryan Loska in the O40s.
Jason Russel took the first of his 2022 series titles in the 50s, beating Roger Camp in the Final, and Nick Sims was the 60's Champion over Exeter's Graham Holmes.
Our first year of O70s age group events saw Series regular Graham Greensall beat Alec Livingstone in the final. Really great to have such a good O70's uptake! Finally, Luke Bishop & Amber Marshall took the Doubles title in an entertaining match against the retrieving skills of Loska and the ball skill of Paul Knocker Norton!
It is likely that Broxbourne will be popular again this year falling straight after the winter break and being the first of the 2023 series. If you are planning to play then you are advised not to leave it to the last minute. This is a lovely tournament and not one to miss out on!
Broxbourne Sports Club has a wide range of top class facilities centred in the county of Hertfordshire. Well maintained and warm courts with a cozy bar that overlooks two of the courts. The glass back show court will once again be used for the event finals. Dan Fernandez, Patrick Osborn, Adam Grilli, Mark Banfield, Amber Marshall and Marc Thornley are all local to Broxbourne and long standing players in the Series, feel free to ask them about the events. For online entries follow this link to the Broxbourne Tournament page on SportyHQ.
Online entries through SportyHQ
For 2022 UK-Racketball have partnered with SportyHQ to make online entries work even smoother
Follow this link to enter online - https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-1-East-of-England-Racketball-Open-11th-February-Broxbourne
We have created a user guide to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible - follow this link to access online - https://www.uk-racketball.com/series-faqs.html
Follow this link to enter online - https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-1-East-of-England-Racketball-Open-11th-February-Broxbourne
We have created a user guide to walk you through the process and make it as easy as possible - follow this link to access online - https://www.uk-racketball.com/series-faqs.html
Main Tournament Details
What: Broxbourne Open
When: Saturday 11th February
Where: Broxbourne Sports Club
Postcode: EN10 7BA
Closing Date: Friday 3rd February
Cost: £17.50 (£9.50 for an optional high quality, quick dry, sublimated print tournament t-shirt)
Online Entries:
More Information: Email admin@uk-racketball.com or call Mike on 07789 394617 if your enquiry is urgent.
When: Saturday 11th February
Where: Broxbourne Sports Club
Postcode: EN10 7BA
Closing Date: Friday 3rd February
Cost: £17.50 (£9.50 for an optional high quality, quick dry, sublimated print tournament t-shirt)
Online Entries:
More Information: Email admin@uk-racketball.com or call Mike on 07789 394617 if your enquiry is urgent.
East of England Broxbourne - Hall of Fame
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
Over 70's - For players over the age of 70
Doubles – All players in one grade. Entries are limited to 8 teams.
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mike directly on 07789 394617 or email us at info@uk-racketball.com and we will be happy to advise you.
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
Over 70's - For players over the age of 70
Doubles – All players in one grade. Entries are limited to 8 teams.
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mike directly on 07789 394617 or email us at info@uk-racketball.com and we will be happy to advise you.
Club Facilities
Broxbourne Sports Club has 5 high standard squash courts including a glass-backed show court with seating for 70 spectators.
Other facilities at Broxborne Sports Club include 11 tennis courts, a 3G sand based tiger turf pitch, two highly maintained cricket squares and a comfy bar- perfect for a post-match pint .
Other facilities at Broxborne Sports Club include 11 tennis courts, a 3G sand based tiger turf pitch, two highly maintained cricket squares and a comfy bar- perfect for a post-match pint .
Club Location
Broxbourne Sports Club
Mill Lane Close,
Broxbourne,
Hertfordshire.
EN10 7BA
For more details follow this link to the club website.
Mill Lane Close,
Broxbourne,
Hertfordshire.
EN10 7BA
For more details follow this link to the club website.
East of England racketball open - report and results
It was fantastic to be back in Broxbourne for the first event of the 2022 UK-Racketball Series. This was just the fourth time we've visited the East England club, and it's already proving to be a favourite venue among our series regulars. Entries for the East of England Open were among the strongest we've seen for a regional event, having sold out the week before the event.
The A Grade was perhaps the strongest we've had on UK Racketball outside of the British Open and National Championships. Group A was led by series favourite Luke Bishop, currently on 14 Titles and 5th on the All-Time Leaderboard. He maintained his run of form to win the group and set up yet another Series Final. Group B was a highly competitive affair, featuring Michael Robinson, Nick Mulvey, Amber Marshall, and Elliot Selby. In what was effectively a semi-final, Nick took on Elliot on Court 5 in front of a packed-out bar with a hugely entertaining match. Some brutal Racketball and long rallies saw Nick eventually take the victory, but it may have taken something out of his legs going into the final. He started off very strong against Luke, winning the first 11/6, only to get embroiled in a huge battle for the second which Luke eventually took 14/12, both players saving multiple game balls. The third was locked in at 5/5, before Nick started cramping at the end of an incredibly long day to see Luke pull away for title number 15.
The B Grade had some really good entries and was one of the most competitive we've had, with 4 groups leading into semis and the final. Jodey Watts justified his number 1 seeding by coming through Group 1 unscathed, while in Group 2 the unseeded Oliver Staunton dispatched both the 2 and 7 seeds to progress to the semis. It was a similar story in Groups 3 and 4, with the seeds falling in both as Paul Cousins and Stuart Reeve made it to the next round. Both Semi-Finals went the distance, as did the B Grade Final, where Paul beat Oliver to take the title.
The A Grade was perhaps the strongest we've had on UK Racketball outside of the British Open and National Championships. Group A was led by series favourite Luke Bishop, currently on 14 Titles and 5th on the All-Time Leaderboard. He maintained his run of form to win the group and set up yet another Series Final. Group B was a highly competitive affair, featuring Michael Robinson, Nick Mulvey, Amber Marshall, and Elliot Selby. In what was effectively a semi-final, Nick took on Elliot on Court 5 in front of a packed-out bar with a hugely entertaining match. Some brutal Racketball and long rallies saw Nick eventually take the victory, but it may have taken something out of his legs going into the final. He started off very strong against Luke, winning the first 11/6, only to get embroiled in a huge battle for the second which Luke eventually took 14/12, both players saving multiple game balls. The third was locked in at 5/5, before Nick started cramping at the end of an incredibly long day to see Luke pull away for title number 15.
The B Grade had some really good entries and was one of the most competitive we've had, with 4 groups leading into semis and the final. Jodey Watts justified his number 1 seeding by coming through Group 1 unscathed, while in Group 2 the unseeded Oliver Staunton dispatched both the 2 and 7 seeds to progress to the semis. It was a similar story in Groups 3 and 4, with the seeds falling in both as Paul Cousins and Stuart Reeve made it to the next round. Both Semi-Finals went the distance, as did the B Grade Final, where Paul beat Oliver to take the title.
In the Over 40s, Number 1 seed Nick Jenkins took on local hero Adam Grilli in Group 1, with fifth-seed Adam getting the win and progressing to the final. In Group 2, Series Legend Paul Norton narrowly lost out to Ryan Loska, who joined Adam in the final. Ryan would go on to beat the home favourite Adam in the final, adding Title number 18 to his tally and sending him to Joint First on the all-time leaderboard alongside Patrick Osborn and Ted Jeal.
The Over 50's featured 3 groups of 4 going into a winner's group. All-time Series Leader Patrick Osborn headed up Group 1, although he was pushed all the way by David Acquet, 2 of their 3 games going to tie-breaks. In Group 2, Jason Russell saw off the 2, 5, and 7 seeds to win the group without dropping a game. Jason was the Over 40's Series Champion 10 years ago, and with a great physical effort and fantastic retrieving looked much the same player he was when he won that title. Group 3 was won by 3 seed Roger Camp, who also came through his matches in straight games. Jason took his dominant form into the finals group, winning by a comfortable margin, while Patrick and Roger had a real scrap for second place, Roger eventually winning 3/2.
Two big groups in the Over 60's meant 4 matches each before a final showdown. Group 1 saw 1 seed Graham Holmes come through unscathed, winning every match 2/0. Group 2 saw some fierce competition between the seeds, with Nick Sims eventually coming out on top. The final was a very high-quality affair between two highly experienced players. Graham Holmes doesn't lose many UK Racketball finals, but Nick started well and never looked back, outclassing Graham which doesn't happen often and taking the title.
The Over 50's featured 3 groups of 4 going into a winner's group. All-time Series Leader Patrick Osborn headed up Group 1, although he was pushed all the way by David Acquet, 2 of their 3 games going to tie-breaks. In Group 2, Jason Russell saw off the 2, 5, and 7 seeds to win the group without dropping a game. Jason was the Over 40's Series Champion 10 years ago, and with a great physical effort and fantastic retrieving looked much the same player he was when he won that title. Group 3 was won by 3 seed Roger Camp, who also came through his matches in straight games. Jason took his dominant form into the finals group, winning by a comfortable margin, while Patrick and Roger had a real scrap for second place, Roger eventually winning 3/2.
Two big groups in the Over 60's meant 4 matches each before a final showdown. Group 1 saw 1 seed Graham Holmes come through unscathed, winning every match 2/0. Group 2 saw some fierce competition between the seeds, with Nick Sims eventually coming out on top. The final was a very high-quality affair between two highly experienced players. Graham Holmes doesn't lose many UK Racketball finals, but Nick started well and never looked back, outclassing Graham which doesn't happen often and taking the title.
The Doubles was also one of the strongest we've had, selling out early and featuring a very high standard of pairs across both groups. Series favourites Luke Bishop and Amber Marshall once again teamed up, and were pushed all the way by the experienced pairing of Zoe Fennel and Patrick Osborn. Bishop/Marshall would eventually take the win and go on to the final. Group B also saw local players come through, scoring a couple of tight 2/1 wins over the seeded pairs to reach the final. In the final the experience of Luke and Amber, who've played and won together numerous times, really made the difference as they beat Elliot and Adam 11/8, 11/9.
It was a brilliant day at Broxbourne once again, a huge thank you to the club for hosting us for a fourth time. A big thank you to Luke from SportyHQ as well, who showed up on the day to watch a UK-Racketball Series event in person and help ensure everything went smoothly as we used the software for the first time at an event.
We hope to see you all next month at Hallamshire for the North-East of England Racketball Open.
https://www.uk-racketball.com/e2---north-east-of-england-racketball-open---19th-march.html
It was a brilliant day at Broxbourne once again, a huge thank you to the club for hosting us for a fourth time. A big thank you to Luke from SportyHQ as well, who showed up on the day to watch a UK-Racketball Series event in person and help ensure everything went smoothly as we used the software for the first time at an event.
We hope to see you all next month at Hallamshire for the North-East of England Racketball Open.
https://www.uk-racketball.com/e2---north-east-of-england-racketball-open---19th-march.html
EAST of england RACKETBALL OPEN HISTORY
2022 East of England Racketball Open
2020 East of England Racketball Open
2019 East of England Racketball Open
2020 East of England Racketball Open
2019 East of England Racketball Open
