Bexley Racketball Open - Results
For all the photos from the day follow this link - www.facebook.com/UKRacketballSeries/
For all the videos follow this link to Laurence Ogden's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOCDhogUhLhXdcGnD58Nlbw/videos
For all the videos follow this link to Laurence Ogden's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOCDhogUhLhXdcGnD58Nlbw/videos
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Bexley Racketball Open
The UK-Racketball Series was hosted by Bexley Lawn Tennis Squash and Racketball Club for the first time on Saturday. Bexley has an amazing Racketball history with Ian Wright introducing Racketball to the club back in 1975. His experiments with a shorter handle racket and bouncier ball lead to the constitution for association of a new game called Racketball.
For more information on the Ian Wright and the beginnings of Racketball follow this link - http://www.uk-racketball.com/rb-history-ian-wright-and-bexley.html
The Bexley Racketball Open predictably had a strong entry level with players from around the country coming to compete with the local areas best. Throughout the day and across the grades we saw some fantastic matches with more titles for Series regulars but some tough matches against a very strong local contingent.
For more information on the Ian Wright and the beginnings of Racketball follow this link - http://www.uk-racketball.com/rb-history-ian-wright-and-bexley.html
The Bexley Racketball Open predictably had a strong entry level with players from around the country coming to compete with the local areas best. Throughout the day and across the grades we saw some fantastic matches with more titles for Series regulars but some tough matches against a very strong local contingent.
The A Grade went according to seeding’s almost throughout with Ted Jeal and Billy Jones winning their groups respectively and setting up a much anticipated local boys final. In the end Jeal came through as a comfortable winner 2-0 but Jones pushed him harder than he ever has in the past and is definitely one to watch in the future.
Mike Watson claimed the B Grade title in Harrogate but struggled in the groups in Bexley failing to continue his solid form from the North. His victory over Lee Sadler was not enough to see him through the group with Sadler winning his remaining matches. Andy Blackman from Parklangly won all three group matches without dropping a game to set up the final against Sadler.
A recent run of losses in UK-Racketball Series finals ended for Lee Sadler in Bexley with victory over Blackman 2-1. It was a gutsy performance on a hot back court in a match where both players had their chances. When the going gets tough Sadler steps up.
The Over 40’s in Harrogate had proved a disappointment for Adam Grilli but he was back to his best at Bexley. Grilli avenged his defeat to Peter Ellicock two weeks ago before going on to claim a spot in the final with victories over Justin Jardine and Paul Barnard. Group B was a tight affair with three players beating each other. Veteran UK-Racketball Series player Phillip Hall came through victorious however without dropping a game again Spencer Harris, Paul Mcleod and Chris Carter. The opening game in the final went Grilli’s way before Hall played a very high level game to level at 1-1. The 3rd came down to fitness and in the end Grilli was too strong on the day for Hall, taking his first UK-Racketball Series title of the season. Victory at Bexley takes Grilli to second place in the overall Series rankings.
Mike Watson claimed the B Grade title in Harrogate but struggled in the groups in Bexley failing to continue his solid form from the North. His victory over Lee Sadler was not enough to see him through the group with Sadler winning his remaining matches. Andy Blackman from Parklangly won all three group matches without dropping a game to set up the final against Sadler.
A recent run of losses in UK-Racketball Series finals ended for Lee Sadler in Bexley with victory over Blackman 2-1. It was a gutsy performance on a hot back court in a match where both players had their chances. When the going gets tough Sadler steps up.
The Over 40’s in Harrogate had proved a disappointment for Adam Grilli but he was back to his best at Bexley. Grilli avenged his defeat to Peter Ellicock two weeks ago before going on to claim a spot in the final with victories over Justin Jardine and Paul Barnard. Group B was a tight affair with three players beating each other. Veteran UK-Racketball Series player Phillip Hall came through victorious however without dropping a game again Spencer Harris, Paul Mcleod and Chris Carter. The opening game in the final went Grilli’s way before Hall played a very high level game to level at 1-1. The 3rd came down to fitness and in the end Grilli was too strong on the day for Hall, taking his first UK-Racketball Series title of the season. Victory at Bexley takes Grilli to second place in the overall Series rankings.
As is the case so often the Over 50’s proved the largest draw of the day. Patrick Osborn continued where he left off in Harrogate with a straight games victory in Group A. Manuel Costa, who has travelled from Portugal for UK-Racketball tournaments since 2012 overcame the challenge from Lee Sadler in Group B 2-1 before closing out matches against local Terry Jeal and Series veteran Andy Ruff 2-0.
In Group C Nick Harrington pushed Mark Banfield hard but was unable to close out the win. The group was decided by the contest between Banfield and England no.7 Marc Thornley, on this occasion Thornley came out on top 2-0. Dan Fernandez proved too strong for group D and booked a comfortable place in the semi’s.
It was a triumph for the seeding’s in the Over 50’s with 3 of the top seeds making it through to the semi finals to face off against the Portuguese no.1 Costa. Both semi final were taken to a deciding game before the top seeds showed their resilience to see off the challenges. Osborn defeated Costa in a great demonstration of Racketball skill with Fernandez having to battle hard to make it past a determined Thornley. In the final Osborn proved too strong for Fernandez with a 2-0 victory and his second title this season.
Going into the Over 60’s Stephen Widdison was on an unbeaten run of 25 matches but this was set to be his toughest challenge yet with a very strong local entry. Widdison had to fight hard right from the start with both Trevor Grant and David Worrall taking him to a decider in the opening matches. In Group B all three players defeated each other, due to game results only a two way tie was calculated and with Marsden dropping less games he made it through as group leader. Peter Marsden claimed the top spot with Alan Thatcher earning second place.
It looked like it would be crucial in the 60’s to make it through the group in 1st place. This set up a bye through the quarter finals and into the semi’s which on paper looked invaluable. On the day however it was not the case. First Grant overcame Marsden 2-1 before the upset of the day saw Widdison defeated by Worrall (the player who had finished bottom of Group A). The final was a brutal game of Racketball, both players had battled through four matches each before the final stated. Worrall had played 11 games to Grants 12. The final unbelievably went all the way to a decider as well but in the end Worrall had just enough to finish the event off claiming victory 2-1.
In Group C Nick Harrington pushed Mark Banfield hard but was unable to close out the win. The group was decided by the contest between Banfield and England no.7 Marc Thornley, on this occasion Thornley came out on top 2-0. Dan Fernandez proved too strong for group D and booked a comfortable place in the semi’s.
It was a triumph for the seeding’s in the Over 50’s with 3 of the top seeds making it through to the semi finals to face off against the Portuguese no.1 Costa. Both semi final were taken to a deciding game before the top seeds showed their resilience to see off the challenges. Osborn defeated Costa in a great demonstration of Racketball skill with Fernandez having to battle hard to make it past a determined Thornley. In the final Osborn proved too strong for Fernandez with a 2-0 victory and his second title this season.
Going into the Over 60’s Stephen Widdison was on an unbeaten run of 25 matches but this was set to be his toughest challenge yet with a very strong local entry. Widdison had to fight hard right from the start with both Trevor Grant and David Worrall taking him to a decider in the opening matches. In Group B all three players defeated each other, due to game results only a two way tie was calculated and with Marsden dropping less games he made it through as group leader. Peter Marsden claimed the top spot with Alan Thatcher earning second place.
It looked like it would be crucial in the 60’s to make it through the group in 1st place. This set up a bye through the quarter finals and into the semi’s which on paper looked invaluable. On the day however it was not the case. First Grant overcame Marsden 2-1 before the upset of the day saw Widdison defeated by Worrall (the player who had finished bottom of Group A). The final was a brutal game of Racketball, both players had battled through four matches each before the final stated. Worrall had played 11 games to Grants 12. The final unbelievably went all the way to a decider as well but in the end Worrall had just enough to finish the event off claiming victory 2-1.
Bexley was the first time that we had experimented with a doubles draw alongside the singles competition at a UK-Racketball Series event and it proved to be a great success. Patrick Osborn and Marc Thornley came through their early encounters against Mark Banfield/ Elliot Knight and Adam Grilli/ Mike O’Brien. Matches were long on the hot Bexley courts and very competitive but the pair did not have enough to overcome the challenge from top seeds Ted Jeal and Billy Jones.
The battle for second place was tight in group B between Dan Fernandez / Manuel Costa and local boys Ian Scanlan / Vinny Dunmall. The Home Counties and Portuguese combination of Fernandez and Costa proved too accurate for the fighting spirit of Scanlan and Dunmall with a 2-1. However they did not have enough to compete the group being defeated by Keith Mabey / Rob Lewis who proved a very effective doubles pairing.
The doubles final in the end proved to be a one sided affair with Jeal and Jones proving too strong for Mabey and Lewis and securing the first ever UK-Racketball Series doubles title.
Next up in the Series is Northumberland on the 23rd of June. Head to www.uk-racketball.com for details on the remaining events this year.
The battle for second place was tight in group B between Dan Fernandez / Manuel Costa and local boys Ian Scanlan / Vinny Dunmall. The Home Counties and Portuguese combination of Fernandez and Costa proved too accurate for the fighting spirit of Scanlan and Dunmall with a 2-1. However they did not have enough to compete the group being defeated by Keith Mabey / Rob Lewis who proved a very effective doubles pairing.
The doubles final in the end proved to be a one sided affair with Jeal and Jones proving too strong for Mabey and Lewis and securing the first ever UK-Racketball Series doubles title.
Next up in the Series is Northumberland on the 23rd of June. Head to www.uk-racketball.com for details on the remaining events this year.
Bexley Racketball Open Draws and Schedule - 7th June
Please follow this link to the schedule. Can you all please check the draws at the same time as there have been some changes.
Doubles has added an extra complication into the scheduling but I think that I have managed to avoid any direct clashes with players on two courts at the same time.
Quick Reminder
This is set to be a very busy day. If you could make sure that if you win you are ready to REFEREE the next match on the court you have just finished on this will really help the event to run smoothly.
Towards the end of the day if you are lucky enough to reach the final stages there are quite a few matches back to back or almost back to back. Remember these are only best of 3, being able to go straight on is part of the event.
Ranking Points
This is the 3rd tournament in this year’s Series. Everyone at Bexley will earn points towards their Series Ranking and obviously the better you do the more points you will accumulate. Points at the end of the year translate into prizes with some amazing giveaways for the top finishers.
Follow this link to see the current table - http://www.uk-racketball.com/2018-series-rankings.html
The doubles competition will count as a normal event but as with other players taking part in more than one competition only your best score will count towards your Series ranking.
Doubles has added an extra complication into the scheduling but I think that I have managed to avoid any direct clashes with players on two courts at the same time.
Quick Reminder
This is set to be a very busy day. If you could make sure that if you win you are ready to REFEREE the next match on the court you have just finished on this will really help the event to run smoothly.
Towards the end of the day if you are lucky enough to reach the final stages there are quite a few matches back to back or almost back to back. Remember these are only best of 3, being able to go straight on is part of the event.
Ranking Points
This is the 3rd tournament in this year’s Series. Everyone at Bexley will earn points towards their Series Ranking and obviously the better you do the more points you will accumulate. Points at the end of the year translate into prizes with some amazing giveaways for the top finishers.
Follow this link to see the current table - http://www.uk-racketball.com/2018-series-rankings.html
The doubles competition will count as a normal event but as with other players taking part in more than one competition only your best score will count towards your Series ranking.
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Bexley Racketball Open Draw - 5th June
Please follow this link and open the relevant files to view.
I will have the schedule finished tomorrow and will email this out to everyone. We have a very good level of entry so the event will start at 9:00. Your personal start time will be in the schedule.
We have a few reserves for this Saturday, I can’t fit anymore players in due to court and time constraints so if you need to withdraw please do this as soon as you can so that someone else can have your slot. This includes the doubles which is now a full 8 team draw with one reserve.
I will have the schedule finished tomorrow and will email this out to everyone. We have a very good level of entry so the event will start at 9:00. Your personal start time will be in the schedule.
We have a few reserves for this Saturday, I can’t fit anymore players in due to court and time constraints so if you need to withdraw please do this as soon as you can so that someone else can have your slot. This includes the doubles which is now a full 8 team draw with one reserve.
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Bexley Racketball Open - Entry List 4th June
| bexley_entry_list_4th_june.pdf |
Bexley Racketball Open - Entry List 3rd June
| bexley_entry_list_3rd_june_sheet1.pdf |
Bexley Racketball Open - 9th June
E4 of the 2018 UK-Racketball Series
Due to very popular demand the Series has added in a 10th event for the 2018 Series, The Bexley Racketball Open. The Kent and North London area is a growing hotspot for Racketball with many players supporting events all round the UK. The Bexley Racketball Open gives these players a chance to fight it out for titles on home soil. Expect a big entry for this one both locally and from the rest of the UK with Bexley being a Racketball hotspot in a good location and a lovely club.
The Bexley Racketball Open will host the first incorporation of doubles into the Series. Players already entering the singles at Bexley will be able to sign up for the doubles at only £5.00 a person. The doubles structure will be the same as the singles with group stages leading into a knockout and results will count towards the overall Series ranking list. If the incorporation of doubles into the event at Bexley is a success hopefully we will see it being rolled out into the other venues of the UK-Racketball Series.
Racketball at Bexley has an amazing history and without it the game might not exist at all. Scroll to below the tournament information to read an article on Ian Wright who helped to shape Racketball in the UK.
Main Tournament Details
What: Bexley Racketball Open
When: Saturday 9th June
Where: Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: DA5 1AX
Singles Cost: £12.50 (£5 for tournament t-shirt)
Doubles Cost: £5.00 per person alongside singles entry
Online Entry: Follow this link
More Information: Email Mark Fuller mark@starsportsdevelopment.com or call Mark on 07846 067505
E4 of the 2018 UK-Racketball Series
Due to very popular demand the Series has added in a 10th event for the 2018 Series, The Bexley Racketball Open. The Kent and North London area is a growing hotspot for Racketball with many players supporting events all round the UK. The Bexley Racketball Open gives these players a chance to fight it out for titles on home soil. Expect a big entry for this one both locally and from the rest of the UK with Bexley being a Racketball hotspot in a good location and a lovely club.
The Bexley Racketball Open will host the first incorporation of doubles into the Series. Players already entering the singles at Bexley will be able to sign up for the doubles at only £5.00 a person. The doubles structure will be the same as the singles with group stages leading into a knockout and results will count towards the overall Series ranking list. If the incorporation of doubles into the event at Bexley is a success hopefully we will see it being rolled out into the other venues of the UK-Racketball Series.
Racketball at Bexley has an amazing history and without it the game might not exist at all. Scroll to below the tournament information to read an article on Ian Wright who helped to shape Racketball in the UK.
Main Tournament Details
What: Bexley Racketball Open
When: Saturday 9th June
Where: Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: DA5 1AX
Singles Cost: £12.50 (£5 for tournament t-shirt)
Doubles Cost: £5.00 per person alongside singles entry
Online Entry: Follow this link
More Information: Email Mark Fuller mark@starsportsdevelopment.com or call Mark on 07846 067505
Racketball History at Bexley
Ian Wright, Club Secretary, introduced the game of Squash to the club in 1965 and acted as foreman to build the second court for under £3,000 in 1967. The court fee for 40 minutes was 10p per player. Some ten years later, Ian experimented with some short handled rackets and the core of a tennis ball as an alternative game for dual use of Squash Courts.
Ian wrote a set of rules and a constitution for an association for this new game of Racketball.
On 13th February 1984, in Stourbridge LTC, the British Racketball Association was founded, having adopted Ian’s Rules and Constitution and elected Ian as its first Honorary Secretary.
The Sports Council, on 30th October 1984, officially recognised the British Racketball Association as the Governing Body for the sport. Membership stood at 55 clubs with 239 individual members.
By 1988 the Individual Membership of the British Racketball Association stood at 650 members and a Sports Council survey found there to be 30,000 players in the UK.
In 1998, control of the game passed to England Squash, with Ian Wright, as Vice President of the Governing Body, becoming Chairman of the Racketball Committee.
The game has flourished in the Bexley Club with 72 players in the internal Racketball League and the Club teams, arguably, the best in the South East of England.
Bexley Club Members have won Kent and England Championships
KENT CHAMPIONS:
Rob Lewis and Mark Steeden,
Nick Eagle (Over 35), Ray Jennings (Over 35), Paul Slater (Over 35),
John Prowse and Peter Lewis (Over 55), Ian Wright (Over 65), Nicky Slater (Over 35).
ENGLAND CHAMPIONS
Ian Wright (Over 50, Over 65 and Over 70), Peter Lewis (Over 55),
John Prowse (Over 60), Paul Slater (Over 35).
The club currently has internal squash and racketball leagues and runs 5 squash teams in the North Kent Priory League and a Racketball team in the South East Region Racketball League along with 2 junior teams in the Kent league. Bexley is home to UK-Racketball Series legend and winner of 16 Titles Ted Jeal.
Ian Wright, Club Secretary, introduced the game of Squash to the club in 1965 and acted as foreman to build the second court for under £3,000 in 1967. The court fee for 40 minutes was 10p per player. Some ten years later, Ian experimented with some short handled rackets and the core of a tennis ball as an alternative game for dual use of Squash Courts.
Ian wrote a set of rules and a constitution for an association for this new game of Racketball.
On 13th February 1984, in Stourbridge LTC, the British Racketball Association was founded, having adopted Ian’s Rules and Constitution and elected Ian as its first Honorary Secretary.
The Sports Council, on 30th October 1984, officially recognised the British Racketball Association as the Governing Body for the sport. Membership stood at 55 clubs with 239 individual members.
By 1988 the Individual Membership of the British Racketball Association stood at 650 members and a Sports Council survey found there to be 30,000 players in the UK.
In 1998, control of the game passed to England Squash, with Ian Wright, as Vice President of the Governing Body, becoming Chairman of the Racketball Committee.
The game has flourished in the Bexley Club with 72 players in the internal Racketball League and the Club teams, arguably, the best in the South East of England.
Bexley Club Members have won Kent and England Championships
KENT CHAMPIONS:
Rob Lewis and Mark Steeden,
Nick Eagle (Over 35), Ray Jennings (Over 35), Paul Slater (Over 35),
John Prowse and Peter Lewis (Over 55), Ian Wright (Over 65), Nicky Slater (Over 35).
ENGLAND CHAMPIONS
Ian Wright (Over 50, Over 65 and Over 70), Peter Lewis (Over 55),
John Prowse (Over 60), Paul Slater (Over 35).
The club currently has internal squash and racketball leagues and runs 5 squash teams in the North Kent Priory League and a Racketball team in the South East Region Racketball League along with 2 junior teams in the Kent league. Bexley is home to UK-Racketball Series legend and winner of 16 Titles Ted Jeal.
Grades
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. Players must be female.
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.
DOUBLES – Players of all ages and abilities, find a partner and go for it. A reminder of the Racketball Doubles rules can be found here…
Club Facilities
Bexley Lawn Tennis Squash & Racketball Club has the reputation as one of the premier squash clubs in Kent and the South East Region.It has 5 squash courts with balcony viewing, 2 of these are glass backed championship courts with a seating area.
Club Location
Bexley Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Parkhurst Road
Bexley
DA5 1AX
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. Players must be female.
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.
DOUBLES – Players of all ages and abilities, find a partner and go for it. A reminder of the Racketball Doubles rules can be found here…
Club Facilities
Bexley Lawn Tennis Squash & Racketball Club has the reputation as one of the premier squash clubs in Kent and the South East Region.It has 5 squash courts with balcony viewing, 2 of these are glass backed championship courts with a seating area.
Club Location
Bexley Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Parkhurst Road
Bexley
DA5 1AX
