LONDON OPEN BEXLEY 2023 WRITE UP!
On a soggy Karakal sponsored London Open Saturday it was prime Racketball weather at Bexley Tennis and Squash Club, and with one of our largest Series event entries this year it was due to be a busy day of it! With a trial of our new no entry limit Doubles format on the same day too, there was a really vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere to the club, and some quality matches to boot.
You can find videos and photos from the days matchups on our Facebook album here: UK RACKETBALL
We had several players at the top of the Series rankings taking part and looking to gain a bit of a lead or catch up with the pack. None more so than Graham Greensall (2nd) in the O70s who prior to this lay just 5 points off of Paul Knocker Norton (1st). Graham managed to get through his two best of 5 game matches to take the title and give himself the best chance of leapfrogging Norton. John Moore sneaking the runner up spot.
In the Over 60's the draw was wide open without regular top dog Patrick Osborn in the mix, and newly ''upgraded'' into the age group Mark Blake managed to take full advantage. He took out Akhtar Khokar in the final in a tight 2/0, some great rallies in a left/right hand showdown. In the O50's several big names were in the two groups, with the likes of Morris, Banfield, Smith, Wardle and Burton all looking to get stuck in. There were some great group stage games, with Banfield getting past Wardle 14/12, 12/10 one of the highlights of the day. However the relentless pace and physicality of Morris was too much for the rest of the entry to be able to cope with, he took down Steve Smith 2/0 in an entertaining final, looking very strong in the process. (Clearly gearing up for an O50s British Open run!
The O40s had some of the usual suspects in the mix, with the likes of Grilli, Norton and Alexix Smith all champing at the bit. Smith vs Norton was the eventual final once again, unfortunately slightly curtailed by an injury to Norton meaning he couldn't challenge the ever attacking Smith as much as he would like to, going down 2/0 in the process. This means that Graham Greensall sneaks above him in the latest Series rankings!
There was a busy B Grade draw this year, including a couple of Ladies Masters Squash players in Keeley Johnson and Catherine Ruffle, both of whom were also in the Doubles. Great to get some more Ladies players in the mix. In the end it was a battle of youth (Cutting & Elliot Smith) vs (not much older) experience Dean & Lloyd in the semis, with the two (barely) older players coming through to the final. The youth duo however seem to be improving event by event and it won't be long until they are challenging for the B Grade title or promotion into A Grade! Craig Lloyd managed to see his way past James Dean in the final 2/0, both of them doing really well to maintain a high level of quality in their play after 4 Doubles and 4 Singles matches each by this point! Calls for a Lloyd promotion to A Grade are being heard along the grapevine...
Finally to the Doubles and A Grade. The A was mix of the usual suspects (Arnott, Watts, Kershaw and Jones) and a couple of newer local faces (Tinnams and Taffinder.) In the end it was the Hampshire boys Arnott and Kershaw who made their way through, with Callum winning the match 2/0 after both rather drained competitiors needed to sink a well earned pint beforehand to gain some last minute vitality... True Racketball hydration there...
As mentioned we trialled a new ''no entry number limit'' to the Doubles event this year and it was a resounding success with 14 pairs taking part and some really great quality along the way. All the way through the group stages there were some brutal battles and the final was no exception, with a match up of the highest quality between Lloyd/Beel vs Jones/Marshall. After some furious exchanges and some lovely racket work from both sides, it was Billy & Amber who came through a really close 2/0 win (12/10 in the 2nd) to take the title! (This match is up on the live stream on our Facebook page so it is definitely worth checking it out.)
A top day with a brilliant bunch of competitors. Thanks to Bexley for hosting us once again, it is a lovely venue and always really supportive of our Racketball events. We hope to be back next year. Thank you to our Series sponsor partners and to Karakal UK for all their fantastic support.
Full results can be found HERE: SPORTY HQ
Until next time!
You can find videos and photos from the days matchups on our Facebook album here: UK RACKETBALL
We had several players at the top of the Series rankings taking part and looking to gain a bit of a lead or catch up with the pack. None more so than Graham Greensall (2nd) in the O70s who prior to this lay just 5 points off of Paul Knocker Norton (1st). Graham managed to get through his two best of 5 game matches to take the title and give himself the best chance of leapfrogging Norton. John Moore sneaking the runner up spot.
In the Over 60's the draw was wide open without regular top dog Patrick Osborn in the mix, and newly ''upgraded'' into the age group Mark Blake managed to take full advantage. He took out Akhtar Khokar in the final in a tight 2/0, some great rallies in a left/right hand showdown. In the O50's several big names were in the two groups, with the likes of Morris, Banfield, Smith, Wardle and Burton all looking to get stuck in. There were some great group stage games, with Banfield getting past Wardle 14/12, 12/10 one of the highlights of the day. However the relentless pace and physicality of Morris was too much for the rest of the entry to be able to cope with, he took down Steve Smith 2/0 in an entertaining final, looking very strong in the process. (Clearly gearing up for an O50s British Open run!
The O40s had some of the usual suspects in the mix, with the likes of Grilli, Norton and Alexix Smith all champing at the bit. Smith vs Norton was the eventual final once again, unfortunately slightly curtailed by an injury to Norton meaning he couldn't challenge the ever attacking Smith as much as he would like to, going down 2/0 in the process. This means that Graham Greensall sneaks above him in the latest Series rankings!
There was a busy B Grade draw this year, including a couple of Ladies Masters Squash players in Keeley Johnson and Catherine Ruffle, both of whom were also in the Doubles. Great to get some more Ladies players in the mix. In the end it was a battle of youth (Cutting & Elliot Smith) vs (not much older) experience Dean & Lloyd in the semis, with the two (barely) older players coming through to the final. The youth duo however seem to be improving event by event and it won't be long until they are challenging for the B Grade title or promotion into A Grade! Craig Lloyd managed to see his way past James Dean in the final 2/0, both of them doing really well to maintain a high level of quality in their play after 4 Doubles and 4 Singles matches each by this point! Calls for a Lloyd promotion to A Grade are being heard along the grapevine...
Finally to the Doubles and A Grade. The A was mix of the usual suspects (Arnott, Watts, Kershaw and Jones) and a couple of newer local faces (Tinnams and Taffinder.) In the end it was the Hampshire boys Arnott and Kershaw who made their way through, with Callum winning the match 2/0 after both rather drained competitiors needed to sink a well earned pint beforehand to gain some last minute vitality... True Racketball hydration there...
As mentioned we trialled a new ''no entry number limit'' to the Doubles event this year and it was a resounding success with 14 pairs taking part and some really great quality along the way. All the way through the group stages there were some brutal battles and the final was no exception, with a match up of the highest quality between Lloyd/Beel vs Jones/Marshall. After some furious exchanges and some lovely racket work from both sides, it was Billy & Amber who came through a really close 2/0 win (12/10 in the 2nd) to take the title! (This match is up on the live stream on our Facebook page so it is definitely worth checking it out.)
A top day with a brilliant bunch of competitors. Thanks to Bexley for hosting us once again, it is a lovely venue and always really supportive of our Racketball events. We hope to be back next year. Thank you to our Series sponsor partners and to Karakal UK for all their fantastic support.
Full results can be found HERE: SPORTY HQ
Until next time!
London Racketball Open introduction
The London Racketball Open has been running since 2018 and is always one of the best events of the tour. Bexley Lawn Tennis Squash and Racketball Club has a unique place in the history of our sport with a thriving Racketball community dating back to the 1960’s. With 5 very well maintained courts and a great bar area to chill out in away from the action.
A History of Racketball 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.
A History of Racketball 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 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.
The game has flourished in the Bexley Club with 72 players in the internal Racketball League and 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.
online entry through sportyhq
For 2023 UK-Racketball have partnered with SportyHQ to make online entries work even smoother
Follow this link to enter online - www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-9-London-Racketball-Open-5th-August-Bexley
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 - www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/Event-9-London-Racketball-Open-5th-August-Bexley
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: Bexley Racketball Open
When: Saturday 5th August
Where: Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: DA5 1AX
Cost: £17.50 (£9.50 high quality, quick dry, sublimated print tournament t-shirt)
Entries Closing Date: Friday 28th July
More Information: Email [email protected] or if your enquiry is urgent call Mike on 07789 394617
When: Saturday 5th August
Where: Bexley Lawn Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Postcode: DA5 1AX
Cost: £17.50 (£9.50 high quality, quick dry, sublimated print tournament t-shirt)
Entries Closing Date: Friday 28th July
More Information: Email [email protected] or if your enquiry is urgent call Mike on 07789 394617
london bexley hall of fame
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.
Over 70's - For players over the age of 70.
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…
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mike on 07789 394617 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to help 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.
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.
Over 70's - For players over the age of 70.
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…
If you are unsure which category to enter please feel free to contact Mike on 07789 394617 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to help 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.
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.
Many professionals use the club to train on a regular basis under the tutelage of Head Coach Ben Ford, which has resulted in the courts being very well maintained. The club also has a lovely bar area situated just away from the squash courts so as to provide easy access but with enough distance to give you an escape from the Racketball if needed!
Some very nice coffee shops are also located very close by to the club.
Many professionals use the club to train on a regular basis under the tutelage of Head Coach Ben Ford, which has resulted in the courts being very well maintained. The club also has a lovely bar area situated just away from the squash courts so as to provide easy access but with enough distance to give you an escape from the Racketball if needed!
Some very nice coffee shops are also located very close by to the club.
Club Location
Bexley Tennis, Squash and Racketball Club
Parkhurst Road
Bexley
DA5 1AX
Parkhurst Road
Bexley
DA5 1AX
See what happened in 2022... london racketball open Report
It was a long overdue return to Bexley for the London Racketball Open after a two year pause due to the pandemic for one of our top clubs. Bexley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club has a special part in the history of our sport with Ian Wright first building the game here 55 years ago. It is great to be able to come back to Bexley and to continue to build upon that history.
Patrick Osborn continued his impressive run in the Over 60’s defeating Group A runner up Manuel Costa to set up a final against Graham Appleby who overcame the challenge from Akhtar Khokhar in the Group B decider. Appleby did not have enough to overcome the constant, methodical play of Osborn who is on course for an undefeated UK-Racketball season.
In a very high standard A Grade Michael Robinson came through as victor with four hard matches in the group stage. Robinson was first pushed hard by National Champion Amber Marshall, was taken to a decider by Ben Hedger and had to pull out all the stops against local Billy Jones.
It really was Robinson’s day, he has improved considerably this season and adding The London Open to his North East of England title earlier in the year is testament to that. To beat the hard hitting of Billy Jones is always tough, to do it at Bexley is even tougher. Robinson hardly made an error all day and the improvement in consistency combined with such a formidable fitness base.
Marc Thornley used a combination of good retrieving and a superb backhand hold to see off all challenges in Group A of the Over 50’s. Jason Russell continued his good run of form in the national over 50’s series with dynamic movement and hard hitting seeing him through the group with a 72% point win rate the highest of the day. This was especially impressive considering the standard of opposition with Phillip Hall, Paul Dodds and Scotland’s Scott Mowat all set against him.
The final of the Over 50’s was a great encounter between two top players. Thornley looked to break up the movement of Russell and keep the ball as tight as possible. At times it looked to be working with some expertly crafted rallies but in the end the sheer physicality of Russell combined with his tenacious nature was too much for Thornley. In Thornley’s own words, “he’s just so bloody fast”. A great battle and I am sure that Thornley will already be plotting revenge!
The top two seeds made it through the groups in the doubles. There was great movement throughout the day with players scrambling to clear, smoothly moving away from the centre and fighting hard to stay in rallies when they found themselves out of position. The combination of Paul Norton and Billy Jones proved too much for the competition in Group A with a 69% point win ratio. Good friends, Manuel Da Costa (Portugal) and Marc Thornley (Woodford Wells) finished in 2nd place with a quality display of tactical Racketball.
Zoe Fennell and Patrick Osborn were Group B victors seeing out a tough match against Paul Dodds and Akhtar Khokhar in the group decider. The final was great contest between two of the top UK doubles pairing and witnessed some great racket work and tactical skill from both pairs. In the end it was the combination of Jones and Norton who came through as champions.
Graham Greensall’s Racketball seems to be building at the moment and it was a superb display of skill which saw him add the London Racketball Open to his list of Over 70’s titles with victories over both John Moore and Joe Hely.
Only a few percentage points separated the players in the Over 40’s. Ossie Mustafa (59.06%) was crowned champion but both Nicholas Camus (51.26%) and Paul Norton (51.41%) were only a few percentage points behind in terms of points win to loss ratio which showed just how competitive it was.
Zoe Fennell and Patrick Osborn were Group B victors seeing out a tough match against Paul Dodds and Akhtar Khokhar in the group decider. The final was great contest between two of the top UK doubles pairing and witnessed some great racket work and tactical skill from both pairs. In the end it was the combination of Jones and Norton who came through as champions.
Graham Greensall’s Racketball seems to be building at the moment and it was a superb display of skill which saw him add the London Racketball Open to his list of Over 70’s titles with victories over both John Moore and Joe Hely.
Only a few percentage points separated the players in the Over 40’s. Ossie Mustafa (59.06%) was crowned champion but both Nicholas Camus (51.26%) and Paul Norton (51.41%) were only a few percentage points behind in terms of points win to loss ratio which showed just how competitive it was.
It was a B Grade with a bit of a difference with an injured Luke Bishop making his debut. Bishop is one of our all-time title winners and has won the A Grade at Broxbourne, Lee-on-the-Solent and Leamington so far this season. It shows just how much the community and playing these events means to Bishop that despite a seriously injured right shoulder he insisted on playing left handed. The series regulars loved moving Luke Bishop around and getting the in some wins against him.
The B Grade was the biggest draw of the day with group stage victories earning players a place in the finals. Stuart Tyler claimed group A, he was beaten in the first of the semi finals by Donavan Eastes the victor of group B. Jodey Watts was undefeated in group C but with the way that the lucky loser draw coin toss fell ended up against Group C runner up Nick Moore in the semi-finals. In a repeat of the group stage Watts was again victorious.
In the pick of the day’s finals, it was Watts against Eastes and with the tournaments no.1 referee John Waller. Eastes took the first 11/9 and was in a commanding 10/6 position in the second. Watts fought back to save all 4 match balls and then push on to take the tie break 14/12 and then the deciding game 11/8. A fantastic game of Racketball and a great end to another very successful London Racketball Open.
Next up in the Series we head to Exeter for the South West Racketball Open - https://www.uk-racketball.com/e10---south-west-of-england-racketball-open---10th-september.html
The B Grade was the biggest draw of the day with group stage victories earning players a place in the finals. Stuart Tyler claimed group A, he was beaten in the first of the semi finals by Donavan Eastes the victor of group B. Jodey Watts was undefeated in group C but with the way that the lucky loser draw coin toss fell ended up against Group C runner up Nick Moore in the semi-finals. In a repeat of the group stage Watts was again victorious.
In the pick of the day’s finals, it was Watts against Eastes and with the tournaments no.1 referee John Waller. Eastes took the first 11/9 and was in a commanding 10/6 position in the second. Watts fought back to save all 4 match balls and then push on to take the tie break 14/12 and then the deciding game 11/8. A fantastic game of Racketball and a great end to another very successful London Racketball Open.
Next up in the Series we head to Exeter for the South West Racketball Open - https://www.uk-racketball.com/e10---south-west-of-england-racketball-open---10th-september.html
