Another action packed 2024 UK Racketball Series event took place at Hallamshire Squash and Tennis Club on Saturday 23rd March. This tournament, sponsored by Abbeydale Brewery had the largest entry for a One Day Series event at the venue to date, so it was great to see a load of new faces mixing in with the Series regulars throughout!
Kicking off with the Open this time and a strong draw of 8 players gave us some quality matches across the duration of the day in their groups. Notable upsets being Jason Russel and Paul Norton getting the better of Broxbourne's Champion Colin Griggs in their group stage matches. Last year's Open grade winner and reigning O35s National Champion Mike Tolman proved however to be too strong throughout, not dropping a game across the day, taking out well deserved finalist Norton 2/0. He remains the man to beat in Yorkshire! We had a strong three player Ladies draw, featuring two locals in Holly Moore and Kate Martin alongside tournament organiser Nicky Horn. There were some really good matches in this three way best of 5 game showdown, the local derby between Moore and Martin being particularly close. In the end though Horn showed her quality (having won past titles) and came through vs the others without dropping a game. Martin finishing second after getting past Moore in a tight 3/1. Here's hoping to see the three in Ladies Intercounty action this year! A busy 8 draw in the B Grade featured a good mix of local players and travelling Series regulars. (Kudos to Tommy Meadows for making the trip from Dover!) In the end though the ever solid Steve McClelland battled his way through the day to take the title, though he was pushed well by Tim Millington in the final, where a 2/0 scoreline probably didn;t do him justice! A smaller draw in the 40s nonetheless featured some great best of 5 game matches, with a brutal battle between Jon Davies and Barry Talbot finishing 15/13 in the 5th to the tall Shropshireman. However, neither player could make much headway against the solid gameplay and concentration of Ryan Loska, he took the win without dropping the game and now sits at the top of the 2024 Series rankings after 3 events with Paul Norton. Watch out everyone! The Over 50s category seems to be going from strength to strength, and this event was no exception, with some quality players spread across the three boxes leading into semis and finals. In the end Wase, Muirhead, Wapnick and Davies battled through some very tough encounters to take the semi finals. Craig Wapnick causing a big upset in the age category, taking out Chris Wase 2/1 in a great match, both leaving it all on court. Wase possibly regretting his choice to play the Doubles too! The Over 60s event was also well subscribed with a good mix of local northerners and a few travelling contenders! Both finalists Robin Chipperfield and Graham Holmes were pushed hard in their preliminary matches, having to come through some close 2/1 wins along the way. Chipperfield's variety of spins and tricks combined with his fantastic reach proving too much for Holmes in the final, taking the win 2/0. A strong Over 70s line up featured some heavy hitters in the age group. 4 out of the 6 players all having won either Series or National titles! Ian Graham making a return to the UK Racketball scene after a couple of years out looked in good form, managing to win the event without dropping a game along the way, including taking down current National and British Open Champion Graham Greensall in the final. One to watch out for as the Series unfolds! The ever entertaining and creative Doubles event was as busy as ever, with 9 pairs thrashing it out across two boxes. With some very experienced players in the mix, there were some really competitive games and it certainly seems that the game of Racketball Doubles is really developing in it's own right, based on what we saw on the day! In the end, top seeds and regular partners Chappell/Norton made their way through to the final to face off against Loska/Kershaw. All 4 players having won Series Doubles titles, so some serious pedigree! The top dogs however didn't disappoint, and took a well earned win 2/0. Cementing Norton's place at the top of the inaugral Doubles Series rankings (over Loska in second place!) A great day of games at one of the top clubs in the country. What more could you ask for! A big thanks to Hallamshire for hosting us again and for being such a top partner to the UK Racketball Series. Also to Abbeydale Brewery for their continued sponsorship support of our events there! If you want to check out the day's results you can do so HERE And for the latest on the UK Racketball Series rankings after 3 events HERE And for the Doubles Series Rankings HERE See you all next time!
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