Andrew Wilkinson became the new Northumberland Champion when he defeated Eddie Smith in the final of the Open Singles to take the Alan Morpeth Memorial Cup at the Northumberland Closed tournament. After winning his group he put out Keith Patterson before overcoming Adam Curran in the quarters and Jim Stamas in the semis to set up a meeting with the number two seed Eddie Smith in the final. He won the first game 11 – 8 and just edged the second one 14 – 12 before Smith hit back to take the third. Wilkinson, however, dominated the fourth end to win 11 –5 and take the title.

Smith had beaten Rob Scott and Ellis Cooper as well as Iain Wood who had put out the third seed Steve Penman and young Dean Richardson to reach the semis.

The Philomena Clark Memorial Trophy for the Womens Singles was claimed by Lynne Herrington who defeated the ever improving Lynsey Storey in a hard fought final. After winning her group Herrington accounted for Kit Robinson in the semis while Storey, who had finished second to Herrington in the same group got the better of Karen Henry in her semi final match.

As expected Eddie Smith won the Veterans title with Geoff Salter the runner up.Unfortunately Salter injured his hand whilst winning his semi final and had to concede the final to Smith. Jimmy Scope and Barry Richardson were the losing semi finalists.

In the other events Stamas won the Band 1 singles,  Ellis Cooper took the Band 2 title, Gareth Pearson the Band 3 and Sam Nair won Band 4. Nair also reached the final of the handicap singles, going down to Adrian

Barnes. Dave Swan and Keith Patterson claimed the doubles crown.

Results:

Open Singles; Wilkinson beat Smith  11-8 14-12 9-11 11-5

Womens Singles: Herrington beat Storey 13-11 11-9 9-11 11-9

Veterans: Smith w/o v Salter

Band 1: Stamas beat Penman 10-12 11-9 5-11 11-5 11-7

Band 2: Cooper beat Rod Roberts 14-12 10-12 11-8 11-7 

Band 3: Pearson beat Mick Bull 4-11 11-4 6-11 11-9 11-9

Handicap Singles: Barnes (+1) beat Nair 19-21 21-19 21-19

Doubles: Patterson and Swan beat Duncan Wraight and Alan Hedley 11-8 11-5 7-11 11-8

 

 

Aubrey Drapkin