Andrew Wilkinson will be looking to regain the Open Singles title at the Northumberland Closed Tournament which takes place at Sporting Club, Cramlington on Sunday.  He is seeded at number one with the Chinese student Chun Yin Yu who has beaten him in the league this season the number two seed. Last year’s winner Graeme Barella misses out because of injury but very strong opposition to the top two will come from Eddie Smith and Steve Penman.

In the Womens Singles Lynne Herrington is the favourite to take the crown with Lynsey Storey seeded to meet her in the final. Like the Open there will be a new winner as Diane Cartmell is not defending her title.

Other events taking place are  Veterans Singles, Graded Singles, Doubles and Handicap Singles.Play starts at 9.15a.m. and goes on all day.

The Junior Tournament is on Friday nightstarting at 7.00p.m. with nearly 50 youngsters taking part. Robert Renton is the favourite to win the  Junior event with Thaaqib Saleem the number two seed. Adam  Webster and Andrew Matfin are at three and four. Anna Sowerby is the favourite in the Girls singles and Webster is expected to win the cadets. There are also under 12 and under 13 singles where the Stokes twins, Archie and Alfie are the favourites.

Cramlington Casuals and NESLC Eagles are still joint top of the Northumbria League Premier division after they both had 8 – 2 victories over Unionist Club and Springwell A respectively but the Casuals have played one match fewer.

Cramlington Tigers had to thank Peter Smallcombe whose hat – trick against Byker helped them to retain their unbeaten record in Division One where they are one point behind leaders North Fire but have a game in hand. Third placed Riding Mill A  edged out Matfin A 6 – 4 and are only five points adrift of the leaders with two matches in hand.

 

Aubrey Drapkin