The Beacon of Light was the perfect venue for the 2025 Sunderland Closed Championships which took place last weekend.

Organisers Dave Bissett, Frank Booth and Chris Blake hosted a packed crowd who witnessed ten keenly contested events spanning a wide selection of age group categories.

The men’s open singles first semi-final saw Josh Weatherby beat last season’s champion Lee Tinkler 11/7, 11/5,11/9. In the other semi, his St. Chad’s team mate Youssef Hassan was pipped 1/3 by Mount True Roof’s Andrew Wilkinson. In the final, 21 year old Weatherby, despite losing the first game 10/12 to the England veteran, fought back to take the next three to seal his first Sunderland open singles title. Wilkinson wasn’t to be denied however and in the Veteran’s final he beat True Roof team mate Neil Herrington with a typically gritty performance. 

In the women’s final, Charlotte Weatherby returned to action to deny Lynne Herrington her 30th singles trophy in five tight ends. Weatherby then took her second crown of the day and when paired with brother Josh they edged Lynne and Neil Herrington 16/14, 7/11,11/8,8/11,11/8 in a marathon tie. In the open men’s doubles, Brandon pair Jamie Lupton and Lee Tinkler beat Backspin’s Leo Conn and True Roof’s Oliver Ho 12/10, 11/7, 11/5. 

Sophie Dodds beat Jamie Dent junior in the under 13s singles, and in the Junior Boys singles Brandon’s Sam Dale beat his club mate Jude Warner 11/9,14/12,11/4. In the Cadet boys singles final, Harry Todd of David Lloyd Tiger’s beat East Boldon’s long pips player Charl Myburg in five close ends. Todd took his second cup of the day when he got past St. Gabriel’s Gary Anderson 11/8, 13/11, 11/8 in the open Consolation final.