GLOS SENIOR CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS DEC 2, 2018.

This was Cheltenham TTA’s turn to organise the Glos Senior Closed, which was played at the Cheltenham YMCA Sports Hall.

There was a small entry of 35, which included 18 veterans, 4 Ladies, 3 junior boys, 1 junior girl, and only 9 seniors.

The events run were the Open Singles, Open Doubles, Ladies Singles, Veterans Singles, and Mixed Doubles. The Minor Singles could not be run, as entries were insufficient.

Open Singles. 4 groups of 4 and 2 groups of 3 were drawn up, and 5 seeded players were given a bye.

In round 1 Darren Griffin beat Ben Roberts, Tom Cutler beat Jon Gaskell, Luke Moffat beat Mark Thomas, Gordon Shaw beat David Hadley, Liwu Wei beat Peter Kirkham, Abu Saleh beat Dave Adamson, Mark Farrow beat Simon Harper, and Junior Alex Emms surprisingly beat Dave Harvey.

In quarters Darren Griffin beat Tom Cutler, Luke Moffat beat Gordon Shaw, Liwu Wei beat Abu Saleh, Alex Emms beat Mark Farrow .

In semis Darren Griffin beat Luke Moffat, Alex Emms beat Liwu Wei.

In the final Darren Griffin beat Alex Emms, The junior shocked Darren by taking the first game 11/4, but Darren then took charge, and won the next 3 games 11/2, 11/5, and 11/7.

Ladies Singles

Just 4 ladies and 1 junior girl entered, and played off in a group. The winner was Mel Boulton, and the improving junior Anna Besarabova was runner up.

Veterans Singles (over 40) . 16 entered , 7 of whom are Division 1 players.

In quarters Dave Harvey beat Jon Gaskell, Mark Farrow beat Dave Hadley, Abu Saleh beat Mike Tyrell, and Liwu Wei beat Lee Callum.

In semis Dave Harvey beat Mark Farrow, and Liwu Wei beat Abu Saleh.

In the final Dave Harvey beat Liwu Wei.

Masters Singles (over 55). 5 men and 1 Lady entered.

In semis Gordon Shaw beat Lee Callum, and Dave Adamson beat Bob Amphlett In the final Gordon Shaw beat Dave Adamson.

Open Doubles. 12 pairs entered.

In semi finals D.Griffin and G.Shaw beat G.Hadley and L Wei, and D.Harvey and D.Adamson beat M.Farow/ and A.Saleh.

In the final Dave Harvey and Dave Adamson beat Darren Griffin and Gordon Shaw.

Mixed Doubles. 5 pairs which included the 5 ladies in the Singles.

The winners were the juniors Louis Clark and Anna Besarabova ,and Ben Roberts and Mel Boulton were runners up.

Comments.

The experienced veterans in Glos still dominate the senior scene. Darren Griffin continues his outstanding form this season, in which he recently won both the over 40 and over 50 Mens Singles at the Southern Masters.

It was disappointing that so few players in Divisions 2, and 3 in the 4 leagues did not enter , and the Minor Singles could not be run.

There was an excellent performance from junior Alex Emms from Worcestershire.

The trophies were presented by Dave Harvey, Chairman Gloucestershire TTA.

The events were organised by Luke Moffat (Referee), Dave Harvey, Jon McGugan , and Dave Metcalfe, with a long umpiring stint from Alan Thomas .

All equipment supplied by the Cheltenham TT Club.

Peter Cruwys.20.1.2019.