Match Report

Group winners on Friday were Bruce Paxton, Pablo Smith, John Miller and Paul Gillam. On Saturday it was Jonny Miller, Chris Lewis, Chris Marguerie and John "Killer" Keightley. These 8 players qualified without losing a single set, yet come Sunday only one of them was able to progress from the first knockout round! That was Chris Lewis (or as he is sometimes known for roots in both Mexico and Merthyr, ‘Vasquez of the Valleys’).

The first quarter final saw Georgeous George Kruszynskyj complete his 4^th 6/5 victory in 5 sets as he edged Greg Bowler with one of those roof/back-spin affairs. George had reached the semi-final by winning 26 and losing 26 games so was playing to handicap. Mention to Chris Marguerie who showed GK could be beaten (6/2 in the group). The second QF was similar as Twinckle Toes Aldwinckle somehow ousted Ollie Newbury 6/5 with a barrage of service return volleys. All seemed to hit the net one way or another (either the dedans or the actual net) and those that didn’t, hit roof, floor and span in. It made the difference. QF3: Mark Leefe looked in splendid form as he ousted Jonny Miller in the last 16, but giving ‘lots’ he found Vasquez of the Valleys too much. Martin Trees serve was too much for John Keightley in the last 16, but he was unable to use it to such good effect against Rick Woodfield in QF4.

So, for whatever reason, all 4 semi-finalists were playing off 65 as their pre-tournament handicap was above 65. Now that the tennis was virtually level, for some reason the tennis lost its very close edge. First Kruszynskyj beat Aldwinckle 6/3 and Woodfield beat Lewis by the same score. 6/3 was also the score in the final. Of the two popular competitors it was GK who won. Commiserations Rick for another final defeat, but congratulations George!

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Congratulations to George Kruszynskyj taking the final 6-3

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Final

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George Kruszynskyj v Rick Woodfield 6-3

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Semi Finals

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George Kruszynskyj v David Aldwinckle 6-3

Chris Lewis v Rick Woodfield 3-6