CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – SEMI FINALS
In the Ladies Plate there was only one match played as Caitlin Vitty had a bye. Lesley Vitty won her match (3/0) against Louise Mawson which now sets up an all ‘Vitty’ final.
The first semi-final of the Ladies Event was ‘another’ family affair between twins Helen and Sarah Dowson. Helen started strongly and took the first game with relative ease (15/8) but Sarah came back strongly in the 2nd and 3rd games, taking the 3rd (15/2) before taking the 4th and decisive game (15/9).
The second semi-final of the Ladies Event was the best match of the competition – so far! Unseeded Josie Barker pushed the No 1 seed, Emma Gregson right to the wire. Emma took a two game lead (15/9 and 15/12) but Josie’s supreme fitness and athleticism saw her take the next two games (15/10 and 15/13) to level the match. The final game was a ‘war of attrition’. There was never more than three points either way and after Emma saved match ball at 14/13 it seemed fitting that the match should be decided on a ‘sudden death’ point which Emma won.
After the match Josie was still ‘buzzing’ whilst Emma was found collapsed on the floor behind the glass-back! A great match ladies.
Josie still found the energy to support her Dad in the Men’s ‘A’ Plate final but Keith Linsley was too strong for him taking the match 3/0.
All other matches were quite straight forward affairs and are summarised below:
Men’s ‘B’ Plate – Joel Birch-Machin beat Tony Broughton 8/15, 15/11, 15/7, 15/4. Men’s ‘B’ Plate – Andrew Shipley beat Vince O’Sullivan 15/10, 15/11, 12/15, 15/14. Men’s ‘B’ Event – Tom Wight beat Ben Mayne 15/3, 15/9, 15/6. Men’s ‘B’ event – Cameron Hamilton beat David Home 15/9, 15/9, 15/9. Men’s ‘A’ Plate – Sam Birch-Machin beat Dan North 11/5, 11/2, 4/11, 11/6. Men’s Event – Matty Hardy beat Gary Candlish 11/4, 11/6, 11/2. Men’s Event – Liam Gutcher beat Michael Mattimore 11/0, 11/4, 11/4.
One point worthy of note out of all these matches is the age gap between Andrew Shipley (12) and Vince O’ Sullivan (71) – an incredible 59 years. A great testament to this sport of ours that two individuals, poles apart ‘age wise’, can nevertheless still be competitive. The result may have been very different if Vince had won the ‘sudden death’ point in the 4th!
The finals will be played immediately prior to the Presentation Night on Saturday 17 May 2014 and the schedule is as follows:
5.00pm – Men’s ‘B’ Event and Men’s ‘A’ Plate Finals. 5.30pm – Ladies Plate Final 6.00pm – Ladies Final 6.30pm – Men’s Final
Even though you may not be attending the Presentation Night, please come along and support all finalists.
Thank You.
