This season the Category Tournaments (for players within set ranges of ability) are being held in order of descending handicap. The 60+ competition kicked off proceedings on Saturday 1st December with a series of close-fought matches played out amongst 7 members each of whom clearly fancied lifting the trophy and getting his or her name on the Honour Board. Jeremy Davidson won through from the Blue Group to contest a final against Mike Whibley, winner of the Green Group. This was only after a close run where in a round robin game against Gillian Moore, Mike had lost 6-5 against the handicap. Gillian used any opportunity to place a return of serve into the backhand corner, and made Mike work very hard not to go down 6-3, which would have put his route to the final under threat. When Gillian triumphed, the crowd (all 2 of them) went wild whilst Mike went to have a lie down.

And so to the final. In his own inimitable style Mike ruled himself out of the reckoning, citing exhaustion, malfunctioning surgical supports and beer deprivation. Jeremy soon found his range and was peppering the tambour to take an early 3-0 lead. But Mike gritted his teeth, girded his loins and climbed back into the final, taking his opponent to deuce on several occasions and entertaining the crowd with two consecutive shots which floated majestically into the dedans. In the end though Jeremy showed a standard of gentle controlled play that will no doubt worry many in the 50’s handicap range, and had just a bit too much for Mike. He came out a worthy winner, six games to two.

Congratulations or commiserations to all who took part.

Forthcoming Category Tournaments – watch the notice board for sign-up sheets.
50-59 Sunday 20th January
40-49 Saturday 15th February
30-39 Sunday 16th February
20-29 Saturday 16th March

Gerald Smith