Sunday 16 Feb 2020 saw the remaining events of this year's handicap tournament take place. The event was staged at Cheshire College South and West (home to both Welsh Row and South Cheshire badminton clubs).
Mens singles was first up. 8 brave souls took to the court in 2 groups of 4. Each would play 2 games to 21 against each other with the winner of each group progressing to the final.
Group A
Guillame Schneider (+3), Peter Gartside (+10), Jack Raiswell (-6), Simon Dyson (+6)
This group was dominated by Peter who made the most of his handicap to win all 6 games. Jack battled against his stiff handicap to win 3 games and claim 2 place in his group.
Group B
Jez Touch (+3), Steve Pickering (-8), Steve Aylott (SCR). Carl McGregor-Ogden (+6)
This group was a little closer but won by the player with the harshest handicap, Steve Pickering, winning 5 of his games along the way.
So the final was contested between the player with the smallest handicap taking on the player with the biggest. Peter managed to make the most the the handicap and held off the charging Steve to win 21-16.
Congratulations to Peter Gartside who is this seasons winner.
Next up was the mixed doubles. 9 pairs entered and were split into a group of 4 and a group of 5. The top 2 from each group would progress to a semi final.
Group A
Ali Bowker & Jez Touch (+5), Zoe Raiswell & Warren Simpson (+3), Kara Robinson & James Burnham (SCR), Claire Griffin & Steve Aylott (-3), Ann Lewis Marck McGlinchey (+5).
Kara and James won all of their games to be the first pair through to the semi finals. 3 pairs had a record of 2 wins, 2 losses; Ali & Jez, Zoe & Warren and Claire & Steve. On count back Ali & Jez had won the most points so claimed the second place.
Group B
Symone Dale & Craig Delury (+9), Rachel Wellings & Dave Lee (+7), Ruth Raiswell & Steve Pickering (-9), Karen & Ian Brookhouse (+9).
Despite having to win 30 points in every game Ruth & Steve managed the feat to win all of their 3 games and progress to the semis. Each of the remaining pairs won 1 and lost 2 so a countback was required, this resulted in Symone and Craig taking 2nd place and a place in the semis.
Semi 1
Kara & James 21 v 16 Symone and Craig
Semi2
Ruth & Steve 21 v 16 Ali & Jez
So the final would be Kara & James taking on Ruth and Steve. The final was a great games, resulting in a 21-19 win for Kara and James.
Congratulations to Kara Robinson and James Burnham, champions for 2019-20.
A big thank you from me to those who assisted with the handicapping this year; Simon Dyson, Brian Horrocks, Carl McGregor-Ogden, Ian Brookhouse and David Sumner.
Tony Marks
Tournament Secretary