Towers Retains Racketball Title & Wright takes the Plate

Last week saw the final reckoning of our Racketball Championships and Plate finals. We began back in May with another record entry of 28 players in our usual knockout format, with a Plate Tournament for the first round losers.

The Plate final took to the court first, between Nick Weldon and Ian Wright. Ian settled into his stride quicker than Nick and raced into a 2-0 lead. The third game was tighter, with Ian edging towards match point at 10-8, only for Nick to dig deep and take 4 of the next 5 points to clinch the game. This took a lot out of both players physically, but Ian still had a bit more spring in his step as he charged to a 7-1 lead in the 4th game. Nick tried hard to claw his way back but Ian was not be denied and came through to take the Plate title.

In the main Championship final defending champion Matt took on Sam Morris in an intriguing encounter. In recent months Sam has had the better of their head-to-head matches, and it was bound to be close. Sam took an early lead in the first game, but Matt’s unflappable style brought him level at 6-all. Both players had three game points, with Matt finally clinching his third game point to take the game 17-15. The start of second game followed a similar pattern with Sam taking an early lead, but now Matt had now found a rhythm of consistent retrieval while driving the ball on to Sam’s backhand side. A surge of points in Matt’s favour closed the game out 11-7.

There was no stopping Matt now as he took the first four points in the third game, only for Sam to hit back to narrow Matt’s lead to 6-5 and then 9-7. The rallies were long and attritional and it was difficult to know who had the most reserves left in the tank, but Matt was not to be denied …. taking the third game 11-7.

Thanks to all who came to watch and to our impresario marker Jools Cooper. Congratulations to our winners and runners-up!

Our next Racketball events are the Handicap tournament in September through to November, and the 2024 Doubles tournament at Club Night on 7th November.

Don’t forget our weekly Club Nights every Thursday (5.45 to 7.15pm). If you have not played before and would like to give it a try please get in touch with Steve Adams at [email protected]

Plate Tournament

Ian Wright beat Nick Weldon (3-1) 11-3 / 11-4 / 11-13 / 11-3

Championship Final

Matt Towers beat Sam Morris (3-0) 17-15 / 11-7 / 11-7