The Hardbat Tournament

4th November 2006

 

 

 

The Hardbat Tournament once again provided all the entrants with a thoroughly enjoyable morning.  Jayne organised the entry and Bill Smith the event on the day.

 

Eight players entered; Eric Green of Hadleigh Forum, Paul Grant and Bill Smith of Hullbridge, Paul Churn and Ken Field of Rawreth, Ray Farmer of Lentern, David Barnes of Invicta and Brian Cooper of RESSC.

 

The event commenced at 9:30.am. The Singles event was played on a Round Robin basis, everyone playing each other, 2 games each up to 15 points, with the first reaching 15 points being the winner even if by 1 point.  The system was based on points scored, not games won, which meant that every point counted.  At the end of this round, the order of success was:

 

  1. Eric Green                              208 points
  2. Ray Farmer                             198 points
  3. Paul Churn                             189 points
  4. Paul Grant                              186 points
  5. Bill Smith                               182 points
  6. David Barnes                         171 points
  7. Ken Field                               157 points
  8. Brian Cooper                         110 points

 

The semi-finalists games were drawn:  Ray Farmer v Paul Churn and Eric Green v Paul Grant.

 

The first semi-final was a closely contested match with Paul Churn just edging each game to win in 3 straight.  The second semi-final between Paul Grant and Eric Green was again a very close match with Paul Grant also winning in 3 straight games.

 

The final, played best of five, produced the close game that everyone hoped for.  Paul Churn took the first 11-6 and Paul Grant the second 11-4.  Paul Churn then rallied his game again and took the third 11-7.  Paul Grant, not to be outdone, took the fourth 11-5.  In the final game, each time Paul Grant had the lead, Paul Churn brought it back to 5-5, 6-6, 7-7 then Paul Grant inched forward to 7-9 and 10-8 only for Paul Churn to level at 10-10; then 11-11.  Nail biting stuff.  Paul Churn then summoned up a fine finish taking the next two points, to win the fifth and final game 13-11: winning the Hardbat Singles title for 2006.  As Bill said, it was a fitting final.

 

Jayne then drew the Doubles pairings. 

 

  1. David Barnes and Paul Churn
  2. Bill Smith and Ken Field
  3. Brian Cooper and Ray Farmer
  4. Eric Green and Paul Grant

 

The doubles event was played best of five games.  David and Paul had a good win over tournament favourites Ken and Bill (promised I would put this in to add humour to this report).  Ken and Bill won the first set and David and Paul the next three.  Paul and Eric won their match against Brian and Ray in three straight.

 

In the final, the favourites were Eric Green and Paul Grant.  However, David Barnes and Paul Churn had other ideas.  David maintained a steady game with the occasional winner.  Paul just didn’t miss anything and the pair ran out outright winners, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9.  Well done to this year’s Doubles Winners Paul Churn and David Barnes.

 

In a change to the way the League has previously presented it’s awards; we decided to present the medals on the day of the event. 

 

 

A great day’s enjoyment

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Smith presented the Trophies to the Winners and Runners Up

 

 

 

 

    

                      Singles winner: Paul Churn                                            Singles Runner Up: Paul Grant                       

 

 

     

    Doubles Winners: Paul Churn and David Barnes            Doubles Runners Up: Eric Green and Paul Grant

 

 

       

         Organisers Bill Smith and Jayne Johnson                                               The 8 Entrants