After the usual rush of entries on the Thursday and Friday the London tournament consited of thirty-six pairs. There were twelve pairs that entered the main tournament; as usual the standard was still very high even without a few of the usual big name players. Most arrived on time at Highgate for a prompt start. The unusual difference being this year that there was no rain!
There were no real surprises in Pool A with the expected four going through, although there were nearly a few surprises with Sanderson and Cohen almost taking the spoils away from Mason and Varma but narrowly missing out in both games. The remaining matches were closely fought but results went the way of the seeds. Pool B on the other hand was slightly different. Toop and C.Cooley dropping games against H.Wiseman and Sorrell and against the Taylor brothers. This made the draw more interesting with Wiseman and Sorrell going through as one and Toop and Cooley in second.
Sadly with two pairs dropping out through injury one quarter-final became a semi-final but best of five games instead of three. The benefactors were Wiseman/Sorrell and Sanderson/Cohen. The other quarter-finals were Mason/Varma against the Oxford pair Patel/O’Callaghan and Toop/Cooley versus Herring/Mew, both scores being 2-0 and comfortabley wins for the top seeds.
The second round games were played on the Sunday and with no real surprises the strongest eight reached the quarter-finals. It was a strong line up with Lancing, St Olave's and Westminster pairs looking in good form. Westminster (Peterson and Krespi) beat the improving Lancing pair (Betts and Gough), which was the best quality game in the quarter-finals with some exciting and top quality shots being played throughout. In the other quarter-finals Kailey/Warren lost to Olavians Michaels/Sanders; the Malik brothers (from Westway) lost to Redmond and Williams; and Hyett/Smith beat the Berkhamsted pair Squires and Iacoponi.
FinalsThe semi-finals also went the way of the seeds and stronger players Westminster beat Hyett and Smith and Olave's beat Redmond and Williams.
The final was therefore between Westminster Krespi/Peterson and Olave's Saunders/Michaels. The games were close with scores 12-7, 7-12, 12-7 in favour of Westminster. The games were played at an unbelievable pace and all players showed off their power and finesse at some point. With Howard losing the main tournament final his school pair also just lost in the Festival final being beaten by his younger brother (Matt’s) Westminster pair who look promising and could be a major threat in the school nationals in March.
Plate FinalM.R.H.
London Tournament 2004-2005 Report by Mark Herring
Created 14th December 2004 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk