New champions at the South West Open 2026

Blundell’s School, Tiverton

Saturday/Sunday, 11-12 July 2026

STOP PRESS A second regional Singles title for Dan Grant, at Julian Aquilina’s expense. These two runners-up in the Doubles to Cameron Low & Theo Parker — their first title together and Cameron’s first open title. A double for Dwight Murdoc in the two Plates, partnering Maddy Raynor in the Doubles. All played out in heatwave temperatures. With huge thanks to organiser and Grand Master Wayne Enstone.

Wayne Enstone reports: I must firstly compliment all the players for playing so well throughout the weekend, especially this year, in the extreme 30 degree plus conditions. Fortunately, the courts were in the shade until late afternoon and there was a breeze, though still 33 degrees at 6.30pm when finishing on Saturday.

With a smallish entry, first round games began at 11am to allow for train arrivals. Nick Geere and Joe Garratt had a close second game, with Nick winning through eventually. Local Blundell’s player Dwight Murdoc gave number one seed Dan Grant a good match. In the quarter-finals the pace hotted up and there were two three-game matches. Theo Parker, having won the first game, was, as he remarked, only one rally away from winning against number four seed Penn Chai; however, Penn took the thrilling second and had more energy, winning the third comfortably, thereby progressing to the semi-finals. Similarly, in the lower half of the draw, Lewis Keates, number three seed, lost the first game to Terry McElvaney, but then found his winning shots and came back to win the next two games after many long rallies and changes of serve. Cameron Low played very well; however, number two seed Julian Aquilina was striking an extremely good line and length, which kept Cameron on the back foot for a lot of rallies, Julian winning through to the semi-finals in two games. Meanwhile Dan Grant moved comfortably into the semi’s playing an already exhausted Nick Geere due to his tough previous match.

In the semi-finals, in the top half of the draw Dan Grant was using a variety of his wonderful front-court and back-court power shots to keep Penn Chai under pressure. Penn played well and did catch Dan out in many rallies but just couldn’t put enough pressure on Dan, who won in two games, moving to the final. which was set for Sunday morning. Julian Aquilina had a real battle in both his games, with an in-form Lewis Keates producing some wonderful shots and certainly improving. Julian had to work hard for the win, and was moving well and playing a great line and length, thereby denying Lewis the opportunity to attack him.

Whilst the Singles games took place first, the Doubles were interspersed among them and fortunately for me there were no three-gamers to report. Again, with it being a small draw, all the seeds won their matches, which set up the semi-finals. The number one seeds, Julian Aquilina & Dan Grant, had an entertaining game with Lewis Keates & local Blundellian Harry Rackham, with Lewis and Harry giving a good account of themselves, especially Harry not having played at this level before. Julian and Dan were made to work for their win through to the final. In the other match there was some very powerful hitting, and whilst Terry McElvaney & Penn Chai had their moments, Cameron Low & Theo Parker were just able to retrieve better and produce more power, hitting winners that saw them through to the final on the Sunday after the Singles.

As usual, the Plate competitions took the form of a round robin for both. In the Singles Plate there were seven players, each playing six games. Dwight Murdoc proved too strong for his opponents, winning all his matches, Jez Hughes was second, and a worn-out Harry Rackham took third place. Lots of exhausted bodies after that, which led to a limited number playing in the Doubles Plate, with a three-pair play off. Maddy Raynor & Dwight Murdoc deservingly won this, gaining the usual prizes of vases from Devon glass-makers Dartington, presented to Dwight for Singles, then Maddy & Dwight for the Doubles. That was the end of an excellent day’s play at 6.30pm.

A magnificent seven players and the organiser had a drink at the Tiverton Wetherspoon’s and then enjoyed the usual social meal in the Nawab restaurant next door, with birthday celebrations for Terry McElvaney included — age still unknown! Four of the group then decided to watch the England match. That went to extra time but a win for England, so a great day for all of us.

The Singles final started proceedings on Sunday morning and yet again one had to be at Blundell’s to understand the quality of play that Dan and Julian produced. In the first game Dan progressed to a three-point lead only after several long rallies; then slowly, after several changes of serve, Julian came back to level at three-all. He continued his great run by going two points ahead, only for Dan to recover and level at five-all. At this stage it was still either player’s game to win. Julian got to six points first after numerous changes of serve. It looked as if it was time for Julian to push on, retrieving everything Dan threw at him; however, Dan levelled and went ahead slowly, a point at a time, eventually getting to game ball after a mini rally from Julian brought him back into the game. But Dan has probably one of the best serving-opponents-out records and managed to win the game to seven. Marvellous first game and proving Julian is definitely an improving top player. In the second game, Dan won the first point and Julian came back to level at one-all, so one assumed that this game was going to be similar to the first. Unfortunately, for Julian, Dan had other ideas and slowly gained the points he required for winning his first South West Singles title and in style. Julian didn’t appear to do anything wrong, it was more that Dan seemed to take timeand space away from Julian being able to attack him as he had in the first game. Julian really did deserve more than the two points; however, he should be pleased with his performance and continuing improvement.

Julian and Dan had a 20 minute break, then the Doubles began at 12 noon. Both Dan and Julian had gone through a number of shirts already in the Singles final; the good news was that they were drying out quickly, hung at the back of the courts in the sun.

Cameron Low and Theo Parker had played doubles with each other during Theo’s university days in Bristol but are not regular partners, so from a spectating point of view it would be interesting to see how they performed and what tactics they would employ. Surprisingly, it was Cameron & Theo who began the stronger, going two points ahead. Their intentions were clear, their attacking play proving successful. Julian and Dan were not fazed and came back with their own attacks to level at two-all. Cameron certainly did not look the least experienced of the four, his defence was solid and he was attacking at every opportunity, making for very entertaining play for us spectators. The game favoured both pairs equally at different times until, in the later part of the first game, Julian and Dan edged ahead, getting to game ball and us all thinking there was only one pair winning it. Cameron and Theo had other ideas. Although needing four points to tie the scores they defied the odds and got there after multiple game-balls against them: their risk-taking and attacking play eventually turned things in their favour, and they got the crucial last point to win the game twelve points to eleven. An incredible win.

To say Julian and Dan were furious is an understatement; it wasn’t in fairness anything they tactically did wrong. They really had thrown the kitchen sink at it. Certainly very tense but really entertaining for us watching. One wondered how Julian and Dan could raise themselves for the next game. They did and all credit to them they went quickly two points up, only to again be pegged back and go two points behind. They rose again to the challenge and went ahead with the score at four-all, both pairs working so hard to get those points. Dan and Julian were like men possessed at this stage and there was steely determination about them. Sure enough they reached nine points, lost a point before again moving to game ball. This time they had no intention of not getting to win at the first attempt. No one would have denied them that game, they certainly played well and did deserve to win it.

It was now down to Cameron and Theo to up their game and possibly go back to more risk-taking shot-play. More so than they would possible have liked to, however, with Julian and Dan now controlling more rallies and both going for winners, they did need to change strategy. Fortunately, the third game was not as I had thought it would start, in that both pairs kept up the attacking and producing great shots to finish rallies. At three-all it was very difficult to predict the outcome due to lots of terrific exciting rallies that both pairs had an equal share of winning. Theo at second hand in decided that it was time to as they say ‘go for it’: he literally hit four winners in a row. Somehow that inspired a very determined Cameron and him to go on, build a lead and move slowly to the game-ball and clinch the title. A wonderful, entertaining match that was so enjoyable to witness and prove yet again that standards are being maintained even in unbelievably roasting conditions. A big thanks to all four for performing so well.

Presentation of Trophies took place straight after the Doubles final and mention was made to our legend of the ERFC Tim Lewis, who is greatly missed, having supported the tournament since it started — never forgotten, I still miss his laughing. Also, it was great to see Stuart Watson and wife Penny come to visit us, who have supported us over the years, initially sponsoring us to get the Championships off the ground. Thanks as always went to all the players for supporting the event this year. Thanks to Blundell’s School for allowing us hire of the courts; to Penn and Lewis for posting updates and photos on the RFA WhatsApp group; and, of course, to Lesley Enstone for catering help.

Do remember: all standards of player are welcome, do think about coming down to Tiverton for next year’s South West Open Championship 2027.

Singles

1st round : D Grant bt D Murdoc 11-1, 11-6; N Geere bt J Garratt 11-5, 11-8; T Parker bt S Brooke 11-1, 11-1; P Chai bt M Raynor 11-0, 11-0; L Keates bt Je Hughes 11-5, 11-2; T McElvaney bt H Rackham 11-1, 11-0; C Low bt K Kennerley 11-4, 11-0

Quarter-finals: Grant bt Geere 11-0 11-0; Chai bt Parker 8-11, 12-11, 11-1; Keates bt McElvaney 8-11, 11-5, 11-5; J Aquilina bt Low 11-3, 11-3

Semi-finals: Grant bt Chai 11-2, 11-6; Aquilina bt Keates 11-8, 11-7

Final: D Grant bt J Aquilina 11-7, 11-2

Plate: 1st D Murdoc; 2nd Je Hughes; 3rd H Rackham

Doubles

Quarter-finals: Keates & Rackham bt Garratt & Kennerley 11-0, 11-3; Chai & McElvaney bt Brooke & Geere 11-5, 11-1

Semi-finals: Aquilina & Grant bt Keates & Rackham 11-0, 11-3; Low & Parker bt Chai & McElvaney 11-1, 11-7

Final: C Low & T Parker bt J Aquilina & D Grant 12-11, 5-11, 11-4

Plate: D Murdoc & M Raynor