Blundell’s School, Tiverton
Saturday/Sunday, 1-2 July 2023
STOP PRESS 10 pairs entered the Doubles, from which Ed Kay & Ollie Arnold emerged victorious for the 2nd time, beating Charlie Brooks & Will Ellison in the final. Cameron Low & Tom Watkinson won the Doubles Plate, beating Anthony Goodwin & Bally Singh. In the Singles Ed Kay won his third title, beating Will Ellison in their third successive meeting since covid. Penn Chai won the Singles Plate on Saturday, beating Theo Parker in a close final, and on Sunday Penn won the American Doubles with Helena Tunks.
Wayne Enstone reports: As usual this year’s Championship began with the first round of the Singles and whilst all the seeds went through to the quarter-finals there proved to be some hard fought matches, especially Cameron Low playing Sam Russell and Theo Parker against Charlie Brooks. In the quarter-finals, whilst Sam Russell produced some fine shots and defended well against Ed Kay in many of the rallies and won many, he just couldn’t get a point out of a very impressive performance from Ed. Tom Watkinson upset the seeding by beating fourth seed Julian Aquilina, who in the first game seemed well in control at 8-4 up; however, Tom’s power shots together with a few errors from Julian brought Tom back into the contest and enabled him go on to win the match in two games. Ollie Arnold didn’t make it easy for Ben Beltrami by producing many outright winners; however, Ben matched him and moved Ollie about enough so as to force the necessary errors to win in two games. Charlie Brooks had a cliff-hanger first game against Will Ellison and at 10-all the game was in the balance, Will just managing to win 12-11 after several nerve-racking rallies. Will won the second a little more easily; however, Charlie produced a fine performance in both games.
This set the scene for two very interesting semi-finals, with Ed taking on the power of Tom Watkinson and Will the all-round defence and attacking ability of Ben.
It was soon evident that Ed wasn’t going to let Tom dominate the game with his power shots: Ed attacked and injected his own pace and brilliant length shots, combined with many delicate front court shots to win in two games. The other semi was less predictable, especially with Ben leading 8 -1 in the first game, only for Will to slowly chip away and recover to make it 8-all. Unfortunately for Ben, a combination of him making uncharacteristic unforced errors and Will’s outright winning shots moved Will to an 11-8 win. Will’s focus and determination won him the second after some excellent play from both players. This set up a third successive final with Ed and Will since covid, both having one win each, so it was to be a Sunday morning decider!
The Doubles overlapped the Singles, so most players were well warmed up. Local pair Stuart Watson & Nick Geere had an entertaining first round game with Shinan Zhang & Penn Chai; Shinan & Penn held off a mini-comeback in the second game. Bally Singh & Anthony Goodwin from the Derby Moor Club proved too powerful for father & son pair Stephen & Daniel Brooke from Bristol. In the quarters the first three-gamer of the day was produced by Julian Aquilina & Sam Russell playing Cameron Low & Tom Watkinson, a match of top quality, with Julian & Sam just edging it in the third. Despite the three-gamer Julian & Sam pushed Ollie Arnold & Ed Kay in their semi-final match; however, Ollie & Ed were wanting another crack at the trophy and despite Julian & Sam’s fine effort they just couldn’t penetrate Ed & Ollie’s defence and struggled to withstand Ollie’s ferocious left-hand hits too.
In the other semi whilst Theo & Ben played some fine shots, Charlie & Will’s experience and shots were too good on this occasion. So another top-class final for us spectators to look forward to on Sunday.
During these matches in the main draw, the Plate finals were also taking place. In the Singles Plate it was decided to play a straight knock-out competition, one game to 15 . Last year’s winner Ben Hale played well again, but Theo Parker’s excellent shots and power was too much for him, Theo going through to the final. In the bottom half of the draw Penn Chai proved too strong for both Nick Geere and then a tired Cameron Low. In the final Theo Parker, in fairness, had just been playing high quality doubles pre the final and couldn’t produce his normal standard of play to beat a very energetic Penn, losing narrowly 15-13. A superb final at the end of long day for all players.
For the Doubles Plate, a knock-out competition also took place, with Cameron Low & Tom Watkinson playing Bally Singh & Anthony Goodwin in a very hard hitting final. Cameron & Tom eventually penetrated Bally & Anthony’s defence more often, which saw them to a 15-9 win: a great match to watch. At the end of the day’s play, as is tradition at the South West Championships, there was a social meal and drink or two at the local Butterleigh Inn, where the Singles Plate was awarded to Penn for his excellent performance in the final, Tom & Cameron having left earlier with theirs.
Sunday morning finals began with the Singles. Ed looked full of energy and on his toes right from the start, and won the first point, Will levelled and went ahead 2-1. It looked as though the spectators were in for another classic battle, with both players sharing the points. It was not the case though, the next seven rallies incredibly going to Ed, taking him into a 7-2 lead. This was due to his attacking and bold front-court play amidst some miraculous defending; then, with a change of serve he was 8-2 up. Ed won another point and Will too, making it 9-3, and then with another two changes of serve Ed had won the game 11-3. Will played well but looked a little shell-shocked. Obviously, he had to change strategy and produce more of his own attacking shots. The second game began with Ed winning the first point, then Will produced, as only Will can, a series of fine attacking shots himself that had Ed on the floor several times, only to see him recover and win the rallies. However, Will slowly moved into a 4-1 lead. Normally one would think that the tide had changed in favour of Will; quite the opposite though, and due to a massive display of determination Ed brought the score back to 4-4, playing delicate front-court shots and wonderful length shots to the back corners. Ed then continued to attack relentlessly and return some wonder shots from Will, replicating what he did in the first game, moving to an 8-4 lead. Then after two changes of serve Ed was able to win the game 11-4 and take this year’s trophy. Marvellous to have witnessed yet again a match between two of the finest exponents of our game; well done to both for such outstanding performances. As always Will was both gracious and generous in defeat, understanding he had been outplayed today.
With a brief recovery period both Ed partnering Ollie and Will partnering Charlie were both back on court. All three games were of the highest level of doubles play, with all players having moments of playing outstanding shots to win scintillating rallies. It really was a privilege to witness this final. In the first game eventually Ollie & Ed went 8-3 up and looked set to win, only for Charlie & Will to come back to 8-all, then for Ollie & Ed to be ahead 10-8 and on game ball, only for Charlie & Will to win 12-10. In the second at 10-5 up to Ollie & Ed, Charlie & Will came back to 10-8 and we were all thinking is this a repeat of the first. Not the case, Ollie & Ed finally got over the line on a second hand in. The third game was of just as high quality, with neither pair not trying to play winning shots to finish the rallies. At 3-all, though, Ollie & Ed moved into a 7-3 lead. Charlie and Will would not be deterred and rallied to level at 7-all, only for Ollie & Ed to produce the winners required to finish the game 11-7 and pick up the trophy they won in 2019. Fantastic performances by them all.
As usual, trophy presentations took place for the winners and runners-up in both finals, and for the American Doubles winners on Sunday morning, Penn Chai & Helena Tunks, who had beaten local ERFC Club players Nick Geere & Keith Kennerley in the final. Everyone took home the local Devon Dartington Glassware.
After play and before leaving the courts, there were congratulations to Ed Kay and the singing of Happy Birthday — that’s dedication to Fives, turning up on your birthday weekend. So, well done again to Ed on taking both trophies home. Ed’s wife Venetia had made a fabulous and delicious cake for the occasion, which we all enjoyed; it finished off another wonderful weekend here at Blundell’s. Fiurther thanks go to: Lesley Enstone, Catering Manager; to Blundell’s School for hosting us; and to the staff for opening doors, cleaning courts and general administration.
A final word to all Fives players: I witnessed another fabulous display of SPORTSPERSONSHIP by all players this weekend, calling balls down when doubtful and giving lets when requested. What a great spirit we have and one that is so special.
Do remember: all are welcome to next year’s 40th Anniversary playing of The South West Open Championships, Sat/Sun 13-14 July 2024.
Results
Singles
1st round: N Geere bt D Brooke 11-2
2nd round: E Kay bt S Brooke 11-2, 11-0; S Russell bt C Low 11-8, 11-1; T Watkinson bt H Tunks 11-1, 11-0; J Aquilina bt S Zhang 11-1, 11-0; B Beltrami bt B Hale 11-2, 11-0; O Arnold bt P Chai 11-6, 11-2; C Brooks bt T Parker 11-4, 11-5; W Ellison bt Geere 11-1, 11-0
Quarter-finals: Kay bt Russell 11-0, 11-0; Watkinson bt Aquilina 11-8, 11-0; Beltrami bt Arnold 11-5, 11-2; Ellison bt Brooks 12-11, 11-6
Semi-finals: Kay bt Watkinson 11-2, 11-6; Ellison bt Beltrami 11-8, 11-6
Final: Kay bt Ellison 11-3, 11-4
Plate: Chai bt Parker 15-13
Doubles
1st round: P Chai & S Zhang bt N Geere & S Watson 11-1, 11-5; A Goodwin & B Singh bt D Brooke & S Brooke 11-1, 11-1
Quarter-finals: O Arnold & E Kay bt B Hale & H Tunks 11-2, 11-0; J Aquilina & S Russell bt C Low & T Watkinson 9-11, 11-9, 11-7; B Beltrami & T Parker bt Chai & Zhang 12-10, 11-4 ; C Brooks & W Ellison bt Goodwin & Singh 11-1, 11-2
Semi-finals: Arnold & Kay bt Aquilina & Russell 11-6, 11-6; Brooks & Ellison bt Beltrami & Parker 11-6, 11-8
Final: Arnold & Kay bt Brooks & Ellison 10-12, 11-8, 11-7
Plate: Low & Watkinson bt Goodwin & Singh 15-9
American Doubles
Final: Chai & Tunks bt Geere & Kennerley
3rd time Singles champion Ed
Doubles champions Ed & Ollie
Singles Plate winner Penn
Doubles Plate for Tom & Cameron
American Doubles winners Helena & Penn
The Executioners at large