NORTH WEST OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Manchester, 17/18th January 2015
Organiser John Beswick writes: This year’s tournament was held in memory of a co-founder of the event, Ernest Livesey, who passed away in December after a full life.
Anyway, on with the Fives…
As ever, the singles started very early on Saturday morning, with the schoolboys from Sedbergh battling it out in the first round. Other matches worth mentioning were Ben Beltrami beating Ed Kay in two, and David Butler beating Julian Aquilina in two, both great encounters.
In the Roman days, Gladiators would battle to the death, and the eventual final between Will Ellison and Dan Tristao was as close to that as it comes: outstanding Fives, with both players giving their all, and both playing exceptional Fives. In the end, Tristao won in three games – a great final.
The singles plate was won by Jacob Brubert, who beat Anthony Goodwin, after both players had seen off the old men of Exeter Fives – Alex Rew and Jim Hughes – in the semis!
Sunday morning brought the doubles, and Tim Lewis – legend of the game and all-round crowd favourite – played some outstanding fives for an odd rally or two. Tthe oldest player always deserves a mention.
In the semis, Beltrami & Dean – with Ben looking very smart in his newly laundered top (thank you, Mrs Beswick) – gave Kay & Tristao a close game, but as in the singles the match went to the seeds.
So that led to a final of Ellison & Minta v Kay & Tristao. Aafter a close first game, Kay & Tristao won convincingly in two: they were clinical and maybe a certain Mr Minta was feeling his age!
Well played to Dan for doing the double for the first time.
The doubles plate was won by Goodwin and Whitehorn, who retained their title.
Thanks to all, and for those planning ahead, next year’s event will be on 16/17th January 2016.
RESULTS
Singles
1st round: O.Arnold bt A.Goodwin 11-2, 11-9; A.George bt H.T-Green 11-0, 11-0; J.Aquilina bt J.Hughes 11-3, 11-3; D.Fox bt J.Lidiard 11-7, 11-3; M.Bate bt G.Wainwright 11-2, 11-3; J.Beswick bt G.Bentley 11-2, 11-0; S.Russell bt A.Rew 11-6, 11-5
2nd round: W.Ellison bt Arnold 11-1, 11-1; T.Parker bt J.Brubert 11-4, 11-2; R.Murby bt George 11-4, 11-1; D.Butler bt Aquilina 12-10, 11-3; E.Kay bt Fox 11-0, 11-3; B.Beltrami bt Bate 8-11, 11-4, 11-0; T.Dean bt Beswick 11-3, 11-1; D.Tristao bt Russell 11-6, 11-1
Quarter-finals: Ellison bt Parker 11-3, 11-1; Butler bt Murby 11-3, 11-2; Beltrami bt Kay 11-4, 11-6; Tristao bt Dean 11-2, 11-4
Semi-finals: Ellison bt Butler 11-8, 11-1; Tristao bt Beltrami 11-2, 11-1
Final: Tristao bt Ellison 4-11, 11-8, 11-8
Plate: Brubert
Doubles
1st round: Bate & Murby bt Hughes & Rew 11-3, 11-1; Beswick & Roberts bt Christie & Lewis 11-3, 11-3; Aquilina & Parker bt Lidiard & Bentley 11-2, 11-3; Beltrami & Dean bt Goodwin & Wihtehorn 11-7, 11-0; Arnold & George bt Singh & Taylor 11-4, 11-0; Butler & Russell bt T-Green & Wainwright 11-0, 11-1
Quarter-finals: Ellison & Minta bt Bate & Murby score unknown; Aquilina & Parker bt Beswick & Roberts 11-7, 11-8; Beltrami & Dean bt Arnold & George 4-11, 11-4, 11-4; Kay & Tristao bt Butler & Russell 11-9, 11-6
Semi-finals: Ellison & Minta bt Aquilina & Parker 11-0, 11-6; Kay & Tristao bt Beltrami & Dean 11-5, 12-10
Final: Kay & Tristao bt Ellison & Minta 11-7, 11-3
Plate: Goodwin & Whitehorn