* Manchester Mixed Doubles 2023

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The draw included past, current and future World Champions, beginners, brothers, sisters and even the unique sighting of a Frenchman in Manchester! The extensive engagement is an encouraging sign of both the popularity of mixed rackets as a social and serious sport, and the unique capacity it holds to harness talent in the growing game of rackets.

The group stages consisted of 12 matches, immaculately timed and marked by Sam Matthews, Ben Cawston and many others. Aside from some terrible reffing from myself and George Skinner (sorry), the self-marking was embraced by all, and allowed for funding to be re-directed into prizes to proportionately award the winners. With some games being the first ever matchplay for some participants, no pairs were bageled and one game with a 18 point difference was the exception, not the rule. For full scores please see below.

The semi-finals saw two extremely close matches of mixed play unimaginable at this tournament’s inauguration in 2021. It was extremely rewarding to watch ladies whose rackets careers started fairly recently, Minty Oldham and Laura Neill, hold their own against seasoned players. The support from Charterhouse’s Amelia Drayson, and eager play by her partner Freddie White, was a highlight but in the end the Queen’s duo of Jamie Beaumont and Georgie Willis proved too strong for all. The doubles angles from an extremely hungover G-Whizz were yet again omnipotent, and I have made a mental note to never again trust my partner when she says: “Don’t worry Honor, I won’t try to win.”

A special shoutout must go to finalist Ben Cawston who continues to use his immeasurable sporting talent to make each and every mixed game he plays in better for everyone on court. His skill in keeping each rally going by manipulating the direction and speed of the ball, as well as keeping the crowd entertained with pick-ups impossible to virtually any player in the game, will never cease to impress. He is a great ambassador for mixed doubles, and his understated support of this branch of the sport has not gone unnoticed as he approaches an important World Doubles Championship this month.

A few thank yous to the many people without whom this tournament would not be possible. Firstly, to Manchester Tennis & Racquets Club for allowing us to host this tournament. The T&RA is always proud to support the club, and the great opportunity it provides for uni students and QC members alike to spend time at a club both steeped in history and incredibly inclusive. A special thank you to club stalwarts, the Shenkman family, for their help and support and of course the cakes and coffee they provided all day.

Secondly, to Mark Briers and Theo Taylor for creating this one-off tournament. It was founded both from a love of MTRC and a genuine desire to inspire growth in the game. The precedent for a cheap tournament keeps the game going whilst students are at university, ignites interest at the beginning of the months-long mixed season, and continually breathes fresh air into this ancient game. A big thank you to both Taylor brothers for their support in coordinating the event, and the clean-up after to ensure we left the club as we love to find it.

To the T&RA for the prizes of brand new rackets for the winners and to Tim Cockroft for providing the funds for bottles for the finalists and the pizzas enjoyed by all after the final. The appreciation of the financial support for this tournament cannot be understated, as it exists purely to advance development in young players and remains a highlight in the T&RA calendar.

Finally, to everyone that came to support. Attended by Manchester University students, Queen’s members and ever-loyal Old Cheltonians, the Manchester Mixed Doubles thrives on support from young active members of the rackets community. The atmosphere at the club on match day was brilliant from start to finish, with players engaging in rackets, real tennis and even skittles. The lounge has never seen so many young faces at once, and the gallery was never empty.

Next year the Manchester Mixed tournament is looking to build on its evident success, and we are looking towards sponsorship opportunities to help encourage more Manchester students to keep playing rackets. If anyone is interested, please get in touch with me at honorcockroft@gmail.com.

The T&RA looks forward to welcoming mixed players to the Andrina Webb Mixed Doubles at the Queen’s Club in April 2024. In the meantime, Queen’s members are encouraged to attend T&RA sponsored mixed nights held every Wednesday. For more details please get in touch.

Honor Cockroft

FINAL SCORES:

THE GROUP STAGES

Match 1: 11:30 Cawston/Neill beat Cockroft/Curran 23/15

Match 2: 12:00 de Chaisemartin/Shenkman beat Cockroft/Curran 19/17

Match 3: 12:30 Cawston/Neill beat de Chaisemartin/Shenkman 25/19

Group A Winner = Cawston/Neill

Match 4: 1:00 Shields/Shenkman beat Skinner/Candy 23/19

Match 5: 1:30 Beaumont/Willis beat Skinner/Candy 25/7

Match 6: 2:00 Beaumont/Willis beat Shields/Shenkman 25/17

Group B Winner = Beaumont/Willis

Match 7: 2:30 Taylor/Oldham beat Hechle/Davis 25/15

Match 8: 3:00 Taylor/ Elliott beat Hechle/Davis 25/18

Match 9: 3:30 Taylor/Oldham beat Taylor/Elliott 25/23

Group C Winner = Taylor/Oldham

Match 10: 4:00 Edwards/Davis beat Matthews/Jones 25/22

Match 11: 4:30 White/Drayson beat Matthews/Jones 25/23

Match 12: 5:00 White/Drayson beat Edwards/Davis 25/21

Group D winner = White/Drayson

THE FINALS

Semi-Final 1 @ 5:30 Beaumont/Willis beat Taylor/Oldham 13/15 15/14 15/8

Semi-Final 2 @ 6:30 Cawston/Neill beat White/Drayson 15/14 15/14

Final @ 7:30 Beaumont/Willis beat Cawston/Neill 15/13 12/15 10/15