rackets Fixture

Over 40 Open Singles & Doubles, Over 50 & Over 60 Open Doubles Championships 2008

The Masters Championship

OVER 40s/50s/60s OPEN RACKETS

23-24 February 2008

Sponsored by

In the past the Masters weekend has been, sometimes, a pleasant weekend of relatively gentle Rackets played by former good exponents of the game, but often not in the peak of training! Not so this year in the over 40s singles and doubles. What was lacking, perhaps, in quantity (only 8 entrants in the Over 40s Singles), was made up for in quality, with 4 former World Champions entered, plus Cockroft, Makey, Spurling and Cox. In the Over 40s Doubles, Owen-Browne was also entered, so the prospect was for some fine Rackets in the over 40s and doubles, and the spectators were not to be disappointed.

The top four in the singles, Male, Prenn, Boone and Cockroft, all won their first round comfortably, no-one able to get to double figures in a game against them. In the first semi-final Tim Cockroft, fresh and keen from his recent triumph in the Amateur Doubles, was too sharp for Willie Boone who has not been playing much this season. Tim won 15/3 15/4 at a canter, but was nursing an Achilles strain from his first round win over John Spurling. More on this anon. In the second semi, John Prenn was giving away 10 years or more to James Male, but John has been playing a lot of Tennis this season and practicing a bit at Rackets, whilst James has only had a couple of Rackets doubles in preparation. James won the first game 15/8, but John was always ahead in the second, taking it 15/9. When John raced out to a 7-0 lead in the decider some in the gallery might think it was all over, but then James' fighting qualities are legendary and despite not timing the ball anywhere near how he would like, he battled his way back, in 5 hands to lead 12-9. At this juncture, John, having made some unforced errors to lose his lead, dug as deep, both physically and mentally, as he possible could to get back. Three times James got him out, but each time John managed to stop James from moving beyond 12, and eventually, by dint of sheer determination, John got home 15/12 to earn his place in the final against Tim Cockroft. John and James will have played longer, finer quality matches in the past, but as a demonstration by two former world champions, this was a cracking good contest and the gallery loved it.

Meanwhile in the Over 40s Doubles, Angus & Spurling beat Anton & Pennick to meet Prenn & Male in the top half semi, whilst Makey & Owen-Browne beat MacEchern & Cox to play Boone & Cockroft in the other semi. Angus & Spurling played well in losing 18/16 15/9 to the proven expertise of Prenn & Male, but in the final game of the second semi, Tim Cockroft had to withdraw as his Achilles strain had worsened considerably. On Sunday morning the injury was no better, so sadly he had to concede a walk-over to John Prenn in the Over 40s Singles Final.

As preliminaries to the exciting prospect of a repeat of last year's splendid Over 40s Doubles Final line-up, the over 60s and Over 50s Doubles finals were played with comfortable wins in the Over 60s for Howard Angus & Derek Barrett over Paul Danby & Nigel Kenyon. In the over 50s final, John Prenn dominated the match, he and Howard Angus beating Willie Boone & Aidan MacEchern in straight games.

A year ago James Male played a blinder in the Over 40s Doubles final with staunch support from John Prenn. Rupert Owen-Browne & David Makey, despite playing a marvellous match, could not beat the old firm. However, this year Rupert Owen-Browne was really on song, and there are no better sights in the game of Rackets, or any other sport for that matter, than Rupert hitting backhand winners at the top of his form! In this best of 5 games final, David & Rupert won 15/7 15/10 15/5 and the match contained many scintillating rallies to delight the spectators.

Through the introduction of Mark Agate, we are delighted to welcome his employer ,Spring Law, as Rackets sponsors for the first time. They have promised increased support for an enlarged tournament next season and we are extremely grateful to them for their commitment to the game.

In the past the Masters weekend has been, sometimes, a pleasant weekend of relatively gentle Rackets played by former good exponents of the game, but often not in the peak of training! Not so this year in the over 40s singles and doubles. What was lacking, perhaps, in quantity (only 8 entrants in the Over 40s Singles), was made up for in quality, with 4 former World Champions entered, plus Cockroft, Makey, Spurling and Cox. In the Over 40s Doubles, Owen-Browne was also entered, so the prospect was for some fine Rackets in the over 40s and doubles, and the spectators were not to be disappointed.

The top four in the singles, Male, Prenn, Boone and Cockroft, all won their first round comfortably, no-one able to get to double figures in a game against them. In the first semi-final Tim Cockroft, fresh and keen from his recent triumph in the Amateur Doubles, was too sharp for Willie Boone who has not been playing much this season. Tim won 15/3 15/4 at a canter, but was nursing an Achilles strain from his first round win over John Spurling. More on this anon. In the second semi, John Prenn was giving away 10 years or more to James Male, but John has been playing a lot of Tennis this season and practicing a bit at Rackets, whilst James has only had a couple of Rackets doubles in preparation. James won the first game 15/8, but John was always ahead in the second, taking it 15/9. When John raced out to a 7-0 lead in the decider some in the gallery might think it was all over, but then James' fighting qualities are legendary and despite not timing the ball anywhere near how he would like, he battled his way back, in 5 hands to lead 12-9. At this juncture, John, having made some unforced errors to lose his lead, dug as deep, both physically and mentally, as he possible could to get back. Three times James got him out, but each time John managed to stop James from moving beyond 12, and eventually, by dint of sheer determination, John got home 15/12 to earn his place in the final against Tim Cockroft. John and James will have played longer, finer quality matches in the past, but as a demonstration by two former world champions, this was a cracking good contest and the gallery loved it.

Meanwhile in the Over 40s Doubles, Angus & Spurling beat Anton & Pennick to meet Prenn & Male in the top half semi, whilst Makey & Owen-Browne beat MacEchern & Cox to play Boone & Cockroft in the other semi. Angus & Spurling played well in losing 18/16 15/9 to the proven expertise of Prenn & Male, but in the final game of the second semi, Tim Cockroft had to withdraw as his Achilles strain had worsened considerably. On Sunday morning the injury was no better, so sadly he had to concede a walk-over to John Prenn in the Over 40s Singles Final.

As preliminaries to the exciting prospect of a repeat of last year's splendid Over 40s Doubles Final line-up, the over 60s and Over 50s Doubles finals were played with comfortable wins in the Over 60s for Howard Angus & Derek Barrett over Paul Danby & Nigel Kenyon. In the over 50s final, John Prenn dominated the match, he and Howard Angus beating Willie Boone & Aidan MacEchern in straight games.

A year ago James Male played a blinder in the Over 40s Doubles final with staunch support from John Prenn. Rupert Owen-Browne & David Makey, despite playing a marvellous match, could not beat the old firm. However, this year Rupert Owen-Browne was really on song, and there are no better sights in the game of Rackets, or any other sport for that matter, than Rupert hitting backhand winners at the top of his form! In this best of 5 games final, David & Rupert won 15/7 15/10 15/5 and the match contained many scintillating rallies to delight the spectators.

Through the introduction of Mark Agate, we are delighted to welcome his employer ,Spring Law, as Rackets sponsors for the first time. They have promised increased support for an enlarged tournament next season and we are extremely grateful to them for their commitment to the game.