The third Weston handicap badminton tournament was hosted by Uphill Badminton Club.

UPHILL Badminton Club hosted the third running of the Weston handicap tournament.

With 40 pairs from a variety of local clubs, three tournaments over six hours and a total of 124 games, it was a feast of local badminton.

In the ladies event it was one box of eight, 28 box games which produced the plate and main semi-finals.

The box winners were Emma Bailey & Heather Wrigglesworth with 143 points, just ahead of Charlotte Crosby & Christy Cole (-6) with 137 and Bethan Dunning & Aimee Morgan (+5) in third with 135,

The plate semi-finals saw Penny Scott & Bethan Evans defeat Caroline Higgins & Sarah Humberstone 21-17 and Bridget Jones & Alice Lamb beating Lauren Rickwood & Alice Brett also 21-17. The plate final was then won 21-19 by Bridget & Alice.

In the main semi-finals, Charlotte & Christy overcame Bethan & Aimee 21-15 and Emma & Heather take Becci Scott & Laura Finch in a thriller 21-20.

This left the main final with the pre-tournament favourites Christy & Charlotte (-6) against Emma & Heather (-5) and in a top quality final, Emma & Heather came out 21-16 winners.

The men’s event was two boxes of six with a plate and main semis and final to follow.

In box A, Dennis Tsang & Ronald Vong (+7) won the box with 103 points, Olly Powers & Billy Fear (-2) second with 93, then amazingly there was a three-way tie for third place, which left Will Mellersh & Mathew Jose in third with 90.

In box B, runaway winners were Matt Cole & Callum Grayson with a maximum 105 with Rohan Weekes & James Sole second with 100.

The plate semis were made up of Will Hollis & Luke Morgab beating Mat Cleaves & Alex Nash 21-16 and Will Mellersh and Matt Jose taking Rob Morray and Robin Curry 21-20 in a nailbiter. The final was then won by Will & Matt 21-16 to claim the plate title.

In the main men’s event, the first semi saw Dennis & Ronald defeat Rohan & James 21-11 and Matt & Callum beat Olly & Billy 21-18. In the final, Dennis and Ronald continued to take advantage of their +7 handicap to run out 21-11 winners.

In the mixed event, 20 pairs competed over four boxes moving to plate and main draw quarters semis and final, with handicaps ranging from -9 to +8, there were some interesting games!

The mixed plate quarter-final winners were Brian Hadley & Steph Hancocks, who lost to Zakir Hussain & Ellen Davis 21-12, and then Will & Charlotte, who defeated Paul Edwards & Jane Guy 21-10.

This left the final with a -9 to +8 encounter, but Will & Charlotte showed why they were so highly ranked, dominating the final to come out 21-17 winners.

In the main event, winning quarter finalists were Matthew Ralph & Alice Lamb, who were beaten 21-15 against Mike &Alice Brett 21-15, then followed a Chew Valley battle with Gene Joyner & Becci Scott winning 21-18.

In the other half, Mat & Penny Scott beat Billy Mallet & Gina Gronham 21-19 before Will Mellersh and Jane Travis beat Callum Riordan & Bethan 21-18.

This left semis with Mat & Penny beating Mike & Alice Brett in a thriller 21-20 and in an all Chew affair, Will & Jane defeated Gene & Becci 21-19.

This set up a quality mixed final of youth against experience. Mellersh & Travis overcame the younger pairing of Mat & Penny 21-18 to end a most enjoyable day’s badminton.

A full turnout on the day ensured all went to plan and big thanks were given to Mark, Paul and Rob for their work in preparation and on the day.