Week Commencing 17th January 2005

The Swindon Closed

The Men's Singles

Four times winner and title holder Gary Baldwin came across stiff opposition in the semi finals against Tim O'Mahoney. Gary just won the first game 11-9, but Tim convincingly won the second 11-3. Gary then fought back and won the third leaving the score at 2-1, just needing one more game to win. Although Tim did his best to hold on to the 4th game, Gary won 14-12 and went through to the final. In the other semi, Ian Packford beat Ray Powell convincingly in the first two games 11-5 and 11-2, but Powell won the third 11-4. Packford though won the next as he started, 11-5.

This made for an exciting final between Packford and Baldwin. It was Packford who dictated the pace of the match, with very aggressive, fast paced play, which made Baldwin's preferred away-from-the-table defensive style very difficult to initiate. Packford won the first two games 12-10 and 11-6, and perhaps because of the exhausting pace, lost the next game 12-10. But Packford won the next game and the match in an aggressive finish at 11-7.
 

The Consolation Singles

The Consolation event was fought equally as hard as the main singles, with Andy Hurley vs Jacob Holland in one semi final, and Alan Duke vs Mark Smith in the other. Andy Hurley won his semi 11-4, 11-7, and 11-9; the score line not reflecting the battle which took place which contained some impressive long rallies despite the fast paced mixture of aggressive and defensive shots. Alan Duke also worked hard to win against Mark Smith, and in the final against Andy, it was Alan who triumphed to win the event in four sets 11-9, 11-7, 6-11 and 11-7.
 

Men's Doubles

Although the competition is just as hard fought, the doubles event tends to be more light hearted than the singles due to banter between team mates. This is particularly true when Tim O'Mahoney and Matt Prior take part, who today turned up in bright clothing and asked to be called the Pink Avengers ! Despite this (or maybe because of it ?) Tim and Matt won the doubles, beating a dazzled Ray Powell and Ian Packford in the final 11-1, 11-2, 11-6.

"The Pink Avengers", here pictured in the semi finals against Gary Baldwin and Alan Duke

Mixed Doubles

It seems that Brenda Baldwin just can't resist taking part in a competition. Despite being 7 months pregnant, Brenda and her husband Gary entered and won the Mixed Doubles, beating Chris Manson and Mark Smith 7, -9, 7, 3.
 

Division 2-4 Handicap Singles

To give everyone a chance to win on the day, the League also has an event for players in Divisions 2-4, where players are handicapped based on their averages to make an even playing field. In previous years this has led to some very exciting matches where it's difficult to know who to support - the better player, who has to get 18 points just to catch up with his opponent, or the less experienced player who with just a bit more focus - and luck - could win enough points to get to 21 first and win the match.

This year in the first semi, Trevor Bannister took on Joe Bangs with the games starting at 0-6. Joe won the match 21-18, 21-13.

In the second semi, Eddie Shoemark played Tim Arbon, with the games starting at minus 9-14. Tim won the first game 12-21, but by the second Eddie had worked out his tactics and actually won the game 24-22. The decider was equally close, with Tim just beating Eddie 22-20.

The final between Tim and Joe wasn't as close as the semis; mainly because of a difference in style as Joe's most effective shots are against long balls, whereas Tim feels most at home playing close to the net. With the scores starting at 11-0, Tim won the final 21-4 and 21-11.
 

UPDATE: This article was subsequently edited and published by the Evening Advertiser on Tuesday 25th Jan 2005.
Note that a press photographer attended the event and official photographs are available for purchase.