TWO TITLES FOR MONIKA AND MARK

The latest North Tyneside Social Badminton tournament, the second since the Pandemic, which took place recently in the sports hall at John Spence Community High School, North Shields, attracted 50 players, with ages ranging from 14 up to 79!!  It was very pleasing to see a good number of Juniors take part, and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Adam Tang, aged 16, and Matthew Fraser aged 15, won all their group games, then in the semi-final, they only lost by 2 points, 21-19, to the experienced pair of Mark Henderson and Dave McCully.  Though none of the Juniors actually reached a final, they stayed until the very end to enjoy the friendly yet competitive atmosphere.  They also watched the finals, after which the winners and runners-up were presented with their trophies by Bewicke Badminton Club volunteer Paul Harrison.  The tournament was organised and run by volunteers from Bewicke BC, which plays in the school sports hall on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and volunteer helpers from North Tyneside Badminton Partnership.

Kathryn Armstrong, who won the Ladies Doubles in the previous social tournament, was once again victorious, but this time with a different partner, Monika Przech. There was a large entry in the Men’s Doubles event.  In their semi-final, Mark Armstrong and Simon Entwistle avenged their very close defeat by William Bowman and Darren Fowdy in the previous tournament’s final, by this time defeating the pair 21-17.  Mark and Simon went on to win the final, with a 21-17 victory over regular competitor (and frequent finalist!) Mark Henderson and his partner Dave McCully.  The Mixed Doubles final produced a second title for both Mark Armstrong and Monika Przech, who defeated Simon Entwistle and Kathryn Armstrong 21-11.

This was yet another highly successful, well organised and enjoyable social tournament.  Players were most grateful to the tournament organisers and helpers, with many much appreciated comments and queries as to when the next tournament will be!!

RESULTS OF FINALS      Games were played initially in groups, with knockout semi-finals then finals.

LADIES DOUBLES

Monika Przech and Kathryn Armstrong defeated Liz Mitchell and Pam Moat       21-10

MEN’S DOUBLES

Mark Armstrong and Simon Entwistle defeated Mark Henderson and Dave McCully       21-17

MIXED DOUBLES

Mark Armstrong and Monika Przech defeated Simon Entwistle and Kathryn Armstrong      21-11

PHOTOS – OF ALL THE FINALISTS WITH THEIR TROPHIES, PRESENTED BY PAUL HARRISON (CENTRE) OF BEWICKE BADMINTON CLUB