Samir Patel wins Surbiton Easter Advanced

[<<] [>>] by Kevin Carter at Surbiton
25th April 2011 (AC)

Samir Patel outshone both the hot Surrey sun and his rivals with a magnificent unbeaten record in this year's Surbiton Easter Open. As well as the trophy he collected a handicap reduction to -2.5.

The field was strong, with 20 of the 27 participants playing off scratch or below. However, most had trouble with the conditions. The courts were fast and hoops rock solid with, according to hoop setter Chris Farthing, a gap of 7/128ths of an inch (that is "a bit less than a 1/16th" to most of us).

With even all-round breaks tricky and peeling turns rare (only 7 TPs), most games lasted over two hours and some up to four.

Jeff Dawson, Rutger and I were beaten only by Samir. George Noble's new hip worked well in its first tournament and Fuller's superb Celebration Ale made the royal wedding a noteworthy occasion after all.

Winner: Samir Patel (6/6)
2nd: Jeff Dawson (5/6)
3rd Patrick Hort (4/5)