James Death won the Cheltenham Easter Advanced

[<<] [>>] by James Death at Cheltenham
22nd April (AC)

Thirty two players arrived on Easter Sunday to a chilly but sunny morning at Cheltenham for two days of competition. A knockout for the main event saw 8 seeds favourites to advance in the morning but Paul Rigge played himself into the tournament and out of the main event being beaten by Keith Ross who had given himself two days practice in the handicap event on the preceding days.

With no time limits throughout both days, play was relaxed and some players took the opportunity to enjoy their lawn time. Only one game on the first day had a limit imposed, as soon as the limit was given the standard rose and the game finished in just another 20 minutes. Dave Kibble beat Rob Wilkinson in the first quarter final to finish and James Death had a quick win over Charles Harding. As the light started fading on the first day, Andy Smith (another who played the handicap first) knocked out the second seed Omied Hallam and Sarah Hayes was locked in a drawn out battle with Neil Adams, eventually getting pegged down.

Sunday awoke to a wet drizzly morning and Sarah finally prevailed over Neil by 11am. Dave Kibble failed his triple to avoid finishing his semi final before the other started but won soon after. Sarah had the first ball around against James but he hit the lift and went to 1 back, the long shot was missed and an adventurous sextuple followed with a lot of balls and hoops getting closely acquainted.

The final started after lunch as a best of 3 and was over by 2.30pm with James in full flow and Dave's shooting deserting him after wonderful lunches from Eileen Magee.

All players knocked out continued in the consolation playing as much or as little as they wanted. Omied Hallam with 5/6 across the two days winning the consolation.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped setting up, feeding and watering the players and cleared down afterwards. It is always appreciated but not necessarily recognised that it makes tournaments run for the enjoyment of the players.