Richard Raby won the GC B-Level Series National Final

[<<] [>>] by John Bowcott at Hamptworth
12 Oct 2014 (GC)

Twenty players, who had qualified at nominated club events, turned up at Hamptworth full of enthusiasm on Saturday morning. The weather for the weekend was a cause for concern for the manager but in fact the most important parts of the schedule were completed in reasonable comfort.

Two Blocks of 10 were completed just before lunch on Sunday. David Ball topped one with 8 wins and Richard Raby edged out Mike Huxley from the second slot by virtue of his 7-6 win in their match. The other Block produced runaway leaders in Kath Wright and Les Heard with 8 wins each. Kath had won their individual match by 7-6 and therefore progressed as the Block winner.

Under potential pressure from both the weather and the light each semi-final was settled with one 19 point game. Les Heard beat David Ball 10-3 and Richard Raby overcame Kath Wright 10-6.

The Final and the 3rd/4th place match were played as a 'best of three' and both went the distance. In the Final, Richard was the first to approach the thirteenth hoop in the deciding game and took the chance that this presented with great calmness. In the other match Kath came through to take 3rd place after dropping the opening game.

The original plans for two new Blocks that would establish the pecking order for the 'other places' were enthusiastically embraced by all the remaining players. However, soon after the end of the Final, the weather really did close in and even the most stalwart was willing to accept the end of the proceedings.

Throughout the two days the general standard of play was very high and in the knockout rounds it was spectacularly so! Very well done to all of the participants.

Thanks are due to Hamptworth for not only the excellent facilities but also for the constant attention to detail of Richard Jenkins and Janet Trueman. To them in particular the manager is most grateful.

In the Final Richard Raby beat Les Heard 7-2, 5-7, 7-6

and in the 3rd place match Kath Wright beat David Ball 4-7, 7-4, 7-4