Tournament News

Finals of the 2010 Birkenhead LTC Tournament took place on Saturday with some spirited play and a fantastic evening do.

The open singles produced a surprise and demonstrated the old and new at BLTC, with Phil Leighton rolling back the decades to record his first victory for five years in a tight three-setter against Sam Whitaker and Ellie Tsimbilakis recording her second ladies singles victory playing Isabel Nolan. In the Open doubles Rich Chiverrell and Josh Brown defeated Patrick W and Mike Randall, Janet Almond and Rosemary W beat Rachel Nolan and Yvette Randall, and Patrick W and Janet Almond defeated Jordan Lee and Ellie Tsimbilakis.

The 'Handicapped' Tournament winners were Josh Brown (mens singles) v Phil Hough, Dave Prince and Barry Hough (mens doubles) defeated Tom Randall and Patrick Waddington, Rachel and Isabel Nolan (ladies doubles) defeated Diane Duffey and Heather Carr, and Tom and Yvette Randall (mixed doubles) defeated John and Kate Heathman.

Well done to all who entered and competed in the BLTC Annual Tournament. Keep an eye out for announcements about next years event.

Tournament rules

Two sets of competitions take place the Open tournament and a 'Handicap' event both available to all members. For the 'Handicap' all players are graded according to standard and receive points bonus or penalties for either every game or alternate games to even up the competition. All games are best of three tie break sets in the Open and three long sets in the 'Handicap' competition. For both the Open and the Handicap the competitions are Men's and Ladies singles, Men's, Ladies and Mixed doubles.

To explain the handicaping system a player or pair ranked -15 would start each game on -15 v 0. A player or pairing ranked -15 / -30 would start alternate games either at -15 v 0 or -30 v 0, i.e. you have to win points to get to zero. Equal handicaps even themselves out, so a player ranked -15 against another at -30, the higher ranked player would start at -15 v 0. The system is not compatible with the tie break scoring system, thus all sets in the handicap tournament are long sets. Players can receive a positive handicap, thus starting above zero. All handicaps are decided on by the tournament committee and are not negotiable.

Gentlemen's Open Singles

Ladies Open Singles