02 February, 2014 Andy Rowe
The revamped, renamed Masters Tournament produced some thrillingly close badminton.
The Over 40’s event was played as a round robin event with 7 pairs. It was won by Exeter’s Gareth Pearse and Ross Coomber (-14). However they were pushed hard in all their games but ended up only dropping 1 point, that to runners up Mark Stanley and David Colclough (+10) of Culm Valley.
The Mens Over 60’s attracted only 3 pairs, and it was disappointing that one of these pairs were a no-show on the day. Sidmouth’s David Bromage and Steve Smith (Scr) triumphed over Culm Valley’s Pete Bowers and Fred Rogers (+6) to claim the title.
A paucity of entries in the Ladies classes meant that all ages were entered into one Round Robin Group. Newcomers Lianne O’Donnell and Sara Harvey (+12) of Cranford were delighted to be crowned champions. They won by 1 point from Ringswell's Di Brooker and Sharon Strong (-5).
In the Mixed Over 40’s defending champions Di Brooker and Brian Jeary (+5) won 4 out of 5 of their games to edge the win by 2 points from the new pairing of Sharon Strong (Ringswell) and Leo Robbins (St Leonards) (Scr). The Saints pair of Ruth McClelland and Andy Rowe (+1) won their first 3 games before losing to the winners and runners-up to end up in 3rd place, 2 points adrift of second place.
The Mixed Over 60’s was settled by 1 point with champions Ann Bromage and Patrick Cordey of Clyst Vale (+9) beating the Sidmouth pairing of Hilary Herd and Steve Smith (+10) 21-20 to finish with a perfect unbeaten score.
RESULTS
Mens Over 40’s
| 1st | Ross Coomber and Gareth Pearse (Exeter) | -14 | 125 points |
| 2nd | Mark Stanley and David Colclough (Culm Valley) | +10 | 121 points |
| 3rd | Leo Robbins and Anthony Towl (St Leonards) | +2 | 113 points |
Mens Over 60’s
David Bromage and Steve Smith (Scr) beat Fred Rogers and Pete Bowers (Culm Valley)
| 1st | Lianne O’Donnell and Sara Harvey (Cranford) | +12 | 115 points |
| 2nd | Di Brooker and Sharon Strong (Ringswell) | -5 | 114 points |
| 1st | Di Brooker and Brian Jeary (Ringswell) | +5 | 102 points |
| 2nd | Sharon Strong (R/well) + Leo Robbins (St Leonards) | Scr | 100 points |
| 3rd | Ruth McClelland and Andy Rowe (St Leonards) | +1 | 98 points |
| 1st | Ann Bromage and Patrick Cordey (Clyst Vale) | +9 | 84 points |
| 2nd | Hilary Herd and Steve Smith (Sidmouth) | +10 | 83 points |
| 3rd | Heather and Chris Gould (Ringswell) | +7 | 71 points |