A massive entry of 162 saw 10 drop outs. One or two serial offenders will not be allowed to enter Grove Park.

Also, without naming names, any dissent consistently shown by a player towards a marker will result in a ban. We have virtually eradicated this, in fact it has hardly been a problem – normally after I have had a friendly ‘chat’ the miscreants realise nobody wants to hear them bleating on and on about a perceived slight on their every shot.  We all disagree in every match on points or lets, but you just have to accept it. Arguing with a marker is a no win situation. And it could cost you a cap...

WO55 – Missing the wounded Helen Gould, Jill Campion was in a class of her own, with Lesley Sturgess second.

WO50 – Julia Dolman shaded Shelly Walsh 10/9 in the fifth in the quest for an England place, a reversal from 2014. Two players were head and shoulders above the rest, Fran Wallis and Maltese Champion Theresa Brousson.

In a high quality and entertaining Final, Wallis conquered a few demons and won 1/9  6/9  9/3  9/7  9/4, getting stronger as she gets older.

WO45 – Rose Bamber, consistent as ever, worked her way to the Final, but found Isabelle Tweedle just too focussed with her length game, the latter winning 11/8  7/11  11/8  13/11.

WO40 – Sarah Parr was narrowly shaded by Rachel Calver, but Shayne Baillie, as strong as ever, inched through in the Final 11/7  8/11  11/9  16/14.

WO35 – A competitive draw saw Judith Allgrove win her first Regional beating Joanne Smalley 9/11  11/8  11/7  5/11  11/8. Congratulations.

MO70 – Graham Fisher lost out to William Wilson, whilst Adrian Wright was not bothered all weekend. Pity Mike Clemson was on the M65 as Ferraby United takes first place in his heart on Sat at 3pm. Wright won the Final beating an out of sorts Wilson, 9/1  9/2  9/2.

MO65 – Surprises here. Congratulations to Alistair Swift on his first ever victory, beating Tony Claydon 3/1. Barry Featherstone pulled up lame and in the Quarters, Larry Grover, Aubrey Waddy and Chris Goodbourn all won 3/0 at the expense of Martin Pearse, Ian Graham and Terry Norman. Grover conceded his Semi with Goodbourn at 2/2 as he had a plane to catch and Waddy got 21 unanswered points off William Wilson’s room mate Rod Boswell, another out of sorts on the day. Must have been missing their Morrison’s breakfast. In the Final, an ultra strong Waddy overcame early Goodbourn resistance 9/7  9/3  9/1.

MO60 – Alistair Niven shaded Paul Reader in a battle for England spot 6-8 with Messrs Alexander, Cowley, Hardy, Drysdale and Holmes all virtually confirmed. Simon Evenden lost 1-3 to Drysdale and Ian Holmes, 15 pints to the good, beat Ronnie Bell 3-0. In the Semis, both 3-0, Alexander and Hardy overcame Drysdale and Holmes. The Final saw Alexander far too sharp, 9/4  9/1  9/2.

MO55 – Dermot Hurford beat former World no 3, Gawain Briars 9/2  9/6  9/4 in the Semi and Avon’s Mark Taylor took out Neil Harrison 3-0 in the other Semi. The Final saw Hurford well in command, 9/6  9/4  9/2.

MO50 – Peter Lonsdale’s 70 minute victory over John Parkes was a sight to behold – it delayed our Indian at the Dakar Dynasty – but was well worth watching. Darren Withey was favourite in the Final but Lonsdale’s immaculate volleying to a floated length, at full speed, time and time again, would have had his coach Malcolm Willstrop looking up from the Racing Post. The Final saw Lonsdale on a roll, he was just too good on the day, beating Withey 3/9  9/4  9/3  9/4.

MO45 –  An unrecognisable Steve McLoughlin, head full of curly vibrant jet  black hair (all his own) edged past Steve Dodridge, whilst at the bottom end Jon Lilley found his way to the Final. As per normal, McLoughlin covered every inch of the court, at least twice, but Lilley came back from a 1-2 deficit to edge through 10/12  11/7  4/11  11/6  13/11.

MO40 – Jon Gliddon no 3, overcame the difficult to beat Michael Harris 3-1 in a hotly contested Semi whilst Mike McLaughlin  was in the Final – as usual – in a high quality match with unbelievable retrieving, McLaughlin came good after losing the first game, 8/11  11/9  11/8  11/6.

MO35 – As usual, James Goodrich, pretending he is still 35, was easily the fittest in the field. However, after about 50 minutes, James Bowden, looking decidedly tired, recorded another O35 Title 11/4  13/11  11/7. If Jamie had sneaked the second...!

Thanks to Mo Sarwar at Coventry & North Warwicks and the Chairman Bob Townsend for the organisation and hospitality.

Thanks also to Brian Garrett, Ellis Shortt and Chris Grimshaw for their marking and Brian Brock and Roz for their sterling efforts running the whole show.