Nigel Kettle Open Singles Success for Andy

Eventual winner Andy Ware from the City of Ely club (right on photo) landed a well-deserved victory after beating two of the "big names" among the 68 contestants on the way, and overcoming Pat Briscoe from Herga (pictured left) in a dramatic final which went to a three-end tie-break. Briscoe shook him by taking the first set 11-2...but Ware won the second 7-4 and then edged the tie-break 2-1 in front of a late night crowd who had seen him dispense with former world champion Nicky Brett and the equally well-known Mark Royal in successive matches.

Ware beat former winner Royal 7-3, 6-2 in the semi-final while Briscoe overcame England U-25 captain Connor Cinato in the other in a real cash of styles...Cinato producing a firing flurry...Briscoe coolness personified and winning 4-8, 7-2, 2-0. Photo below shows semi finalists, from Left to Right - Mark Royal, Connor Cinato, Pat Briscoe & Andy Ware.

It was also a memorable weekend for two of our young hopefuls, Owen Aspinall (11) and Ollie Jeapes (10) who got an unexpected chance to shine in the early rounds as they replaced non-showers in the original draw.They are following in the footsteps of Stephen Harris, who has worked his way through the Stamford ranks to play for England. Last year's runner-up, he made it back to the quarter-finals this time before losing in a tie-break to Cinato.

Stephen, now playing competitively out of the Spalding club, won the first set 8-7 but then found himself 7-0 down in the second before staging a comeback, eventually losing 8-5.

Cinato took the first end of the tie-break and fired to make it 2-0 in the second.

The event was sponsored by Anthea Kettle in memory of her father Nigel, who was a popular member here for many years.

Played as part of the prestige Open Singles Circuit for prize-money totaling £1,650, it attracted a quality field including internationals, national champions, leading players on the circuit and Stamford members.

The format was two seven-ends sets with a three-end tie-break as required. Jacks leaving the rink were re-spotted.

A clutch of our members got the event off to a start on Saturday evening.

Two visiting players had to withdraw from the first session, which gave chances to veteran Roger Graham who stood-in against club colleague Michael Jeapes, and son Ollie, who gave a good account of himself against Richard Allam.

Local results, first round: J Wiseman (St Neots) bt Chris Ford 7-5, 5-4; M Jeapes bt Roger Graham 5-4, 11-2; Richard Allam bt Ollie Jeapes 5-5, 9-4; J Pitt (Peterborough) bt Tony Barwell 7-6, 5-6, 2-0; Derek King lost to R Greenwood (Huntingdon) 6-5, 4-9, 0-2; L Parnell (Melton) lost to Stephen Harris 6-5, 3-8, 0-2; H Shipp (Huntingdon) bt Chris Ballard ) 10-7, 8-3.

Second round: Michael Jeapes lost to R Greenwood 5-4, 6-12, 0-2; Richard Allam lost to Stephen Harris 5-9, 7-2, 1-2.

Louise Harris replaced Dylan Morton in the first round on Sunday morning and drew her first set 6-6 with Colin Cleary (Skegness) but lost the second set 5-9.

There were still more chances for Stamford players due to non-appearances by players on the original list. That gave Owen Aspinall a game against Royal who won 8-2, 7-3.

Owen's father, Wayne, lost to Keith Carruthers after a tie-break, 9-3, 4-8, 0-2 and Jeff Bourne beat Maurice Dye 10-1, 7-2. Bourne finally lost to Keith Carruthers 1-9, 3-11 in round two.

Mike Ramsden, also found himself in action.....against Brett, from Huntingdon losing 3-7, 2-10.

Brett went on to play daughter Chloe in round two winning 8-5, 6-3.

First real shock came on Sunday morning when Ed Elmore (City of Ely) ended the title defence of Michael Knight of the Whiteknights BC club in Reading with a 7-5, 6-5 success.

Elmore then played Calvin Rawson (South Forest) but had to withdraw through illness.

The event ran well to time...a success for the band of club officials and volunteers on and off the rinks.