Posted by Carissa Turner at 03:01 on 23 January 2018
The Welsh Masters Championships 2018 took place on Saturday at
the Sport Wales National Centre.
16 Events were played over the day across 4 age groups. The
Masters is a popular event which truly tests participants stamina as many
players enter multiple age groups and disciplines.
Over 35s
Men’s Singles got the day off to a great start with
competitive matches throughout, Simon Pill did not medal but all of his matches
went to three sets. It was Alex Wilson who stole the title winning all three of
his games with Michael Constantinou coming in as Runner Up.
Alex then partnered up with Chris Jeynes in the Men’s
Doubles and the pair were unstoppable winning all of their matches comfortably.
Despite suffering from cramp in his singles, Paul McCracken fought through with
partner Shahab Ali to come in second place.
Michael Constantinou and Alex Wilson
Over 40s
Simon Pill and Mark Thomas competed in their second singles
contest of the day. Simon began well beating Mark in straight sets, but then
went on to lose in a nail biting three setter against Paul McCracken 16-21,
21-20, 17-21.
Mark and Paul then had a tough three set match with cramp setting in for both
players. But the motivation of gaining a place on the podium was enough for
Paul to push through and win the match and the Gold!
In the Men’s Doubles, Chris Short and Lee Williams dominated
winning the opening set of each match in single figures. The battle for silver
was between Steve Aylott & Andrew Kitching and Dave Markey & Stuart
Mears. Steve & Andrew took the first set 21-15, and although Dave &
Stuart fought back in the second set it wasn’t quite enough as they lost 21-19.
The Women's Doubles saw club partners Sian Elvis & Carol Davey take on Jane Givelin & Sarah Long. While Jane & Sarah put up a good fight, they couldn't do enough to take down the established pair as Sian & Carol won 21-14 21-14.
The Mixed was a round robin group of 4 with the overall
placements determining the final podium positions. Chris Short teamed up with
Sian Elvis, and the pair started well winning their first two matches in straight
sets. Stuart Mears & Jane Givelin almost caused an upset after coming back
from a first set 21-14 loss to take the second 21-20. Their stamina faltered
part way through the third giving Chris & Sian enough of a lead to close
the match and secure the Gold 21-15. Stuart & Jane then turned their eyes
to the Silver Medal, but Mark Thomas & Elena Tucker stood in their way.
After a dogged battle in the first set which Mark & Elena won 21-19 the
second set ran away from Stuart & Jane as they lost 21-14 meaning they had
to settle for third place.
Steve Aylott, Andrew Kitching, Chris Short, Lee Williams
Over 45s
The over 45s was the only event where all 5 disciplines took
place.
In the Men’s Singles, Michael Constantinou attempted to gain
top position on the podium but unfortunately, he could not best Stephen Ellaway
who beat him 21-18, 21-16 to take the title.
The Women’s Singles saw Sian Elvis and Eve Morgan competing
for Gold and Silver. It was a great match between the two, but it was Sian who
came out top with a 21-14 21-13 win.
Five pairs fought it out in the Men’s Doubles but Chris
Short and Lee Williams proved untouchable once again, winning all of their
matches in two sets. Andrew Kitching & Simon Lau and Steve Aylott &
Stephen Ellaway faced off in the battle for second place. Andrew & Simon
began well taking the first set 21-17, but a change in tactic from their
opponents had them rattled in the second which they lost 21-10. The game went
point for point in the third, but after the 11 point interval Andrew & Simon
managed to break away and won the match 21-14.
Sian and Eve were once again fighting for the top spot in
the doubles with their partners Carol Davey and Jane Givelin. The first set was
hotly contested but after the change of ends, Eve & Jane lost their way as
Sian & Carol defeated them 21-15 21-6.
The Mixed Doubles saw two groups of three pairs fight for a
top two position to secure a place in the elimination rounds of the Semi Finals.
Roy Watkins and Carol Davey won their group, with Stuart Mears & Jane
Givelin pinching the second-place position after winning their match against
Simon Lau & Sandra Lovell in three sets. The winners of Group B were Chris
Short & Sian Elvis who fought back from a set down against the
second-placed pair of Dave Markey & Sarah Long in a thrilling three set
match.
Roy & Carol had a walkover in their Semi Final while
Chris & Sian defeated Stuart & Jane in the other resulting in the Women’s
Doubles champions playing opposite each other. It was one of the most exciting
matches of the day and was too close to call throughout. But Chris Short &
Sian Elvis clinched the title 21-17 21-18.
Roy Watkins, Carol Davey, Chris Short, Sian Elvis
Over 50s
The 50 + Men’s Singles received the highest entry resulting
in two groups of four with the top two players from each group heading in to
the Semi Finals elimination rounds.
Simon Lau caused an upset in Group A taking out one of the
favourites to win, Andrew Kitching, but could not repeat this against Stephen
Ellaway who topped the group. In Group B it was Roy Watkins who won all his
matches and Stuart Mears who came in as second-place.
Roy did well to fend off a comeback from Simon in the second set of their match
and advanced to the Final after winning 21-15 21-19.
Stephen and Stuart’s match was captivating with some top quality badminton
being played. The match went point for point, but with no pressure on him
Stuart managed to relax enough to win 21-17 21-17.
The Final offered a chance for revenge as it was a re-match from the group
between Roy Watkins and Stuart Mears. It was clear that Stuart had taken confidence
from his Semi Final win as he steamed ahead in the first set winning 21-11. Roy
fought back in the second, but couldn’t keep Stuart at bay as he closed off the
second set, and match with a 21-18 win.
The Women’s Singles Final was played between Sarah Long and
Jane Givelin. While Sarah fought hard, Jane’s stamina served her well as she
extended the rallies out to wear her opponent down. This tactic paid off as
Jane took first place with a 21-15 21-11 win.
The Men’s Doubles was the last event of the day, which sadly
resulted in an exhausted Stuart Mears having to withdraw. This left Steve Aylott
& Andrew Kitching and Stephen Ellaway & Roy Watkins competing for the
title place. After a poor performance in the first set which saw Stephen &
Roy lose 21-11 they redeemed themselves in the second set. However, they just
fell short of winning as Steve & Andrew triumphed with a 21-20 win.
Prior to the level doubles, Stuart Mears had partnered Jane
Givelin in the Mixed Doubles where they played Roy Watkins & Sarah Long.
The four players provided spectators with a great display of sportsmanship and showcased
grit and determination throughout all three sets of the match. In the end it
was Stuart & Jane who prevailed, winning 21-12 14-21 21-10.
Roy Watkins and Stuart Mears
Badminton Wales would like to take this opportunity to thank
all players who supported the event this year, our volunteer officials Simon
Ewins and Bernard Lorenzo, the Sport Wales staff and Lasers Are Us for providing the awards. Thanks also go to Huw John who has ran this event on his own for a number of years, his help in the organising of this year's event was much appreciated.
It's pleasing to see the standard of Masters badminton in Wales is so high and this is testimony to the local league and club structures across the country which are run by volunteers. Their work is crucial to keeping our sport alive and Badminton Wales is ever thankful to them.
Bernard Lorenzo and Simon Ewins
All results can be viewed here.