Rising at the crack of dawn, 6.30am to be precise, picked up Stevie Crane 7.30 and down to the Phoenix Centre at Nottingham for 10.00, match sticks propping up eyelids.com. The UK National Senior Singles Championships 2013 started off with 8 groups of 6 players with quite a lot of high profile names, quite a few who play for the England team.
Representation from Lancashire saw Steve Crane, Ian Ingham & John Birkett in separate groups. John & myself missed out narrowly on progressing to the last 16, by the odd frame, but did ourselves justice. Steve eclipsed us both though, taking out 4 known England players along the way to the final. The top scalp being Keith Brewer, arguably the UK’s best player. Steve played Russell Burgess in what was a great final, but just couldn’t get over the line.
Even though it didn’t finish until 12.10 am, overall a most enjoyable day & a really friendly community of people. Then came the long drive home & not getting tucked up in bed until 2.45 am. Shattered, but looking forward to the next one.
Full draw and results can be found at http://www.epa.org.uk/events/nationalamateur/2013/Senior%20Singles%20Results.pdf