Birmingham Closed Report

Mike Browne is the new Birmingham champion, following a magnificent final against Kingshurst Bribar team-mate Scott Prime, which went the distance, at the North Solihull Sports Centre.  The powerful attacking right hander was two games to one down and suffered a muscle spasm in his right leg during the early stages of the fourth game, but he recovered to win a plethora of points with a barrage of top spin drives. No 1 seed Ian Ferguson retired from the singles competition after still suffering the effects of influenza.  "I practice with Scott all the time and it is at least a month since I beat him," insisted Browne "His turn will come.  He is the pick of the young players coming through in the city at the moment."

Helen Turner (Sutton Coldfield) gained revenge for her defeat by Sarah Riach (Kingshurst) in the recent Warwickshire Closed, by gaining a comfortable victory in the women’s singles.

Jason Essex paired up with Browne to take the men's doubles against club-mates Karl Manning and Alan Caffrey, while the men's singles champion also took the veteran singles.  Browne had rushed back to Birmingham after playing for Warwickshire in the County Championship in Milton Keynes the previous day.

Helen Turner and Sarah Riach teamed up to take the women’s doubles, beating Sally Hooper and Lauren Danter in the final.

Superb attacking play by Stephen Smith and Sarah Riach prevented Browne and Turner from gaining a clean sweep by taking the mixed doubles.

Browne beat Chris Leach in the Veterans final.  Steve Smith (Smithereens) just edged past Inky Moss (Colebridge) to win the plate.

Neil Wheatley (Colebridge) won the over 50’s event, defeating Roger Ellerington (Kingshurst) in the Final.  Roger Hookes (Bournville) beating Sally Hooper (Hockley Heath) to take the plate.

Navinder Matharu (Colebridge) beat Jack Williamson (Kingshurst) in the junior boy’s singles final, with Williamson - described by Kingshurst supremo Simon Upson as the most gifted youngster he has ever coached - taking the cadet singles with Caffrey the runner-up.  Williamson and Jamie Morgan took the junior boy’s doubles final by beating Matharu and Scott Danter.

Ian Anson (Baverstock) beat Ravinder Davsi (Colebridge) in both the junior and cadet plate competitions.

Restricted events : -

Matharu beat Manning in the ‘A’

‘B’ Martin Round (Sutton Coldfield) beat Dean Hicks (Hockley Heath)

‘C’ Nabil Khalfey (Sutton Coldfield) beat Dean Walker (Baverstock)  

The team event was won by Kingshurst beating Curdworth in the final.