Cheshire 60 & Over Mixed Doubles County Championships 2023

The new 60 & Over Mixed Doubles County Championship was held at David Lloyd, Cheshire Oaks on Saturday 28th October and was refereed by Tom Brown.

Unfortunately, one pair had to withdraw at the last minute leaving just 7 pairs taking part in this half day tournament. The format involved the pairs being placed into one of two boxes and competing in round robin matches with the top 2 pairs in each box going through to the semi-finals.

All the round robin matches were well contested with some very close matches. Two pairs from Group A, Jim Gibbs (Northern) & Jean Thistleton (Bramhall Lane) and John Turner & Barbara Bloor (Heswall) only qualified for the semi-finals by virtue of one game as all 3 pairs finished with same number of wins! In Group B, who qualified was not decided until the last round of matches with Martin Bell & Catherine Shelmerdine & Greg Turner (DL Cheadle) & Gaynor Hawthornwaite (Cuddington & Sandiway) coming out on top.

The semi-finals matched Jim & Jean against Martin & Catherine and John & Barbara against Greg & Gaynor. Jim & Jean and John & Barbara took the honours which meant the final was a repeat of their box match. In the play off for 3rd and 4th Martin & Catherine won 6 -3. The final could not have been any closer with a match point being saved by John and Barbara which led to the result only being decided by a tie break which Jim & Jean won 7 - 5. Many congratulations to them and thanks go to all the players who took part and who created a competitive but friendly atmosphere. Thanks also to Cheshire LTA President Liz Sweeting for supporting the event and presenting the trophies.

John Hilton (Chair - Competitions & Tournaments Committee)