A total of 24 STC members, including our Chairman, Linda, took part in the 2025 Chairman’s MD Handicap Tournament on the bright and sunny morning of Sunday, 13th July. 

The match format selected by the main organiser, Ann, was to award few handicaps and to base each match on 7 games with sudden death on the second deuce. The 24 players were divided into three groups, guaranteeing each pair 3 matches in a round-robin format before moving to the semis and final match in a knock-out format.

The round-robin stage produced a substantial number of very close matches with at least 50% ending in 4-3 result. This outcome was also in evidence at the semi-final stage where both matches produced identical 4-3 outcomes but was taken a stage further in the final match.

The final match saw contrasting styles, articulated most clearly in the ferocious serve of Ian Fryer on the one hand and the deceptively gentle serve of Dorin Wang on the other. Both provided their opponents with a substantial challenge. But it was the closeness of the outcome which caught the attention of the spectators with Ian Fryer and Helen Nelson nudging past their opponents John Kemble and Dorin Wang with a 4-3 win on the second deuce!

In her address, our Chairman, Linda, thanked everyone for their good humour and sportsmanship before presenting the prizes to the winners and runners-up.