A total of 19 players took part in the Handicap Singles competition at Essex Road last Wednesday. Coming from all 3 divisions, the players were split into 4 groups with the top 2 + ties progressing to the knockout stage.

In group 1, 12 year old Adrian Cole (Aldworth) stormed through his group, playing well above his handicap to knock out both George White (Queens) and Sue Tompsett (Aldworth). Celia Hooker (Queens) joined him in the next round after squeezing through as group runner up by just 6 points.

In group 2, newcomer Juri Artamonov won the group comfortably after winning 3 of his 4 games, his only loss being a 31-10 defeat by group runner up Patrick Garlick (Aldworth).

Group 3 saw an incredibly close finish where Nigel Cooper (Queens) just missed out on a place in the next round by the narrowest of margins. In the final game of the group he needed 20 points against Paritosh Singh (Queens) to go through as joint runner up but just came up short as he lost 31-19. This result ensured the group would be won by Prashanth Deverapjappa (BHS) with Jared Binner (K.G.) in 2nd 

The final group was a real mixed bag with the 2nd highest player in the competition, Peter Howell (Queens) facing fellow league Div 1 player Martyn Richards (K.G.) as well as 3rd division players Sirish Modi (BHS) and Jan Macdonald (Queens). Bob Garlick also made a guest appearance and progressed to the next round after a particularly impressive display against Peter. Sirish also qualified for the next round despite being pushed all the way by Jan mid-way through the group.
 
In the knockout rounds, names were drawn at random with players playing 1 set up to 21 from a headstart. In an All BHS quarter final. Prashanth Deverajappa took out Sirish Modi with the deciding point of the match. Celia Hooker defeated Bob Garlick and Jared Binner was beaten by Juri Artamonov. in an all Aldworth match, Patrick Garlick was given a tough task as Adrian Cole started 16-0 up and finished off the match 21-17 just as Patrick began to creep up.
 
In the semi finals Juri defeated Prashanth 21-18 after going well up at the half way stage despite a late charge from Prashanth. Adrian's 8-0 headstart over Celia was quickly eaten away as the pair drew level at 11-11. Hovever Adrian battled on and even crept ahead to 18-15 before Celia came back to finish off the game 21-19 for a place in the final.
 
It was obvious from the start that the handicaps between the 2 finalists would not work in Celia's favour as Juri comfortably stayed ahead by his 4 point starting margin throughout to take the title.
 
It was another great night enjoyed by all and it was good to see so many faces from different clubs and divisions on the same night. Hopefully we will be able to find another date later in the season where both Essex Road rooms are free for another competition.