Edinburgh Tournament 2018 - Day 3
The weather seems to have turned - a damp, drizzly morning but drier and some sunshine in the afternoon. The damp made the lawns slower, which caught the early birds out but they kindly warned those following, by which time the lawns were drying and getting faster.
The main event of the day was the handicap singles, events 6X (knock-out) and 6Y. There were 13 players and by the end of the day Hamish Duguid and Lorna Dewar emerged as the finalists for 6X, the final to be played later in the week. Some notable results showed just what can be achieved by the bisque system; for example Rachel Frith beat Graham Brightwell, John Campbell beat John-Paul Moberly +26, Brian Cosford also beat John-Paul +26 and finally Hamish Duguid beat Alan Wilson +26 with bisques left standing. Guess who complained to the chair of the Handicap Committee that the handicaps were all wrong. The Chair’s reply: “It must be yours that’s wrong, we can raise it if you like.” It’s also worth noting he’s playing with one of the so-called “bandits” in the doubles.
Other events saw David Lloyd beat the other three men in Event 2 (David Houston, Bob Darling and Allan Hawke) and David Houston beat Allan and Bob. Still some interesting matches to come on Thursday when the ladies join the fray (Lorna Dewar and Rosemary S Robertson).
One match was played in Event 4, Kathy Brown winning her block with 4 games out of 4. The other block will be played on Thursday.
In Event 3 (8+ handicaps) George Plant has won his block while in the other block Hamish Duguid and Kevin Wright are tied and will play off later in the week.
Finally in the Open Singles (no matches today) Jane Morrison has won 4 out of 5 games, but it’s still open as there are several new players scheduled to appear on Thursday. In fact Thursday looks like being a very watchable day all round.
But in the meantime we have Doubles Day on Wednesday. Relaxed and friendly, or bitter rivalry and old scores to settle? We shall see.
Just one handicap change: Graham Brightwell 2½.
Allan Hawke
