Feb2220182018-02-222019-11-060 Commentby Chris

Staunton and Woolford Claim National Titles

Nick Staunton and Rachel Woolford came through to win National Masters titles at the weekend in Manchester. Staunton faced twin brother Rob in the O45 final, a repeat of the Warwickshire 035 final in January, which Nick won 3-2 after a tense battle. Both brothers had caused major upsets on their way through, Nick beating top seed Mike Harris in a 5 game semi final, whilst Rob squeezed past 3/4 seed Jonathon Gilddon in the quarters before downing second seed Paul Boyle in 4 games at the semi final stage. The final itself could not have been any closer; Nick taking the first two games 12-10,12-10 before Rob fought back to tak the next two 11-8, 12-10. Nick managing to hold on in the fifth to repeat the scoreline of the County Champs.

Nick’s Road to the Final

Rd 1 – Bye

Rd 2 – Beat Justin Risley (CHS, 13-16) 11-8, 11-13, 11-2, 11-5

Quarter Final – Beat Matthew Stephenson (YKS, 5-8) 13-11, 11-7, 11-7

Semi Final – Beat Mike Harris (SPE, 1) 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4

Final – Beat Rob Staunton (WKS, 5-8) 12-10, 12-10, 8-11, 10-12, 11-8

Rob’s Road to the Final

Rd 1 – Bye

Rd 2 – Beat Julian Wilson (LNH, 9-12) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7

Quarter Final – Beat Jonathon Gliddon (DVN, 3/4) 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10

Semi Final – Beat Paul Boyle (BUX, 2) 7-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-9

Final – Lost to Nick Stauton (WKS, 3-4) 10-12, 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 8-11

Top seed in the women’s O50 event, Woolford was unlikely to have things all her own way amongst a strong field. She was pushed to 4 games in the quarters and edged a 15-13 win in the 5th against Sue Martin-Downhill in her semi-final. Saving her best for last she powered to victory against second seed Kay Fallows in straight games to claim the title.