SMTP – British Open

4th/5th January 2025

Once again, the Short Mat Players Tour returned to the York & District IBC to hold this years British Open Singles event – the largest event held within our county boundary with 192 individuals taking part. The players came mostly from the 4 home nations although there were also several entrants representing Norway, Sweden, and Belgium. All were initially drawn randomly into 32 groups of 6, with everyone playing each of the others in their group (5 games). The field included 11 NYSMBA registered players viz  – Chantal and Lawrence Ireland (Yoredale) Ken Taylor, Doug Simmonds and Peter Sayer (Stewart), Ian Ding, Jean Bridges and Pete Arthur (Wolds), Lawrence Moffatt (West Bay) and Rod and Jonathan Dawson (Easingwold).

The initial round robin round gave everyone 4 games on the Saturday with one more to be played on Sunday morning before the knockouts commenced.

However, the weather then intervened and the organizers took the decision early on Sunday to cancel Day2 to allow contestants to make their way home safely in the freezing and snowy conditions.

For our 11 players, the position at the end of Day1 was as follows.

Pete Sayer, Lawrence Moffat and Lawrence Ireland were all undefeated and with 4 wins were at the top of their group whilst Jean Bridges had won 3/4 and was lying second in her group. Ken Taylor, Rod Dawson and Pete Arthur had won 2 of their 4 whilst Jonathan Dawson and Ian Ding both had a single win. Chantal Ireland and Doug Simmonds unfortunately had failed to score.

A disappointing end for all concerned, but a wise one considering the journeys that many players would have to make to return home safely.