Northern Championships – how did we do?
The Northern Championships were once again held at the Y&D IBC over the 2nd weekend of the year (13th/14th January) using 16 mats on loan from the SMTP. The competition format remained as it has been for many years with 32 qualifiers from across the 7 northern counties taking part in each of the 4 main disciplines. The event was organized and run by the NESMBA Competition Secretary, Andy Miles and his wife Barbara.
The NYSMBA was represented by 4 Singles, 4 Pairs, 5 Triples and 6 Fours.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
FOURS
Lee Toleman, Danny Langdon, Callum Malone, Steve Packer
David Newsome, David Brown, Steve Duffin, Daniel Agar
Chris Prendergast, Lawrence & Chantel Ireland, Judith Fearns
Matthew Jackson, Les & Margaret Lambert, Caroline Harris
Joseph, Danielle & Jill Newsome and James Clark
Ian & Betty Ding, Helen Hurling and John Drew
Since the start of these Championships in 1993, records show that North Yorkshire teams have figured in 15 Finals and have produced 7 winners. So hopes are always high that we can do well. This year 4 of our 6 teams failed to make it past the initial round robin stage of 3 matches but a disappointing start did not mean a disappointing finish. David Newsome’s rink reached the Semi Finals whilst Lee’s four went all the way to win the Final against last year Champions from Stockport and clock up our 8th win in this discipline. 
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
SINGLES
Pete Sayer, Lee Toleman, Danny Langdon, David Brown
The North has produced some top drawer Singles players over the years and these include 6 winners and 4 runners-up from our county. It remains the most challenging competition to excel at requiring not only skill across the full range of shots but the mental application to persevere when the going gets tough and you have no-one to help you. All 4 of the above started well and reached the KO stage (last 16) although Pete then ended his day. David, in his first attempt at this discipline, reached the Q Finals whilst Lee, (who was the National Champion in 2010) reached the Semis. Danny, who already has wins in 2017, 2020 to his credit could not make it a third and bowed out in the Final against Stockport’s Peter Roberts (currently World No1 in the SMPT rankings).
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
PAIRS
Lee Toleman and Callum Malone Matthew Jackson and David Hunton
Lawrence & Chantel Ireland Danny Langdon and Steve Duffin
We have never excelled in the Pairs, although North Yorkshire names do appear twice on the trophy and we have been beaten in the Final in 5 other years. This year 3 of our 4 made the knockouts at which point Danny/Steve said goodbye. Matthew and Dave went a stage further but lost their Q Final match, whilst Lee/Callum reached the Final only to come up against Stockport’s man of the championships, Peter Roberts and his father. This would be Peter’s 3rd title over the weekend….very impressive,
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
TRIPLES
Lee Toleman, Danny Langdon and Callum Malone
Heather & Neil Robertson and Rhona Worley
Steve Packer, James Clark and Steve Duffin
Alan & Pat Banthorpe and Gill Fletcher
Brenda Benson, Margaret Lambert and Caroline Harris
In the last 11 years, the triples have been dominated by West Yorkshire with 7 wins and Stockport with 3. We have only ever had one win (2018). This year 2 of our teams were eliminated after the round robin and another in their first knockout match. Heather’s trio did well to reach the Q Finals and Lee and co. reached the last 4.
————————————————————————————————————————
In the overall County Shield we came 2nd with 19 points, just 1 point behind the winners, Stockport. West Yorkshire were 3rd with 12 points and Staffs 4th with 4 – whilst Derbyshire, Durham and Humberside scored 2, 1 and 1 respectively. (We have only ever won this trophy twice although this is now our 9th runners up slot).
————————————————————————————————————————————————–
