VETTS Northern Masters Blackpool. 13th/14th March 2010

[Chopfloat]

This week-end it's Blackpool's turn to host some of our veteran 3T'ers. The ones that I know for sure who are going are: Moneypenny, Jim the Greek, NeilMc, Trottski, Nick, Fatboy,Alex and Val and yourstruly. I should think that Linda and HairBear will also be in attendance along with Doug Bartle and Mark Land.
I've seen the draw as yet, so don't know any details regarding up and coming tussles. But there is normally a good turnout, so will expect some reports from our competing members.
Looking forward to a week-end of pleasant persiflage and bonding badinage; and maybe a couple of decent games.:joker:

[Dave Robson]

Im actually going myself Jimmy

[Chopfloat]

Ok Dave, will see you there. Are Tony and Shirley going? Normally the draw is out by now and you can see who's who. But it seems late this year. Karen must still be putting the lights up! Could be an illuminating week-end methinks.

[Dave Robson]

Ive not seen the draw but Tony and Shirley are going down.............. im not on till 10.30 ish so going down Saturday morning

[Trottski]

I've been mailed the draw in an excel spreadsheet, anyone want it? Choppy is in my 40's group!

[Annie]

I've been mailed the draw in an excel spreadsheet, anyone want it? Choppy is in my 40's group!

That must be a mistake then!

:tomato:

[Dave Robson]

Mail me the draw Andy

[Trottski]

Mailed

[Jim The Greek]

Mailed
thanks andy can you send it to me please. stamasj@hotmail.com

[Chopfloat]

No mistake Annie. Mr.Trott kindly let me know of my misfortune, with, I did detect, a slight smirk.:happy:
My life has been dealt another crushing blow,
And once again my spirit could be broken.
I have to play Trottski at the Blackpool show,
So these few words are softly spoken:
:redcard::redcard::redcard:
I just couldn't say what I really want to!
Hey, Nick pop down to the Wine warehouse and get a couple of bottles of plonk, I have a cunning plan!

[Linda]

I think there is a few bradford league players going Dave Renton, Jim Ferry, Neil Harris, John Stones etc but i think they may be going for the night life rather than the tt. We are all staying in the Hilton so see you all there

ps- how come Trottski has the draw in advance of publication???? has he friends in high places!!!!

would like to see the draw if anyone got it

[Annie]

Choppy...........Ya know I luvs ya really :kiss:

And Nick! Just make sure you find a good hiding place for the wine cos there's a Linda about probably still waving her empty trophy around! :whistling:

Gutted I can't be there myself but someone's gotta stay here and look after the place. :cry1:Besides..........Wiggey would miss me. :happy:

[Chopfloat]

I think there is a few bradford league players going Dave Renton, Jim Ferry, Neil Harris, John Stones etc but i think they may be going for the night life rather than the tt. We are all staying in the Hilton so see you all there

ps- how come Trottski has the draw in advance of publication???? has he friends in high places!!!!

would like to see the draw if anyone got it
Hi Linda, if you ask the mighty Trottski nicely I'm sure he'll send you a copy.
You have:Denise McEvoy, Audrey Robinson and Terri McKeon in your group.
Lynne has:Teresa Devaney, Jan Hodgetts and Jenny in hers.

Looking forward to seeing you all in the Hilton. Just had an email from John A., so will appreciate any goss about him.
Bring some wine for Trottski, I need to render him incapable for Saturday.:joker:

[Dave Robson]

i will post the draw by pdf tonight guys be patient

[Dave Robson]

ok ........... full pdf

446 (http://www.tabletennistalk.co.uk/forum/table/draw.pdf)

Or a quick view of 40 Mens

447

or 40 Womens

448

[Linda]

Hi Linda, if you ask the mighty Trottski nicely I'm sure he'll send you a copy.
You have:Denise McEvoy, Audrey Robinson and Terri McKeon in your group.
Lynne has:Teresa Devaney, Jan Hodgetts and Jenny in hers.

Looking forward to seeing you all in the Hilton. Just had an email from John A., so will appreciate any goss about him.
Bring some wine for Trottski, I need to render him incapable for Saturday.:joker:

Hi
just played a match with mr Ainley against Rod Hullah and Stuart Sykes do you know them???

[Billy Boy]

Good luck to everyone attending blackpool this weekend,hope you enjoy the tt and the social.

me thinks it might be a bit chilly for a paddle mindya.

good luck jim just go out there and enjoy it .

see you at crawley.

[Chopfloat]

Cheers Mark.
It will be interesting to see how a certain Mr. J for John Hilton will fare this w/e!
He's down for 3 singles events, 40's, 50's and 60's. He's no.2 seed in the 40's, 3 seed in the 50's, and no.1 seed in the 60's. What odds on a treble?

[Dave Robson]

100 - 1 ............

[JohnFairweather]

THe Groups Draw is on the VETTS website.

[Billy Boy]

Cheers Mark.
It will be interesting to see how a certain Mr. J for John Hilton will fare this w/e!
He's down for 3 singles events, 40's, 50's and 60's. He's no.2 seed in the 40's, 3 seed in the 50's, and no.1 seed in the 60's. What odds on a treble?


He'll do well towin all three depends on fitness,i reckon if he wins one it will be the60's

[Dave Robson]

or the 70's

[ChrisAngus]

john hilton quite usefull then!!!

[Barry White]

Just seen Jimmy with Trotty heading for the bar in Blackpool. Early start at 5.30.

[Barry White]

Great weekend. Good to put faces to even more forum members. Dave I am missing the unread thread section. Had to search for this one. I am sure many others feel the changes are difficult to keep up with. It wont put me off. I will keep posting.

[Wiggy63]

:cry1:Besides..........Wiggey would miss me. :happy:
I would if you'd spell me right, less of the 'e's its wiggy (been passed down for generations it has)

[Big TC]

Great weekend. Good to put faces to even more forum members. Dave I am missing the unread thread section. Had to search for this one. I am sure many others feel the changes are difficult to keep up with. It wont put me off. I will keep posting.

Any news on who won what?

[HarryBelafonte]

Eddy always the bridesmaid never the bride,lost in 4 to keith williams..

[Dave Robson]

Kieth was playing well............. i lost Eddie in quarters in 4.......

Id have rather played williams.......... styles etc

[Chopfloat]

:happy:Excellence weekend, renewing old friendships and forging newer ones.
I can't remember all the winners. Here's the ones that I can.
40's mens: Keith Williams, 50's mens Keith Williams.
40's Ladies: Sue Collier, 50's Ladies, Jan Johns.
60's, not too sure, think Brian Clements(mens), Eileen Shaler (Ladies).
70's was a round robin, again unsure:Tom Adams(?)
80's has to be the one and only Les D'Arcy.:star:
I would imagine that Trottski will be dipping his quill into the inkwell and scribbling a few syallabaries for our consumption, so therefore I won't comment too much on the shenanigans of our fellow 3T'ers. Only to say it could be a long one.

On a personal note: I finish 3rd in my 40's group and had the great pleasure of being Trottski's lackey, well I say lackey, as all I seemed to do was pick up the ball for him and throw it back!( I never knew how tidy he is until now)
In the 50's I finish 2nd in my group so went into the main draw and I reached the quarters by playing only 1 match! 2 scratched, I won one and then had another bout of picking the ball up, this time for Brian(I love choppers) Johns.
I also must mention John Hilton, who came to win 3 titles, played his groups on the Saturday. Then on the Sunday, started his attempt in the 40's, lost to Darren Griffin in the quarters, packed his bags and off he went.
Never mind John, there's always next year!
And there is the spectre of bat tampering to discuss! But I think that I should put that on another thread.

[Big TC]

And there is the spectre of bat tampering to discuss! But I think that I should put that on another thread.[/SIZE]


Come on Choppy spill the beans!!!!!

and how did you do in the 40's consolation?

[Chopfloat]

Hi Terry, see other thread for bat tampering. 40's consolation, lost to Gordon 'good boy' Shaw. He ended up with 3 N.E. scalps hanging from his belt!

[Trottski]

Kiss me Quick It's the Blackpool Masters!

After the freezing Jan and Feb a mild march and a medium size entry for the latest Vetts Event the Northern Masters at Blackpool. Some old faces returned for this one as John Hiton played his first Vetts event for 5 years and Eddie Herrity finally sobered up after the Midland Masters in October.

The silver surfer was missing and is apparently still stuck face down in the wardbrobe in Norwich, whilst British League was the preference of several other regulars. Smith, Hilton, Williams and Trott were the top seeds for the forties, but Trott knew he had as much chance of winning as either the Surfer or Jimmy “I’m playing well I won 5 out of 4 last nite” Scope, after coming down with a nasty case of lager on the knee.

An early arrival and after an early inspection of the Yorkshire lasses bedrooms (it’s compulsory apparently if you want to stay in the drinking club) it was off to meet Welsh legend (and fellow Welsman **** taker) George “Alrite And?” Evans and partner in crime Fiery Foxy Fowler. After a couple of liveners (orange juice for Mr Scope) we were joined by Jousting Nick Heaps
Before retiring back to the Hilton for a buffet and more beer. By now a disgraceful Linda was safely tucked up in bed (before 9.30pm) and she has since announced her retirement from life as we know it.
Well there was a nightclub downstairs and accompanied by the three stooges or was it Dave (Bowles) , Dozy (Heaps), and Titch (Gelder, no we won’t tell Shirley Tony!) ) we passed away a few more hours before bedtime. After a 2am bedtime, roommate and early to bed Scope decided 6am was a good time to get up and off he went in search of more orange juice.

Forties groups first and Scopes, Noutch and Green awaited Trott. Trott was struggling moving sideways (I know what’s new they all said) but accounted for his three opponents comfortably. He was even described by one observer, when playing scopes, as like a cat toying with it’s food (and no please don’t call Mr Scope Mickey Mouse from now on). Mickey (or Minnie) had a close encounter with Steve Green but over-attacked at the vital moments and allowed Steve through as group runner up 3-1. Heaps was flowing now and after nearly falling over his feet and knocking out the umpire with his serving arm, he won 7 from 9 to advance in all three competitions (60’s, 70’s and fancy dress). Neil Harris, fresh was winning the Idle Working Mens Club/Police Station over 50’s singles, had a good win against Wayne Percival to top his group and Scopey recovered to advance in the 50’s, mainly thanks to Bamboozling technical coaching guru Barry “Moves like White” Turner.

Doubles next and Trott teamed up with partner number 7 Jimmy Walsh (Alsop, Cardwell, Kerry, Smith, Roper, Trumpauskas being the 6 other unfortunates) and immediately it was 2 nil to the steady slow looping retrievers Lewis and Land. Jimmy was struggling somewhat with Ivan’s no spin forehand , but a more aggressive approach levelled the match at 2-2 before the 5th ebbed and flowed. Both pairs tried to throw it away until Trott/Walsh prevailed 14-12. Next up was Clint Ruin (Clinton) and Yorkshire’s Ray Winstone (Madden). Easy this 2-0 up and 5 nets or edges in the third to lead 8-3 with the final beckoning, don’t relax Jimbo. Well we both went limp like dead fish and the Yorkies were back 2-2 and nip and tuck in the fifth. Match points to both sides but finally Clinton and Madden through 16-14, which on reflection was poor from us but on the flipside we should probably have lost the first round. Well three yorkies in the final as Neil Harris partnered Chris Bartram to a 3-1 win over Clinton/Madden as their greater understanding as a pair made all the difference. Off to the bar next and at least 3 pints were required to sit through the turgid Rugby and the bore draw with Scotland. Trott had a dilemma, knowing that the singles participation was unlikely should he throw caution to the wind and go for the allnight bender (not a good idea given recent mixed form and the danger of upsetting Sue C ) or go for the steady and relaxed option. A bit of both perhaps and a couple of bottles of red wine with dinner and an interesting tale from Susie Hughes regarding nighties, knickers, fireman, policeman, stepladders and perhaps not surprisingly Jo Kennedy, it would take too long to go through it in “Susie like” detail. The next stop was a highly recommended (by Susie!) karaoke pub so off we toddled (I had to use that word we had Dave Bowles with us) to find the said pub empty. This didn’t last long as Bartle, Bear and little legs (no not a kids TV programme) soon appeared, followed by a splattering (Chase and Jackson) of scousers but still no sign of anyone singing. Well it was late and we went back to the hotel bar to see some even stranger sights and I left the diminutive Bowles with a couple of Cougars grandmothers.

Well Sunday was hazy, my roommate went for another early start , he was keen and happy as he’d qualified for the 50’s main draw I turned up the worse for wear lied to Sue that I was feeling fine and off we went for the mixed. Steve Green and Jan Johns were up first and all ends were quite close with Jan not quite picking her ex mixed partners serves. Up next was the McEvoy family and despite Mal trying something quite rude with his wife in the middle of the 2nd leg we were through 3-0. Bartram and Jackie Williams in the final and this was plain sailing 8-1 up in the first to lose easily 11-9, not quite sure what happened. Anyway more bad news in the 2nd as 7-2 but this became an easy 11-8 win, only for the third to go 8-1 down and then win 11-9. I couldn’t at this stage work out who was playing well! Any way leg 4 we went 9-0 up and surely we couldn’t lose, thankfully not as we camne through 11-1. The leg was bad by now and so I scratched from the singles and watched was close range as Mr Hilton dismantled Steve Green and looked good for a semi place as he led 5-1 at ends against Darren Griffin. Darren played well , but John made several uncharacteristic unforced errors to go down 11-9 and then scratched from the 50’s and 60’s. Keith Williams then dismantled everyone Land (conqueror of Jimmy Walsh), Griffin and then Smith 3-1 in the final. Best game of the day was probably Smith versus Bartram in the semi with Chris unlucky to lose. At 6-4 up in the fifth and serving he was victim to a brilliant backhand block and then a run around down the line loop from Smith (who’s bat seemed faster than usual) to go down 11-8, but no disgrace.

The drive back took forever and the clock on the Glassware for winning the mixed didn’t work, but another enjoyable weekend.

[Dave Robson]

The reporter gets some rep !

Still as contraversial and entertaining as ever.

[Chopfloat]

Another fine example of penmanship, Trottwood!
As I recall, I only woke you at 6o'clock, to ask you what time you did want to get up!