After a fallow year for the Restricted in 2020 because of Covid restrictions, we were eventually able to hold the 2021 Restricted tournament at the Hertfordshire Sports Village over the weekend of 13/14 November 2021. 52 players from across the County took part, from teenagers to veterans, with 76 matches played.
In the men’s singles there were a staggering 19 entries so there were six boxes with the top player in each group going through to the quarter finals. In the final Zack Bobrowski met Zach Daniels, in a high quality, three setter with Zack Bobrowski eventually winning 21-12, 17-21, 21-4.
In the ladies singles there were seven entries with two boxes. Leona Lee and Abbie Smith won the groups and made it through it the final with Leona running out the winner, 21-8, 21-6.
There were 12 pairs in the men’s doubles split into four boxes. Ben Vrankovic and Harry Goode played Lyall and Zach Daniels in the final with Ben and Harry winning 21-17, 21-18.
There were two boxes of three in the ladies doubles with Natalie Barton and Abbie Smith meeting Jo and Molly Goode in the final. It was another close match which Natalie and Abbie eventually won 21-18, 21-17.
There were 11 pairs in the mixed doubles which were split into three boxes. Nick Ponting and Natalie Barton met Zach Daniels and Abbie Smith in the final and a close first game Nick and Natalie ran out winners 22-20, 21-7.
It was great to be able to run the tournament again, with all the matches played in the right spirit and everyone appeared to enjoy themselves. Many thanks to Paul Widdicombe and Simon Gouldstone for their help in running the tournament over the weekend.
Eddie Lintott
28 November 2021