This game was always going to be a good one to watch, with both players covering the court well and competing in our ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams this season; Rich started on -2 handicap and Prash on 0. A two-point difference at the start, and 10 minutes later . . . a 2-point difference at the end. Rich claiming the victory with a 21-19 scoreline to progress to round two.

With Daniel taking part in his first Skillcentre tournament and Tracy having won previous competitions within the police league, this game was set to be a good one. A four-point difference in Tracy’s favour to start with, Tracy showed determination to succeed and did just that by clinching the win with a 21-14 scoreline.

With both players’ handicaps cancelling each other out, it was a level playing field when starting out at love all. However, this was the only time it was level and for every point Martin scored, John seemed to get three. Final Score being 21–7 to the ever-experienced John who progresses to the next round.

A battle of one man who hopes the shuttle comes to him and another man who is so quick around the court he often beats the shuttle! Which option is best suited to the game of singles between Somesh and Simon!? With only one point difference in their handicaps it was virtually level and after many good rallies, Somesh won the game 21-17 to claim his place in the quarter finals.

With Myles now taking part in his first game of the competition thus far and Robertas progressing through as one of the highest losers and starting with a plus four handicap in this game. Myles reeled in the handicap and progressed point by point to claim the victory 21-12.

A police battle was on the cards in this fixture with Aaron progressing through also as a highest loser status to take on Richard who won his round one game on the same evening. With Rich starting on -2; the fresher legs of Aaron seemed to make advantage of this and he defeated Richard 21–8.

The first of two females to progress through from round one, Tracy now takes on ‘B’ teamer Prash and they start with a nine point difference in their handicaps. But this was no trouble for Prash who pulled that nine points back and then progressed on to take the game 21-15 and book his place in the next round.

With both of these players progressing through as ‘highest losers’ from round one, it was another chance for one of these to get a place in the quarter finals. Rachel started the game with a six point lead and only had to score 15 points in order to be the only female in the next round. It was point by point and the game couldn’t be any closer as it approached the final stages. So much so it reached 20-all and with no setting it was next point wins. Rachel claimed the next point and won the game 21-20.

John took battle once again looking to make a name for himself being the only over 70 still left in the competition. In an attempt to show age was only a number he took on ‘Smashing Somesh’ who will thunderbolt a smash back down at you at around 70 miles per hour! John started the game with a four point advantage and the match finished with a four point advantage, the downside for John it went Somesh’s way, 21-17 being the final scoreline. It is worth noting even after a high scoring game there was STILL NO SWEAT coming from John . . . I don’t know how he does it!

A singles match between these two happens quite often at the end of a clubnight at the dome so they both know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Myles started the game with a two point lead and there were many good rallies in this one but one of our highest losers from the first round, Aaron, took the victory to book his place in the semi-final with a 21-17 scoreline.

With both Prash and Rachel having already lost their round one games; this was a chance for one of these to progress into the semi finals. Rachel started the game with a plus seven lead and Prash couldn’t find much of a way through this with Rachel taking the overall game 21-16.

With this game being Jason’s first singles of the night having played his previous three games a week prior, he brought his own crowd to clap and cheer him on from the sidelines with Alison and dad Kelvin watching on. Taking on ‘Smashing Somesh’ would Jason’s movement give him the upper hand over Somesh’s bullets?! With Jason starting the game six points less than Somesh he reeled those six points in no time and then accelerated away to take the game 21-8 and book his place in the final. Technically 28-7 before the handicaps were enforced!

Once again this match was between two people who were technically knocked out in round one having lost but re-instated as a highest loser and now one of these ‘losers’ were about to book their place in the grand final of this year’s singles competition. Rachel started the game 7 points to the good and after many long rallies, Aaron was picking this point deficit off to get back to being level. From there he stepped it up a gear and he needed to do just that with the game approaching the end this was still anyone’s game. Point by point, 20-all came and it was next point wins. Aaron held his nerve, winning 21-20. Without the handicaps, 21-13 would have been the scoreline.

The final of the Skillcentre cardiac cup commenced; defib at the ready and Jason started the game with a minus 7 handicap compared with Aaron on 0. The first game was heavily contested, tournament favourite Jason slowly reeling in Aaron’s lead but this was no one-sided battle with both players coming out on top during the many long intense rallies. Heart rates were rising both on and off the courts, could an upset be on the cards? But Jason took the first game with a 21-17 scoreline (28-17 without the handicaps!).

After a quick drink (non-alcoholic only!), rest (mainly for Aaron . . . ) and a chat to their coaches the players took their positions back on court for the second game. Jason knowing he is one victory away from lifting the trophy, Aaron knowing he must win this one to be in for a chance. The game quickly came and went, with many rallies but most being won by Jason in the end and he took the victory with a convincing 21-8 scoreline (28-8 without the handicaps!).