Thirty five players took part in 2016/17 season Closed Championships at Catton Grove Primary School and there was some real quality on show.

The holder Lauren Charles was unable to take part this year due to expecting a brother or sister for Sienna later in the year, leaving the door open for husband Neil as the number one seed.

However, unseeded Tony Zeqiri had other ideas and dispatched Neil to the side lines in five sets in the first semi final. The second seed Andrew Hawes was up against Ryan Collins in the second semi and after some sparkling play Andrew was the winner, also in five sets.

Andrew made no mistakes against Tony and won in three straight, and there was a new name on the trophy.

The men's Singles, an event for players with a scratch handicap or below (0-16) was a small entry and Ryan Moore (Foxwood) was the eventual winner beating Ben Richmond and Mark Trett on the way.

The ladies Singles, played on a round robin basis, was won by 12-year-old Ella Barnard.

In the over 40 veteran Singles saw Neil Charles in action again and this time he made no mistakes beating Andrew Hawes in three sets 9, 5, 9 having knocked out Russell King and Ben Thompson on the way.

Andrew beat Steve Stolworthy and Mats Olsson before capitulating to Neil.

The over 50 veteran Singles was won by Mats Olsson (CEYMS) as he beat Frank Hayward and Jamie McIntosh before meeting Russell King in the final. Russell beat Rysard Elgert, who had a bye into the semi final, before meeting club mate Mats in the final.

The Open Doubles saw some strong pairs with the Wensum pairing of Neil Charles and Ryan Collins beating the Foxwood pair of Andrew Hawes and Kevin Roper 9, 10,-10, -8,3 after some scintillating play.

The Handicap Singles was won by Ella Barnard (+12) playing Lewy Carby (-3) in the final.

A new event a One Point Challenge was popular and eventually won by Jamie McIntosh. Thanks go to Chris Cockburn for organising this.

Thank you's also to the Wensum Club for letting us use their premises and equipment and all the help in setting up and clearing away.