Midlands Open 2023
The Midlands Backgammon Open 2023 was a huge success and 64 players came together for the weekend to battle their way for the coveted Birmingham Bull Trophies.
In the Main Radu Ciortan took the champions spot by beating the current holder Steve Bibby , both players now have won two bulls so they can use them as bookends!
Julia Hayward pipped David Sanders to the post in the final of the consolation.
The Moseley Cup saw Nick Dawson beat Rachel Rhodes.
In the Speedgammon Jeff Bale triumphed against Marius Marin.
Martin Tatlow and the aptly named Peter Bull shone for Birmingham by beating Radu Ciortan and Aniel Ciobanu in the Doubles.
Richard Carter was defeated by Marius Marin in the Friday night warmup.
Thank you to the organisers Matthew Fisher and Alex Ward always a giggle being your side kick and Peter Hodson and his son Tom for making my vision of lots of bulls come true!
Biggest thanks to everyone who attended and made it a wonderful weekend despite all the hard luck double 6 stories, we hope to see you all again next year - Michele
Main
Winner Radu Ciortan
Finalist Steve Bibby
Consolation
Winner Julia Hayward
Finalist David Sanders
Last Chance
Winner Nick Dawson
Finalist Rachel Rhodes
Speed Gammon Cup
Winner Jeff Bale
Finalist Marius Marin
Saturday Night Doubles
Winner Martin Tatlow & Peter Bull
Finalist Radu Ciortan & Aniel Ciobanu
Friday Night Warm-up
Winner Marius Marin
Finalist Richard Carter
In the Main Radu Ciortan took the champions spot by beating the current holder Steve Bibby , both players now have won two bulls so they can use them as bookends!
Julia Hayward pipped David Sanders to the post in the final of the consolation.
The Moseley Cup saw Nick Dawson beat Rachel Rhodes.
In the Speedgammon Jeff Bale triumphed against Marius Marin.
Martin Tatlow and the aptly named Peter Bull shone for Birmingham by beating Radu Ciortan and Aniel Ciobanu in the Doubles.
Richard Carter was defeated by Marius Marin in the Friday night warmup.
Thank you to the organisers Matthew Fisher and Alex Ward always a giggle being your side kick and Peter Hodson and his son Tom for making my vision of lots of bulls come true!
Biggest thanks to everyone who attended and made it a wonderful weekend despite all the hard luck double 6 stories, we hope to see you all again next year - Michele
Main
Winner Radu Ciortan
Finalist Steve Bibby
Consolation
Winner Julia Hayward
Finalist David Sanders
Last Chance
Winner Nick Dawson
Finalist Rachel Rhodes
Speed Gammon Cup
Winner Jeff Bale
Finalist Marius Marin
Saturday Night Doubles
Winner Martin Tatlow & Peter Bull
Finalist Radu Ciortan & Aniel Ciobanu
Friday Night Warm-up
Winner Marius Marin
Finalist Richard Carter
Midlands Open 2022
This year's Midlands Open was generously sponsored by Guy Haslam’s Bone Club who donated a £500 voucher and beautiful board.
The tournament was organised and run by the marvellous Matthew Fisher and ably assisted by Alex Ward and myself MdH.
The format was a progressive Swiss that the players appeared to enjoy.
It was held at our Birmingham club so there was a good showing of our local players some of whom were attending their first tournament.
The players were met with a gift of honey and a hug; provided with lovely food throughout the weekend by the Moseley Club ladies Ann and Stephanie. Alex organised a delicious local balti Saturday evening.
Everyone commented on the warm friendly atmosphere…. happy flowers everywhere and the trophies elicited much comment and admiration.
Local players that attended;
David Pritchard, Richard Carter, Dave Clifton,
Mike Wood, Mark Smyth , Peter Hodson, Paul Hunt, Steve Moxley, Steven Peers, Martin Tatlow,
Geoff Hall, Mike Eyre, Katharine McMaster, Janet Cornthwaite, Oliver Galgut, Laurraine Swan, Shof Miah, Uldis Lapikens.
Dave Pritchard, Paul Hunt and Uldis Lapikens reached the playoffs.
Mark Smyth and Steve Peers qualified for the last 16 and Steve Moxley progressed to the quarterfinals.
David Clifton finished in the final 8 of the consolation and a special mention to Shof Miah our newest and least experienced player who went through to the final 16 of the Bone Club Cup.
Richard Carter and Steve Peers were both finalist’s in the Speedgammon and Bone Club Cup respectively. They are proud owners of the coveted Birmingham Bull Trophy.
The big upset of the weekend came from an unlikely source; The slaying of our ‘Goliath’ aka Geoff Hall … by our diminutive ‘David’ Janet Cornthwaite not only once but TWICE.
…. And now for the winners of the weekend starting with the Friday night Warm-up
Simon Jones was the winner but desperately sad not to receive a Bull trophy, this oversight will be corrected. Jeff Bale was runner-up.
The Midland Open 2022 Champion is none other than local boy and Honorary Birmingham Club member Daniel Rovira beating David Nathan in a tense and exciting match both playing to excellent PR’s.
The Consolation final featured last year’s Champion Steve Bibby and the talented Jamie MacPherson in another thrilling match with only seconds left on the clock, Steve Bibby was triumphant.
The Bone Club Trophy was won by the redoubtable Radu Ciortan with his usual panache beating our very strong local chap Steve Peers.
Jeff Bale who seemed to feature all over the place was victorious in the Speedgammon against our very own ‘wunderkind’ Richard Carter.
Finally the Doubles defending champions John Georgiou and Maz Andy Maszlag lost to the charming Chris Roger’s and talented David Nathan who left Birmingham with a pair of Bulls!
Thank you all for your participation and we are looking forward to seeing you next year.
Main
Winner Daniel Rovira
Finalist David Nathan
Third & Fourth Richard McQuillan & Alex Polden
Consolation
Winner Steve Bibby
Finalist Jamie MacPherson
Third & Fourth Ian Gwynne & Radu Ciortan
Bone Club Cup
Winner Radu Ciortan
Finalist Steve Peers
Speed Gammon Cup
Winner Jeff Bale
Finalist Richard Carter
Saturday Night Doubles
Winner David Nathan & Chris Rogers
Finalist John Georgiou & Maz Maszlag
Friday Night Warm-up
Winner Simon Jones
Finalist Jeff Bale
The tournament was organised and run by the marvellous Matthew Fisher and ably assisted by Alex Ward and myself MdH.
The format was a progressive Swiss that the players appeared to enjoy.
It was held at our Birmingham club so there was a good showing of our local players some of whom were attending their first tournament.
The players were met with a gift of honey and a hug; provided with lovely food throughout the weekend by the Moseley Club ladies Ann and Stephanie. Alex organised a delicious local balti Saturday evening.
Everyone commented on the warm friendly atmosphere…. happy flowers everywhere and the trophies elicited much comment and admiration.
Local players that attended;
David Pritchard, Richard Carter, Dave Clifton,
Mike Wood, Mark Smyth , Peter Hodson, Paul Hunt, Steve Moxley, Steven Peers, Martin Tatlow,
Geoff Hall, Mike Eyre, Katharine McMaster, Janet Cornthwaite, Oliver Galgut, Laurraine Swan, Shof Miah, Uldis Lapikens.
Dave Pritchard, Paul Hunt and Uldis Lapikens reached the playoffs.
Mark Smyth and Steve Peers qualified for the last 16 and Steve Moxley progressed to the quarterfinals.
David Clifton finished in the final 8 of the consolation and a special mention to Shof Miah our newest and least experienced player who went through to the final 16 of the Bone Club Cup.
Richard Carter and Steve Peers were both finalist’s in the Speedgammon and Bone Club Cup respectively. They are proud owners of the coveted Birmingham Bull Trophy.
The big upset of the weekend came from an unlikely source; The slaying of our ‘Goliath’ aka Geoff Hall … by our diminutive ‘David’ Janet Cornthwaite not only once but TWICE.
…. And now for the winners of the weekend starting with the Friday night Warm-up
Simon Jones was the winner but desperately sad not to receive a Bull trophy, this oversight will be corrected. Jeff Bale was runner-up.
The Midland Open 2022 Champion is none other than local boy and Honorary Birmingham Club member Daniel Rovira beating David Nathan in a tense and exciting match both playing to excellent PR’s.
The Consolation final featured last year’s Champion Steve Bibby and the talented Jamie MacPherson in another thrilling match with only seconds left on the clock, Steve Bibby was triumphant.
The Bone Club Trophy was won by the redoubtable Radu Ciortan with his usual panache beating our very strong local chap Steve Peers.
Jeff Bale who seemed to feature all over the place was victorious in the Speedgammon against our very own ‘wunderkind’ Richard Carter.
Finally the Doubles defending champions John Georgiou and Maz Andy Maszlag lost to the charming Chris Roger’s and talented David Nathan who left Birmingham with a pair of Bulls!
Thank you all for your participation and we are looking forward to seeing you next year.
Main
Winner Daniel Rovira
Finalist David Nathan
Third & Fourth Richard McQuillan & Alex Polden
Consolation
Winner Steve Bibby
Finalist Jamie MacPherson
Third & Fourth Ian Gwynne & Radu Ciortan
Bone Club Cup
Winner Radu Ciortan
Finalist Steve Peers
Speed Gammon Cup
Winner Jeff Bale
Finalist Richard Carter
Saturday Night Doubles
Winner David Nathan & Chris Rogers
Finalist John Georgiou & Maz Maszlag
Friday Night Warm-up
Winner Simon Jones
Finalist Jeff Bale
Midlands Open 2021
Michele De Havilland writes:
A wonderful weekend of backgammon hosted by Shaun Goode, Matthew Fisher and Alex Ward at the Moseley Club.
Congratulations to Steve Bibby who continuing his magnificent success at the UK Open, pipped Paul Plumptre to the post to win the Main title!
Congratulations to the Consolation winner Geoff Hall and runner up Mike Eyre, for whom this was a magnificent achievement in first live tournament!
The Doubles final went to the wire with a narrow victory for Maz Maszlag and the irrepressible John Georgiou over our Geoff and the very talented Reece Hodges.
Well done to Dave Pritchard, Geoff Hall and Peter Hodson for reaching the last 16.
Thank you to all the competitors who made this a challenging, serious but most of all fun tournament.
A wonderful weekend of backgammon hosted by Shaun Goode, Matthew Fisher and Alex Ward at the Moseley Club.
Congratulations to Steve Bibby who continuing his magnificent success at the UK Open, pipped Paul Plumptre to the post to win the Main title!
Congratulations to the Consolation winner Geoff Hall and runner up Mike Eyre, for whom this was a magnificent achievement in first live tournament!
The Doubles final went to the wire with a narrow victory for Maz Maszlag and the irrepressible John Georgiou over our Geoff and the very talented Reece Hodges.
Well done to Dave Pritchard, Geoff Hall and Peter Hodson for reaching the last 16.
Thank you to all the competitors who made this a challenging, serious but most of all fun tournament.
UK Open 2021
Michele De Havilland writes:
What an amazing and wonderful weekend at the 2021 UK Open.
Our modest and very own Super Hero Richard Carter triumphed in the Super Jackpot, an event that requires extra special courage and underpants over your trousers!🏆
The Intermediates finals were littered with with a strong Birmingham presence - Mark Smyth was in the final of the Main. I (Michele De Havilland) won the Intermediate Consolation.
Alex Ward and Peter Hodson were the finalists in the Intermediate Grange Cup, where Alex came away with her first ‘live’ winners trophy and Peter added yet another piece of silverware to his cabinet.
Quietly battling away in the background our brilliant and inscrutable Mr. David Pritchard amazing us all with his success in the Speed Gammon.
We had a ‘Midland’ ‘boot’ in each camp provided by Geoff Hall and his doubles partner Reece Hodges, the up and coming sensation from the Worcester club.
Jason Champion lived up to his name and beat me in the final of the Warm-up!
Congratulations to the Tournament Directors Shaun Goode, Kevin Jones and Sean Jones and a special mention to Mark Calderbank for making sure I handed in my results correctly.
The event from our side was very efficient and most of all great fun!
Matthew Fisher,Dave Clifton,Mike Woods and Fak Laight were also in Leamington making it the most enjoyable of events …It would be lovely to see more of our Birmingham players attend next year many of whom are more than capable of succeeding! Photos and results page are below; full results at http://msc27.me.uk/uko2021/
What an amazing and wonderful weekend at the 2021 UK Open.
Our modest and very own Super Hero Richard Carter triumphed in the Super Jackpot, an event that requires extra special courage and underpants over your trousers!🏆
The Intermediates finals were littered with with a strong Birmingham presence - Mark Smyth was in the final of the Main. I (Michele De Havilland) won the Intermediate Consolation.
Alex Ward and Peter Hodson were the finalists in the Intermediate Grange Cup, where Alex came away with her first ‘live’ winners trophy and Peter added yet another piece of silverware to his cabinet.
Quietly battling away in the background our brilliant and inscrutable Mr. David Pritchard amazing us all with his success in the Speed Gammon.
We had a ‘Midland’ ‘boot’ in each camp provided by Geoff Hall and his doubles partner Reece Hodges, the up and coming sensation from the Worcester club.
Jason Champion lived up to his name and beat me in the final of the Warm-up!
Congratulations to the Tournament Directors Shaun Goode, Kevin Jones and Sean Jones and a special mention to Mark Calderbank for making sure I handed in my results correctly.
The event from our side was very efficient and most of all great fun!
Matthew Fisher,Dave Clifton,Mike Woods and Fak Laight were also in Leamington making it the most enjoyable of events …It would be lovely to see more of our Birmingham players attend next year many of whom are more than capable of succeeding! Photos and results page are below; full results at http://msc27.me.uk/uko2021/
Success by the Sea in Brighton
Peter Hodson came third in the Intermediates at the Brighton Summer Open. Instead of trophies, winners were awarded prints of a specially commissioned painting; a re-imagining of a real-life Chouette played at the Cyprus tournament, complete with 'The Beast', beavers and raccoons. The tournament was a great success and had a very international vibe, with players from the USA, Sweden, Norway and Germany to name but a few. Full results are below:
Masters: https://challonge.com/dwcmub1c…
Intermediates: https://challonge.com/ouq8sey7…
Peter Hodson came third in the Intermediates at the Brighton Summer Open. Instead of trophies, winners were awarded prints of a specially commissioned painting; a re-imagining of a real-life Chouette played at the Cyprus tournament, complete with 'The Beast', beavers and raccoons. The tournament was a great success and had a very international vibe, with players from the USA, Sweden, Norway and Germany to name but a few. Full results are below:
Masters: https://challonge.com/dwcmub1c…
Intermediates: https://challonge.com/ouq8sey7…
Birmingham at the UK Clubs Championships
Team captain Matthew Fisher writes:
Fantastic effort by the new lad and lasses to the dance!!!
Michele as a late arrival to individual competition on the Saturday ended up winning the Last Chance beating our Peter in the final. What great play by both of them. Then on Sunday our newest comer to the game Cathy played really well winning on two matches and showed great spirit. In fact it was the most experienced of the team who could only win by default!
Though we did not come back with a trophy, we were there for Birmingham and had an enjoyable day all round and it could only have happened with Cathy, Michele, Pete and Mike giving their time, thank you.
Here's to next year's tournament maybe we could go with two or three teams!
Team captain Matthew Fisher writes:
Fantastic effort by the new lad and lasses to the dance!!!
Michele as a late arrival to individual competition on the Saturday ended up winning the Last Chance beating our Peter in the final. What great play by both of them. Then on Sunday our newest comer to the game Cathy played really well winning on two matches and showed great spirit. In fact it was the most experienced of the team who could only win by default!
Though we did not come back with a trophy, we were there for Birmingham and had an enjoyable day all round and it could only have happened with Cathy, Michele, Pete and Mike giving their time, thank you.
Here's to next year's tournament maybe we could go with two or three teams!