ESSEX pair Ben Coleman and Elise Lazarus were the talk of the Dulwich Open at the weekend.
The 2016 edition of the Harvey & Wheeler sponsored professional event saw a new winner inscribed on each trophy, with Chelmsford’s Ben going one better than in 2015 in the men’s event and Georgina Kennedy lifting the inaugural Women’s Dulwich Open.
However, the shock of the weekend was reserved for the Women’s event, with
15-year old Eloise (pictured above) beating British Open Over 35 Champion Lauren
Briggs. Elise raised her game to sneak past her opponent in 5-tough games.
Seemingly unaffected by that tough battle, she returned the next day and took the first game off
English Under 19 Champion Georgina Kennedy. However, Kennedy was unfazed and
after four high quality games, she was the one lifting the cup.
World No.51 Coleman (left) dominated the men’s tournament but was made to work hard for
his third BSPA title by World no.77 Nathan Lake. The 60 minute final saw some breath-taking retrieving as both players worked hard for position. In the end it was Coleman who managed to keep the upper hand winning 3-1 to cap a fine season. Earlier in the weekend, there were wins for youngsters Chris
Leiper and James Peach over seeded opponents.
The Dulwich Club was a superb host to the final BSPA event of the regular season. Players were fed and housed for free, and capacity crowds came along to support the players. The last stop of the year will be at Roehampton Club (May 12-14th) for the JW Cannon Grand Prix Finals.
Results:
Womens Final: Georgina Kennedy bt Elise Lazarus 3-1 (9/11, 11/4,
11/6, 11/8)
Mens Final: Ben Coleman bt Nathan Lake 3-1 (11/3, 11/8,
6/11. 11/5)