With a record 440 players taking part in this year’s All England Open Masters, including over 150 Danish players, this is a prestigious event in the Masters Calendar. 11 players from Avon travelled to Hatfield to take part with varying degrees of success. Mike Cox, with partner Jim Garrett (Kent) won Gold at 70+ men’s doubles, finishing the season as an unbeaten partnership, having come through a 3 setter in the final 21-15,16-21,21-15 against the Kent partnership of Ian Brothers and Ray Sharp.
Joanna Elson and Val O’Neill (below) took the Gold at 70+ women’s doubles in a very tight all English final, against Hampshire’s Linda Coombes and Diane Fawn, 21-19, 22-20.
Also Joanna playing 70+ mixed doubles with partner Ken Tantum (Notts) was involved in a tough final against the top Danish pairing of Per Dabelsteen and Irene Sterlie but had to settle for Silver losing this 3 setter 17-21,21-19,13-21