Today saw the first round of the 2010 Masters Singles at The Maram. With the field split into 2 groups this year, it would leave the Top 4 from each group to play tomorrow in a battle for the 4 spots in the 2010 ACT Masters Team.
Group One included the defending champion, Tolly Auva’a, three time runner up Ted Mallowes and 2006 runner up Neil Whitbread. But Group Two held the advantage with triple champion Jack Dehm, double champion Rolf Bandte, 2008 champion Kev Harrow and 2007 champion Pete Smith. Despite this, Mongrel entered Group One as the rookie, joining Vince Wood in the “juniors” category.
I love the Masters, and Barry King made everyone feel their age with the attendance of his beautiful grand daughter (Josh count your blessings every day she is a wonderful child). But Mongrel and Vince Wood were there to remind all that the youth of today still had something to say…
Quick starts from Mongrel, Ted and Neil saw them jump ahead in group 1, while Will Cowie and Max Ryan defied their seedings to take the equal group 2 lead. Mongrel and Neil strode forward to easily lead their group, but a stutter from Max and Will saw Pete, Jack and Kev gain the advantage.
Defending champion Tolly made a late surge, but was unable to bridge to gap, while the young guns Vince and Mongrel held on to their early advantage to join Ted and Neil in the Top 4 for Group 1. After a dominant first round, Max was unable to continue the run and conceded the Top 4 spots to Pete, Jack, Will and Kev.
So tomorrow sees the Top 8 try and outlast each other for the 2010 team, but for now I will present awards in the spirit of the Tour de France:
Yellow Jersey (overall leader): Neil Whitbread and Mongrel, 16 and 5 ain’t bad
Green Jersey (sprinter’s leader): tied between Jack Dehm, Pete Smith and Mongrel – for being too bloody quick in finishing their frames
Polka Dot Jersey (mountain climber’s leader): Morris Brighty – for seeming to come from behind every frame and “climb the mountain”
White Jersey (youth leader): Not sure if Mongrel and Vince Wood qualify as youth, but I’ll give them the award as I don’t want to argue with Mongrel, even though he tells me he forged his birth certificate…
Red Jersey (teams leader): Matildas by a landslide. It seems the Scorpions, Warriors and Katz were too scared of the might of Jack and Pete (Pete will you buy me a beer for saying you’re awesome?).
So head on down to The Maram on Sunday to see the Masters fight it out for the state team, as well as the Ladies Doubles Top 4. Don’t forget the Bistro is open with a 20% discount for ACTEBA members on main meals, and 10% on snacks.
Regards
Chris Jones
ACTEBA Tournament Director
