The Isle of Man format was used for the first time in this year’s blitz following successful runnings of two team tournaments using this format. For those who didn’t play this was a team event for all standards but played to time raterh than to a fixed score. It’s an excellent format but needs the exact player numbers with no dropouts. In the final week, 4 people dropped out but fortunately there was a strong interest in the tournament and there was a waiting list of folk to step in. The format also relies heavily on people being ready to mark and ready to play as there was a maximum of 2 minutes in between games.

In the event, players and markers were absolutely fantastic and it ran to clockwork. After the first 30 minutes the ‘A’ team were dominant but as the last pair of matches came to court, they were the only team of the 4 who couldn’t win it.

For reasons currently under investigation the person who picks the teams, didn’t win it this year but rather that honour went to the fine collection of Gary McSorley, Paul Wilson, John Dale, Jim Morrisroe and Sam Hill. A blurry picture of the winners exists but I’m struggling with memory on the website but hopefully add in the future. Onwards to the Hackers…