(Seeds in brackets)

GROUP STAGE

GROUP 1

FINAL TABLE

While Ben W was showing the sort of form that won him the tournament last year, a scrap was taking place for 2nd place between Nick (semi-finalist 2006), Corina (Ladies champ 2005) and newcomer Eddie… First Nick beat Eddie, then Eddie beat Corina, then Corina beat Nick. All three players ended on the same points and “Toad Difference” (td) came into play. Eddie went through by virtue of having been the one to score highest against Jan W whose form deserted her after some great play last year. Eddie, who hadn’t attended since the 2004 championships, marked his return with a place in the quarter finals.   

Group results

Ben W beat Nick by 7
Eddie beat Janet by 16
Ben W beat Corina by 12
Nick beat Janet by 5
Eddie beat Corina by 1
Ben W beat Janet by 14
Nick beat Eddie by 1
Corina beat Janet by 3
Ben W beat Eddie by 5
Corina beat Nick by 4

GROUP 2

FINAL TABLE

There were no big surprises in this group with both seeds playing well and going through and only a single point separating them in their head to head match. James again showed promise but failed to progress, while Cathy won the battle of the previous women’s champs by beating Holly. Holly also got beaten by husband Ben. Holly’s recent record reads played 9, lost 9, but who’s counting.

Results
John beat Ben A by 1
Cathy beat Holly by 10
John beat James by 7
Ben A beat Holly by 9
James beat Cathy  by 8
John beat Holly 15
Ben A beat Cathy by 16
James beat Holly by 13
John beat by Cathy ??
Ben A beat James by 12

GROUP 3

FINAL TABLE

The first major shock of the day saw 2005 champion Nathan beaten by Lou, whose parents had travelled all the way from Australia just to see this years championship. Jan P notched up a good win over Lou, in our first ever mother/daughter match and Dudley progressed to the quarterfinals for the 3rd time in 4 years. The group was decided on Toad Difference.

Nathan beat Dudley by 1
Nathan beat Jan P by 20
Lou beat Nathan by 1
Dudley beat Lou by 2
Jan P beat Lou by 1
Dudley beat Jan p by 15

Group 4

FINAL TABLE

Newcomer Adam was the big story in this group and rumours of him hitting eights in training proved well-founded as he won the group without dropping a game. Sean meanwhile progressed in second place earning himself a tricky quarterfinal and yet another rematch with Nathan. Other first timer Joe won his first match against Dominic who was plagued by poor form, and ladies champion Katie became one of only 2 seeds to get knocked out in the group stage. Her record was however enough to see her through to the ladies final against Corina.

Sean beat Katie by 7
Adam beat Dominic by 6
Sean beat Joe by 4
Katie beat Dominic by 11
Adam beat Joe by 5
Sean beat Dominic by 10
Adam beat Katie by 5
Joe beat Dominic by 8
Adam beat Sean by 11
Katie beat Joe by 6

 
QUARTER FINALS

Ben W 2 vs 1 Ben A

It was the first sign that last year’s champ Ben W might be beatable. Ben A looked like sending the reigning champion out when he took to the oche needing 5 for the match. But Ben W held on to win and then fought back in a decider to limp through into the semi-final. It was the first time in at least 3 years Ben W had lost a game outside of the final.

Adam 2 vs 0 Dudley

Adam was growing in confidence now and dispatched the highest rated senior in the game with relative ease. Dudley was disappointed to go out but eager to remind people that tables are for sale at reasonable prices – enquiries to Therealbenward AT hotmail dot co dot uk.

John 2 vs 1 Eddie

4 years ago Eddie gave John his first lesson in the art of toad and today he found himself on the receiving end of a different kind of lesson. Despite playing on his own table Eddie couldn’t hold off the two time European Masters finalist.

Nathan 2 vs 1 Sean

No matter how the draw is organised, these two always seem to meet at this stage. It’s the third year running it’s happened and so far Nathan has had the edge, although it’s a while since he showed his devastating form of 2005.

SEMI FINALS

Ben W 3 vs 0 Adam

Did the big occasion finally get to Adam? Probably. Was he in awe of his opponent? Definitely. But he’ll be back and as he said himself with his characteristic charm and a slight nod towards Nathan “at least I didn’t get beat by a girl.” This is now the 5th consecutive year that Ben W has made the final, but he doesn’t like to mention that.

John 3 vs 0 Nathan

Same semi final as last year and a similar result. John steamrollered Nathan, who has struggled since adopting his new throwing style in 2006. It was John against Ben for the trophy - a repeat of the 2004, 2006 finals.

FINAL

Ben 1 vs 4 John

Extraordinary scenes. It was the story of the hare and the tortoise played out in toad form. Ben made the early running, but got overconfident and seemed unconcerned as John pulled level. Then as John pulled ahead, and Ben tried to move up a gear – and found he had nothing left in the tank! He tried everything, but John marched on with his flawless toads. With the game at poised at 3:1, Ben finally had a chance of getting a game back, but holed a single outshot to bust and John made no mistake with his 4 point clearance. It was a great final and we have a great new champ and an ex champ who has already started practicing for next year.

LADIES FINAL

Katie 2 vs 1 Corina

In the whole history of the DCC and European Master’s championships, nobody had ever retained a trophy – that changed today as Katie powered through against Corina to win her second championship – it’s surely only a matter of time until Katie makes her mark in the main event.