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2011 Australian Open Backgammon ChampionshipReport, Results and PhotosNovember 12/13 2011, Ryde Ex Services Club, Sydney. Congratulations to Ian Dunstan!
Steve Davy reports: "What do Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Mark Twain and Stephen Davy have in common? "Three were great authors and one was a very average backgammon player", would be the response of the common man. I personally found Hemingway's game quite limited and his cube offering somewhat reckless..... One thing they do all have in common though, is they couldn't be silenced! To the gentleman who messaged me yesterday, asking for a "diluted" report this year, I have this for you. "For only when free men write and speak the truth will the exercise of arbituary power be exposed and opposed." On Saturday November 12th, 2011, Australia's backgammon elite descended on Ryde Ex Services Club in their quest to obtain the holy grail, the Pru Mckay Memorial trophy. Players travelled from all over Australia and New Zealand, keeping the spirit of this great game alive. Aquantances old and new were made and the enthusiastic bunch settled down to business. First matches were to 9 points with the likes of Dave Reitzen and Tony Walker, Simon Woodhead and Robert Disney, Colin Tyte and Jim Bean and Steve Roberts and Ivor Bitel squaring off. The familiar sound of rolling dice and clicking pips filled the room whilst small talk was kept to a minimum. Were the players nervous? Were the stakes too high or was it just a case of some serious hangovers from the mandatory Friday night chouette? Mick Dyett, you may be the reigning Australian champ, you may be a two time winner of the Open, but your taste in drinks leaves a lot to be desired. Who drinks Ouzo? I mean really! First round winners included the likes of Daniel Mayoh, Steve Clarry, Ben Phillips, Sean Ghodsi, Steve Tia and Robby Solomon. Luckily for the 1st round losers, it is a rebuy event, so all was not lost. Second round matches were also to nine points with pairings of Mick Dyett vs Ian Dunstan, Emil Andravos vs Greg Mitchell, Robby Solomon vs Robert Disney and Eva Bitel vs Steve Tia to mention a few. This author drew Daniel Mayoh and one could describe this match as taking the average amount of time. After I won it, I noticed that I was playing the winner of Jan Spillekom and Steve Roberts. "Should I get some lunch?" I asked myself. "Nah, this game will finish shortly and we will get straight into it" was the conclusion I came to. The reality was I had time to grab lunch, wash the car, walk the dogs, get a massage and go to the beach, and all this before the score got to 3-2!!!!! Steve Roberts claiming innocence on time taken to make moves could only be compared to O.J Simpson claiming his innocence on his ex wife's murder..... The third round was finally upon us and the action was heating up! Winners of this round would make their way through to the quarter finals the following day. It was also a chance to make the cash. Some matches inluded Sean Ghodsi and Robert Disney, Ben Phillips and Colin Tyte, Emil Andravos and Alex Falon and Eva Bitel vs Tony Walker. After all was said and done, the matches for the following day were Stephen Davy vs Robert Disney, Ben Phillips vs Alan Weinstein, Alex Falon vs Tony Walker and Ian Dunstan vs Simon Woodhead.
From all reports, all players were tucked up in bed early apart from Alex who insisted that himself and the author partake in a rather long drinking session. Just like when Mrs Henderson wrote in my year 1 report card "Stephen is easily led...." I was a willing participant. And just like the time when a Panamanian taxi driver was allegedly going to assault me with a knife, I asked myself "What have i got myself into now...." Sunday brought about another fine day and a chance for the remaining players to make the semi finals of this year's event. Ben accounted for Alan, Alex for Tony, Ian for Simon and myself for Robert. I apologise for eliminating Robert as it was no way to thank the man who gave the players the winner of the last race at Rosehill the day before. I will try and justify it to myself by suggesting that the price of 57-1 was not great enough! The only way to describe the semi final matches would be as classics. Both matches were to 13 and both games went to double match point with Ian accounting for myself and Alex ending Ben's run. My match with Ian contained a ridiculous amount of double 6's thrown by each player, and Alex and Ben's a ridiculous amount of "chortling" by Alex. (for our younger readers, chortling is the same as fist pumping...) As always happens with a chortle or fist pump, the gods punish you and Ben was given a few shots at Alex's pips. Alas, no hits were made and Ben said "Sayonara" to the Open for 2011. Alex was now attepting to join Tino Lechich and last year's winner, Mick Dyett as a duel winner of the title. It was the first time Ian had made the final. The title would be decided by the best of 3, 9 point matches. The first set was won comprehensively by Ian, 9 points to 4. No one expected Alex to lie down in the second set, so no one was suprised when Alex took it down in a close one, 9-7. All spectators expected a double match point game for the third set, as that was the norm for the day. Ian didn't want any part of that and jumped to a 5-0 lead. Alex on the other hand was more than happy to accomodate the crowd's wishes and came roaring back. The match came to Crawford's with Ian having a 5 point advantage. Alex won that game and the next one to get right back in it. The next game was clearly going Alex's way and the crowd predictions appeared to be coming true before out of nowhere, Ian went "Ka boom" and brought out the double 6's to take the lead just before the bear off. Alex called on all gods to unite behind him, but as we all know, god only appears at 8am on Saturday mornings when the Mormons are knocking on your door. Just like what happens to those pesky Mormons, the door was slammed in Alex's face and Ian Dunstan was crowned the 2011, Australian Open Champion. Well done Ian, a well deserved victory! Before this report comes to an end, I have to make special mention to this event's organiser, Ben Phillips who works tirelessly through the year running the Sydney Club and the NSW Open to ensure you, the players, have a chance at winning these titles. It is simple, if it wasn't for Ben, the Sydney Club, the NSW, and the national titles wouldn't exist. Cheers Ben, it is appreciated by all who turned up! Take care all, happy rolling until we meet again, Steve." * Click on photo for full size image... |
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