2010 ANGIE HAMBOUR TOURNAMENT

Shane McNally (L) on his way to defeating John O’Grady in the final [second match].

Photos courtesy Nick Begakis.

SHANE McNALLY WINS 2010 ANGIE HAMBOUR TOURNAMENT

by Nick Begakis

Last Sunday, 4th July was auspicious for Americans but not so auspicious for backgammon players. Just 8 hardly souls braved the 3.2 degree temperature to attend at the Hilton Hotel in Victoria Square. Nothing that a good hot cup of coffee would not fix – the cold that is, but the lack of players did not deter those present. If anything the action was hotter! This is a double elimination event so a first round loss does not mean players are home by midday. In the first round, John O’Grady knocked out Nick Begakis and then met Shane McNally whom he knocked out. Portents of things to come here. John McLean knocked out Chris Benham and was in turn knocked out by John O’Grady. John O’Grady was in the final. Then came the “poor also rans” struggling with 7 point games as against 11 & 13 in the main flight. In this part of the draw, in particular Shane McNally knocked out, in turn, Claudie Tromp, Chris Benham and John McLean to have another crack at John O’Grady.

John O’Grady (L) eventual second place finalist and Shane McNally (R) eventual winner playing [in their first match] with John McLean (3rd place) observing [sort of].

John McLean’s defeat meant 3rd place for him. A good effort John.

The final was fascinating. The final consisted of two games and wins for Shane and only one game and win for John given John had not lost a game reaching the final. The first match saw John O’Grady not able to get into the match and he lost 13-1. Not a good start. Recapping that given this is a double elimination event and John had not lost a match reaching the final and Shane had, John had a ‘get out of jail card’ in that Shane needed to win 2 matches. So John cashed in his “get out of jail card” and they lined up again. This time it looked like this set was going to be the same as the first set with Shane sprinting to a 4-0 lead. John countered and took the score to 8-4. Looking better for John. Shane fought back and levelled at 8-8. John 9-8. Shane 9-9. Shane 11-9. John 10-11. And then John levelled at 11-11. The match was to 13 points. Shane 12-11 and then with the Crawford game in play, Shane won to take the match, the final and the tournament, 13-11. A long hard set of games, which finished at 7:30pm.

And the end of a long day of backgammon action which started at 8:30am.

Congratulations to Shane McNally – commiserations to John O’Grady.

WELL DONE - 1. SHANE McNALLY = 2. JOHN O’GRADY = 3. JOHN McLEAN

CHRIS BENHAM WINS 2010 ANGIE HAMBOUR CONSOLATION TOURNAMENT

Siegfried Pohlenz (L) finalist, congratulates Consolation Tournament winner Chris Benham.

This turned out to be a field of 8 as well. The final 4 were Siegfried Pohlenz, Claudie Tromp, Nick Begakis and Chris Benham. Siegfried knocked out Claudie and Chris knocked out Nick. Then Chris went on to win. Well done again CHRIS BENHAM.