The 2004 Backgammon Team Doubles Tournament

report | results | photos

Double Trouble on the Ghost Train Express; A Railway Boys Adventure.

by Mark Driver

'The Railway Boys' Mick Dyett and partner Chris Newcombe drove their ghost train to success with a run-away victory over Ryan and Callum Jones' 'Team Anything' in the finals of the Team Doubles event held at Glebe's 'Friend in Hand Pub' on Halloween Sunday. The local paper helped promote the event...

Sydney Backgammon's 2nd Team Doubles Championships proved a success by attracting a full field of 16 teams with numerous players travelling from Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle. The tournament format of 11-point matches with consultation between team members provided ample opportunity for players and spectators alike to gain a close insight into the thought processes of some of Australia's most skilled and experienced players. The two-player-team event showcased backgammon's broad social appeal as evidenced by the diverse composition of teams including: father & son; husband & wife; brothers; old pals; new buddies; work-mates; and even complete strangers.

Michael 'The Bookie' Sampieri injected his distinct brand of action to the event by conducting a lively Calcutta Auction which confirmed the Jones brothers' Team Anything as firm favorites despite narrowly making the draw (there's always somebody who forgets to put their clock forward for daylight saving).

First round casualties included: The Wallys - reigning Sydney and Newcastle Open Champions Simon Woodhead and Wally Bartelme; Team Snowie - husband and wife duo Tom and Claire Snow; and The Diehards - Charlie Brown and Mark Driver lived up to their name suffering a close DMP defeat at the hands of 'Miss Piggy's' puppeteers Ian Dunstan and Stefan Post.

The luck of the Irish ran out for team 'Molly McGuire', Maurice Campbell and Solly Solomon in their second round defeat by reigning Doubles Champions 'The Odd Couple', David Reitzin & Michael Sampieri. 'The Poms' - Michael Mills and John Hedge shared similar fortune and 'Word Life' - the father & son team of Robert and Steven Disney suffered defeat in their family feud between Team Anything.

The Semi-finals provided plenty of excitement for the crowds as The Miss Piggy's and Team Anything entertained the kibitzers with creative checker plays; fierce cube action; enlightening consultation; and lightning calculation. On the other board, the veteran partnership of 'The Odd Couple' kept the crowd entertained in their epic struggle against their master & apprentice foes 'The Railway Boys'.

After a long day with a delayed start, the finalists agreed to an abridged match length of nine points. Train driver Chris Newcombe assumed his regular front seat position to roll the bones for the ghost train while his partner, train guard Mick 'The Monster' Dyet, took charge in plotting strategy and tactics. On the other side of the board, the Jones brothers seemed to be struggling to control their steam pressure as the Railway Boys cruised to a 9-0 victory.

Two 5-point blitz tournaments provided further action for the early casualties of the Doubles Event and players arriving later in the day. In the 16-player jackpot Brisbane's Michael Konneman secured victory over 'Super' Marijo Udovicic while Charlie Brown beat Alex Falon in the 8-player event.

Thanks to: Simon Woodhead, Wally Bartelme & Michael Sampieri for their valuable assistance with running the tournaments; The Friend in Hand management and staff for sponsoring and hosting the event; and to all the players from near and far whose participation made the day a success.

Mark Driver, November 2004

Results

Team Consulting Doubles Winners - The Railway Boys - Mick Dyett and Chris Newcombe

Runners-up - Team Anything - Ryan Jones and Callum Jones

Semi finalists - The Odd Couple - Michael Sampieri and David Reitzin and Miss Piggy - Ian Dunstan and Steffan Post

16-Player 5-Point Blitz; Winner - Michael Konneman, Runner-up - Marijo Udovicic
8-Player 5-Point Blitz; Winner - Charlie Brown, Runner-up - Alex Falon

Click on photo for full size image

Pre-tourney chouette	Ian Dunstan and Rob Disney wait for the start	Mark gets proceedings under way while the chouette continues unabated
Michael Sampieri conducts the player's bonus auction	First round action with The Poms vs The Black and White Minstrels	The Wallys vs The Molly McGuires	Miss Piggy vs The Die Hards
The Snowies vs defending doubles champs The Odd Couple	Doctors and Nurses vs Dumb and Dumber	The Late Runners vs The Railway Boys	Steven Disney (Word Life) steers his dad to a first round win over the Backgammon Bulldogs
"What's the name of your team, Ryan ?" "Anything". Team Anything vs The Greens	The second round gets under way		Side comps are run for those who were unlucky in the main event
The semi-finals
	It was all too much for some		The final is under way
"The Railway Boys" aka Mick Dyett and Chris Newcombe receive their winners trophies	Mick's daughter and boyfriend share the glory	Finalists "Team Anything"; Ryan and Callum Jones are happy with their day's work	One more for the camera