There were only three entrants for the 30-39 this year, Julian Stafford, Nick Heath and Paddy Ward, so they played each other in a one-set-first-to-8-games round-robin event.

Category 30-39 Handicap Tournament entrants in the Blue Court
Paddy Ward, Julian Stafford, Nick Heath

Nick lost heavily to both of the others so the match that decided the tournament was the one between Julian and Paddy. The play ebbed and flowed, with Julian taking an 3-2 lead, only for Paddy to take the next three games to open up his own 5-3 lead.

Julian then won four games in a row to get himself within a game of the match (7-5). Paddy won the next two games to bring it back to even terms (7-7) and at 30-all in the final game Julian served a swirling, spinning, vicious twister and all Paddy could do was act in self defence to protect himself with his racket.

The ball rose sharply off Paddy’s racket and flew high and long, and into the dedans. 40-30 to Paddy. The game then went to 40-all and the final point was taken by Paddy Ward to become the 30-39 Category Champion.

Paddy Ward with his winners cup
Category 30-39 winner 2014