Its’s almost here! The 2024 UK Racketlon British Championships kicks off this weekend (13th/14th April) at The Parklangley Club, Beckenham. From current and former world champions to first-time players, the British Racketlon Championships has it all, and with over 100 entries, the 2024 edition looks set to be another successful festival of racketlon.
In this preview we will just be taking a brief look at some of the first-round’s most notable match ups, as well as players to watch for the rest of the weekend.
Men’s A Singles
Players to watch: World Number #1 and reigning champion Leon Griffiths is seeded #1 for the Elite event, but will face a tough challenge from brother Luke Griffiths (seeded #2). Leon defeated Luke in last year’s final, however Luke has since been crowned World Champion and will be out for revenge this weekend.
Match to watch: Jack Bishop v Alex Du Noyer. Seasoned players of the UK Racketlon circuit who have met many, many times before and are also doubles partners.
Men’s A Doubles
Players to watch: Unsurprisingly the Griffiths brothers have teamed up and are number #1 seeds. Their toughest challenge is expected to be against former British Champion Dan Busby and new(ish) racketlon hotshot Jonathan Ritter.
Match to watch: Bispham/Prades v Davidson/Wilson. Experience v Youth. Bispham and Prades are former British Champs bronze medallists but will face a tough challenge against formidable youngsters Matt Davidson and Ross Wilson.
Mixed A Doubles
Players to watch: Luke Griffiths has teamed up with 5x +50 World Champion Jo Shelley and, if everything goes according to seeding, should face Matthew Davidson and Holly Ranson in the final.
Match to watch: Bramhall/Wilson v Parslow/Bispham. Intriguing battle between the former and current UK#1 ranked ladies. First 3 sports could go either way.
Women’s A Singles
Players to watch: Number #1 seed and reigning champion Matilda Parslow will be favourite for glory once more, but could be pushed all the way by number #2 seed Holly Ranson.
Match to watch: Beth Pye v Kimberley Hay. Rising junior star Beth Pye is an extremely strong TT and tennis player, but will need to be on top form in the middle two sports against Kim, who is ranked #35 in England for squash.
Women’s Doubles
Players/match to watch: The 2023 women’s doubles final was the most closely contested final of them all, with 2nd seeds Beth Pye and Holly Ranson ousting number #1 seeds Matilda Parslow and Susie Dilloway by one point!
This year Matilda has teamed up with Holly to create a strong number #1 seeded partnership between the two top-ranked singles players in the country. Their 2nd seeded rivals will be UK #4 Sarah Ball and UK #8 Jane Galsworthy, however the entire field is stacked full of quality. Beth Pye is now lining up with Satarra Thaker and multiple world +50 champion Jo Shelley has joined forces with squash supremo Kimberley Hay. Kirsten Atkinson will also hope to use her significant TT skills to challenge for honours alongside Fiona James.
Men’s +40 Singles
Players to watch: Peter Barton is seeded #1 and will be looking to improve on his 3rd place last year. Keith Lesser is 2nd seed but faces a tough first round draw against Peter Browning (more below)
Match to watch: Keith Lesser v Pete Browning. Keith will be favourite for TT and squash, Pete the favourite for badminton and tennis. Potential gummi arm on the cards perhaps!?
Men’s +50 Singles
Players/match to watch: +45 Champion from last year Mark Steeden is seeded #1 and will face his opponent in last year’s final, Ed Westmacott as part of the round robin draw.
Men’s Senior Doubles
Players/match to watch: Barton and Steeden have teamed up and will be seeded #1, but may be pushed all the way by the well balanced pairing of Keith Lesser and Peter Browning.
Mixed Senior Doubles
Players/match to watch: Simon Lau and Jane Galsworthy are number #1 seeds, but this round robin title could realistically go to any of the four pairs. Izzy Bramhall has teamed up with Pete Barton, Dianne Baker with 2023 Mens B doubles champion Chris Snelling, and UK #4 Sarah Ball partners Peter Barton, in what could be the tightest category of the weekend.
Men’s B Singles
Players to watch: Young rising star Ollie Barton is 1st seed and will be expected to meet #2 seed Rohan Shergill in the final. Should this be the case their opposing profiles could make for a final full of twists and turns.
Match to watch: The return to racketlon of Alistair Prades, who starts against squash specialist William Rogers-Tizard.
Men’s B Doubles
Players to watch: Seeded #1 are the pairing of Stuart Preston and Jon Spinks. They could be challenged to the title by young duo Ollie Barton and Cameron Leighton who are seeded 2nd.
Match to watch: Described by tournament director Sam Barker as “an absolute vibes match”, Simon Lau and Kieran Shelley face Jordan Marcus and Tom Watson in the 1st round.
Good luck and safe travels to everybody competing this weekend. Results will be posted on tournament software and look out for the tournament review coming next week.
Finally, a reminder that the tournament will be covered by professional sports photographer Alan Spink of Action Photography. Photos will be available to buy via his website, so don’t miss out!
Happy racketlon-ing to you all!