Island Singles Champions crowned in Senior Restricted Tournament 2024-25

The Isle of Man Senior Restricted Tournament was held on the 14th-15th September 2024 at the Roundhouse in Braddan and saw a thrilling display of talent with an excellent entry in all 5 events.

Starting with the Open Singles event, players were drawn in 4 groups. Defending champion Tobey Cheng (McKenzie Fox Fencibles) dominated a strong Group A. Group B was topped by former champion Alex Buck (Chillphase Vikings), while Steven Quayle (Chillphase Vikings) claimed victory in Group C. Rounding off the group winners, Martin Cheung (McKenzie Fox Fencibles) emerged victorious in Group D, setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase.

In the semi-finals, Tobey Cheng faced Martin Cheung, where Tobey secured his place in the final with a 21-12, 21-10 victory. The other semi-final, however, was much closer encounter between Alex Buck and Steven Quayle. Both players pushed each other to the limit, but Alex triumphed in straight sets, winning 21-19, 21-18.

The final saw a magnificent showdown between Tobey Cheng and Alex Buck, both players putting on a masterclass of badminton. Tobey clinched the first game 21-12, but Alex responded fiercely, taking the second game 21-9. In a thrilling third and final set, it was Tobey who held his nerve, edging out Alex 21-18 to defend his title in a fittingly dramatic conclusion to the event.

Men’s Singles Winner Tobey Cheng with runner up Alex Buck and Semi Finalists Martin Cheung and Steven Quayle. Photo: @Dkphotographyiom

In the Open Singles plate event which included all players who didn’t win their group, were put into a knockout tournament in the consolation event. This was an equally exciting set of games which saw Juan Domingo vs Matthew Gawne in one semi final and Tommy Cheng and Jake Vance in the other. It was Matthew and Jake who won their respective games to take on each other in the final, with Matthew taking the plate victory 21-14.

Winner of the Men’s Singles plate competition Matthew Gawne with Roberta Cannell, Chairman of the IOMBA. Photo: @Dkphotographyiom

The Women’s Singles competition saw another fantastic turnout, with four groups battling it out in the preliminary stage. Defending champion Leah Brennan (McKenzie Fox Fencibles) emerged victorious in Group A, while Group B was topped by Annelise Mellor (Athol Park Guest House Castletown). Emma Nicholson (Chillphase Vikings) was the winner of Group C, and Charlotte Watson (Chillphase Vikings) came through as the winner of Group D.

The semi-finals were both thrilling encounters, with Leah Brennan facing Charlotte Watson in the more closely contested match. Charlotte took the first game 21-18, but Leah fought back in the second to win 21-17, before sealing her place in the final with a convincing 21-12 win in the deciding game. In the other semi-final, Annelise Mellor defeated Emma Nicholson in dominating fashion winning 21-10, 21-10.

Another fantastic final saw Annelise Mellor put on a commanding performance to defeat Leah Brennan in straight sets 21-11 and 21-14, earning Annelise her first Isle of Man Women’s Singles title.

Women’s Singles Winner Annelise Mellor with runner up Leah Brennan and semi finalists Charlotte Watson and Emma Nicholson. Photo: @Dkphotographyiom

In the Women’s plate event, the semi finals saw Jessica Thornton beating Fatima Syed 21-12 and a very close match between Abigayil Mellor and Kelly Domingo which went down to the wire with Kelly just clinching it in the set 23-21. The final was another good game which concluded in a win for Jessica 21-16 to take the Women’s plate victory.