In an epic final of the 2015 handicap competition, Rachel McAleese started on +8 against Del Sharratt on -4. Games were point-a-rally to 15, meaning that 2013 runner up Del was up against it if he was going to triumph in the best of 5 match. Rachel took the first game quite convincingly (15-6) as both players were pretty slow to get going, but in the second game a near flawless performance saw Del take it 15-9. The third game was a tight affair, as Del’s powerful serves and Rachel’s drop shots were all successful and Rachel eventually took it 15-14. Another focused performance, coupled with quick movement from Del won him the fourth game 15-9. Locked at 2-2 and both players tiring the deciding game had more rallies as neither player wanted to give an inch to their opponent – then at 14-10 down a very rare loose serve from Del gave Rachel the title by 3 games to 2. Del congratulated Rachel and said ” I am pleased for Rachel, it was a good fast paced match in the end and it could have gone either way; I will just have to work hard and come back next year.”
In the final of the plate competition Ian Chalmers (-2) beat Joe Eyre (+2) 3-1 – {15-9; 15-10; 16-17; 15-12}. Joe was the reigning Handicap Quaich Champion and was quietly confident of repeating that success. Both players showed good movement and had long tight shots. In the third game Joe saved two match points but it was the younger Ian Chalmers whose fitness won out in the end as Joe faded towards the end of the tie.
