Member Associations | 6 Mar 2017

DRINKHALLS back in style

Photo: Alan Man, Courtesy TTE

England PG Mutual Championships

In England Paul DRINKHALL won his sixth Men’s Singles title, Tin-Tin HO her second Women’s Singles and Commonwealth Games gold medallists Paul & Jo DRINKHALL won the Mixed Doubles on their return to competition for the first time since Glasgow 2014 as the PG Mutual Championships finals day produced some dazzling play.

"We were here to enjoy it but we are both very competitive people. We played quite well on Saturday and found a way to win matches but on Sunday we played really well. I was attacking, Jo was mixing up the spins and they struggled. It was bringing back memories from Glasgow, “ said Paul DRINKHALL.

The Drinkhalls beat England team-mates WALKER & HO 3-0 (12-10, 14-12, 11-6) in the final in Nottingham in Jo’s first event since the birth of the couple’s second child Bonnie.

Jo DRINKHALL added: "I'm so pleased to win the mixed and I think we played so well, especially in the final. I think we came together better than ever, it really felt natural. Sam and Tin-Tin are a really good doubles pair, so to win 3-0, we have to have played well."

DRINKHALL won the Men’s Singles, beating WALKER 4-2 (9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8) in a repeat of last year’s final. The beaten semi-finalists were Liam PITCHFORD, who lost to WALKER, and Danny REED, who led DRINKHALL 3-1 before his opponent came back to take it 4-3.

"It's great to win another national singles title. I didn't feel I was playing as well as last year and sometimes I had to remind myself to enjoy because it if I relax and enjoy it, my game comes more naturally and I play my best,"said Paul.

HO won the Women’s Singles against Kelly SIBLEY, triumphing 4-1 (12-10, 6-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-4). Bronze medals went to Denise PAYET and Maria TSAPTSINOS.

"The singles final against Kelly was really tough so it was very good for me to win that.I've been working a lot on my mentality, so it's good to see that it's paying off, helping me to build confidence for future matches," explained Tin-Tn HO.

England’s top two Paul DRINKHALL & Liam PITCHFORD won the Men’s Doubles 3-0 (11-6, 14-12, 12-10) against Chris DORAN & Mike O’DRISCOLL.

Jo DRINKHALL also reached the Women’s Doubles final alongside SIBLEY but they were beaten 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-8) by defending champions HO & TSAPTSINOS.

The final stages of the event were broadcast live on TheSPORTbible Facebook page, with well over half a million viewers watching.