OLDFIELD GREASES FIRST TITLE IN WEAKEST EVER DRAW!

With no top ten players in the draw, Alex Oldfield secured what will be known in history as the weakest ever touchtennis Masters Shield. The committee are openly discussing the possiblitly of relegating this title to a 250 series! 

However, Carisbrooke LTC's first tournament witnessed a fine day of touchtennis with superb shot making, controversy and upsets.

Number 1 seed Shaun Watson was sent packing in the first round by Joe Simpson in straight sets, while 4th seed Vejay Pal finished second best in a 3 set epic against Alex Blackwell where an umpire was requested to oversee the final set as the calls were tighter than Arsene Wenger's purse strings.

Losing finalist Ben Minski met local rival Joe Simpson in the semi finals and made it through after an almighty choke from his opponent. Simpson found himself himself with all the momentum, 40-15 up and on top of the net in the first game of the deciding set but failed to put away his high forehand volley, allowing Minski to slam an on the run forehand winner past him and spark a dramatic comeback.

Minski lost to Alex Oldfield in the final 5-3, 4-2. Minski started well, losing a tight first set 5-3. Oldfield however, wasn't feeling as charitable as Simpson, and with spectacular winners being too few and far between for Minski it allowed Oldfield to brutally expose Minski's mental frailties and one dimensional game in a routine second set.

Minski's bad luck didnt end there however as he lost in the semis to Bobby "won 1 game in 18" Brooke and his partner Alexandra Watts  who'd only started playing tennis a couple of years ago but still carried Brooke to the final where they fought valiantly all the way to final but ultimatley coming unstuck against the tactless power game of Oldfield and Simpson 7-5.

Brooke was later heard whimpering in the locker rooms that it should have been him wearing the skirt in that match. Minski was arrested later that evening and charged with disturbing the peace after getting butchered at his local as he tried to drown his failings on tour. 

All that remains now is the Masters Cup where surprisingly, NONE of these players will feature!

The top players have all complained to the touchtennis player council about the length of the tour. With the Angelini Cup still to be played, rumour has it that a shortened calendar might be discussed to prevent last minute withdrawals from Masters events like Carisbrooke where one tournament wonders like Oldfield grease through a draw!