Yorkshire Meds Marbles Team 

2014-16: Fourth title

We relate our encounters in the subsequent three years of the championships; the preparations, on the day etc..

On a year by year basis, below are simple accounts for the three year period 2014 to 2016: We won the trophy 2016, quarter-finalists in 2014 and 2015. In all these tournaments, a great day out and meetings friends, spectators and marble enthusiasts.  

2015 2014

 


2016 Winning a fourth title

 This year, the championships came quite early (25th of March). We also got a new player who has been a friend of the family and team for a while (Karim Djemame). As with previous years, we practised well as a team in our Leeds training ground. The weather on the big day was sunny and dry. Five of the six members of the team played in the Golden Oldies tournament , with Akil and Mourad reaching the semi-final. Leila won the “best lady” trophy in the female competition for the fourth time. The other great delight was our win in the main tournament After a four years absence as champions (since 2011), we fought back from the quarter-finales where we met last year semi-finalists all the way to the final, and meeting last year winners, the german team (1st MC Erzgebirge).

Leila sanding the main ring (2016)
Discussing tactics (2016)
Discussing tactics (2016)

The strength of Yorkshire Meds this year was all six players played really well. So it has been great to bring back two trophies to Yorkshire, and winning both trophies for a fourth time


2015 Great day out, no trophies

The championships took place on Good Friday the 03rd of April 2015. It was cold with some rain. We trained well in our "Leeds training ground" for a few weeks and ready as a team. In the main (team) event, we cruised comfortably to the quarter-finals by beating "Trueringian National Team 1" by a score of 25-1. We met the "Black Dog Boozers" (the 2014 winners) and lost to them 26-17. We participated in all three other main competitions (Golden Oldies, Best Lady trophy and Individual championships). We thoroughly enjoyed the day but very disappointed to bring no trophies back to Yorkshire and in particular to lose in the quarterfinals for the main event.

Leila vs Akil in Golden Oldies (2015)
Gazebo main ring (2015)
Gazebo main ring (2015)


2014  A third best lady trophy

 The tournament took place on Good Friday the 18th of April 2014. The weather was simply great, sunny, hot & dry and hence attracted the crowd. Just a few weeks earlier, the venue (the Greyhound) had a full remake indoors, outdoors as well the side and main marble rings finished to a high standard. So all the conditions were met for a great event. The proceedings started at 11am with team events and Golden Oldies on the side rings.

Leila best lady winner (2014)
Mourad with Mol (2014)
Mourad with Mol (2014)

We won the first game (first round) comfortably 34 to 4 against "Gabby’s gang" team. We were knocked out in the Quarter-final in a strikingly similar fashion to last year: Again the truly-in-form Paul Smith who managed in a single break 23 points knocked us out in the Quarter finals. Up to that point we were leading comfortably 11-5. But it was really frustrating to loose the next game to Johnson Jets. There was not much one can do against a single break of 23 points – so we accepted the defeat and decided to really enjoy the rest of the day.

Leila won the Lady’s final and so we were all pleased to bring one cup home. Like in previous years, she ended up head to head with Alison and won this year. Leila and Akil reached the semi-finals of Golden Oldies. Halim scored the highest break of the tournament with an impressive 31 marbles in a single break in the first round

The same four semi-finalists as last year made it again; Black Dogs (Colin Gardner), Hand Cross 49ers (Darren), 1st MC Erzgebirge and Johnson Jet (Paul Smith). Last year's two loosing semis made it to the final, namely 1st MC against 49ers. The German team won this year showing more resilience & consistency. Some additional photos here for the 2014 event.