Paul Turner (York Clifton Park) beat Robert Taylor (Stillington) in a thrilling five-set veteran final at Dunnington in a game lasting one hour, 20 minutes.

In the vintage championships, defending Arthur Williams was beaten in the final by Wigginton's David Booth.

The veteran final got underway with both players fired up. After ten handouts the score remained at 1-1 with both players testing each other with a variety of play.

Turner took advantage of some loose shots and went into a 4-2 and 6-2 lead keeping Taylor to the back of the court and forcing errors. In two more handouts Turner took the first 9-3.

In the second game Turner showed a greater display of shots and won 9-4.

In the third game, after some testing long rallies, the score see-sawed to 2-2 after six handouts. Turner than had a run and led 5-2 and 5-3 but Taylor came back and in one handout took the next six points to win 9-5.

In the fourth game it was Turner who led 4-2 and 5-2 only to start making mistakes and Taylor won to level the match at 2-2.

In the deciding set Turner, the more aggressive and determined, took an early lead 4-1.

He showed greatb reserves orf energy to increase his advantage to 7-1 but as in previous games Taylor fought back.

Turner saw his lead cut to 7-4. Turner served only for Taylor to hit an outright winner off it but Taylor could not win any more points as Turner got the serve back and took the next two points to win 9-4.

It was the first time Turner had won the trophy and after the presentation he headed to Newcastle to play county badminton.

The vintage final was a shorter affair, lasing 35 minutes.

Booth saw an opening game lead of 8-3 go by with some good accurate drops and tight play to 6-8 and then 8-8. Three times Booth served for the opening game but Williams took it 10-8.

Williams' more accurate play was rewarded with a 6-1 lead in the second only for a series of lets and strokes to get to him and Booth came back to level at 6-6. Booth again took an 8-7 lead and served for the game only to see Williams level at 8-8. Booth again served for the game three more times before taking it 10-8.

The third game after a tight opening saw the score at 3-3 with three strokes and six lets awarded. Both players had to be asked by the marker to "clear the ball".

The game continued with both players unhappy at each others style of play. Booth went into a 6-3 then 6-4 lead after a further four lets were awarded. Booth eventually took the third 9-4 to lead 2-1.

In the fourth game Booth got an early lead off his hand in and led 3-0. Williams battled and after 13 hand outs the score was reduced to 2-3. Again both players felt they were being obstructed by the other - Booth increased his lead to 4-2 and although Williams had another hand in, he could not capitalise and Booth went from 4-2 to 9-2 in one hand out to take the title.

The Vintage Plate was won by Mal Taylor (Clifton) who defeated George Wright (Dunnington) 3-0.

The Veterans plate was won by John Sykes (Dunnington) who beat Bob Nicholls (Railway) 3-0. Nicholls entered both events reaching the Vintage Semi Finals and Veterans Plate final. An achievement in itself having played a total of 30 games in five days.

Trophies were presented by the League Chairman Andy Mendus.

The Men's Open Championships sponsored by the Evening Press will take place from Sunday, February 13 to Saturday, February 19 at York Railway Institute.

Entry forms have been circulated to all affiliated clubs and organisations.

Closing date for entries, Friday, February 4. Further details can be obtained from the League Secretary, Mrs A Sellars, 35 Alwyne Grove, Rawcliffe, York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.