UK Round Robin Domino tournament concludes successful inaugural season in Brixton

The inaugural UK Round Robin Domino Tournament concluded memorably on 23 May at the Karibu Education Centre in Brixton, bringing together players, supporters, families, and domino enthusiasts from across the UK for an evening that celebrated competition, culture, and community.

With all participating clubs strongly represented, the atmosphere throughout the evening was vibrant and energetic as the final matches began shortly after 5:00 p.m.

The tournament, which has grown steadily over the season, ended with a packed venue and a spirit of camaraderie that organisers described as one of the highlights of the entire competition.

Championship Final

The championship match saw Bradfield Giants take on White Knights in a highly anticipated contest. Bradfield delivered a composed performance to secure the title, defeating White Knights 77–64 to become the first-ever UK Round Robin champions.

Third and Fourth Place Playoff

In the third-place playoff, Cosmo Domino Club edged out Croydon Domino Club in a closely contested encounter, winning 66–62 to secure third place overall.

Fifth and Sixth Place Playoff

The fifth and sixth place playoff between Clapham Eagles and Brixton Immortals was played across two legs, with the aggregate score determining the final standings. Clapham ultimately prevailed by a narrow five-point margin.

Aggregate Scores

• Clapham Eagles: 82 + 97 = 179
• Brixton Immortals: 87 + 87 = 174

The closely fought series reflected the competitive nature of the tournament throughout the season.

Awards Ceremony

Following the matches, players and supporters gathered for an awards ceremony recognising the achievements of the clubs and the work of the organising committee.

Speaking on behalf of the management committee, Dr Megel Barker reflected on the growth of the Round Robin format from its early concept stages to a full competitive season involving over 100 players.

He emphasised the importance of building a sustainable future for the competition and creating a properly structured domino league that can continue to expand in the years ahead. Veronica Grossett (“Miss Foody”), recognised as the league’s key visionary, spoke passionately about the competition’s next steps, including plans to introduce formal club registration systems and stronger organisational structures moving forward.

She also reminded participants of the importance of discipline, respect, and unity in ensuring the continued success of the tournament.

Milton Banton, leader of the Bradfield Giants, was elated with their win and proudly shouted: “Bradfield!” when he was interviewed.

He declared that they were ready to defend their title, anytime. Members of the management committee were recognised during the ceremony, including Nadine Lovelace, Sharon Williams, Chanel Codrington, and Olive Lewis. Players and supporters alike acknowledged their contributions throughout the season.

A Community Effort

One of the most remarkable aspects of the inaugural season was that the competition was organised and delivered with zero external sponsorship support.

Some management team members entirely self-financed the league, working collectively to ensure the tournament could take place.

Despite limited resources, the season successfully brought together clubs from across London and the Midlands, demonstrating the community’s strong appetite for organised domino competition.

Organisers are now actively exploring sponsorship and partnership opportunities to help clubs secure uniforms, assist with registration costs, improve event delivery, and introduce prize funding in future seasons.

While there was no prize money awarded this year, the spirit and atmosphere surrounding the tournament remained exceptionally high.

As many players reflected throughout the evening, the UK Round Robin has already become “one of the best domino events” many had experienced, with widespread excitement already building for the next season.

What began as an idea to reconnect clubs and preserve a cultural tradition has now laid the foundation for what organisers hope will become a major annual community sporting event within the UK Caribbean community.

[This article by Megel Barker]