Cambs Squash

A VIEW FROM THE (NATIONAL)BALCONY

With the Senior Nationals just completed it was the turn of the top Juniors in the u19 and u15 to compete at the National Squash centre in Manchester from 19-22 Feb.

As seems to be a regular occurrence these days a relatively large party from the Cambs leagues decamped to Manchester for several days.

These championships seem to get tougher every year and a high ranking is necessary just to be accepted into the qualifiers and after 2 tough matches potentially – you run into a fresh seeded player. The lot of the qualifier is not an easy one!!!.

'Get Back Into' - Squash.

Readers to these columns will know that whilst we have had considerable success at Junior and Masters levels we are always looking to enlarge our player base. As such this course could be just the thing for you or someone you know looking to get back into it or improve their skills.

'Get Back Into' - Squash - is aimed at adults minimum age 16, who are either beginners or players who haven't played for a while or are just getting back into the game.

VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

A few well deserved name checks in relation to recent tournaments-

The Nationals

Great to see Sammy Chambers and Ahmed El Refee at the qualifiers- this top-flight experience will stand them in great stead – well done guys.

However, pride of place at the nationals has to go to long time Cambs favourite Carole Page. Of course readers of these columns will know that Carole is no stranger to national success –she already has 4 age group titles.

BOYS U19 –2ND STAGE

Whilst there maybe a more comprehensive report at a later date there maybe a few “anoraks” out there like myself who can’t rest without wondering how the lads got on.

With the success this squad of boys have had over the last 4-5 years it is easy to get a bit blaze about the possibility of making it through to a National Finals. However, given they made it last year as pretty much an u17 team then our expectations are always high.

With the lads playing well in the recent County event, hopes were high in advance of the clashes with Worcester and Warks.

U23
• PeterNicolSquash.com UK Grand Prix 2008/2009 • In association with Prince •

14-Jan-09:
British U23 Championships
to return in 2009

England Squash and the British Squash Professionals Association (BSPA) are delighted to announce that the prestigious British Under 23 Squash Championships will return to the UK calendar in 2009 after an absence of five years.

There will be a Coaches workshop and Junior Coaching Programme lead by England Squash Academy Director David Duncalf at Comberton Squash Club on Sunday 1st February.

The theme will be - Developing Junior Players from Club level through to National Squad.

This workshop and discussion group will be an ideal opportunity to review ideas and discuss the issues we all face when trying to develop Junior Players

The Coach Workshop will be from 10-12.00 and Junior players from 12-4.00pm

This report from Tournament Director - Rebecca Moore

Wed 14 Jan 2009

The mature end of the market were on form last night at the County Closed. With Men O55’s playing for places in the finals. No 1 seed Phil Godfrey (Crown) played Stewart Hastings (Hunts County). Stewart put up a good fight but Phil took the match 9-1/9-6/9-5. The other half of the draw saw No 2 seed Peter Hand (Peterborough) have a tight match against silver fox from Comberton, Derek Fuller. Fuller put in a fine performance pushing the match all the way. The match at 1-1, saw the two players fight neck and neck for the 3rd. Fuller narrowly lost the 3rd 10-8. Peter Hand having more in the tank finished the match winning the 4th 9-3 for a place in the final on Saturday.

This report from Tournament Director - Rebecca Moore

Day 5 in the Big Brother Squash Club.

As we get deeper into the County Closed the matches get tougher. Tuesday night was no exception with some excellent squash for the Open B semi final, Ladies quarter final, Open Plate quarter finals and Open semi finals.

The Open B started the evening with Richard Bridge (Abbotsley) vs Sanjay Poria (Cambridge). A confident Richard Bridge took the first two games 11-4 and 11-6 but Sanjay Poria found form and took the third 11-9. The fourth was a close game but Richard closed the match 11-7.

The galleries at Histon Road were treated to some real nailbiting squash in the Mens Quater finals.
In the first match we all expected Matt Fiveash to come out all guns blazing and for Sammy Chambers to ride the storm. However with Matt one set and 9-3 in the 2nd it looked like the script was going out of the window.

Well 2 days of great Squash so far and whilst there have been no major surprises there have been some great games to watch and Sunday's atmosphere with the Tournament in full flow and the Ladies o40 games going on was just great - What a buzz.

Good performances from Carrie Hastings taking a game from Peter Kullar and similarly Jack White taking the first from Chris Reeve.
The Hunts County clash with James and Neil was always going to be a good one with Neil coming through in 4 and then getting past Dan Soar to become the first semi-finalist