Cambs Squash

Finals of the Cambridgeshire Squash Rackets Association annual Championships were held at Cambridge Squash Club this weekend with some tremendous matches and results.

The Open and Ladies events didn’t disappoint the spectators with both matches going to the limit.

The Ladies Championship was well supported this year with double the normal entries. No 1 seed, Carole Page (Cambridge), deserved her place in the final without dropping a single game on the way. No 2 seed, Kira Petersen (Hunts County), had a tougher ride meeting Stephanie Marriott (Dome) in the semis but came through 3-1. A determined Page set the pace winning the first two games 9-5 and 9-3 the third saw her go ahead 7-1 but tensed at the finishing line with some fatal errors allowing Petersen back into the match to win the 3rd 10-8. Page lost her momentum and Petersen grew in confidence taking the 4th 9-1. The 5th was a tighter game and was fought for to the very end with Petersen winning 9-7 for the title.

The Open Championship from the start of the first round had seen some surprising results with No 1 and 3 seeds being knocked out. The final was between No 2 seed Steffan Morgan (Wimbledon) and 16 year old Sammy Chambers (Crown). Chambers is a National Academy player and ranked No 1 in the country as an U17 but was still not expected to beat the experienced Morgan. Morgan known for his speed and fitness around the court was going to be a tough ask but Chambers stood up to the challenge and started the match with an attacking game with few errors. Chambers took the first two games 9-7 and 9-3. Morgan got off to a better start in the 3rd leading 4-0, Chambers knuckled down and gained the next 7 points to lead 7-4. Morgan managed to turn the game around and came back to win the game 9-7. The 4th game was neck and neck but Morgan always managing to stay just ahead winning 9-7. The 5th game was going to be a test for 16 year old Chambers. Was he mature enough to overcome the more experienced Morgan? The game started with a very long rally which Chambers won. Chambers relaxed and went 7-2 up and won the game 9-4 winning the Championship 3-2. Sammy Chambers is the youngest player to have won the senior title for Cambridgeshire, a great achievement.

The new B event final was won by Jon Bennett (Cambridge) with Runner up Carole Page. The first game was close but Page having played a 5 set match in the Ladies was lacking her usual energy to overcome Bennett. Bennet won 9-6/9-1 and 9-2.

The Open Plate final between Steve Casey (Cambridge) and Andrew D’Alessandro (Comberton) started with two very tight games. Casey winning the first 9-7 and D’Alessandro winning the 2nd 9-8. D’Alessandro got on top coupled with Casey’s errors won the match 3-1.

The Ladies O40’s Championship was won by Sarah Howlett (Comberton) for the 5th consecutive year. Her opponent, Julia Dolman (Comberton), made a fine attempt to upset the seeding but Howlett’s accuracy won the day. Howlett winning 9-2/9-0/9-6.

The Mens O45 Championship was a very high standard this year with finalist John Hawkins (Frank Lee) having defeated No 1 seed Mark Mitchall (CUP) in the 1st round. Andy Whitham (Portugal Place) had a slightly easier journey to the final except in the semis when he played Seth Broadbent (Cambridge) winning 3-1. The first game was very tight with Hawkins winning 10-9. Whitham stormed the next 9-1 and the 3rd and 4th games were close but Hawkins came through 9-7 in both winning the match 3-1.

The Ladies O50 Championship saw Glynis Fenwick win the event with Janet Banks as runner up.

Peter Hand (Peterborough) and Phil Godfrey (Crown) met in the final of the Mens O55. Hand, current title holder, couldn’t settle against Godfrey’s style of play and Godfrey won the match 9-4/9-7/9-5

Plate competitions were as follows:

Prizes were presented by Steve Casio from Accio Group who sponsorsed the event with PRINCE.

Report by Rebecca Moore