Cambs Squash

The end of a busy week saw the Finals of the Cambridgeshire Squash County Closed held at Cambridge Squash Club. The build up to the finals saw some fantastic matches but the finals surpassed themselves.

The Mens O55 kickstarted the afternoon with veterans Phil Godfrey (Crown Lodge) and Peter Hand (Peterborough) meeting once again. Hand pushed hard, with tactical play but Godfrey defended his title well, always having control winning the match 9-3/9-5/9-5.

The Ladies O50 was a round robin event with Margaret Chambers winning the league playing with excellent accuracy and skill.

The Mens O45’s was a turnaround this year with the No 2 seed Andy Witham (Portugal Place) dominating the match against No 1 seed John Hawkins (CUP). Witham won 9-6/9-3/9-4

Ladies O40 was a true battle between Comberton ladies, Sarah Howlett and Julia Dolman. Howlett defending her title lost the first game but came back to win the next two and looked on top. Dolman came into the 4th a different and more determined player and dominated her opponent winning the game 9-1. Dolman didn’t let up in the 5th game winning 9-3. Julia Dolman won the match 3-2 9-7/5-9/3-9/9-1/9-3

Open B was between Richard Bridge (Abbotsley) and youngster Harry Taylor (Crown). Taylor was fired up for the challenge and went two games ahead having run Richard Bridge around the court relentlessly. Bridge used his experience and took the 3rd 11-1. Bridge retained his composure and went on to win the next two games 11-6 and 11-7. Bridge won the Open B title 3-2

The Ladies Championship was between No 1 seed Stephanie Marriott (Dome) and No 2 seed Kate Bradshaw (Melbourn). Marriott had cruised her way to the final without dropping a game and was ready for her opponent. Kate Bradshaw having had a tough semi against Anne Walton (Crown) narrowly winning 3-2 put up a brave fight to overcome Marriott. Marriott didn’t allow Bradshaw the chance to play a fast hard hitting game which she loves and won the match 3-0.

Nevil McNish (Crown) and Simon Elliott (Portugal Place) played in the Open Plate Final with Nevil McNIsh winning the first two games quite comfortably 11-6/11-4. Elliott settled and played well in the 3rd winning that game 11-2. McNish focused better in the fourth and won the final game 11-4 winning the match 3-1

The Open Final was a tough match for title holder Sammy Chambers (Crown Lodge) and No 3 seed Neil Rossin (Hunts County). Rossin earned his place in the final having put out No 2 seed Chris Reeve (Abbotsley) in the semis 3-1 was looking sharp. Chambers was facing a very determined opponent who looked fit and accurate throughout the tournament. Rossin took the first game 11-4 and looked in command. Chambers came back to win the 2nd 11-5. The 3rd was a much longer, tighter game with Rossin bossing most of the play winning 11-9. Chambers 1-2 down in games and struggling with nerves, struggled through the 4th always slightly behind but managed to find better accuracy and length and took the last part of the game more confidently. Confidence was everything to the young player and he came back in the 5th to win 11-5. Chambers won the Open Championship for the 2nd year running.

Plate competition results were as follows:

Mens O55 Plate
Winner: Stewart Hastings
R/up: Dave Bradbury

Mens O45 Plate
Winner: Richard Bridge
R/Up : Graham Simms

Ladies O40 Plate
Winner: Sasha Baldwin
R/Up: Liz Galpin

Ladies Plate
Winner: Elsje Van Es
R/Up: Julia Dolman

Prizes and trophies were sponsored by Karakal and Accio Group and were presented by tournament organiser, Rebecca Moore and County Chairman, Bob Maison.