Squash Finals - Results

Hi Folks

Well after 3 hard weeks of squash the finals took place on Saturday. It was a good day all round and many thanks to all the helpers, who made it possible.

First up was Hampshire v Becky's Grandad in the Handicap and after a fair old tussle with some good rallies, Hampshire won in three.

On the next court, in the Vintage, Plod was trying to catch the Portly Pict speeding but no chance of that. After all the chips and chocolate he consumes, it was more like wilful obstruction of the highway. Had Portly moved any slower he would have gone backwards, and Plod won in five, coming back from 2-1 down.

Meanwhile on court 3, we had a strange occurrence. Two players had managed to creep under the radar, into the Alternative singles event. The organiser is now well aware of their playing capabilities, and they can expect serious handicaps next year. Rich Ellis beating Nick Higgs in 4.

In the Open the reigning champion Toy Boy, held off a spirited effort from Prince John to win 3 - 0 but all games went the distance and it was too close to call for most of the match. Many fine rallies and lots of spills and thrills with both players sprawling head over heels on occasions.

At the same time as this match, on court two in the Vets, our resident Springbok was taking on Becky's Grandad. Not a lot of leaping and springing here as he went down in three. I fear a long hard winter on the High Veld.

Over on court three the Portly Pict took on the Octopus in the Seniors. The Octopus has many tentacles and used them to good effect, smothering Portly in a mesh of lobs and drops. A hard hitting match this was definitely not but Portly came through to win in five.

The plate final saw the Shah of Warlingham face the Venezuelan Question, with the Shah flying in from Montreal that morning just for the match. We are such an International club we cover many countries and nationalities. While the Shah is the most elegant of players, jet lag finally caught up with him going down in three. As the Plate is a competition for first round losers The Venezuelan Question can now consider himself the biggest loser in the club........

Finally the Doubles, with Gel Boy & the Octopus facing off against Toy Boy and the Portly Pict. The doubles is always full of strange rallies, lots of lets and some ridiculous shots and this final did not disappoint. A breath taking display of speed and flexibility from Gel Boy, along with a rather lethargic performance from Portly, ensured the spoils went to Gel Boy and the Octopus. I believe this this the first time an old age pensioner has ever won the doubles.

Presentations were then made by two of our main sponsors, Ian Hubbard of Hubbard & Torlot Estate Agents and John Smith of Smith & Sons removals and we thank them for their support.

Finally and at long last the bar beckoned.

Actual scores are given below;-

Open singles Rob Stevenson beat John Smith 3-0 15/10, 17/15, 16/14

Plate Ivan Leon beat Sanjay Shah 3-0 15/7, 15/13, 15/12

Handicap Hamish Russell beat Paul Wainwright 2-1 15/6, 13/15, 15/10

Alternative Richard Ellis beat Nick Higgs 3-1, 15/6, 15/12, 13/15,15/8

Vets Paul Wainwright beat Stuart Kemp 3-0 15/9, 15/9, 15/12

Vintage Gary Davison beat Eric Stevenson 3-2
15/13, 12/15, 12/15, 15/8,15/4

Seniors Eric Stevenson beat Paul Masters 3-2
6/15, 15/12, 15/12, 11/15, 15/12

Doubles Paul Masters & Bradley Wilson beat Eric & Rob Stevenson
3-0 15/13, 15/12, 15/13

Thanks to all who played and hopefully we will have even more entries next year. I trust you all enjoyed the tournament, which was played in good spirit, and a lot of fun.

I wish you all a very good summer.

Regards

Eric