Some of the finest UK age group players were on display showing all the skills and enthusiasm that their talent brings to this game we play.

We had British Open and Closed winners competing and a multitude of Internationals across all the age categories. The Men’s Over 45 title was won for the second year running by Eamonn Price, pictured left receiving his trophy from the President and Over 60 winner Philip Ayton.

The semi finals and finals of the Club Tournament were held over the weekend of 17th 18th April, hosted this year by Broxbourne Squash Club in Hertfordshire.

There were over 50 games played during the course of the weekend and as usual the squash was of the very highest standard.

There were nearly 20 internationals playing and winners of British Open and National titles competing. This again shows that the club is continuing to fulfil its aims, to encourage age group players to continue playing.

It is pleasing, with the number of Masters events throughout the season, the Regionals, The British Open and Closed, plus player’s own club and league commitments, that we still have the entry levels that we do.

To continue at this level it is imperative that we encourage our members to recruit others to join and to participate in all of the club activities, whether social matches, our tournament or tours.

We will, with permission from the hosting clubs and England Squash Masters, actively try to recruit new members at the Masters events throughout the coming season.

It would also be hoped that this year’s participants will try and find new members from within their own club and county set-ups.

As well as this we must aim to get existing members who no longer enter to do so again.

With a lot of work from Mandy Akin we have had the best supported Ladies events ever, but must try to build on this.

Again there were a considerable number of matches not played and walk-overs given, but as this was mostly through injury then there is not much we can do about it.

Highlights of the weekend:

The match between Darren Withey and Eamonn Price in the O’45, both England players, Eamonn being the National champion winning in 4 games.

The Willmor brothers getting back into winning ways in the 55 Doubles.

Karen Hume and Mandy Akin winning their respective singles and then joining together to win the Ladies doubles.

The 55 and 65 categories were won by National Title holders, Mark Cowley and Adrian Wright and recently crowned English Open over 70 Champion, Brian Philips in the O’70 group beating many times champion John Woodliffe.

John Woodliffe and Lance Kinder, never ones to leave empty handed, retained the O’70 doubles. If they do it again next year they will repeat their feat of five successive victories that they achieved in the O’65 Doubles.

Finally it was good to see our President Philip Ayton returning to full fitness and retaining the O’60 title, although he did confess to be playing “Old Man’s Squash at last”.

The pleasurably part was that although fiercely contested all games were played in the fairest of spirit

The Finals were followed on Sunday by the AGM, which passed off swiftly and without controversy, Gordon Coulthard standing down and David Garrett taking his place as Treasurer.

The doubles scoring system was commented on and we may consider revising this again next year. I am also proposing that the O’45 and O’50 age groups be canvassed as to whether they would wish to play PARS

After the prize giving the catering staff from Broxbourne provided us with a superb buffet attended by approximately 60 members and guests.

Thanks to Wendy and the staff at Broxbourne and to Karen Lane who did a fantastic job of liasing between us and Broxbourne.

I have contacted Colets and they confirm that they would be willing to host the Finals in 2011.

Easter 2011 falls late, Easter Sunday is 24th April so I propose that we provisionally plan the finals for the weekend before, on 16th 17th April.

Geoff Howes

17th May 2010