Tournament Report 2017 Finals 1st & 2nd April

This year's finals were again held at Colets in Thames Ditton. The club has had a major refurbishment of the changing rooms since we were last there and once again we were well looked after.

This year's entries were up in number in some categories, especially the Non-County events which seems to be proving more and more popular, but unfortunately down in most of the doubles events. Something we must try and address next year.

The squash was of a very high standard, with newcomer Jonathan Gliddon winning the O'45 event which was run as a round robin, and with his partner Andy Normile winning the O'45 doubles. Darren Withey won the 50 and Laurence Molke the 55 event. An all Colets final in the O'60 saw Dave Clarke beat Stuart Hardy 3-1 and in the 65 final the current British O'70 holder and our President Phil Ayton beat his old adversary and friend Howard Cherlin.

Leighton Jenkins won the O'70 and new member Brian Rand beat Brian Phillips in the O'75. In the most senior age event those two old stagers went through their warm up routines and once again took to the stage to do battle with the holder Lance Kinder triumphing over John Woodliffe then joining forces to win the O'75 doubles.

There were wins for Tariq Mushtaq and Stuart Harland in the non-county events and an all Colets team of Dave Clarke and Alan Thomson won the 55 doubles. Geoff Howes and Aubrey Waddy won the 65 doubles for the 3rd time and Paul Ventham and James Dubois from The RAC won the O'70 doubles.

The Ladies events were contested by Keely Johnson and Sam Mueller in the lower age group with Keely winning 3-1. The other group was played as a Round-robin with Rachel Woolford emerging victorious. Karen Hume and Keely won the Ladies doubles.

The Norman Hunt Trophy was awarded to Brian Phillips. I noticed that he won his first Title in the O'50 event in 1990.

There was a good attendance for the weekend from spectators, old friends and members of the club alike, who whilst no longer playing at a competitive level still come and support.

After the formalities of the AGM and prize giving the traditional buffet was replaced by a hot meal and complementary wine. Perhaps one reason the AGM is so well attended.

Geoff Howes

Tournament Director