Normally I would give an over view of how the competition unfolded and include some of the highlights. I have a dilemma here since there were so many, in fact I can’t think of any low lights.
For the last 4 years the 1st round format has been the 3 man round robin group stage primarily introduced to get everyone in the club together irrespective of standard. In an ideal world I would have liked to see more players from the lower leagues taking part but I understand not all can commit so much time to a squash tournament. Despite this there was a large entry and the 1st round was split over Monday and Tuesday evening.
On a personal note it was good to see some juniors entrants, I’m sure their experience in the competition will hold them in good stead for the future. All gave good account of themselves.
With all players having to play 2 games on the night and fighting for the maximum points tally (84- see results table below) there was much toil.
Monday saw all the higher handicapped players going through although non of them had an easy time of it.
Bill Johnson provided the entertainment on the lighter side with good humored banter during his encounters with top handicapper Tony Hedley and Ian Rowe who has just returned to the game after a few years, I won’t say how many.
It seemed the best was saved until last on Monday night with a great battle between Dave Hall and Rory Whalling. No shortage of effort or ability with a closely fought contest and many long rallies.
(In fact Dave went on to provide what was the contest of the tournament so far when he played Gary Storey in the last 16.)
Really entertaining squash.
Tuesday caused some logistic problems for the organiser when we ran out of court time. My error in failing to factor in an additional group late on. Thank you to Keith Grey and Dave Hall who saved the day with a ’spare’ court and to the players who had to play way more squash on Wednesday to catch up, they were Robin Ritchie, Mark Coxon, Martin Davison and particularly Keith Grey and Peter Archibold.
Just like the previous night, it was late on when 2 real battles unfolded. Robin Ritchie was up against a much improved Mark Coxon while Peter Archibold had a monumental battle with Martin Davison. Martin then had another battle with Keith Grey.
2 games were left unfinished at 1-1 with the game between Keith Grey and Peter Archibold not played at all. With an early Wednesday start these matters were resolved and the last 16 started in earnest.
1st Round Points Tally
Joe Race 84pts
John Ormsby 70pts
Adam Rowe 74pts
Tony Hedley 84pts
Bill Johnson 65pts
Ian Rowe 81pts (unable to play the next round)
Ian Morton 84pts
Derek Railston 74pts
Dave Barlow 71pts
Gary Story 84pts
Mark Knott 72pts
Steve Lavery 73pts
Dave Hall 84pts
Rory Whaling 75pts
Jonny Woodhouse 79pts
Andy Lawrence 84pts
Bruno Gaultier 61pts
James Rowe 82pts
Dan Cussak 84pts
Rob Owen 82pts
Luke Fecitt 74pts
Nick Fecitt 62pts
Peter Edney 84pts
Elliott Harrison 77pts
Peter Archibold 75pts
Martin Davison 77pts
Keith Grey 84pts
Robin Ritchie 81pts
Mark Knott 65pts
Mark Coxon 84pts
Thank you to Mark Knott who selflessly stood in at the last minute to ensure the group stages stayed honest on both Monday and Tuesday night.
The last 16.
Robin Ritchie proved too strong for Jonnie Woodhouse although Jonnie is showing he too is improving.
Joe Race beat the young James Rowe.
Andy Lawrence lost to Rob Owen who served strongly on the night, never seen so many nicks off Rob’s serve ! You don’t get the nicks for nothing, clever squash.
Ian Morton beat Dan Cussack.
Tony Hedley was far too strong for Mark Coxon despite a -20 handicap. Mark worked very hard but was beaten by an immaculate length game.
Keith Grey beat Elliott Harrison- another junior who shows great promise.
Never short of effort, Peter Edney put in a great performance to beat Martin Davison. Entertaining stuff.
Last but not least, Gary Storey beat Dave Hall in what was the match of the tournament so far. At one all and after many many long rallies it looked like youth would be the deciding factor with Dave looking tired. Not so. Dave played some great squash, found a new source of energy and kept a 5 point lead until the mid teens.
Gary was showing signs of pressure with the odd unforced error but continued to keep the rallies going. It paid off in the end, Gary took his last 5 points in succession. 21-14 in the end. A great game of squash.
Please support the event, the quarter finals are on Monday 27th April, 6.40pm start.
Ian Mc
For the last 4 years the 1st round format has been the 3 man round robin group stage primarily introduced to get everyone in the club together irrespective of standard. In an ideal world I would have liked to see more players from the lower leagues taking part but I understand not all can commit so much time to a squash tournament. Despite this there was a large entry and the 1st round was split over Monday and Tuesday evening.
On a personal note it was good to see some juniors entrants, I’m sure their experience in the competition will hold them in good stead for the future. All gave good account of themselves.
With all players having to play 2 games on the night and fighting for the maximum points tally (84- see results table below) there was much toil.
Monday saw all the higher handicapped players going through although non of them had an easy time of it.
Bill Johnson provided the entertainment on the lighter side with good humored banter during his encounters with top handicapper Tony Hedley and Ian Rowe who has just returned to the game after a few years, I won’t say how many.
It seemed the best was saved until last on Monday night with a great battle between Dave Hall and Rory Whalling. No shortage of effort or ability with a closely fought contest and many long rallies.
(In fact Dave went on to provide what was the contest of the tournament so far when he played Gary Storey in the last 16.)
Really entertaining squash.
Tuesday caused some logistic problems for the organiser when we ran out of court time. My error in failing to factor in an additional group late on. Thank you to Keith Grey and Dave Hall who saved the day with a ’spare’ court and to the players who had to play way more squash on Wednesday to catch up, they were Robin Ritchie, Mark Coxon, Martin Davison and particularly Keith Grey and Peter Archibold.
Just like the previous night, it was late on when 2 real battles unfolded. Robin Ritchie was up against a much improved Mark Coxon while Peter Archibold had a monumental battle with Martin Davison. Martin then had another battle with Keith Grey.
2 games were left unfinished at 1-1 with the game between Keith Grey and Peter Archibold not played at all. With an early Wednesday start these matters were resolved and the last 16 started in earnest.
1st Round Points Tally
Joe Race 84pts
John Ormsby 70pts
Adam Rowe 74pts
Tony Hedley 84pts
Bill Johnson 65pts
Ian Rowe 81pts (unable to play the next round)
Ian Morton 84pts
Derek Railston 74pts
Dave Barlow 71pts
Gary Story 84pts
Mark Knott 72pts
Steve Lavery 73pts
Dave Hall 84pts
Rory Whaling 75pts
Jonny Woodhouse 79pts
Andy Lawrence 84pts
Bruno Gaultier 61pts
James Rowe 82pts
Dan Cussak 84pts
Rob Owen 82pts
Luke Fecitt 74pts
Nick Fecitt 62pts
Peter Edney 84pts
Elliott Harrison 77pts
Peter Archibold 75pts
Martin Davison 77pts
Keith Grey 84pts
Robin Ritchie 81pts
Mark Knott 65pts
Mark Coxon 84pts
Thank you to Mark Knott who selflessly stood in at the last minute to ensure the group stages stayed honest on both Monday and Tuesday night.
The last 16.
Robin Ritchie proved too strong for Jonnie Woodhouse although Jonnie is showing he too is improving.
Joe Race beat the young James Rowe.
Andy Lawrence lost to Rob Owen who served strongly on the night, never seen so many nicks off Rob’s serve ! You don’t get the nicks for nothing, clever squash.
Ian Morton beat Dan Cussack.
Tony Hedley was far too strong for Mark Coxon despite a -20 handicap. Mark worked very hard but was beaten by an immaculate length game.
Keith Grey beat Elliott Harrison- another junior who shows great promise.
Never short of effort, Peter Edney put in a great performance to beat Martin Davison. Entertaining stuff.
Last but not least, Gary Storey beat Dave Hall in what was the match of the tournament so far. At one all and after many many long rallies it looked like youth would be the deciding factor with Dave looking tired. Not so. Dave played some great squash, found a new source of energy and kept a 5 point lead until the mid teens.
Gary was showing signs of pressure with the odd unforced error but continued to keep the rallies going. It paid off in the end, Gary took his last 5 points in succession. 21-14 in the end. A great game of squash.
Please support the event, the quarter finals are on Monday 27th April, 6.40pm start.
Ian Mc
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