Archive for April, 2004

THE WINNER:

Tania saying to Paul, '....my, what an interesting vein that is on your forehead...'

RUNNERS UP:

Andrea says, '...do we have to talk about squash so much Mark? I want to go home...'

Lawrence explaining where Rich went wrong in the final, ...'you should have lobbed him at this height...'

Martin says to Graham, '..stop staring at the camera and go and get me a beer...'

John Plant

The Stamford Squash Club Finals, a culmination of competitions held through out the season with players ranging in age from 8 to 60 plus, was recently held at the club courts. Afterwards the trophies were presented by John Plant.

The Junior section was the first to be played, with the under 11′s starting proceedings. Liam Barnard and Sam Olver overcame some dogged resistance from Edward Barlow and Joseph Chedd in the semi finals to reach the final. The two juniors played with great skill with Liam dominating the front court he raced in to a 20 – 14 lead however Sam regained his focus and power to pull back to within a point , the comeback was short lived with Liam producing a powerful backhand drive to take the honours 21 points to 19.

The over 11′s final was a family affair the first of three, between Josh and Will Goodwin a competitive tie with Josh prevailing 3 games 0. The victory testament to his many solo training sessions.

Sam Desbruslais

The juniors were presented with their trophies by Stamford Squash Clubs World Ranked ladies player Tania Bailey and were later privileged to play against their hero.

The Copperstore on the night competition resulted in a father and son final between Paul and his son Sam Desbrulais. Sam playing with great skill made all the running pushing his father to all areas of the court and eventually won 15 points to 7.

Paul Desbruslais

The Super Veterans competition for the over 55′s was won by Mick Lewis who’s contrast between power and a delicate lob serve proved to much for fellow finalist Maurice Mosdell. The Super veterans plate competition was won by Graham Wright whom beat off a gutsy performance by Roger Banks 3 games to 1.

Graham Wright

The veterans competition for over 45′s saw Graham Wright beat Maurice Mosdell in the plate competition 3 games to 0 for his second trophy of the day.  The final of the veterans competition was a tense affair between Dave Battersby and Mark Davies. Mark took a comfortable 2 games to 0 lead however Dave pegged the score back to 2-2 and the fifth game was a classic in which Dave had the edge and won 9-5 to win.

Maurice Mosdell

Dave Battersby

The Handicap final produced some exhilirating squash between Ian Burnhams driving game and Pauls Smith touch and lob style. Paul started on plus 1 to Ians scratch score with American scoring to 15 points each game. Ian took the first game and it was not long before the spectators realised that this would go to 5 games as Paul rallied and took the second it was nip and tuck all the way with the score in games reaching 2-2. Paul started the fifth the better of the two but Ian clung on, the score proceeded to 14 -10 in Pauls favour , Ian dug deep and played some of his best squash to take the tie 15-14.

Ian Burnham

John Fields

Lawrence Ball

The Chase Plate competition for all players played with normal scoring was the culmination of the day. The plate competition with John Fields being pushed hard by Lawrence Ball and the score of 3-0 did not reflect how hard this final was.

Paul York

Richard Barker

The main event the final of the mens competition was contested by Paul York and his brother-in-law Richard Barker. Paul was looking for a record 10th mens title and their was trepidation in Richards play . Paul took the first game comfortably. However, Richard pulled himself together narrowly losing the second and then changed his tactics by playing more drop shots and took the third. Richards mobility made the fourth game eventful and his retrieval was something to behold. But Pauls power and experience took the fourth game and his tenth Championship 3-1.