BUSA Squash
(British Universities Sports Association)

The Championship duo, Saurav & Lauren

THE GALLERY

AWESOME LAUREN  ...

The first began scrappy with neither player really able to play the ball within 4 feet of the sidewalls, Lauren seemed happier and began showing Tanya her drop shot, and this enabled her to race to a 7-1 lead. Tanya, still struggling to find any satisfactory width, responded with a couple of spectacular nicks, but it wasn’t enough for a comeback… Lauren 1-0.

Tanya started well in the second; well at least I thought so! Lauren didn’t agree, she chased, she scrapped and suddenly it was 2-0. Tanya had to try something different now and she did, she came out hitting the ball hard and low, and for the first time was able to pass the giant reach of Siddall, but as Lauren had shown in the previous game she can play many different ways.

After a few minutes at 0-0 Lauren dealt with what Tanya was throwing her way and showed us winners from every corner of the court, racing to a 9-0 victory.

It has to be said Lauren was awesome today and should be pleased with a great days work.
 

Waterboi puts defending
champ to the test!

A positive Chris Truswell launched into an early offensive against defending champion Mohammed El Said. Both players fought hard to stamp their authority on the game with fast paced rallies and imaginative shots from all areas of the court. It was close to the end but it was Truswell who produced the goods to win the first.

The second game began as the “Chris Truswell Show” as he mustered a recipe of irretrievable drops and cloud scraping lobs that rocketed him into an 8-0 lead. However, there were worried faces in camp Truswell as El Said found the composure and skill to bring the score back to 8-6. Truswell fans were relieved as he worked a spectacular volley boast into the front left that provided him with the game ball he needed to capture the game 9-6.

Truswell took control early on in the third, gaining a 3-0 advantage with help from some uncharacteristic El Said mistakes. It was clear that the first two games had taken their toll on the young Truswell as he started making his share of errors. El Said wasted no time in proving that he was a force to be reckoned with, blitzing his way to an 8-3 advantage. A good length and two timely drops gave Truswell a glimmer of hope as he made his way back to 5-8, this hope was promptly extinguished by a metal nemesis… the tin. El Said wrapped up the third 9/5.

Game four was a demonstration of exactly why El Said is the defending champion. Solid and consistent length had Truswell struggling to compete and it wasn’t long before Truswell found himself receiving at 8-0 down. The first game ball saw the end of the game as a tired Truswell retreated to seek council from coach Worth.

The final game saw some inventive play from both competitors. Truswell’s attempt to catch El Said off guard by firing one down the middle of the court was met by a touch of magic as El Said calmly hit a shot behind his back into the front right hand nick! Experience prevailed as El Said took the last 9-2.

"I played well in the first two but ran out of ideas towards the end. "I started to push the ball around instead of playing hard attacking squash."

"I underestimated Chris in the first games and I wasn’t moving particularly well. "I think experience played a big part as I moved him round, stayed focussed and kept it tight."

This was always going to be an exercise in up hill struggling for Bevans, but her normal ‘cool as a cucumber’ demeanour was replaced in the opening rallies with nerves.

Siddall, after a few errors, found her rhythm and began to caress the ball into each and every corner of the court. This allowed her to run away with the first game 9-1.

Bevans started brighter in the second and began to relax, but found that Siddall just kept slapping winners here, there and everywhere. Bevans was unable to penetrate the ‘Siddall fortress’ that was the middle of the court… second game Siddall 9-0.

In the opening exchanges of the third Bevans found herself attempting to retrieve balls from areas of the court that she previously did not know existed. Siddall seemingly in top gear already stepped it up and seemed un-stoppable, a member of the crown next to me was in awe of Laurens shot making and said she was playing with ‘erotic accuracy’.

Siddall finished the match with some crowd pleasing shots and came out the winner 9-0.

"I don’t think the score line reflects how close the rallies were, with regards to my next match all I can do is try my best!"

"WOW! Too powerful, I felt under pressure from the word go. I found it hard enough to stay in the rallies let alone win them!"

OWENS OUSTS COUFAL

With just four points of the match played, the tin had already seen its fair share of action. Both players then tightened up finding good width and length, with the score going point for point no dominant force emerged early on. Owens was the first to reach game ball and thought she’d bagged the game as Coufal appeared to hit the board.

Unable to decipher whether the ball was up or down the referee, much to the dismay of Owens, called a let. Owens was riled and Coufal used this to her advantage as she stormed through to win 10-8.

The second game gave rise to a fresher more confident Coufal, she worked Owens around the court and chopped the ball into the front corners early, leaving her opponent stranded at the back of the court.

Owens sprang into the third a transformed player, her unrivalled determination and focus catapulted her into an 8-2 lead. Owens picked her moment and sealed the game 9-5.

Owens opened the fourth as she had finished the third, determined and focussed. Quickly establishing a 6-4 lead Owens looked well in contention to take the game but Coufal seemed to find a second wind and ploughed her way through to 8-6. Fuelled by the frustration of a number of close decisions Owens hit enough good shots to take the match to a fifth game.

The fifth did not witness the intense battling that had preceded. Owens was in control, she kept her composure and her controlling length and accurate drops won her the game 9-3 and ultimately the match!
  

BUSA Squash
(British Universities Sports Association)

THE GALLERY

TAMBLYN TAKES OUT BOWLES

Bowles got off to a good start, putting Tamblyn under pressure at every opportunity. Tamblyn managed to hit a few good shots that earned herself a couple of points but Bowles’s dominating line and length proved too much and took the game 9/2. The second saw Tamblyn shift the pressure as she tightened up and pinned Bowles to the back of the court. A close hard fought game with Tamblyn emerging the victor, 9/5. The third game witnessed excellent retrieval from Tamblyn.

When the rally looked dead and buried Tamblyn managed to forge shots that brought her right back into contention. Tamblyn’s persistence seemed to frustrate her opponent into making mistakes. Tamblyn used a combination of consistency and determination to achieve a 9/3 victory.

The 4th seemed to be gruelling war of attrition with long rallies up and down the side walls. However, Tamblyn managed to prevail in the crucial rallies and sealed the final game 9/6.

“I am disappointed to go out in the first round, I didn’t play my best squash. All credit to Jenny though, she played very well and ran hard throughout the match. “After today’s performance I’m not too enthused at the prospect of playing in the plate competition but will give it my best shot.” Sarah Bowles

“That was exciting stuff! I’m pleased with how I played and am relishing the opportunity to play the number one seed in the next round!” Jenny Tamblyn

TRUSWELL TAKES CONTROL

The first game got off to a scrappy start with the ball seeing a little more of the middle of the court than either player would have liked. However, after the nerves of the opening points had settled, Truswell managed to tighten up and secure a 6-2 lead. Fuller held at 6-2 for a while but Truswell’s consistency paved the way for a 9-3 victory.

The second saw Fuller open with a number of mistakes that allowed Truswell to gather early momentum. Truswell made the most of this momentum by moving his opponent all over the court and as tiredness ensued, mistakes crept into Fuller’s game. Truswell capitalised with deadly accuracy and took the second 9-2.

By the 3rd, the extent of Fuller’s fatigue became apparent as he tried to end rallies quickly, haplessly searching for cross court nicks. Truswell kept his composure and strode to what appeared to be an easy 9-0 victory.

"I was happy with the way I played. "I felt relaxed and comfortable on court, a feeling I hope I can take with me to the next round. "Waaf!!" Chris Truswell

“That was a bad day at the office!!!” Adam Fuller

POWER SHOOTS THROUGH

Birmingham’s Tom Power got into his stride early on in the first round of the men’s ‘b’ event. Confidently working the ball into all four corners Power had no trouble in securing the first game. The second game was much the same as Power dominated the ‘T’ zone. Hills’ change of racket provided a small glimpse of hope but Power soon found his rhythm again and overcame Hills with his superior length and width.

The 3rd game bore witness to Powers shot making ability as he mustered drops and kills from all areas of the court.

“Off to a good start! Very much looking forward to the rest of the tournament.”

“Not my best performance but looking to win the plate. I love the silverware!!!”

TAYLOR OUTLASTS ROBINSON

The first game saw Robinson unable to capitalise on Taylor’s numerous inaccurate crosscourt nick attempts letting it slide in Taylor’s favour in what was a close 10/8 battle. Robinson played consistently in the second making few errors and keeping Taylor under pressure at the back of the court.

However, towards the end of the game it was clear that the length of the first game had taken its toll on both players and resulted in Robinson hitting two tins that gave Taylor the game.

It was wholly apparent in the 3rd that Robinson was struggling with fitness and a string of unforced errors gave Taylor an early lead which he capitalised on, winning the last 9/5.

“I played okay although feel I could have done better. My drop shots weren’t really working for me but I’m just happy to get through.”

“I thought I was hitting the ball quite sweetly but I struggled with fitness, the 1st game really took it out of me. Phil played well and I wish him all the best in the rest of the competition”

BUSA Squash
(British Universities Sports Association)

University of Birmingham students will be providing coverage of the BUSA Squash Individual Championship, in an exciting joint venture with www.squashsite.co.uk .

Player profiles, latest results, and match commentary will all become available as the weekend of squash unfurls.

Student players, journalists and photographers will be combining forces to deliver reports on this fast-paced weekend of squash, and with the top students athletes from across the country competing, there should be some real stories to tell.

2005 team Finals

The cream of university squash converges on Birmingham this weekend, as the University of Birmingham hosts the BUSA Individual Squash Championships.

With a third successive year of increased entries, the BUSA weekend now showcases the very strongest student squash players. Players compete not only for individual success, but to add to their institutions points tally for the 05/06 sporting calendar. Results of all BUSA recognised championships of some 40 different sports, including the Squash Team Championship held throughout the year, are compiled into a points league table of University sport, recognised nationally as an indicator of top sporting institutions. The BUSA programme itself is recognised internationally as one of the most comprehensive multi-sport programmes at a University level. Competition is close amongst the top 20 institutions, and many a historical rivalry can come to the fore over these three days of competition.

In recent history, the tournament had struggled to attract a strong field of entries, being exclusively for Higher Education students, and yet now the reputation of the tournament soars, aided by the Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme (TASS). In a combination of studies and elite sport, talented players can be adequately supported whilst remaining in education and any University competition now attracts an impressive roster of players, many of whom are simultaneously making an impact for both club and county.

Notably this year, both Mohammed El-Said and Emma Beddoes return to defend their 2005 titles, but with several strong challengers across the draw, success is by no means assured. The womens’ competition in particular could produce quite a showdown, with the final having been contested by Beddoes and Lauren Siddall for the last two years. The score sheet stands at one title a piece, and either could put in a second championship clinching performance.

Joel Hinds (Derbyshire, University of Birmingham) enters his first BUSA Championship, coming straight from the final of British Under 19 Championship and, having had a successful BUSA league season, is definitely poised to ruffle some feathers early on in the tournament.

Many previous semi- and quarter-finalists return for shot at the title, and this year’s fresh faces have every intention of making their mark on University squash.

Event Information