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WEST
ENGLAND MASTERS
SOUTH MARSTON, SWINDON
31 Oct to 02 Nov 2008
the MASTERS page |
Whilst the cats are away the mice are
allowed to play…..
Unfortunately all the cats drank too much milk and got nowhere in
New Zealand whilst their nearest (and dearest) challengers got the
cream at South Marston. Whilst the East was played in 85º and
glorious sunshine, the West took place in foul weather, well suited
to Squash and indoor entertainment (of all sorts).
This was an extremely well run tournament, not that all of them
aren’t, but Paul Clark and Beate, the Professional and Hotel Manager
at Nightingale, were very efficient and also got Brian and Ros Brock
to run the whole shebang. Brian, a MOD and computer expert and Ros
had got everything sorted before it happened and any problem that
emanated had an immediate answer. Although they couldn’t do anything
about the appalling performance of our cricket team in Antigua!
What was annoying was the amazing amount of drop-outs and late
payers. Including one who did not turn up or apologise even though
he knew that Brian was trying to contact him. And this is where the
Committee start getting tough. If they haven’t paid by Coventry, I
will name and shame. And I need a Doctor’s certificate for all
withdrawals as well by Coventry. Sorry! Time to get tough.
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PHOTOS
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The Squash
The Ladies O35, again decimated by a late drop out. Only 3
were left and Sam Willis took out both Nicola Fowler and Suzanne
Scarlett. The latter two had a toughie which Nicola scraped but
Suzanne (from my old Club East Anglia) will definitely get stronger
with a good win under her belt.
The 40’s saw another drop out, leaving only Diane Parums and
Sam Willis. Sam is too good and would have done very well in New
Zealand but Diana can console herself with the points gathered.
In the O45/50 we combined the groups. Fran Wallis, of course,
was far too strong in the former as was Helen Gould in the latter.
Fran took out Helen in the Final with the latter contesting the last
game strongly. However, the Ladies who stayed really enjoyed
themselves and even out-noised the O35 Men (in every department).
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In the Mens, Tony Seare and Gordon Ross
were the only contestants in the O70’s, Tony winning.
The O65’s saw Brian Hardcastle suffer at the hands of Tony
Clifford, whilst William Wilson crashed out to English Welshman
Brian Phillips! Mike Clemson, playing everyone and everybody, saw
off John Preston, whilst Len Froggitt, not quite himself at the
moment, went out to his fellow County team mate Tony Clifford 3/1.
Tony’s short game on the Nightingale courts suited him down to the
ground. However, come the Final, Clemson was too quick around the
court and won the crucial points in a tight 3 setter.
The O60’s was very tight, very tight. There are more
National/Closed winners in this group than any other. It is the one
age group where the seasoned Internationals play every year without
fail. Newcomer Larry Grover, ex Surrey and Colets, now Guernsey,
gave a statement of intent but after a hard battle with Harvey
Kember, lost 0/3 in a long match with Martin Pearse. The latter
gained sweet revenge for his Closed defeat over No 1 seed Mike
Taylor, in a muted encounter, whilst No 2 seed Chris Ansell crashed
out 10/8 in the fifth to ex British National Champion Rod Boswell,
back on the warpath after a long injury lay-off. As did Geoff Howes,
a long scream as he tore his abductor against ex professional Nick
Topman. The Final was an epic 1 hour battle, well past the other
Finals finish and included 9 match balls wasted by Boswell, 2/1 &
6/1 and then 2/2 and 8/4 including an amazing retrieve followed by
an equally crucial miss to clinch the match by Boswell. Of course,
sods law, your Chair clinched his one and only match ball to claim
the maximum points available. Ironically under PARS, Boswell would
have won 6/11 11/7 12/10 16/18 11/8 with a massive 49 rallies fewer.
The O55’s saw seedings blown away, Reader out to Tidy,
Nightingale to Hawkes, this group without the stars, is very open.
Eventually newcomer Alistair Niven edged Tidy 9/7 in the fifth
whilst Goodrich sneaked Tidy 10/8 in the decider for their Sunday
tete â tete. Goodrich’s cold hindered but Niven slogged it out
against the Judge and clinched his first title at only his second
attempt. Congratulations to the Surrey left hander, who was
understandably delighted afterwards.
The O50’s saw the Chief Superintendant returning to his manor
where all his constables patrolled and where his name is on all the
boards at Wessex and South Marston. And he won! Unluckily for the
Junior Fox, he collected a British Airways virus courtesy of all the
filth they spray over you from the aircraft’s long haul ventilators
these days and our TV star Mark Cowley was rendered hors de combat
with a torn thigh muscle early in his Semi with newcomer Tom Burton.
So the latter, a credible performer and very similar in mannerisms
and looks to Mr Bradburn, took on Mr Hardy but the latter played
with increasing confidence to eventually take the fourth 9/0 and
with it the match. Cue clenched fist and the first smile of the day.
The 45’s also saw new faces, although there were, as in other
groups, some of the big names missing. John Cordeaux progressed to
the final via Nick Peel and local hero, Wiltshire Champion Paul
Clark (Paul has promised me he will give up cigarettes, especially
as he is chasing a cap at 45!) The flying Doctor came up against
Eamonn Price, five stone lighter than he was this time last year! As
Price is extremely tactically tight and efficient, poor Chris was
reduced to bits by the end. However, he can console himself he will
no doubt cause major problems in the 50 section which he enters any
day now. In the Final, Price, who was in the same Cambridge
University Team 25 years ago (approx) saw off his old friend and
adversary Cordeaux in a very tight and edgy thriller 9/5 10/8 10/9.
Couldn’t get much closer. Well done Eamonn! Another first Regional
winner.
The O40’s saw David Youngs fulfil his seeding edging past the
strong local boy Rob Watkins 10/8 9/7 6/9 9/7 and then meeting up
with no less than Andy Murray in the Final. Only our Andy is much
nicer and more pleasant than the Tennis variety. He had earlier
taken out No 2 seed Rick Weatherall 9/0 in the fifth, but my fellow
Norfolkian was mostly in control to record a 3/1 victory showing the
large gallery his full range of racket skills off both the front and
back walls.
Finally, the O35’s. A tough quarter-final between Peter
Goodings and Jamie Goodrich, well over an hour, whilst Jason Foster
sneaked Ian Douglass. Foster, however, got little change a few hours
later from Goodrich who played as well as he ever has. No 2 seed
Steve Townsend cruised through until he met up with newcomer Ashley
Bowling from Dallington who took him out 9/4 9/1 9/2. In the Final
Ashley controlled most of the rallies as Jamie seemed the direct
opposite of the previous day. All was not well at the end as a
disgusted No 1 seed pondered for ages on what went wrong, whilst
another newcomer entered his name on the Regional Winner’s Board.
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Finally, many thanks go to the England
Squash Referees who gave up their Sunday and the Hotel Staff for all
their help and hospitality. And also to the Wessex Club for hosting
us and allowing the photos of one S. Hardy to remain on the walls.
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