The 2012 CSSC Age Group Singles Championships were held on 27th/ 28th April and were once again hosted at Nottingham Squash Club.
This year’s event showed a slight increase in numbers and had good representation from across the north and south of the country. Many familiar faces, several newcomers and some partners came along to enjoy the camaraderie and atmosphere of the event and the hospitality of the Nottingham club. All of the competitions were keenly contested and all players took part in refereeing and marking, giving some participants their first ever experience of this.
The Men’s Over 55 was again destined to go to a new name as several previous incumbents were unavailable. The competition was played on a league basis giving entrants the opportunity to play everyone in their group and nowhere to hide. With a few ‘unknowns’ entering, the outcome was uncertain. As matches unfolded it became clear that some of the new faces hadn’t simply come to make up the numbers. In the end Fred Sanders emerged as the 2012 Champion, with Stephen Bullamore in the runner-up spot and the evergreen Chris Johnstone taking the plate trophy.
The Men’s Over 45 was also played on a League basis, again enabling all players to compete against each other. Peter Windram (the two times consecutive champion and current holder) came along to defend his title and yet again had the shots, strength and stamina to keep his opponents at bay in this group. So it’s now three in a row with the 2012 championship joining his collection. Newcomer Geoff Watson took second place, with the plate going to Anthony Wilson. With all of these exponents hailing from the North East region, there’s a suspicion that they must be putting something special in the water up there.
The Men’s Over 35 also had several new faces. The main event was played as a knockout and the plate competition as a league. Paul Lane (2011 Plate Winner) battled through in the main event to meet age group newcomer Paul Millington in the final. Millington eventually emerging as the 2012 Champion in a tough and competitive match. Paul Wilkinson took 3rd place in the main competition, leaving Wayne Temple in 4th spot overall in their positional play-off. The plate event was also keenly contested and won by another age group newcomer Glen Appleby with stalwart Jim Fay battling hard and taking second place.
Following the prize giving by event organiser Cynthia Crane, tournament referee Phill Crane gave a brief demonstration of racketball and a basic interpretation of the rules. Afterwards, several players took to the courts to face the challenge of a new sport and they were joined by Glen Appleby’s partner Danielle and CSSC Squash Chairman Linda Parsley. A good time was had by all with the newcomers making rapid progress with the new sporting challenge. Over 55’s Richard Kendrick was the star of this mini event, being able to adapt quicker than most to the different flight/ bounce of the bigger ball and shorter length of the racket.
Feedback from the group indicated that everyone had a busy and enjoyable experience meeting up with old and new colleagues, encompassing two days of squash, a social Friday evening quiz, the fresh challenge of racketball and a lunch provided on the Saturday. Many confirmed that they will be returning for the next event. The prize draw (£25 of M&S vouchers) for introducing a new player to the event was won by Stephen Bullamore.
The next squash tournament will be the Open Age Singles which will be taking place at the Nottingham club on 16/17 November 2012; further details and an entry form will be available on the website.
For all things CSSC Squash including match reports and some video from this and previous events see the website at http://www.cssc-squash.co.uk.
Glen Appleby. Chris Johnstone, Paul Millington, Peter Windram, Geoff Watson, Anthony Wilson, Steve Bullamore, Fred Sanders & Paul Lane.
