This year’s 2011/12 Civil Service Team Squash Tournament once again was hosted by Nottingham Squash Club, one of the Country’s premier squash venues. With eight Teams consisting of three men and two ladies entering the organisers were given the opportunity to run a standard eight team knock-out draw with a Plate competition for first round losers!
The top part of the draw in the first round saw last year’s winners DSRA (Defence) drawn against the HASSRA ‘B’ (Health and Social Security) Team. All was plain sailing for DSRA as they won through to the next round, however, HASSRA’s Jackie Robertson notched up a fine win over DSRA’s Lorna Riggs!
The lower part of the draw had assembled an impressive array of players under the banner of London Squash - which included the two current Civil Service Men’s and Ladies Singles Squash Champions Tim Burrell and Louise Clark! The daunting task of facing them had been drawn by the Land Registry Team who on the day could not produce any miracles and went down 5-0 to the impressive Londoners.
The middle part of the Draw always looked like a ‘close call’ between all four teams – there being three Teams having previously won the title along side the current Plate holders. The SPARTA (Transport) Team’s match against DEFRA (Environment of Food and Rural Affairs) reflected this when after four of the matches having been played the score stood at two matches each. This placed SPARTA’s Team Captain Mike Nichols, playing at number two, the task of defeating DEFRA’s Andrew Little to take his Team into the Semi-Finals, this Nichols managed to do with an impressive display of controlled squash.
The remaining first round match between HASSRA ‘A’ and HMRC (Revenue and Customers) was to prove similarly close and with the tie finally balanced at 2 1 to HMRC it was left to HMRC’s Heather Tweedle to cement their passage into the Semi-Final. HASSRA’s number two player Kevin Jackson did, however, ‘grab one back’ by defeating HMRC’s Chris Roberts to make the overall match score a respectable 3-2.
The first Semi-Final between the holder’s SPARTA was eagerly awaited and in the end turned out to be the match of the tournament! Early exchanges, however, went convincingly the way of DSRA with their number five Lisa Wallbank defeating newcomer Susan Gillam 3-0 and their number three player John Ashton defeating SPARTA’s Dan Willetts to the same score. SPARTA’s Angela Kennedy then came to the rescue taking a fine 3-1 win against the improving Lorna Riggs. With the number one players on court SPARTA’s Adam Curry would need to overcome a huge obstacle in the form of Marc Aldridge to keep their hopes of progressing alive. In a long and hard fought match Curry, the shot maker, overcame the fitness and agility of the very able Marc Aldridge 9-7, 1-9, 2-9, 9-5, 9-2 to put the overall match score at two each. This placed the respective Captain’s of each Team with the task of determining the outcome. SPARTA’s Mike Nichols took the early part of the match to DSRA’s Merv Davies and established an excellent 9-3, 9-6 lead! With his back against the wall Davies set out in the third game as a ‘man on a mission’ taking it 9-0. Seeing his lead diminished Nichols had to react and in an excellent display of competitive squash re-established his winning position to go 8-4 and serve for the match! Again Davies got tough taking the next four rallies to draw back to 7-8. Nichols then got his second match ball but once again failed to convert it. Davies fought hard to level at 8-8 but once again let Nichols regain the serve. This time Nichols’ nerve held and he toughed it out to win the next two points and with it the match. SPARTA were in the Final!
The other Semi-Final between HMRC and London Squash saw London’s number three player Louise Clark defeat the experienced Paul Angelides 3-0 and their number five player Helen Midgley defeat Pat High-Comer 3-1. Progress for the Londoner’s was, however, halted when HMRC Heather Tweedle produced her best form to defeat London’s James Turner 3 1. The next match between the number one players Jonathan Simpson from HMRC and London’s Tim Burrell was crucial to both teams. Burrell, however, in an excellent display of squash from both players took it 3-0. London’s Tony Webb then wrapped the overall score up to 4-1 by defeating HMRC’s Chris Roberts, London Squash had reached their first Final!
In the Final itself SPARTA’s hopes of winning were given a boost with the unfortunate withdrawal of London’s number three Louise Clark. This meant London had to re-jig their Team and forfeit the number five match to SPARTA’s Susan Gillam. The first match on court then produced more drama when after a long and well balance battle SPARTA’s number three Dan Willetts defeated James Turner 10-8 in the fifth game putting the London side down two matches to love. The next match then saw SPARTA’s Angela Kennedy in with a “chance for glory”. London’s Helen Midgeley elevated to the number four slot, however, had different ideas and Helen just managed to keep her head in front to win a close fought match 9-7, 9-7, 9-6. London were now back in the hunt needing their number one player Tim Burrell to defeat the “in form” Adam Curry. Curry, however, could not replicate his Semi-Final wizardry, the efforts of that match clearly showing and giving Burrell a comfortable 3-0 win. With the overall score two matches each SPARTA’s Captain Mike Nichols was once again called upon to save the day. This time, however, it was not to be with London’s Tony Webb proving too strong and taking his match 3-0 and with it the Trophy! London Squash had come, had fought and in the end had conquered! In the third and fourth place play-off DSRA’s men proved just too strong for their HMRC opponents and overcame a two match deficit to win the tie 3-2.
In the Plate Event DEFRA once again won the Final, defeating HASSRA ‘A’ 4-1. HASSRA’s Keeley Grindle was HASSRA’s only winner with a fine 3-1 result against Ruth Kneeshaw. In the third and fourth place play-off Land Registry chalked up an excellent win over HASSRA ‘B’ to register their first ever win in this annual Event. Well done to all their players Paul Wilkinson, Graham Cole, Adrian Nicholson, Vicky Kemp, and Wendy Weller.
Prizes were presented by Civil Service Team Captain Merv Davies. Nottingham Squash Rackets Club was thanked for their hospitality and thanks were also extended to the Physio, Tom White who had attended to all the aching muscles and joints during the Event. A friendly Team Quiz was held on the Thursday Evening at the Squash Club to help players rest and relax – this was won by HASSRA “A”.
It is hoped to run a similar Tournament next year, please watch for news on the CSSRA Website. Please register your interest even if you don’t have a full Team as Composite Teams can be formed from any group of players.
Photos from this event can be found in our Photo Gallery or by clicking here.