2011 Squash Championships at the CSSC Games

Simply the best!

This year's CSSC Games in Loughborough produced simply the best ever squash entry with over 45 players from all corners of the country converging on one of the country's premier sporting locations. It was not, however, just the numbers which impressed the organisers but more importantly the overall standard and depth of play!

The Men's A competition really epitomised this principle with no less than five previous winners of the title all competing. The most senior of these, John McFarlane, with a record of 11 previous titles to his name soon dispelled the rumour that he was only "here for the beer" when he disposed of a very able opponent Freddie Milles to reach the quarter-final stage – a really “stella” performance!

Whilst all four other past champions progressed similarly – they were already aware of tough times ahead as the talented newcomer Jonathan Simpson, Plate winning specialist Darren Nalton and previous finalist John Ashton all cruised into their quarter-final stages.

In the quarter-finals Simpson was perhaps unlucky to meet last year's winner Tony Webb and Webb's relentless ability to keep the ball in play was to prove too much for the newcomer. Civil Service Men's Team Captain Merv Davies had a tough match against Darren Nalton – both strong, forceful players. Davies on the day, however, proved the stronger! John McFarlane also had a tough match playing the title holder from two years previous – the very talented Tim Burrell. This task did not daunt McFarlane and whilst narrowly losing the first two games he did take the third to keep his hopes alive. The fourth game eventually went to Burrell (and with it the match) but with a 12-10 scoreline "Stella Mac" had his chances. Marc Aldridge had to face John Ashton who had given him a few close calls in their previous matches. Aldridge, however, always kept his nose in front to progress into the semis.

Semi-final stages now had all four seeded players aligned. It was up to Merv Davies to try and put the current holder Tony Webb out of the competition! Davies, never short on courage, did take the game to Webb and early on in the match was well in contention. Webb, however, was able to weather the storm and then create one of his own – taking the match 3-0. The match between Tim Burrell and Marc Aldridge had all the making of a classic encounter when in the first game it edged first this way and then that, Burrell eventually "stealing" it 12-10. With that one in the bank Burrell maintained his excellent form and always kept one step ahead.

The final between the top two seeds was eagerly anticipated – Tony Webb, looking fit and in fine form, and Tim Burrell perhaps having taken the harder path to reach the final but very much looking like a "Man on a Mission"! The squash did not disappoint the gallery and in a display of top quality both players gave their all and some more besides. The first game seemed to slightly favour Webb in the early stages but Burrell remained calm throughout clawing back the deficit with some extraordinary shot play and mobility and eventually taking it 11-8. This pattern continued into the next two games, the only question appeared to be whether Burrell could maintain such a huge physical effort. This he did, however, with score lines of 11-9 and 11-7 – Burrell had regained his Title from a very worthy holder!

In the third/fourth place playoff Marc Aldridge from 2-0 down, defeated Merv Davies 3 games to 2.

The Ladies AB event, in a similar way to the Men's, had attracted a very worthy entry with last year's winner, the very able and talented Louise Clark heading the list! First round matches were in the form of a "Round Robin" with winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-final stages. These semi-finals saw the winner of Group 1, Louise Clark, face Group 2's runner-up Keeley Grindle, this was a tall order for Keeley but she rose to the challenge and played some of her best squash. Louise, however, relentlessly chased down Keeley's best shots and edged towards an inevitable victory. The other semi-final saw Group 2's Jackie Codman take on Group 1's runner up Clare Richardson. This match in many ways was the best in the whole of the Ladies competition with both players showing great determination, stamina and skill. The match ebbed one way and then the other and with the score at two games each it was always going to be a difficult one to call! Clare, however, just managed to keep her nose and front and ran out the winner 3-2.

With such a display of excellent squash Clark's claim on the title was now thought to be under some threat! Indeed the early stages of the match underlined the ability of Richardson to challenge for the title – Louise, however, did have a plan B – another gear and with that engaged she was able to keep ahead of the tiring Clare Richardson taking her second Championship title 3-0!

In the third and fourth place play-off Jackie Codman, despite all her previous exertions, went on to defeat Keeley Grindle 3-1.

All the other Men’s and Ladies graded events also witnessed some excellent competition and an impressive level of effort, with a variety of knock out and round robin formats, giving all contestants plenty of squash over the 2 days. The Men’s B competition was won, without losing a game, by the able Ian Frampton beating Simon Thomson in the final. Graham Stamp was the victor in the Men’s C grade with Paul Lane runner up. The Men’s D grade was won by Michael Gallacher putting Duane Eddy in second place. Karen Thompson won the Ladies CD grade with Carol Whittington runner up.

Plate events for first round losers were won by Angela Kennedy, Freddie Milles, Paul Millington, Matthew Thomas and Andy Baldwin.

The prizes were presented by the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, himself a squash player, who was attending the Civil Service Games.

Despite the numbers of previous Champions playing, many of the players this year were new to CSSC squash but the friendly (though competitive) atmosphere created by the regulars and the organisers ensured an enjoyable 2 days for everyone. This combined with the other 14 sports being played at the Games, involving 1,400 competitors and 120 volunteers, resulted in by far the biggest and best event CSSC has ever staged – and a fantastic atmosphere.

All in all an excellent Championship which when combined with the excellent social scene of the CSSC Games – it was "Simply the Best".

Photos from the event can be found in our Photo Gallery.

Final Standings