Singles Championship at the 2009 CSSC Games

This years CSSC Multi-sport Games, held at Loughborough University over 2 days in September was the scene of the ninth Civil Service National Singles Squash Championship. The Games with its numerous sports and competitors alongside the squash event made for a different atmosphere outside of the squash court building and provided a WOW factor to the whole experience for the competitors playing squash. For the organisers it was a change from the previous Games when the team competition had been played. How would we fare with a singes event? The CSSC Games committee provided the facilities and social aspects for the Games leaving the squash section organisers to focus on the squash competition itself, which this year attracted a record entry of 46 players.

Ladies - Heather achieves five in a row

The Ladies event was boosted this year by a larger than usual entry and 12 ladies initially entered with 10 eventually competing in two grades of competition. A and B standard ladies were combined into one event with C and D standard ladies into a second event, each run as a round robin. Regrettably number 2 seed, Helen Townend was prevented from attending on day one with work commitments, reducing both groups effectively to 5 players.

There were keenly fought matches in both groups though last year's Champion and England International Heather Tweedle was not stretched and overcame all opposition in the AB group to retain her title for the fifth successive year. CSSC Ladies Squash Captain, Sian Hughes was runner up with Keeley Grindle in third place.

The outcome of the CD group was uncertain. Ruth Kneeshaw's close match with Kay Dalton early on was a possible decider and Ruth did eventually achieve the overall first place slot. Kay was heading for the runner up slot until the last hurdle when she lost to a determined Angela Kennedy in the last match.

Although it was encouraging to see more ladies this year, there is still room for a few more.

Men's - Tim makes it three

The mens event saw an increase in the entry from previous years with 34 entries initially, reduced to 32 on the day following injuries and work commitments. The players graded from A to E were first divided into 2 groups, which were then split after the first round to give four grades A to D. It was encouraging to see many new faces, especially among the D and E grade players, and, as always, a pleasure to see the familiar faces.

The winners of the first round of the AB group became the A grade and in this event, the current Champion and no. 2 seed Tim Burrell stormed through the first few rounds to set up his place in the final. In the other half of the draw, top seed Marc Aldridge was not having a good day and was beaten by an in-form Darren Nalton. Darren was then in turn overcome by a fighting fit John Ashton in the semi-final to win his place in the Championship final. A huge crowd gathered for this and were not disappointed with exciting squash played by two fit, skilful and determined players. Tim took the first 2 games, but John fought back determinedly to take the third game with a convincing 9-1 scoreline. Any idea that John may have had about Tim's capitulation at this point was short-lived as Tim upped his effort and managed to secure the fourth game, the match and his third title. The spectators had enjoyed an excellent game of squash, with the referee congratulating both players on the sportsmanlike way they conducted themselves on court.

The third fourth playoff was won by men's captain, Mervyn Davies who beat Darren 3-1. The A grade plate event was run as a round robin and won by Marc with newcomer Antony Draper runner-up.

Men's B, C and D Grade Events

The men's B, C and D Grade events were equally fiercely contested with some hard fought matches taking place at all stages and with round robin Plate events following the main draws.

The Men's B Grade event was contested between losers in the first round of the AB competition and comprised quite a few new players. A familiar face was Northern Ireland player Mervyn Nicholl, returned from injury, who booked his place in the final with wins over Tony Claydon and Simon Thomson. Here he met Lee Willetts, a familiar face from team competitions. Lee was, however, too strong for the Irishman and took the B Grade title with Simon Thomson beating John McCue in the 3rd/4th playoff. The B grade plate was won by Tony Claydon with Robert Wilson runner-up.

The Men's C and D events also started as a knockout CD round before becoming the C grade for winners and D grade for losers of the first round. In these events, there were no certainties about who would reach the finals, with again quite a few new players among the entrants.

In the C Grade event Andy Treble, a potential top seed, was carrying an injury and fell at the semi-final stage to Jim Fay. In the other half of the draw Chris Johnstone made his way to the final with close matches against Paul Wilkinson and Paul Lane. The final between Jimand Chris saw two determined players but it was Jim who triumphed to take the title. In the plate event, Simon de Mello emerged in first place with Paul Wilkinson runner-up.

The Men's D Grade comprised 9 players so was run as a series of round robins over the two days to produce a winner in Ray Tate. Dave Kennedy was runner-up with Paul Trelease in third place. The two plate events were won by Graham Cole over Michael Gallacher andCharles Tateson over Simon Ho.

A great event!

The organisers of the event Linda Parsley, Ian Lockey and Jackie Codman acclaimed the 2 day event, which had included coaching as well as the competition, as being a great success and thanked all the participants for their attendance and support. Trophies and medals were presented at the end of the final day's play by the Squash section President, Frank Krinks, who had also earlier presided over the section's AGM and discussion session.

Coaching was provided before the event started by two of the players, Chris Johnstone and Heather Tweedle. This was greatly appreciated by players and spectators and thanks are due to them for offering this as well as competing themselves. Thanks are also due to the CSSC Games team for providing a backdrop of other activities at the legendary Loughborough campus for all the Games participants.

The next National Singles Squash Competition for all CSSC members is planned for Friday & Saturday 19th/20th November 2010 at a venue yet to be decided. Other events in the 2009/10 season are the team competition on Thursday & Friday 4th/5th February 2010 and the Age group competition on Friday & Saturday 19th/20th March 2010. Put the dates in your diary now - details will be available on the CSSC and CSSRA websites. (http://www.cssc.co.uk and http://www.cssc-squash.co.uk).

A full summary of winners can be found below: