CSSC Squash Singles Championship 2005/06

This season's Open Squash Singles Championship held at Nottingham Squash Club, one of the country's premier Squash venues, attracted 40 players from nearly all the far flung corners of Britain including Northern Ireland, South Wales, Devon and Tyneside. The event open to all CSSC members covered all various 'ability' as well as 'age' groupings with some competitors taking the opportunity to enter more than one event!

In the Mens main 'A' event 13 players lined up to battle for the honour of being crowned CSSC Mens National Squash Champion. After two rounds their numbers had been reduced down to the top four seeds. Last year's winner Marc Aldridge had to face the relative newcomer, Adam Curry. The encounter was to prove a stern test for Aldridge when Curry came back from the brink of defeat when 2-0 and 8-7 down to snatch the third game away from the Champion. Curry's euphoria, however, was to be short lived when after some impressive squash and long rallies Aldridge re-asserted his earlier dominance to take the match 3-1. In the opposite half of the draw number three seed Simon Amery was keen to stamp his authority over National Squash Team Captain Merv Davies. Amery, however, could not match the pace and accuracy of Davies and went two games down. The third game saw Amery's efforts rewarded when playing some impressive squash he pulled the match back to 2-1. Davies looking somewhat rattled had to 'dig deep' to get back to winning ways and take the match 3-1. The Final between Davies and Aldridge, a repeat of last year's, got off to a blistering start with both players playing their best squash. Davies, however, could not maintain the level of physical effort required and had to endure the sight of Aldridge going on to take his third consecutive CSSC title.

The eagerly anticipated Ladies event, having attracted some of the top female contenders wound its way through a 'Round Robin' format to see the top two seeded players Sue Beecroft and Heather Tweedle play each other for the Ladies title. Not, however, before both had been tested to the full by both Sian Hughes and Helen Townend in the earlier rounds. In the final match, however, between Sue and Heather it was Heather who found the better form and Sue was unable to hang on to her previous year's CSSC title losing 3-0 to an ecstatic Heather who had won her first CSSC title.

The Ladies over 40 title was a repeat of the main event with Heather taking the title away from Sue.

The Mens age group events saw two new winners when the skilful Phillip Crane took Tom Burton's over 45 title away from him by 3-2 and Peter Lee overcame last year's over 55 winner Tony Claydon with a hard fought 3-0 victory.

Alongside the main trophy winners and CSSC Champions, there were a series of graded competitions in the men’s main and veterans events, to cater for all levels of player. These, in addition to Plate events, gave all entrants plenty of squash. To ease the aching muscles the CSSC arranged for the Club’s sports masseur to be on hand to provide welcome treatment.

The competitors were also given the opportunity to watch an exhibition match of the highest quality between world ranked Chris Ryder and James Wright. The match lasting for almost an hour was eventually won by the more experienced Chris Ryder.

The prizes were presented by CSSRA Secretary, Peter Lee.The package of squash competition, exhibition, massage and an excellent hotel deal in the centre of Nottingham makes this an event not to be missed. It is hoped to repeat the whole event in January 2007 again at Nottingham Squash Club. Don't forget to book your place!

A full list of prize winners is shown below: