The prestigious Nottingham Squash Club was once again the venue for the 2015 CSSC Squash Masters Singles Championships and the CSSC Racketball Championships. A favoured venue for many CSSC squash events, the club and its staff once again gave a warm and friendly welcome to the players and guests.
There were several new faces participating in the events producing two first time winners. Entries were spread evenly across most of the categories but with a number of regular squash players carrying injuries, the overall number of entrants for the squash event was slightly down on last year. By combining some age groups it ensured that all entrants played four matches over the two days. Each competition was hard fought and played in a sporting and fun-like manner.
Squash
Mens O35
Craig Blurton, a first time competitor in the Masters became the new name on the O35 trophy, coming through a series of very challenging and tight matches. This competition was played in a round robin with all competitors having the opportunity to play each other. Craig's fitness and skill brought him through undefeated; although a couple of 3/2 results could have gone either way. Paul Lane once again finished runner-up with last year's winner, Mark Cullington having to retire with an ankle injury Jim Fay, Paul Wilkinson and Geoff Watson (O45) completed this group.
Mens O45
Geoff Watson being the only entrant in the O45 category retained the trophy after finishing a creditable third in the O35 group.
Ladies O40
Sheena Rolfe played late entrant Liz Woods to retain the Ladies over 40 trophy.
Mens O55
This year's worthy winner was the 2013 O35s winner Peter Windram. This is his first year in the O55's group. The competition was also played in a league format with the O65s which again meant that all entrants played each other and had 2 games each day. Peter won all his matches, the closest finishing 3-2 against Tony Claydon (O65s). Stephen Bullamore, the 2013 O55 Champion was this year's runner up. Charles Walmsley completed this group.
Mens O65
The competition now in its third year (and with a shiny new trophy) saw 2013 winner Tony Claydon who also finished a creditable joint second in the combined O55/65 format first past the post with last year's winner Rob Shepherd as runner up. Les House completed this group.
Racketball
The one day Racketball tournament attracted a significant increase in numbers, which was a welcome surprise considering it was restricted to Racketballers only.
The event was based on a two league format with players split between the leagues. Semi-finals then took place for those finishing 1st and 2nd in their group.
As there would be up to 4 matches to play in the day the format was based on the best of three games, PAR 11 for a group containing 5 players and a 4 player group (one late withdrawal) played best of 3 to 15 points.
After the group stage, the semi-finals featured Ian Frampton v John Elliott and Peter Fielding v Lee Sadler.
Peter and Ian both won through 2/0 to face each other in the final.
The final was a close encounter with Peter edging the 1st 14/12 but Ian emerging the CSSC 2015 Racketball Champion by 2 games to 1 - 12/14 11/6 11/9.
Everyone said that they thought the competition had been great fun and were hoping to find the time to attend the racketball event at the CSSC games in September.
Social
This year, in response to previous feedback the squash and the racketball competitions were exclusive in that nobody played in both events. This enabled players to concentrate on one event and the number of games per day were more manageable.
Everyone was kept busy for the two days and in addition to the battles on court, a meal and the now famous and very enjoyable Linda Parsley general knowledge quiz was presented within the club for the Friday evening. Prior to the quiz, diners were presented with death by chocolate preceded by death by lasagne! The quiz afforded the winning team of Jim Fay, Shena Rolfe, Paul Lane and Liz Woods the opportunity to consume yet more chocolate.
As ever, the event provided an opportunity for players to combine fitness and fun and to catch up with friends made at previous competitions and to make new ones. Competitors were pleased to meet Jenny Yarrow from Head Office and the organisers are grateful to her for making time to attend the event and help with the photograpahy.
