The prestigious Nottingham Squash Club was once again the venue for the 2022 CSSC Squash Masters Singles Championships and the CSSC Squash 57 (Racketball) Championships. A favoured venue for many CSSC squash events, the club and its staff as ever gave a warm and friendly welcome to the players and guests.
Entrant numbers were slightly down on previous years, but we were pleased to welcome a couple of new players to the events. It is possible that the effect of the last two years plus a new booking system being in place may have deterred some players from entering. Those who did participate stated that they will be back next year.
The men's O45 and 55 age groups played each other in a round robin, with the men's O65s and O50s ladies in a mixed group. Each competition was hard fought and played in the usual sporting and friendly manner. With numbers being slightly down the format was changed from previous events for both competitions with a best of 5 being introduced thus ensuring that all entrants played plenty of matches over the two days.
Squash
Mens O45
This year, the trophy went to John McFarlane, a former regular at the singles and team events but a welcome first timer at the CSSC Squash Masters. Although O55 John, chose to play in the O45 competition and this was a combined round robin with the O55 age group. Runner-up in this group was Imran Bashir who won all but one of his matches in the round-robin.
Runner up was Imran Bashir.
Ladies O50
Shena Rolfe a former winner of the Ladies O40 competition became the Ladies O50 Champion with Carol Whittington being a worthy runner-up. As in previous events the ladies played a round robin format with the men's O65s. Association President, Marian Holmes was a very sporting late entry after one competitor couldn't make the event.
Runner up was Carol Whittington
Mens O55
Peter Windram a former winner in the O45 category is this year's winner in the O55s, taking the title from 2019 winner and this year's runner up Paul Armstrong.
Mens O65
Peter Fielding was a new name on the trophy for the O65's with Rob Shepherd once again picking up the runner-up trophy.
Squash 57 (Racketball)
It's now three in a row for Keith Mabey who retained his Squash 57 title coming through undefeated in his 4 round robin matches.
Newcomer Neil Moore emerged as runner-up in a very competitive competition which included Micky Gallacher, Paul Clarke and Fred Saunders.
Social
Everyone was kept busy for the two days and in addition to the friendly battles on court, a hearty pie and mash supper was served at the club. Everyone enjoyed the now infamous Linda Parsley general knowledge quiz accompanied by the requisite amount of friendly banter. Feedback from the group indicated that competitors had a busy and enjoyable experience. endorsing as ever, the equally important social element of this event. Lunch on Friday and Saturday was provided in the form of a cold buffet to allow players to watch the matches whilst eating if they wished. We were pleased that so many players remained after their games had finished to watch the final matches and trophy presentation.
As ever, the event provided an opportunity for players to combine fitness and fun and to catch up with friends and make new ones. Competitors and organisers were pleased that Marian Holmes our CSSRA President sportingly entered the competition at the last minute (when a competitor did not attend) despite not being match fit.
Squash Mens O45 Winner
- John McFarlane |
Squash Mens O45 Runner up
- Imran Bashir |
Squash Womens O50 Winner
- Shena Rolfe |
Squash Womens O50 Runner up
- Carol Whittington |
Squash Mens O55 Winner
- Peter Windram |
Squash Mens O55 Runner up
- Paul Armstrong |
Squash Mens O65 Winner
- Peter Fielding |
Squash Mens O65 Runner up
- Rob Shepherd |
Racketball Winner
- Keith Mabey |
Racketball Runner up
- Neil Moore |
