For the first time this fixture included Ladies teams which meant an earlier start for all, however I will let the Ladies Team Captain Sian Hughes report on their matches. It was a 3pm start with our first match against the Combined Services Team (the best of the Army, Navy and RAF). They were stronger than in recent years and although we put up a good fight we lost the match by 20 points to 5 (2 matches did go to 5 games, myself and Marc Aldridge). The match between the Police and Fire Service though, turned out to be a bit of a farce. The Police won the first 4 matches easily but as their No1 turned up nearly 3 hours late the match had to be forfeited 20 – 0 to the Fire Service.

The National Squash Centre at Manchester once again hosted the CSSC Inter-Departmental Team Squash Competition as 13 teams of 3 men and 2 ladies competed for the 2004/05 Trophy.

Last years winners, Inland Revenue, at the top of the draw, arrived with the handicap of having lost their No. 2 lady to injury. This was to prove crucial for in their semi-final clash with twice previous winners HASSRA 'A' they went down 3-2 when Inland Revenue newcomer Pat Comer lost a tough 3-0 battle (9-5, 9-5,10-8) to HASSRA’s Sian Hughes.

The Civil Service Ladies Representative side travelled to Cardiff to play two Welsh teams, the Over 40’s Ladies on Friday 26th November 2004 and the Over 45’s Ladies on Saturday 27th November. Both matches were played at the very friendly Cardiff Squash Rackets Club. The club is just 5 minutes away from the Millennium Stadium where that night Wales just happened to be thrashing, sorry, playing Japan at rugby.

The numbers four and five Jackie Codman and Sian Hughes went on first and despite both girls fighting hard they both went down 3-1 in their games. Things looked bleak when Janet Glynn the number three went on and lost the first game 9-1 however she soon turned the game around to win 3-1.

Sue Beecroft CSSC’s number two quickly got to grips with her game and clocked up another 3-1 win. Finally Heather Tweedle, back recently from the British Open, went on against the very experienced Lynn Davies but showed her current fine form in winning 3-0.

The next day following a swift warm up (in the shops!) in the morning the CSSC team were more than ready for their opponents in the afternoon. The over 45’s had come from further a field and with only one of the Over 45’s team playing on her home court the CSSC girls had gained an advantage of already getting used to playing on the courts with low ceilings.

This proved the easier fixture (unless it was the warm up that did the trick) Janet, Sue and Heather all won comfortably 3-0. Sian at five won 3-1, however match of the day went to Jackie Codman who despite being 2-0 down displayed courage and strength with long rallies, (yes women can do them) to fight back and win 3-2. Her opponent never gave up and it made for an exciting match. The prize for “Man of the Match” was a night on the town with the drinks on Jackie!

This years Civil Service Sports Council Squash Singles Open Championships were again held at the Nottingham Squash Club, but over a Friday/Saturday. The event, open to any CSSC member, attracted an even larger than usual entry of 42 players from all over the country for mens and ladies graded, veteran and vintage age group events. The Nottingham Squash Club provided excellent facilities and atmosphere for the event and arrangements with the local Moat House hotel provided a good accommodation package for those who chose to make a weekend of it.