2025 CSSC Festival of Squash

The 2025 Civil Service Festival of squash - played in Nottingham on the 21/22 November – hosted the national squash championships and age group events. With lots of matches for all involved this was an action packed bonanza of squash.

The Friday began with the A grade and D grade with hard fought 1^st round wins for Tim Burrell to edge past David Jacobs 3-1 and Ethan Thornton to get through against Georg Willis by the same scoreline.

In the D grade it was straight into the semi-finals with wins for Richard Crisp and Collis Sheik. To make it through to the final. To wrap up the D grade the finals were played Friday. In the main final Collis used his experience to ease past Richard to take the title while in the plate event Helen Midgely, after taking the first 2 games, found herself in a tough battle against Deborah Atkinson as Deborah took the 3^rd game. Helen was not to be beaten though and wrapped up the match 3-1.

Back to the A grade and it was the quarter finals. The match of the round was top seed Tom Trott who found himself matched throughout against Andrew Kettlewell. A tough encounter which Tom eventually managed to win and complete the semi finals line up of himself, Matthew Sampson – who snuck past Joe Shill -, Ethan Thornton and Tim Burrell.

Social

Following the squash all players enjoyed food in the bar followed by a quiz.

The Saturday promised another bumper day of squash with the A grade to be finished along with the age group events and Ladies.

First up were the mens semi finals and the 2 top seeds were in no mood for potential banana skins with Tom Trott dispatching Tim Burrell in a close 3-0 and Matthew Sampson doing the same to Ethan Thornton.

Over 45s

In the over 45s a round robin took place between Dan Willets, Andrew Kettlewell and Richard Crisp, The event was won by Andrew who managed 3-0 wins against both his opponents.

Over 55s

The final of the over 55s was between Rishard Crisp and David Jacobs. Played at a fast pace that suited David he took the first 2 games. The third was a closer encounter but Richard couldn’t quite get over the line with David taking the game and the match for a 3-0 win.

Over 65s

The over 65s saw Peter Lee return to the competition after a multi-year absence. He was up against Collis Shiek who looked in fine form. A close match saw Collis take 3 close games and the title.

Grade A plate.

This event was a round robin and couldn’t have been closer with George Willis running out the winner with 3-2 wins against both David Jacobs and Hannah Anthony. In addition each match went to a tie-break in the 5^th game with George holding his nerve to win both.

Ladies

Last years winner Hannah Anthony was up against Helen Midgely and Deborah Atkinson. Hannah was in imperious form and wrapped up the title with 2 3-0 wins to retain her crown.

Grade A

Top seeds Tom Trott (winner 2 years previous) and Matthew Sampson took to the court with both players showing exceptional skills which made for a fantastic final. Tom got off to a slow start with Matthew taking full advantage to take an early lead in the first game. Tom then settled in and began to edge back to eventually take the game 12-10. Matthew didn’t let the disappointment of losing the first game get to him and took full control in the 2^nd to level the scores. It was anyone’s game. The 3^rd was a lose encounter with nothing to separate the 2 players. With the players trading points and wonderful winners it got to the business end at 8-8. It was Tom who managed to maintain his composure to take the 3^rd game. With the wind in his sails Tom continued where he left off in the 3^rd to take the 4^th game and with it the title.

It is not all about the sport we also have time for fun and Tim organised a quiz for us all on the Friday night, below are the photos of all the teams.

And finally our quiz master