Registration for this event is now closed.

Registration closed midday 9 December 2016.

A large entry of 129 on the weekend preceding Christmas.

WO55 – Two World Champions in one draw, the WO55 champ, Karen Hume (aged 59) and Julie  Field (WO60 Champ), just 60. What a match apparently. Nip and tuck. Julie up 2-0, but Karen fought back and the final score 23/21, gives an indication how close it was. A spectators’ treat – free of charge!

WO50 – Hilary Kenyon and Shelly Walsh, long standing opponents, had a battle royal to see who would challenge Rachel Woodford. Kenyon won 3-1, but Woodford was too good – 15/9  15/8  15/10.

WO45 – A returning Isabelle Tweedle, saw her beat Kay Fallows, 11/8  19/17  11/3, in a small draw.

WO40/35 – Close matches ensued, Susan Dalrymple narrowly losing to Natalie Townsend, 11/9 in the fifth, but Louisa Dalwood sneaked the title, beating Dalrymple, 6/11  6/11  11/6  11/4  12/10.

MO75 – An Adrian Wright affair beating all and sundry, as befitting the new World O75 Champion. He nearly entered the 70’s but the lure of a 26th Regional Title was too strong!

MO70 –Rod Boswell claimed the title beating Martin Pearse, 15/10  15/10  15/7, after the latter beat World No 4 Russell Shipton 3-1, with Boswell beating  Chris Goodbourn 3-0 in the Semi’s.

MO65 – John Rae had a toughie with Neil Nightingale, 15/7  15/13  13/15  15/13, then took out Peter Smith 3-0, whilst Ian Graham, No 2, beat Terry Belshaw 3-2. Rae was too precise, his drops and volleys giving him a 2-0, before Graham pulled one back to no avail.

MO60 – No surprise, except Ian Holmes had to pull out with a damaged hamstring and both top seeds, Stuart Hardy and Simon Evenden, proceeded easily to the Final, Hardy gaining revenge on two previous defeats, 15//11  15/11  15/7.

MO55 – With the correct seeding eventually in place, John Parkes found his way to the Final via Mark Taylor 3-0 and Ian Bradburn, 3-1, whilst Neil Harrison (3/4) took out Ged Martin (2), 11/4  13/11  12/10, to enter another Final. Parkes was as quick as ever, winning 6/11  11/8  11/7  11/5.

MO50 – With local hero, Yawar Abbas turning 50, it was always a struggle for all he encountered, but Darren Withey will be pleased with the points he accrued for International selection, despite losing 11/9  11/8  11/6 to Yawar in the Final!

MO45 – Jon Gliddon was too quick for all and sundry, but Andy Murray, halfway back to fitness after his knee operation, gave him a fright taking the third game. Andrew Cross at 2, proceeded to the Final and in a hard fought match lasting an hour, Gliddon won, 11/9  9/11  11/6  11/7.

MO40 – No 1 Ben Hutton, met Christian Donelan, No 2, in the Final and won, 11/3  11/6  11/9, after the latter beat Paul Johnson 3-1 in the Semi’s.

MO35 – No 1 seed, in his fifth decade, Jamie Goodrich, went down unexpectedly, 5/11  7/11  8/11 to Alex Preston, whilst newcomer (3/4) Rob Taylor, beat No 2, Jason Barry in the final with the score at 1-1. Preston badly damaged his leg and was unable to continue, so Rob took his first Regional.

Finally, thanks to Brian Brock for his usual 150% efficiency in running the tournament, before, during and after.

Plus thanks to:

Event Sponsors: North West Counties Squash League, Best Western Pinewood Hotel, Total Fitness, Ben Harris, Mark Davenport, Mike Andrews.

Grove Park Squash Club:

• Paul Vale, Andrew Light and Rodney Boswell and the Committee
• Dave Cochrane and Alistair Atkinson – Club Technology
• Hilary Kenyon, Dudley Bostock, Stephen Ward – Team of Volunteers
• Carol – Catering
• Steve and his team of referees: Joss, Rosie, Bruce and Dave
• Mark Campbell - Physio

Martin Pearse
Chairman