The second ‘comeback’ event saw another very large draw with 225 players registered for the event at the superb Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham. This was reduced by withdrawals, mainly through injuries but the numbers put pressure on the courts at the club and the two at the University that we used. Once again COVID protocols were in place and all players had to produce either proof of a double vaccination or take a lateral flow test on-site. This was unanimously supported by the players.
As always, there were some terrific matches across all the age groups. Some upsets and some inspirational Squash from some of the best age group players in the world.
Women's Over 60: The finalists had titles galore between them. Jill Campion (MDX) is a World Champion and double British Open winner, while her opponent Sian Johnson of Wales is the Wales no. 1 and double British Champion. It was a cracker with Jill going up 13/11. 11/9. but Sian edged the third 12/10 and the fourth 11/9 to level. After that, Sian was on fire and powered through the fifth for the title.
Women's Over 55: The match of the event was probably the semi-final between former South African player Karen Webb (BRK) and former circuit player Sue Martin-Downhill (OXF) that Karen squeezed home 12/10 in the fifth, with some fantastic retrieving to stay in the rallies. The final was a step too far, however as Hilary Kenyon (CHS) had lost the North of England final 12/10 in the fifth to Mandy Akin and was not going to lose this one. She had too much and won 3/0 in spite of a very close second game.
Women's Over 50: A small draw saw two accomplished internationals take their places in the final. Izzy Bramhall (NOT) is world standard at several racket sports and she showed her squash skills here. Sarah Parr (BRK) took a 12/10 second game but was always under pressure and went down in four good games.
Women's Over 45: Keeley Johnson (KNT) has been the top player in her age group for some time and moving up to the 45s has not diminished her. A double British Open champion she again showed her class as she overpowered a very good player in Linda Pritchard (SPE) in straight games and must be favourite for the British Open next month.
Women's Over 35/40: Since the return to squash this group has had new players, good numbers, and some great squash. This was more of the same with two excellent semi-finals and a very competitive final. Top seed Selina Harper (MDX) had a ferocious tussle with Somerset’s Natalie Lawrence in one semi getting home in five with two extra time games, while second seed Sophie Beake (BRK) had to get past the elegant style of Kate Bradshaw (CBE) in four closely contested games. Selina had the edge in the final and after sharing the first two games closed it out in four for the title.
Men's Over 75: England Squash Masters Founder Martin Pearse (NOR) was again top seed here. After defeating former World Masters Champion Chris Ansell (BRK) - returned after a long illness, he lined up against the redoubtable four times World Champion Adrian Wright (YKS) now in the 80s group. The founder floundered and Wright gave a Masterclass and showed why he is the Englishman with the most World Masters titles. 3/0.
Men's Over 70: Another World Champion, Keith Jones (BRK) was top seed here but got injured early on. Scotland’s Emilio Fazzi scored a major upset over National Champion Ian Graham (SSX) with a 12/10 in the fifth win but had to retire against Terry Belshaw (CBA). Belshaw had earlier recovered from two down against serial champion Barry Featherstone (HPH) to progress and in the final against Scotland no. 1 Ian Ross a former European Champion played a sublime game where everything he did worked. An emphatic straight games win over a good player.
Men's Over 65: Masters Chairman Stuart Hardy (WLT) was top seed and looking for a win after a 12/10 in the fifth final loss at the North of England. He looked on course after three convincing wins and taking the first game against Worcestershire star John Guyatt - just into the age group. But Guyatt who had beaten the talented Geoff Redfern (WKS) in straight games in one semi-final recovered and edged home 11/9 in the fourth game in a competitive match.
Men's Over 60: Top seed John Parkes (WRC) managed to win his quarter-final against Nick Gollaglee (SOM) but a pulled muscle caused him to then retire. Stephen Edmondson (CBA) had a fine run to the semis and benefitted from that retirement to make his first Regional final. In the other half, his friend and club mate, Allen Barwise lurked and after Nick Peel (KNT) having had another good tournament retired a game down, a Kendal Squash Club Championship was on. They play regularly and Barwise, a former National and current European Champion tends to win. So it proved, and he added a second Regional to his growing trophy collection.
Men's Over 55: Eamonn Price (HFD) a former British Open Champion was top seed here and as always calmly went about controlling his matches and notching up wins. That is until an explosive semi-final against his old foe, Alex Betts (MDX). These two have played some classic matches. Price, control and efficiency, Betts, fast and furious. Another great match and Price to the final in nearly an hour. In the other half Simon Spencer (NOT) upset the seeding with a determined performance against the very talented Jonathan Clark (CHS), but it was Price who came through to notch up his 19th. Regional title. Not many have more!
Men's Over 50: Ireland’s David Ayerst won the last event and was top seed but injury put him out in the quarters. Two time British Open Champion Andy Cross (DCL) took advantage to reach the final where he met John Simpson (YKS) who has exploded onto the Master's scene this season. He disposed of former National Champion David Youngs (NOR) and then constructed a beautiful game of pace and power to take the final in straight games. His first Regional title.
Men's Over 45: Two excellent semi-finals and a scintillating final after some hard-fought matches. Matt Holland (HPH) seeded 1 tamed the power of Nick Freer (MDX) in one to win in four games, while the smooth style of former National Champion Paul Boyle did the same against the power-hitting of Ian Cox (NOR). It was Boyle who made the early running and went two up in the final, but Holland struck back with some wonderful squash to take the next three. All four could feature in the British Open Masters at Holland’s home club, Colets, next month.
Men's Over 40: Middlesex’s Mick Biggs lost the final of the North of England 12/10 in the fifth against former Open and National Champion Darren Lewis (LEC) so his revenge here would have been very sweet. But another relative Masters newcomer, Dave Barnett (NLD) took his place in the final with a four-game win over another Open and Closed Champion, Nick Wall (YKS). Barnett was always in charge in the final however and took his first Regional titles in three straight games.
Men's Over 35: Former World circuit pro Rory Pennell (ESX) was top seed in the 35s but there was some magnificent squash through the draw. Lithemba Velleman of South Africa put out many time Regional Champion Jamie Goodrich (NOR) but found Pennell too good. Meanwhile, in possibly the match of the weekend, North of England Champion Gbenga Adeyi (BFD) came back from two games down against Warwickshire pro Jason Pike and in a game of beautiful ball striking and some incredible retrieving, especially by Adeyi, to take his final place. Against Pennell it was all very close but Adeyi was the sharper onto the ball and again was retrieving miraculously. Pennell was possibly short of match play and Adeyi took advantage to record an excellent final victory in three tight games.
Stuart Hardy
Chairman