The third Regional event of the England Squash Masters circuit was the Karakal East of England Masters Championship at Ipswich Sports Club in Suffolk. An excellent venue with seven courts, great facilities and the Masters players were made very welcome.
WO55 - A mixed age group that produced some fine matches and no player, in a round robin group emerged unbeaten. A fine win for Sue Pynegar (NOT) over Izzy Bramhall ( NOT) in five games couldn't be repeated and it was Bramhall, the British Rackethon ace with wins over Julie Ann Pegram (SFK) and former World Champion Mandy Akin (KNT) that let her top the group for a sixth Regional win.
WO50 - British Open Champion Rachel Calver (LEC) was top seed here but had a close couple of games with Yorkshire's Kate Smith winning the first two in overtime before powering through the third. Her final opponent, as in the British Open was Louisa Dalwood (HFD) the National Champion. Calver was not to be stopped, however, and took her tenth Regional in straight games.
WO35/40 - Emerging from two round robin groups Kate Bradshaw (CBE) and Gemma Barber (DOR) competed the final. But there was action before that stage as Fran Whyte (HPH) recorded a fine win against Jennifer Wright (ESX) in four and Barber had to recover from 2/1 against Debbie Locke (WKS) to win in five. Bradshaw was too good in the final, however, lifting the ball to a great length for a 3/0 and fifth Regional Championship.
MO75 - Last month Barry Featherstone (HPH) became the all time top Regional winner with 38 triumphs. Here he had a new player to the age group in Ian Graham (SSX) who like Featherstone has full trophy cabinet. Featherstone was unstoppable for two games and Graham out of sorts but incredibly he found his range, pulled it back and won in five games for an eighth Regional. More to come from these two this season.
MO70 - Master's Chairman Stuart Hardy (WLT) is the man in form in this group. With the British Open and two Regionals already this season he wanted a third here. Robert Houldsworth (LNH) had an upset win over second seed Geoff Redfern (WKS) but had no answer to the Wiltshire player in the final. 3/0 and a twentieth Regional Championship for Hardy.
MO65 - A very competitive group where a number of players can do well. British Open Champion Nick Gollaglee (SOM) was an early casualty, falling to England team mate Tom Burton (HRF) who then clinched a cliffhanger 15/13 in the fifth against Gordon McManus (KNT). He had overcome James Ockwell (MDX) in four on his return to the circuit. Meanwhile, the 'Squash Doctor', Richard Millman (NOR) had edged through 13/11 in the fourth against the lively George Kousseff (HPH) to reach the final. Unfortunately, Burton aggravated an injury at one game all and had to retire leaving Millman, a former National Champion with a fifth title.
MO60 - The top two seeds were Eammon Price (HFD) and Alex Betts (MDX). Their battles are the stuff of legend and are usually bruising and no holds barred encounters. This was no different although Mike Leonard (BUX) continued his fine form to the semis before Price removed him and Betts had a stern test against Darren Withey the Open finalist. Betts took the first two but Price is a real big match player and slowly began to get the upper hand. An 11/9 in the fourth to Price was as close as Betts got and playing beautifully constructed rallies the Hertfordshire star took his 22nd. Regional title to put him fourth on the all time list.
MO55 - Sam Hanbury (SSX) has collected a couple of titles of late and was the man in form. He also had wins against Open Champion Steve McLoughlin (HPH) and was top seed here. He had a real battle with Andrew Eilfield (HFD) in one semi final winning through in a hard fought five games while the Hampshire man came through without too much drama although Jason Fletcher (SRY) who had removed 3/4 seed Simon Spencer (NOT) almost took the third that went to McLoughlin 14/12. Hanbury took the first but after the Open Champion took the second 14/12 to level and the momentum went with him. A tenth Regional for McLoughlin.
MO50 - Yorkshire's Matt Stephenson was top seed here but had a real battle with Chris Lynam (HFD) winning in five after the first three went into overtime. Joss Hargrave (LEC) upset Surrey's Wayne Beglan but had to retire in his semi with Stephenson. Meanwhile, the powerful play of Ian Cox (NOR) saw him reach the final relatively unscathed although Adam Dominey (IOW) took the first from him. A close final between two evenly matched England teammates. Stephenson took the first but was edged out in four quality games. A third Regional for Cox.
MO45 - The match of the group was probably Wiltshire's Adam Giles against top seed James Greenhead (SRY). Looking fit and powerful, Giles powered the ball and eventually saw off the talented Greenhead in five to set up a final with Paul Warner (BUX) who had removed second seed Mick Biggs (MDX) also in five. Giles took a close first but after losing an equally close second Warner took over, moved his man relentlessly and peeled off the next two for his fourth Regional.
MO40 - The top two seeds here perished before their allotted times. Neil Cross (NOR) lost out in five to Tony Webb (SRY) who was playing the best squash he had produced for a while. Meanwhile, Paul Wallace (ESX) saw off the winner of the last Regional, George Shoulder (HPH) in a very close five games. But he then fell to Steven Davies (BFD) in four after three tight games. Webb was on fire in the final for two games but Davies stuck to his task and recovered to take his maiden Regional title in five games.
MO35 - England player Gbenga Adeyi (BFD) playing his deceptively relaxed style of game removed an under the weather Jamie Douglas (NLD) the top seed in five but found Gurbhaj Kahlon (BRK) too good in the semis. Essex star Mark McEwen secured his final spot with an entertaining win over Alex Mayle (SRY) but found Kahlon a tougher prospect. It hinged on an incredible 13/11 second that had both players moving well and hitting some fantastic shots.
Kahlon came through it and mopped up the third game for his first Regional Championship.
Thanks were made to ESM Circuit Sponsors Karakal for their continued support, to Ipswich Sports Club for hosting the tournament, the England Squash Referees and the organising committee who put in so much work, especially the Event Manager, Badger Brock.
The next event is the Midlands Masters at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash from 10-12th January 2025. Entries close at 6.00pm on Friday 27th December 2024. ENTER NOW!
Stuart Hardy
Chairman