Ben Mann does the Double in Tight Racketball Championship Final

Last week saw the final reckoning of our Racketball Championships and Plate competition. We began in late May with a whopping entry of 30 players in our usual knockout format, with a Plate competition for the first round losers. We played three of the semi-finals back-to-back last Monday and this drew supporters to gather on the night.

Up-and-coming Paul Rider (of double-handed backhand fame) took on Pat O’Riordan in the first semi-final in a cagey encounter for a place in the Plate final. Paul is renowned for chasing every ball but he narrowly succumbed to Pat in four games 11-8 / 11-13 / 14-12 / 7-11. In the first Championships semi-final twice defending champion Matt Towers came up against the younger Ben Mann. Matt was not about to give up his title without a fight. The first two games were tight, but Ben’s impressive speed and all-court coverage were crucial as he came through 11-8 / 9-11 / 11-3 / 11-6. The second semi-final was an enticing encounter between Sam Morris and Ian Thomas, who know each others’ games so well. Both players hit their stride quickly, but at 1 game-all Sam took the crucial third game 15-13 and then went on to clinch the match 8-11 / 11-6 / 15-13 / 11-6.

Finals night took place on Thursday, three days after the semi-finals.

The Plate final was played first, between Pat and Simon Joyce, with Pat dominating the T in a comfortable victory before Simon could find his stride. The Championships final was between last year’s runner-up Sam, and Ben. A mouth-watering encounter between two very fit and dynamic players. Sam took an early lead and seemed to be on the verge of taking the first game with the score at 8-5, only for Ben to hit back to pinch the game. This was a big setback for Sam with nothing to show for his high quality tempo, and Ben raced through to take a dominant second game too. It was now or never for Sam as he dug deep in the 3^rd game, with long and skilful rallies. Both players retrieved and pressed, and there were very few errors by either player. At nine points each Sam might have buckled but he found another gear to take the game 11-9.

In the 4th game Ben took an early advantage with the first three points and then at 5-1 and 9-5, only for Sam to have one last big push in the longest rallies of the match. But Ben was not to be denied, closing out the game and the match 11-8.

Ben is now a double champion, having won the squash championship earlier this year too. A fantastic achievement in his first year at the Club! He will have a target on his back next year!

Thanks to all who came to watch and to markers Ian Muir, Simon Marshall and Jools Cooper at these matches. Congratulations to our winners and well done to the runners-up and all participants this year.

Plate Tournament Final

Pat O-Riordan beat Simon Joyce (3-0)        11-2 / 11-7 / 11-7 

Championship Final

Ben Mann beat Sam Morris (3-1)            11-9 /11-2 / 9-11 / 11-8

Get Involved

Our next Racketball events are the Handicap tournament in September through to November, and the 2025 Doubles tournament at Club Night on 6^th November.

Don’t forget our weekly Club Nights every Thursday (5.45 to 7.15pm). If you have not played before and would like to give it a try please get in touch with Steve Adams at [email protected]