Squash Bonanza in Thrilling Finals

Two great squash finals were played last Friday – the U19 Junior Championship between Dan Evans and Jonathan Towers and the 2024 Handicap between Phil Martynski and Rob Ayles.

U19 Junior Championship

The two juniors have worked hard on their games in recent years and with just a few months difference in age, the stage is set for their rivalry in the years ahead. Each have held the Junior title once before, but strangely they had not played against each other for a while. Dan had struggled with injuries this year, but his renewed focus and application set this up as a mouth watering final…. and we were not disappointed! Jonathan started well and took an early lead in the first game, only for Dan to reel off 6 points in a row and take the first game. The second game was a reversal, with Jonathan racing from 5-3 to 9-3 ahead, which despite Dan’s dogged determination, levelled the games at one-all. Dan had given so much that the 3th game was a one-sided affair with Jonathan plundering 8 points in a row to lead by 2 games to one. Dan knew he had to win the 4th game to keep his hopes alive, and it showed in his gritty play …. The boys traded points evenly as only one point separated them throughout the 4th game, until Jonathan nudged to an 8-6 lead. But Dan was not finished yet as he valiantly levelled at 8-all, then 9-all, 10-all and even 11-all.

There were several difficult calls in the middle part of this match by marker Jools Cooper as both players jockeyed for control of the T. … Remarkably Dan came through to take two more points and to level the match at 2-2. Both boys were blowing hard now, but their spirit and skill shone brightly. Jonathan’s composure and power swung the match back his way as he ground out the points to establish a 7-3 lead. There was no way back for Dan now. The long rallies and great length by Jonathan had taken their toll, as Jonathan clinched the 5th game and the match by 3 games to 2. The final score was 7-11 / 11-6 / 11-2 / 11-13 / 11-4.

Squash Handicap Final

Our annual Squash Handicap tournament always attracts a big entry and this year was no exception. This is the event which gives players of all standards an equal chance of glory … always great fun, pitching different styles and abilities against each other. This year Phil and Rob, players from the middle of the box leagues, prevailed through the rounds to face each other in the final …. having beaten tough and higher ranked opponents such as Ian Thomas and Sam Morris on the way. In fact there was only one point difference in handicap with Rob on zero and Phil on +1. Both players have similar styles, are powerful and hit the ball hard. The key differences were perhaps Phil’s ability to play the ball slightly earlier than Rob, thus pinning him at the back of the court, and Phil’s greater composure under pressure. It was an intriguing and hard-fought battle with few outright winners, and so the rallies took their toll. As expected the scores were close, with Phil finally prevailing by three games to one …. 15-11 / 15-12 / 11-15 / 15-12.
Congratulations to Phil and Rob, who were competing in their first ever final.

And well done to Jonathan and Dan too. All four of you gave us a very entertaining evening of squash!