FM Annual Squash Tournament Finals Report

Report written by Peter Hughes - Club Chairman

Finals Day for the 2006 Tournament was Saturday 20th May and it presented us with a full afternoon of competitive, sporting squash in all events. A fitting conclusion to the efforts of 70 entrants who had produced 120 entries in total.

35-Open, 22-Team H'cap, 32-Club H'cap, 16 Veterans, 8 Vintage & 7 Ladies.

Plate Competitions were held for 1st round losers in the Open and in both Handicaps.

The Junior Finals were held on the same afternoon, greatly adding to the general interest and giving plenty of scope for partisan support from all ages! An excellent stage for our Juniors to demonstrate how much effort they have been putting in to raise their playing standards across the age ranges.

In the OPEN final Gary Nitschke beat David Hershman 3-0 and in so doing gave everyone a reminder that as players move up the levels of any game they do just play with a different level of control and understanding of their sport. This match was an excellent exhibition for us all and credit is due to David for getting to the final and, at least, getting a shot at defending his title.
Who is going to challenge Gary next year?

In the LADIES JUDY WILLIAMS beat Rachael Davies 3-1 in a repeat of last years final, albeit a little more of a scare for Judy this time. As with the Open, the more practised and experienced player held sway.

TEAM HANDICAP - well, the Handicapper really got it wrong here by allowing the 2 OPEN finalists to get through to this one as well. No consolation to David though (handicapper wrong again), as GARY beat David Hershman again 2-0

CLUB HANDICAP - Lee Rossiter beat Rael Braverman 2-0 in what was a fine performance from one of our most promising Juniors against a rapidly improving, feistily competitive and relative newcomer to the game.

VETERANS - Tim Taylor beat Bruce Cade 3-1 to become the first Vet to win the title on 3 consecutive occasions.

VINTAGE - Pat Earle beat Paul Davison 3-1. This was a difficult match to call and congratulations to Pat for overcoming his finals demons and finally getting on to the winners podium.

OPEN PLATE - Mark Lemon beat Michael Fitzpatrick 3-1

LADIES PLATE - Susan Morawski beat Jenni Rossiter 2-0(retired)

TEAM HANDICAP PLATE - Mark Lemon beat Kevin Henriques 2-0

CLUB HANDICAP PLATE - David Szucs beat Chandra Khoda 2-0

JUNIOR RESULTS

Teenies U 9's Jonathon Walker beat Thomas Moran

U 11's Andrew Taylor beat Nicky Rossiter

U 13's Lee Rossiter beat Nicky Rossiter

U 15's Robert Winsley beat Faiz Amin

U 17's Josh Kenny beat Kushal Shah

U 19's Lee Rossiter beat Robert Winsley

Girls Jenny Hartley beat Alice Rutter

In general players seem to have enjoyed the tournament with the reservation that the 'd.i.y.' nature for all matches before quarter finals meant that some did not really feel as though they were in a tournament until the later stages were reached. Next year we can expand the Tournament Committee beyond Rick and myself to put others in charge of different nights and then schedule all rounds to be played on set dates.

Any further suggestions for improving the nature, timing of the event will be welcomed.

We, again, thank our sponsors, David and Graeme Bettis aka BENNETT & HALL, Estate Agents for their continuing support of the event and finally, it is a pleasure to report that we are able to send a cheque for £118 to North London Hospice, our chosen charity for this years tournament.