Phil Songhurst
reports
The 10th playing of the Asset Systems Nottingham
Open Squash Doubles attracted yet another record entry with players from
all over the country making up the 78 pairs.
The games of squash doubles is growing in popularity in various pockets
nationwide and the Nottingham Club in The Park is the focus of tournament
activity offering this event, probably the highest single participation
event for adults in the country.
The biggest cheer of the day came at the end of an intriguing final in the
main event when the unlikely pairing of Ireland number 2, Jon Rooney and
big Bob Ewing from the Wiggington Club near York defeated the fancied
South African pairing of Clinton Broedelet and Shaun Pearson.
Pearson and Broedelet had earlier defeated Duncan Walsh and Ian Tombs with
a stunning array of outrageous winners and unbelievable retrieving and
many thought by focusing on Ewing in the final the title would be theirs.
But incredibly Ewing played an intelligent game and despite his size,
managed to retrieve most balls sent his way. Rooney also covered his half
of the court with great efficiency and often came out on top after some
gruelling battles down the backhand wall with Pearson.
But the crowning moment was left to Ewing as he hit a dead nick to get to
match ball in the second game and forced an error out of Broedelet to
clinch the match.
Not normally lost for words, the big Yorkshireman was, on this occasion,
overwhelmed and could barely talk, let alone make his deserved victory
speech.
The victory for Rooney was also deserved after his defeat in the final
last year when playing with Greg la Mude.
Earlier in the day, after some 120 games had already been played, the
finals of the graded events had been fought.
The B event was taken by Grantham’s Michael Best and Mark Truman who beat
Lumb Farm’s twinned pairing of Craig and Anthony Walsh 2 – 0. In the C
event Nottingham’s Glynn Parry, paired with James Cooper from
Birkenhampstead, came from 0 – 1 down to take the match 2 – 1 as their
opponents, Roger Bailey and Mick Mattock from Bingham tied in the third
game.
The D event was fought out between Hinckley’s Mike Blasdale and Mike
Winterburn and Grantham’s Alan Leonard and Ray Measures. Despite the
vociferous support from the Lincolnshire contingent it was the
Leicestershire pairing who took the prize by a 2 – 1 margin.
The most nail biting final was reserved for the Mixed event when the young
brother and sister pairing from Wiggington, Catherine and Neil Cordell
came out 2 – 1 winners over Catherine Bowles and David Duncalf.
Despite their inexperienced years, Catherine and her younger brother held
their nerve to scrape through their semi-final 19 – 17 in the deciding 3rd
game against Liz and Tom Elgood – and they repeated the close finish in
the final winning 16 – 14 in the deciding game to take the spoils. The
travelling supporters from York were ecstatic!!
Tournament Organiser, Phil Songhurst commented, “This is such a popular
event, bringing together players of all abilities from all over the
country. All matches are played in great spirit and with such enthusiasm –
it’s a real festival of squash”
Sponsor, Rex Jackson of Asset Systems added, “The size of the entry for
this tournament continues to astound me. Myself and Asset Systems are
proud to be associated with such a successful event. Congratulations to
all participants and especially all the winners” |
Click for a larger view
Back Row:
B winners: Michael Best & Mark Truman,
C winners: Glyn Parry & James Cooper, Sponsor from Asset Systems, Rex
Jackson,
A winners: bob Ewing and Jon Rooney
Front Row:
Mixed winners: Catherine & Neil Cordell and
D winners: Mike Winterburn and Mike Blasdale
2004 Event,
Saturday 7th February
9.30am - 8pm
As always this event coincides with the Nottingham Squash Club Beer
Festival with live music in the evening
Entries/Enquiries to
Phil@nsrc.co.uk
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