The Karakal West of England Masters Open 2025 was held at the excellent East Glos Club, Cheltenham. The second event on the England Squash Masters Regional Circuit attracted 162 entries, including some top players from Wales.
Women's Over 65. Some good matches in this round robin event, but it went down to the top two meeting in the final. National Champion Lesley Sturgess (DYS) took on Wales star Lynne Davies. Both women had eight Regional titles, and their matches are always close. And so it proved, going to 12/10 in the fifth, with the Welsh player prevailing.
Women's Over 55/60. Rina Einy (MDX) had been away from the Masters for a while, but being a former Open and National Champion, she had the pedigree. She was pushed hard by Jackie Gregory (ESX) in one semi-final, while second seed Sarah Percy (YKS) had an equally tough win over Tammy Bennett (SRY). Einy took the final in three, but two of the games went into extra time in a well-contested match.
Women's Over 50. Some classy matches all through this draw. Sarah Parr (BRK) edged Kate Smith (YKS) 12/10 in the fourth; Debbie Locke (WKS) saved a match point in the fourth but prevailed in five over Libby Montgomery (HFD), and then took second seed Chrissie McMullen (CHS) to set point in two games. Meanwhile, top seed Louisa Dalwood (HFD) reached the final with some ease and took the first against McMullen. Both women are former National Champions, and the squash was excellent, but McMullen pulled away to take her sixth Regional title in four games.
Women's Over 45. Top seed Catherine Ruffle (KNT) was the player to beat here—and no one could. She has had an impressive run of form in recent years, notching up two National Championships, a British Open, and eight Regionals. The next best was former National Champion Natalie Lawrence (SOM), who pushed hard, but Ruffle won 3/1.
Women's Over 35/40. There have been some new faces in this group so far this season, and the standard has gone up with them. Some fine squash on show, but the top seed and recent South of England winner Kelly Eastment (SSX) was the player to beat—and no one could. Sophie Beake (BRK) almost took a game, but even two-time Champion Michelle Knight (OFE) could not break through. A second Championship to Eastment.
Men's Over 80. The “Elder Statesmen” event was played in a round robin headed by former World Champion Chris Ansell (BRK). He was up against National Champion Allan Whittow (BUX), who has been playing well of late. These two were a bit ahead of the field, and in a close final Whittow edged it 12/10, 13/11, 11/9. Excruciatingly close! A fourth Regional title for the Bucks man.
Men's Over 75. Two outstanding players in this group were the top seeds—Open Champion Ian Graham (SSX) and Regional record holder Barry Featherstone (HPH) – 38 Regional Championships, if you were wondering! Bryan Francis (MDX), a 3/4 seed, had a scare getting through against Bryan Haywood-Hughes (HFD) in five before losing to Featherstone 3/1. Paddy Butler (SSX) is threatening the seeds, but Graham was too good. Graham was not convincing in the final, however, and Featherstone was playing the better squash. But it is the sign of a champion to win when not playing well, and despite being two points away in four, Featherstone could not convert his advantage. A ninth Regional title for Graham.
Men's Over 70. There were a few results against seeding in this group. South of England winner David Matthew (CNL), the no. 2 seed, looked below his best and went out to Robert Houldsworth (LNH). He then lost in straight games to the in-form John Hithersay (NHM). Meanwhile, top seed Stuart Hardy (WLT), returning from injury, dropped games to Richard Kellagher (OFE) and Wales no. 1 Anthony Bevan on his way to the final. Hithersay produced some top squash in the final and took his fourth Regional title in four, with two of the games going to extra time to get some revenge for his National Championship final loss.
Men's Over 65. Some keen battles in this group as several players vied for wins and important points towards international selection. Tom Burton (HFD) nearly upset National Champion Allen Barwise (CBA), but after losing the fourth 11/9, he was swamped in the fifth. The sublimely skilful Richard Millman (NOR) gained some revenge over Yorkshire’s Phil Wakefield and then removed Alan Borrill (LCN), who had stunned former British Open winner Nick Gollaglee (NOR) in five. The final, a contrast in styles, to put it mildly, saw Millman level at 1/1 with an 18/16 second game. But after that, Barwise mopped him up. A seventh Regional title for him to go with four National Championships.
Men's Over 60. An extremely competitive group, with any of five players very capable of winning. Top seed and former British Open Champion Eamonn Price (HFD) unusually, fell in the quarters to another former champion, John Parkes (WOC), who in turn lost out to the wholehearted play of Alex Betts (MDX), who came from two down to win in five. In the other half, Darren Withey (BUX), the no. 2 seed, lost out to the last event winner, Simon Spencer (NOT), in four tough games. The final was brutal - over 50 minutes of all-court action, and Betts recovered from 2/1 down to clinch it 11/9 in the fifth. A tenth Regional crown for the Queens Club man.
Men's Over 55. Former Open Champion Steve McLoughlin (HPH) was top seed here but fell in five to Surrey’s Jason Fletcher, who had survived a five-game match against Mark Steeden (KNT). Meanwhile, 3/4 seed Sam Hanbury (SSX) had to recover from two down against the talents of Steve Dodridge (BRK), which included a 17/15 fourth game. In the semi against the very fit Wales no. 1 Steve Evans, he could not find the finish and all three games were lost to 11. Evans continued his fine form to the final, where, having dropped the first, he squeezed home 13/11, 12/10 in the next two before taking the fourth for his first Regional win.
Men's Over 50. Alistair Coker (HFD) was top seed here and won through in style. National finalist Wayne Beglan (SRY) upset the seeding with a hard-hitting five-game battle with Matt Stephenson (YKS), but Coker controlled him to reach the final. The bottom half saw more action as no. 2 seed Andy Marsh (SOM) took a 19/17 first against Isle of Wight’s Adam Dominey, going on to win in four but then losing out to Mark Davis (CBE) 12/10 in the fifth. Davis took the first game in the final, but Coker clinched the second 12/10 and was then in control. A third Regional title for him.
Men's Over 45. The two top players here were the finalists in the last event and again reached the final. Former World Championship Junior Lee Jemmett (ESX) had the easier route as his powerful game saw him through. Paul Warner (BUX) had a tougher time, recovering from a 15/13 first-game loss against Mick Biggs (MDX) before sneaking the next two 12/10, 11/9, then converting the win in four. Warner won a 15/13 first game in the final, but Jemmett struck back with the next two. Warner levelled, and it was point for point in the fifth, but Jemmett took it 11/9 for his second Regional in a row.
Men's Over 40. A smaller but quality draw in this event saw the return of Jamie Goodrich (NOR), still playing beautifully and well below his actual age group. Looking for a 25th Regional win, he was convincing on his way to the final. The top seed was Avon’s Dale Diment, who had a harder time getting past Steven Davies (BFD) in five. Davies had a cracker of a match with Tony Tremain (DVN), winning 11/13, 15/13, 11/9, 11/5 in 50 minutes. Goodrich looked to be in charge in the final, taking the third 12/10 for a 2/1 lead, but Diment stayed strong and took the next two for his first Regional Championship.
Men's Over 35. James Snell (DVN) is in his third year of the Masters and is unbeaten in the England Squash Masters events. Two British Opens and two National Championships already—the man to beat. Gurbhaj Kahlon (BRK) came as close as anyone, playing some exceptional squash and taking the fight to the champion. He took the first 12/10, but Snell levelled. Kahlon almost had the third, but it went 12/10, and then it was Snell 3/1. Meanwhile, another 25,000 Squash Level player in Chris Hall (WKS) was easing through his half. Unfortunately, overnight Hall had an old injury flare-up and could not play the final. It could have been one to savour, but a fifth Regional title for Snell.
A superb weekend of squash at the excellent East Glos Club.
Thanks were given to Karakal, the Circuit sponsors, the club, and all the officers, members, and staff who made everyone so welcome. Also to the England Squash referees, the ESM Committee and support team, and the Event Manager, the incomparable Badger Brock.
Stuart Hardy
Chairman