The England Squash Masters Circuit returned to Grantham Squash Club for the Karakal East of England Masters Open. A fairly good entry of about 170 was reduced by late injuries but a very competitive weekend with some of the top Masters players in the UK was had.
Women’s Over 60: Karen Hume (KNT) has 2 World Opens and 14 Regional titles and so was favourite in this round robin group. She had a tight one with Julie-Anne Pegram (SFK) but her experience came through and two other wins saw her claim her 15th Regional title.
Women’s Over 55: Karen’s good friend Mandy Akin (KNT) also a World, British Open and National Champion was only on 14 Regional titles and once again had to play the athletic Fran Wallis (LCN) who has a record of 26 Regionals to her name. On the day Akin found her top game and produced a series of great rallies to keep Wallis out of the match. A 15th Regional for Akin in straight games.
Women’s Over 50: A strong group, getting stronger, with Rachel Calver (LEC) former National and Open Champion arriving in the group and looking to improve on her 7 Regionals. In the final she met Sarah Parr (BRK) former National Champion who overcame 2nd seed Louisa Dalwood (HFD) in five action packed games. Calver was in great form and in spite of a close second stayed ahead through the match to take her 8th Regional in straight games.
Women’s Over 45: British Open Champion Catherine Ruffle (KNT) has been dominant in this group but Kate Bradshaw (CBE) herself a two time Champion has come in to challenge and they met in the final. The Kent girl showing her speed and high energy game proved to have too much for Bradshaw and took the final in straight games. It’s difficult to see anyone beating her in this group at the moment. A fifth title for Ruffle.
Women's Over 35/40: Top seed Michelle Knight (NHM) who already has one Regional this season took on former National and Open Champion Natalie Lawrence (SOM). In the final Knight looked the more fired up and played a very powerful game while Lawrence looked a little behind the pace. She battled hard however but it was Knight that found the right shots and took her second Regional in straight games.
Men's Over 75: After a sensational entry to the age group when Larry Grover (HPH) took the North title beating Ian Ross and Barry Featherstone, the final between him and Featherstone HPH) was eagerly awaited. Grover is a four time Regional Champion and a very tidy player but Featherstone with 34 Regionals is second on the all time list. He showed it powering through the first two before Grover found his range, took the third and then the fourth 11-1. A stern word from his coach re-set Featherstone and he took the first 7 points of the fifth running out a comfortable winner in the fifth.
Men's Over 70: John Hithersay (NHM) has been a revelation this year and leaner and fitter has dominated the 70s winning the last two Regionals. He had a battle with Geoff Redfern (WKS) now looking to be back to his normal levels and in the final met John Goodrich (SFK) who beat the finalist of the last two Regionals Robert Houldsworth (LNH) in five competitive games. In the final Hithersay was too strong on the day although Goodrich took the third having squandered five game balls but Hithersay powered through the fourth. His third Regional for this season.
Men's Over 65: There was an amazing semi-final between top seed Allen Barwise (CBA) a double National Champion and South of England winner Gordon McManus (KNT). McManus had immaculate range on his fading boasts and pulled Barwise who was, for him, a bit loose but Barwise stuck to his task covering immense amounts of court and winning 15-13 in the fifth. In the other semi Tom Burton (HFD) looked home and dry at 2-0 up but the touch game of Nick Gollaglee (SOM) kicked in and after squeezing the fourth 12-10 to level won in five. A different Barwise played on Sunday as he powered through two games and in spite of a fightback in the third clinched his fourth Regional.
Men's Over 60: Alex Betts (MDX) was another player looking for a hattrick of Regionals from the three events so far this season but in a strong draw which included former World Top 10 player Brian Beeson (NLD) it was always going to be tough. The match of the group was probably Beeson against Darren Withey (BUX) a five time Regional winner and with some superb athleticism won through in three very competitive games. Betts was in sparkling form in the final however and did not let Withey play his best game taking a 7th Regional in straight games.
Men's Over 55: British Open Champion Stephen McLoughlin (HPH) was top seed here but had a tough quarter against Karl Hardy (CHS) but came through in five. In the other half of the draw already a winner this season Gavin Roger-Lund (BUX) eased through a tight quarter against Steve Dodridge (BRK). In the final Lund started the better taking the first comfortably and the third to go 2-1 up. McLoughlin struck back and levelled at 2-2 but Lund held his nerve and form to take the fifth for his second Regional title.
Men's Over 50: Top seed Nick Wall (YKS) with 3 National, 2 Opens and 12 Regionals is a top Masters player – he was always the man to beat. Chris Lynam (HFD) got close going 2-1 up before Wall pegged him back to win in five. Meanwhile the ever improving Wayne Beglan (SRY) illustrated his fine form this year with a 3-2 win over second seed Matthew Stephenson (YKS) to secure his first final spot. In the final Wall showed his class and in spite of some excellent squash and great retrieving just had too much game. Another title to Wall.
Men's Over 45: The top two seeds in this group both fell to the 3/4 seeds in the semi finals with Paul Warner (BUX) removing Tim Burrell (BRK) in straight games while Nick Freer (MDX) accounted for James Greenhead (SRY) in four. Freer has been in one Regional final in the past but it was a new experience for Warner but it was him who started brilliantly going two games up before Freer found his range and took the third and fourth as convincingly. With both players trying to win their maiden Regional title the fifth was a dog fight before Warner found the shots he needed to edge home 11/9.
Men's Over 40: Top seed here was Martin Gibson the Grantham Club professional. He reached the final without any problems and there met Jamie Goodrich (NOR) again playing two age groups out of his own (10 years since winning the Open Over 40) and an incredible 24 Regionals. Gibson a tall left hander gave Goodrich all sorts of problems in the first two but he struck back to take the third before a point for point gave him the fourth saw the home player take it 11-9 for the title much to the delight of the crowd.
Men's Over 35: This was somewhat decimated by injury but the top two players both played an incredible standard and around 20,000 in Squash Levels took their places in the final. David Palmer (DVN) had a fine win against Gurbhaj Kahlon (BRK) to set up another semi final with his county team mate and Open Champion James Snell (DVN). Meanwhile Daniel West (SSX) eased through to the final but in spite of some incredible hitting and shot play could find no way to break down Snell. A second Regional this year for the Open Champion.
At the presentation thanks were made to our sponsors Karakal, Grantham Squash and Fitness Centre, referees and the catering and bar staff who were worked very hard over the weekend. There were 171 registered players and 191 matches through the championship and plate events over the weekend. The next event will be the Karakal West of England Masters at Wolverhampton 12-14 January. Registration closes 6pm Friday 29 December.
Stuart Hardy
Chairman