Championship Report 2023

The 2023 Club Championship was held at a new venue, Nuffield Health, St Albans. We were celebrating our 60th Anniversary and it was hoped that the entries would be an improvement on the last few years. This proved not to be the case, but the competitors who entered enjoyed a successful weekend of squash. The low entries did not reduce the standard of squash played, with many International players competing there were some exceedingly competitive matches. The tournament was opened up to England Squash Masters players who were not GB Vets members and some local players provided stiff competition to our members. Andy Duckworth pushed Dean Newberry all the way in a close 5 set match in the Over 45 event.

Other winners were Marvin Rust, John Parkes and Allen Barwise in the O’50, 60 and 65 tournaments.

Barry Featherstone entered the O’70 and O’75’s, winning them both. With Mike Clemson playing (he says) in his last competitive event taking the O’80 title. The Non County events were won by Dan Sweeney and Keith Ragg.

The ladies title was decided in a close match between Catherine Ruffle and Keeley Peacock with Catherine winning.

The ladies doubles nearly didn’t happen when Kim Ricks was unable to compete, but a local player, Louise Dalwood, was called in as a replacement and formed a winning partnership with Keeley Peacock. The mixed doubles title was won by Dan Sweeney and Catherine Ruffle.

The men’s doubles events usually prove to be some of the best matches over the weekend. Unfortunately we had very low entries but the finals were won by Hurford and Stiles in the O’40 and Howes and Waddy in the O75.

The two final awards were for the Burrell Trophy which was given to Allen Barwise for services to the club and for contribution to the tournament, the Norman Hunt Trophy to Philip Courtenay-Luck.

Geoff Howes
Tournament Director