1 day Ago By [email protected] (James Bedford)
Engaging, competitive, entertaining and memorable describes this year's Stamford Squash Club finals. Using the famous Giles Clawson format, involving all playing levels of the membership, age groups, racketball and squash Competitions, reached out to all members of the club allowing for multiple entries into a variety of competitions, played over March to April culminating in a semi-finals week and finals day. The semi-finals produced some epic displays and close fought matches.
The consummate sportsman Steve Roberts edged out the ever-improving Aidan Norris over five games, with Steve taking it 11-6 in the fifth. Ferlin Barnard picked up a notable 3-2 win against Paul Curtis in the racketball plate. Eden Spooner overcame a 2-0 deficit to John Cordeaux by cutting out unforced errors, playing John deep into the back court, to take the next three games to reach the racketball final.
Michael Catlin smoothly eased his way into the main squash Final, beating Owen O'Hara in the quarter-final and Neil Steedman in the last four. Rob Vivian surprised the crowd with a victory over Eden Spooner to set up a final with Michael. Neil Needham enjoyed particular success by reaching three finals.
The first was the O55 where he lost to Dave Spooner 3-1, the second succumbing to a focussed Owen O'Hara 3-1 in the B grade final, however, he finished with a 3-1 victory against Ferlin Barnard in the racketball plate. The ladies racketball final was also an entertaining match as Sarah Jones went into a 2-0 lead. Her opponent, Jenny Herbage, then decided to change her game and rally more, this proved highly effective taking the next three games to clinch the match 3-2.
Mark Davies created club history by winning the O65 against a spirited Tim Collins, having previously won at O45, O50, O55 and O60, an achievement not to be sniffed at, owing much to his great squash skills. Adam Brown produced an effective performance against Greg Smith to win the B grade plate 3-1. Greg had to earn his place in the final via a tough match with Iain Mcewen in the semi's.
Steve Roberts had another nail biting epic against Kevin Dutton, Steve winning the C grade final 3-1. Jon Hand also earned distinction by reaching two finals, the first of which he won a very close 3-0 victory against Paul Partington in the O45. The second of his finals though in the racketball was against Eden Spooner who produced some sublime skill, looking effortless, winning 3-0.
Last year's squash champion and this year's racketball champion earned well deserved plaudits from his fellow members. Michael Catlin, in his first club final, faced multiple champion Rob Vivian in the main squash final. Michael dispelled any nerves by taking the first game however Rob took the second.
Michael's strengths came to the fore, moving effortlessly and putting pressure on his opponent, as he took the next games and club championship, a truly deserved win for a Stamford newcomer. The Stamford teams performed creditably in the Cambridgeshire Leagues. Stamford 1 suffered injuries but still earned a top four place in Division One.
Neil Steedman was awarded team player of the season for his outstanding performances this season. Stamford 2 endured a tough first half of the season but some stand out wins from Neil Cook and Will Stuart-Jones prevented a disastrous first half. The introduction of player of the season George Montgomery galvanised the team with Jon Oakley also rising to the challenge as this team also finished fourth.
Stamford 3 provided the greatest achievement, made up of mainly new to team squash players they won their league by 30 points and a game to spare. The undefeated Giles Clawson was at one, Adam Brown at two, with effective support from Chris Perkins, Tony Cheales, Leigh Ford, James Quinn, Mark Ridealgh and Owen O'Hara all providing a tour de force. Joint Stamford 3 players of the season Paul Brown and Alex Boughton played the most games, both only losing one match in that time.
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