The Tom Elton Barrett Junior Squash Champs 2003

The Final match of this years event went all the way to the last game resulting in Alex CROUCH (Sussex) beating David NAISH (Gloucestershire) 3-2 in the Mens Under 19 Final.

It was a dramatic affair, earlier after being outgunned in the first game CROUCH changed his game to moving his opponent around the court. This tactic worked superbly as he raced to a 2-1 lead and was 8-1 match ball up in the fourth game. However CROUCH inexplicably returned to his former ways and tried to outhit his opponent to try and secure the win. NAISH dug deep and encouraged himself to hang in. This he did commendably and saved 8 match points.CROUCH began to crumble as NAISH crawled back to 8-8. Several rallies later NAISH clinched the game 10-8 to take the match into a final game. NAISH went 5-0 up in one hand but this time CROUCH dug deep and returned to his winning ways to take the match 9-5.

An appreciative crowd applauded the tired combatants off the court.

In the Under 17 Boys Final Tom STONE from Kent beat a game Luke GRAY (Essex) 3-1 to retain the title he won last year. The match was dominated by STONE'S winners and errors as GRAY hung in but tired eventually to STONE'S attacking play.

On Saturday in the Under 19 Ladies Final a very impressive Carrie HASTINGS beat her county colleague Joanna SCRIVENS 9-3 9-4 9-3. These two have played each other on numerous occasions over the years but Carrie upset the seedings to overcome her opponent by having too much in her armoury.

Bishop's Stortford Squash Club enjoyed some home success when Keeley PEACOCK secured the girls Under 17 title. Keeley has recently hit a rich vein in form and the only person to trouble her was Julie PEACHEY from Oxfordshire.

The Mens under 19 Plate Final was won by Adam HILLS who beat Michael AXTELL 3-1 both of whom are from Essex.

The Boys Under 17 Final was won by Scott LEGG from Essex. He beat B/Stortford's up and coming star Oliver DIXON 9-3 9-2 9-3.

Mr and Mrs ELTON BARRATT were in attendance for most of the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the event. The event is played in memory of their son Tom ELTON BARRATT who sadly passed away in 1983. This is the 20th year since it's inception and to commemorate this occasion a new award was created for the Most Sporting Person over the weekend. Unfortunately the person who won this years event had already left the before the presentation, however the Tournament Committee have decided to award this years inaugural award to Jack WHITE from Cambridgeshire. Jack won a fantastically absorbing first round match against Daryl FRYATT 9-3 in the Final game. Mrs ELTON BARRATT commented on his exemplary on court behaviour and after his match came upstairs to mark the next match when most of us would have headed off to the showers. He also volunteered to mark other matches and was deemed this years winner. Other players in the running were Ian CHAPPELL from Staffordshire and Elliot SELBY from ESSEX.

Sarah LOCKYER from PELLYS Solicitors who sponsored this years event attended the presentation and in her speech to the crowd re-affirmed her company's commitment to the development of junior sport in the area.

Thanks to all of you who played and I look forward to seeing you at next years event. 

Regards, Jason Foster

 

Manager
Bishop's Stortford Squash Club
01279 461280 (office/shop & Fax)
01279 652897 (club & Bar)
07941 274532 (mobile)
www.tbssc.co.uk