2003closedresults

The 2003 Essex Closed Squash & Racketball Competition was held at Club Kingswood in Basildon on the weekend of 25^th & 26^th of January 2003. There were about 130 Competitors this year, supported throughout by an enthusiastic crowd, who saw plenty of superb action!

Commentary

Club Kingswood’s Peter Barker won the 2003 Essex Squash & Racketball Championships for the second successive year with Kingswood's very own Darren Webb gaining the ‘runners up’ medal!!

Peter Barker, who has recently turned professional and is aiming to get into the world top 50 this year, proved too strong in the main final for a weary Darren who, only an hour previously, had a won a 75 minute battle to keep the Essex Racketball crown.

Finals day on Sunday saw a huge crowd in support and kicked off with the Men's C where May & Baker's Sean Cole beat youngster Elliot Selby who had knocked out the number 2 seed to reach the final. In the Men's O'35 Dave Lazerus was trailing Andy Russell 1 - 2 but pulling back but unfortunately had to withdraw injured. The Racketball A match proved every bit as exciting as last years event, Darren Web retained the title beating Kinswood's Rob Stonebrook 3 - 1 in a tough final.

Next matches on were - Men's O'55 which was won yet again by Brian Hardcastle from Woodford Wells beating Kingswood's Peter Cowell 3 - 1. In the Mens B Karl Westhead had a stonking match against Chelmsford's Dave Cooper eventualy winning 3 - 1. The Rackeball B final was won by Stan Bullman who beat a new entry and vintage ladies squash player Sue Guest.

The play continued - Dave Wyman was unable to retain his Mens O'45's title eventually being beaten by a very determined Rick Younger 3 - 2. The Ladies O'40's was won by Avril Murphy beating Redbidges Sue Vine 3 - 0. The Ladies Vintage (O'50's) brought together last years winner Barbara Sanderson (who is the World Ladies Masters Champion) and Sue Vine, Sue proved just to strong for Barbara winning 3 - 0.

And then the main finals -In the Ladies A's Squash sisters Sarah and Philippa Neller (Kingswood's equivalent of tennis's Williams sister) both made it to the semi-finals, Philippa was beaten by last year's winner Lauren Briggs, and in the other semi Sarah lost to their coach Claire Cogan. The Ladies finals match was a hard fought battle, Claire's skill and power however could not overcome Lauren's superb retrieving and tight play, her accuracy forced Claire into uncharacteristic mistakes, Lauren eventually beating Claire 3 games to 0.

The battle for the Men's A final promised to be every bit as good as last year. Peter Barker, last year's winner, had blasted his way through all preliminary rounds dropping only a few points, and found himself again up against his old adversary (and one time coach) Darren Webb (himself an ex-world ranked player now retired from the circuit). Darren and Peter again stunned the crowd with amazing arrays of shots and unbelievable retrieving, Peter remained steady, moved & positioned himself incredibly quickly, played very tight and accurate, Darren had had a very tough weekend getting to both Racketball and Squash finals, and although he stretched both Peter (and the marker), Peter 's resolve, skill and energy proved too much for Darren and won him the match 3 games to 0

The weekend and the overall event was a success pulling in a lot of players and a lot of spectators. All finalists (main competitions and plates) received a trophy, a prize, and some wine. All matches were fairly contested and marking was to a high standard (some SRA grading assessments were conducted during the weekend). The organisers would like to thank the following for the help and support over the entire tournament: