Broadland Sports Club, Fleggburgh again hosted the County Racketball Championships where the top seeds justified their rankings, and a great day of racketball was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants from National Champions to Club Novices.
Reigning National Over 40 Champion Ian Cox retained his County title after seeing off spirited resistance from youngster Sam Henden, and County players Jack Pearce and David Gouldby all 3/0, although David almost stretched the match into a fourth game in his 6/11,7/11,11/13 defeat.
Jack Pearse finished convincingly with another 3/0 win over former County Champion Matt Bolt to finish 3rd, and establish himself as one of the top racketball players in the County.
The over 45’s event was a much closer affair where No.1 seed Rob Hambrook had to work extremely hard to see off a great effort by Robin Chipperfield 11/6,11/8,6/11,10/12,11/5 to make the final. A job that was probably made marginally easier for Rob with Robin having also entered the men’s A competition and having already played 2 competitive matches. Steve Moxey’s journey to the final was slightly easier, dropping just one point in his first match to Paul English and turning in a routine 11/3,11/3,11/3 semi-final win over surprise semi finalist Tony Henden who was standing in as a late replacement. Rob and Steve are well known to each other from their previous Club squash and racketball encounters, and train frequently together. It was therefore no real surprise that the crowd would get full value for their money with the match going right to the wire. With Rob having come through a tougher draw, Steve’s renowned fitness levels placed him as favorite to take the fifth. However, Rob is no slouch either and having saved 2 match balls finished strongly to take the match 11/8,7/11,11/2,8/11,13/11 to warm applause from the appreciative crowd.
The Ladies Championship was contested between the experienced Nicky Green and Regional squash Junior Katie Cox. In a competitive Final experience won the day with Nicky taking the match 11/6,11/4,11/8.
Reining Boys U23 Champion William Henden overcame brother Sam 3/1 and then Nathan Taylor 11/7,9/11,4/11,11/9,12/10 in another entertaining and sporting match to retain the Title by the narrowest of margins, and Debbie Pardy enthusiastically won the ladies Novices final beating friend and Club mate Maria Rainbird 11/6,11/6,12/10, reversing the result of a recent club match.
Huge thanks go to Jake Bond of Broadland Sports Club who worked tirelessly to ensure there were sufficient entries to guarantee a successful Tournament, contacting players right up to Friday evening to ensure their participation. The Tournament would not have gone ahead without him, and all right in the middle of organising his own Club Championships and hectic Junior coaching program.
Reigning National Over 40 Champion Ian Cox retained his County title after seeing off spirited resistance from youngster Sam Henden, and County players Jack Pearce and David Gouldby all 3/0, although David almost stretched the match into a fourth game in his 6/11,7/11,11/13 defeat.
Jack Pearse finished convincingly with another 3/0 win over former County Champion Matt Bolt to finish 3rd, and establish himself as one of the top racketball players in the County.
The over 45’s event was a much closer affair where No.1 seed Rob Hambrook had to work extremely hard to see off a great effort by Robin Chipperfield 11/6,11/8,6/11,10/12,11/5 to make the final. A job that was probably made marginally easier for Rob with Robin having also entered the men’s A competition and having already played 2 competitive matches. Steve Moxey’s journey to the final was slightly easier, dropping just one point in his first match to Paul English and turning in a routine 11/3,11/3,11/3 semi-final win over surprise semi finalist Tony Henden who was standing in as a late replacement. Rob and Steve are well known to each other from their previous Club squash and racketball encounters, and train frequently together. It was therefore no real surprise that the crowd would get full value for their money with the match going right to the wire. With Rob having come through a tougher draw, Steve’s renowned fitness levels placed him as favorite to take the fifth. However, Rob is no slouch either and having saved 2 match balls finished strongly to take the match 11/8,7/11,11/2,8/11,13/11 to warm applause from the appreciative crowd.
The Ladies Championship was contested between the experienced Nicky Green and Regional squash Junior Katie Cox. In a competitive Final experience won the day with Nicky taking the match 11/6,11/4,11/8.
Reining Boys U23 Champion William Henden overcame brother Sam 3/1 and then Nathan Taylor 11/7,9/11,4/11,11/9,12/10 in another entertaining and sporting match to retain the Title by the narrowest of margins, and Debbie Pardy enthusiastically won the ladies Novices final beating friend and Club mate Maria Rainbird 11/6,11/6,12/10, reversing the result of a recent club match.
Huge thanks go to Jake Bond of Broadland Sports Club who worked tirelessly to ensure there were sufficient entries to guarantee a successful Tournament, contacting players right up to Friday evening to ensure their participation. The Tournament would not have gone ahead without him, and all right in the middle of organising his own Club Championships and hectic Junior coaching program.