Men`s & Women`s Senior County Closed Championships

Carlisle Squash Club 14th & 15th January 2012

Over 50 people entered this year’s county closed competitions at Carlisle. The men’s draw was divided into 5 competitions. There was one ladies competition.

The Ladies was won by defending champion Victoria Bell, beating the ever-improving Jess Winder in straight games.

In the Men’s E competition, Wigton’s Andrew Thwaite beat Carlisle junior Ben Hetherington. The D comp was won by Carlisle’s Steve Harris, defeating Guy Huxtable. The C comp final saw Damien Whelan triumph over Andy Little, and Carlisle again won the B comp with a victory for Brendan Callaghan over Wigton’s Jonny Irving.

In the A competition, Paul Bell successfully defended his title with a comfortable win against Tony Hetherington.

Great achievement by Willy Studholme

Congratulations to Willy, of Wigton Squash Club, for winning the "2011 East of Scotland Masters: Men's Over 75 Event" at Edinburgh - please refer to the attached photo.

I am particularly pleased to send this report because it gives me the opportunity to give him a well deserved thank you and pat on the back, not only for the achievement but because he is a great guy who gives the most dedicated and enthusiastic support to Cumbria Squash, and his club, that we could ever wish for.

Well done Willy

Tom Armstrong.

photo - Linda and Jess Winder after their match.

Men`s & Women`s Senior County Closed Championships 2010/11.

Carlisle Squash Club

15 & 16 January 2011.

Supported by Dunlop.

Match report, Mum is still the Boss!

2009/10 Results, 19/01/10.

Wigton Squash Club 40 years of Squash and Thriving

It was on 31st March 1971 that the Cumbrian club's first squash court was opened. To celebrate forty years of squash in Wigton, 178 past and present members attended a sell out celebration dinner on April 1st 2011. The age range spanned almost 90 years, the oldest present was 98 year old Tim Bond, a founder member. The youngest included ten year olds Chloe Lowes, Adam Gill, George Kemp and James Wilkinson. Prior to the dinner, the club competition finals were held with spectators cramming the gallery to watch the finals. Jonny Honeyman retained the Hopes Auction trophy in a five set final against Chris Murdock. In the B competition, Wayne Ferguson beat Bruce Kemp, while thirteen year old Jake Twentyman beat Jonothon Christian in the C event. Following a hog roast dinner, Sheila Pearson (whose late husband David was one of those who led the development in 1971) gave an amusing account of the fund raising that made it all happen. Former club champion Lenny Wilson followed with some tales from the seventies and the eighties. A quiz and a slide show of club pictures were the focus for discussion, some controversy and much reminiscence. Old scores were settled, close matches recalled, and some beer was drunk to celebrate the club's success. County chairman Tom Armstrong presented the club trophies and the Cumbria Squash Hazel Tait award to one of the club's coaches and longstanding members Valda Crawford. In a moving moment, David Allison whose son Matthew died in an accident in 2003 presented the Matthew Allison award to Chloe Lowes. This annual award is made each year to a junior who has shown some of Matthew's many outstanding qualities. With the club's longstanding development policy producing more players for the future, members can look forward to the future with optimism. Roll on the next ten years was the view at the end of the evening - the dinner for 50 years of squash in Wigton can't come soon enough!

Special performance award

I am pleased to report that the Executive Committee has given a special performance award to Gary Thwaite for his formidable performances over a period more than 25 years. The attached note gives all details (download note). The presentation was made at Windscale Club’s 50th anniversary celebration evening on 4 April 2009. Gary was presented with two awards by visiting superstars James Wilstrop and Lee Beachill to make it a really special occasion for him – my thanks to the lads for doing this. I give my thanks also to Windscale Club (Graham, Ian & Patty) for working with us and allowing us to be part of that very special evening. I have attached a photograph of the presentation kindly provided by Jim Irving – thanks Jim. It was an excellent evening – congratulations Windscale on your 50th - Tom Armstrong.

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