Colets and Kenilworth crowned National Club Champions
By James Roberts – Squash Mad Reporter
Colets Men’s and Kenilworth Women won the No5 Barristers Chambers National Club Championships this weekend at Edgbaston Priory Club.
A strong Colets team, led by Daryl Selby, defeated Nottingham and Pontefract 4-0 in the Quarter and Semi Finals respectively.
Their opponents in the final were Roehampton, who also had a strong squad led by Tom Richards, beat Grantham 4-0 in the Quarter Finals and Edgbaston Priory Club 3-1 in the Semi Finals.
The Final was incredibly tight, with every individual game won being vital. Colets Alex Gough lost narrowly 3-2 to Phil Nightingale, then Daryl Selby levelled the tie with a 3-1 win against Tom Richards.
The pendulum swung back to Roehampton when Robbie Temple beat Rui Soares 3-1. The match stats at this point were 2-1 in matches, 7-6 in games and 118 – 112 points in favour of Roehampton.
Colets Richie Fallows took on Roehamptons Charles Sharpes in the deciding match. Fallows needed to dominate his opponent and he did in great style defeating Sharpes 3-0 and making Colets Champions 2-2 in matches, 9-7 in games count back.
In the Women’s Championships, Kenilworth defeated a spirited Army Ladies team 3-0 in the Semi-Finals, whilst Colets beat Edgbaston Priory Club 3-0.
The final began with a comfortable 3-0 victory for Colets Alison Thomson over Kenilworths Natalie Townsend. Kenilworth drew level when Sarah-Jane Perry won a fantastic match against Alison Waters 3-1. The match was now tied 1-1 with Tesni Evans (Kenilworth) and Coline Aumard (Colets) playing the deciding match. Evans was strong and clinical from the first rally and beat her opponent 3-0, taking the National Club title.
Both Colets and Kenilworth will be invited to represent England, alongside last year Women’s European Champions Edgbaston Priory Club at the European Club Championships, taking place in Paderborn, Germany in September.
No5 Barristers Chambers Mixed Age Group Champions
Over 35’s – Sutton Coldfield beat Pontefract 2-1
Over 45’s – Colets beat Wigan 2-1
Over 55’s – Pontefract beat Colets 3-0
No5 Barristers Chambers Mixed Junior Champions
Coral beat Edgbaston Priory Club 3-0
No5 Barristers Chambers Squash 57 / Racketball Champions
Liverpool Cricket Club beat Shrewsbury 4-0
“I’d like to congratulate all the champions and I’d also like to thank the teams that took part this weekend and in the regional group stages” said Mike Harris (Tournament Director) “It has been a wonderful weekend of Squash and Racketball and a great advert for our sport. I’d also like to thank our sponsor No5 Barristers Chambers for their support and I looking forward to working with them to help grow the National Club Championships making it England’s premier Squash and Racketball club event”.
Picture by Mike Harris