Norfolk Inter County - All Age Groups
Norfolk O50 - Finish a fantastic 3rd Overall!
NORFOLK OVER 50s FINISH IN THIRD PLACE
The Norfolk Over 50 Squash team just missed out on a place in the final
against Middlesex when they were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Avon in their
semi-final of the Inter County Championship at The Hunts County Club,
Cambridge at the weekend but took some consolation from their third/fourth
place off match against Wiltshire which they comfortably won 5-0.
Norfolk's semi-final got off to the worst possible start when the new county
Over 55 champion, Peter Scott lost his fifth string match in straight games
and then his former West Norfolk team-mate Nick Gollaglee was beaten 3-1 at
No.3. The team drew level however as Mike Livock turned in a tremendous
performance to win his fourth string match 9-6 in the fifth and the county
veterans champion John Cordeaux comfortably won his first string match in
straight games.
Sadly for Norfolk Richard Millman has been carrying an injury all season
which has severely restricted his mobility and whilst he can just about get
away with it in the Norfolk leagues at this level he was struggling. Despite
using his great racket skills to the full and putting up a brave fight in
each game he was beaten 3-0 to give Avon a 3-2 victory and a place in the
final against Middlesex who cruised to a 5-0 victory against Wiltshire.
Results:
John Cordeaux beat Jeremy Goulding 9-5 9-7 9-0
Richard Millman lost to Mark Regan 6-9 7-9 6-9
Nick Gollaglee lost to Mark Taylor 9-1 1-9 8-10 3-9
Mike Livock beat Nick Drysdale 9-7 9-7 2-9 7-9 9-6
Peter Scott lost to Paul Barham 4-9 4-9 7-9
The play-off match on the Sunday morning against Wiltshire which would
decide third place was something of an anti-climax as the Norfolk team eased
their way to a 5-0 victory dropping just one game along the way.
Cordeaux beat Gary Preston 9-3 9-4 9-0
Millman beat Mike Stannard 9-5 9-4 10-8
Gollaglee beat Mike Hyland 6-9 9-3 9-6 9-7
Livock beat Clive Morgan 9-3 9-7 9-4
Scott beat Russell Bothwick 9-6 9-7 9-5
Captain Nick Gollaglee was disappointed with the result against Avon but was
satisfied with the team's overall performance as they proved themselves to
be the third best team in the country.
The Norfolk Over 50 Squash team just missed out on a place in the final
against Middlesex when they were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Avon in their
semi-final of the Inter County Championship at The Hunts County Club,
Cambridge at the weekend but took some consolation from their third/fourth
place off match against Wiltshire which they comfortably won 5-0.
Norfolk's semi-final got off to the worst possible start when the new county
Over 55 champion, Peter Scott lost his fifth string match in straight games
and then his former West Norfolk team-mate Nick Gollaglee was beaten 3-1 at
No.3. The team drew level however as Mike Livock turned in a tremendous
performance to win his fourth string match 9-6 in the fifth and the county
veterans champion John Cordeaux comfortably won his first string match in
straight games.
Sadly for Norfolk Richard Millman has been carrying an injury all season
which has severely restricted his mobility and whilst he can just about get
away with it in the Norfolk leagues at this level he was struggling. Despite
using his great racket skills to the full and putting up a brave fight in
each game he was beaten 3-0 to give Avon a 3-2 victory and a place in the
final against Middlesex who cruised to a 5-0 victory against Wiltshire.
Results:
John Cordeaux beat Jeremy Goulding 9-5 9-7 9-0
Richard Millman lost to Mark Regan 6-9 7-9 6-9
Nick Gollaglee lost to Mark Taylor 9-1 1-9 8-10 3-9
Mike Livock beat Nick Drysdale 9-7 9-7 2-9 7-9 9-6
Peter Scott lost to Paul Barham 4-9 4-9 7-9
The play-off match on the Sunday morning against Wiltshire which would
decide third place was something of an anti-climax as the Norfolk team eased
their way to a 5-0 victory dropping just one game along the way.
Cordeaux beat Gary Preston 9-3 9-4 9-0
Millman beat Mike Stannard 9-5 9-4 10-8
Gollaglee beat Mike Hyland 6-9 9-3 9-6 9-7
Livock beat Clive Morgan 9-3 9-7 9-4
Scott beat Russell Bothwick 9-6 9-7 9-5
Captain Nick Gollaglee was disappointed with the result against Avon but was
satisfied with the team's overall performance as they proved themselves to
be the third best team in the country.
Norfolk Over 45 Report - 26th -27th November 2011
| o45_inter_county_26th_-_27th_nov.doc |
Norfolk O55 - 2011
Over 50’s County Weekend 15th-16th October 2011
Norfolk travelled to Manchester to play in the toughest of the stage 1
groups. They were joined by hosts Lancashire, national champions Middlesex
and another top side Durham and Cleveland. Norfolk had a strong line up
but injuries and illnesses meant everyone was not sure how they would
perform. As it turned out everyone contributed to another typically gutsy
team effort. The overall result was in doubt until the last match of the
weekend which actually involved Durham and Lancashire. Durham’s final
victory ensured Norfolk secured second place and another trip to the
National Finals in January by the narrowest of margins.
It all started on Saturday lunchtime with Norfolk taking on Durham. Nick
Gollaglee playing his first county match since last November (due to
injury) started the day with a convincing 3-0 victory over Colin Shields.
He started nervously but recovered in the first game from 0-6 and 3-8 to
win 9-8. From then on it was one-way traffic. From the middle of the first
game he won 24 points for the loss of only 2. Gary Snelling was also in
hot form and soon dispatched his opponent 3-0. Mike Livock also only just
back from a long term injury started tentatively but after losing the
first 10-8 he then took control to win the next three in quick succession.
At No.2 Richard Millman was nursing a bad head cold but despite looking
unwell still put together a range of shots others only dream of and
despite dropping a game still looked a class act as he won 3-1. John
Cordeaux deservedly promoted this year to No. 1 was faultless as he
demolished Neil Harrison 3-0. His pace around the court and accuracy of
shot far too good for Harrison despite his occasional nicks.
Victory over Durham was then followed with a repeat against Lancs in the
evening, but it was close! Gollaglee despite feeling good succumbed to an
awkward but quality player with an identical style. It must have been like
watching a chess match as each player coaxed, placed, lobbed and dropped
to all four corners. Not a match for those used to power play. Despite
taking a 2-1 lead Gollaglee finally lost 3-2. Cordeaux then ripped apart
former national champion Ian Bradburn 3-0 with speed of thought, speed of
movement and accuracy of shot. This was closely followed by Millman who
gave an unbelievable display of shot making. Mainly drops from impossible
angles. The whole auditorium stood and admired as he completely bamboozled
his opponent. Despite these two victories a 3-1 loss by Livock meant the
team result rested in the hands of the dependable Peter Scott. In a “close
encounter of the fifth string kind” the games were shared until Scott
pulled back the fifth to win it 9-5 and with it the match.
After the first day the overall scores were very close and the battle for
the top two qualifying places was between Middlesex (26 points), Norfolk
(37 points) and Lancs (24 points). Durham were out of the running. After
hours of calculations there appeared to be two targets. Beat Middlesex and
they were out! Or score 8 points and we couldn’t be caught by Lancs. It
soon became clear that beating Middlesex was going to be a pipe dream.
Gollaglee took on his arch nemesis Mark Cowley In a tough encounter. He
was outplayed in the first two but had game ball in the third before going
down 10-9 and therefore 3-0 to a hard hitting and committed Cowley.
Middlesex were clearly worried as one of their missing star players (Dulip
Adihetty – former national champion) was dragged up at the crack of dawn
from London to play at No.4. Livock put up a good show, but losing the
first 10-8 was as good as it got. A brave effort. Snelling also found the
going tough and went down 3-0 to Stuart hardy. This meant Norfolk had only
two matches to go and no points on the board. Meanwhile Lancs were
starting to rack up some points on the other courts. Cordeaux and Millman
put in two very brave performances. The former lost the first 10-9 but
then took a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately Alan Thomson despite looking very
tired still managed to find the will and skill to force errors from
Norfolk’s No.1 and he eventually won 3-2, but those two points gained
would prove crucial. Millman too was against top star James Ockwell and
after losing the first the omens were not good, but he dug deep to win a
dramatic second 10-9. Normal service resumed but after much encouragement
from his team mates Millman levelled things at 2-2 but the effort had
taken its toll and he went down 3-2.
Meanwhile Dave Lumsden had been in a titanic struggle with the Lancs No2.
Everything now rested on this result. In the end Norfolk needed him to
just win. Which he duly did 3-2 after being 2-0 up. The final points would
suggest it wasn’t that close but that final victory by Lumsden robbed
Lancs of victory and thus the 5 bonus points and that made all the
difference.
This was very much a team victory with crucial points won by everyone over
the weekend making the difference between 2nd and 3rd. The team will now
disperse to Coventry, Wales & Norfolk to recover, train and plot for
victory in the national finals in January.
As a foot note the team discovered that even if Lancs had won that last
match that would have left them on level points with Norfolk but with
Norfolk winning on count back.
RESULTS
Norfolk bt Durham & Cleveland (20-2)
John Cordeaux bt Neil Harrison 9-4 9-4 9-1
Richard Millman bt Dave Lumsden 9-4 9-0 2-9 10-8
Nick Gollaglee bt Colin Shields 9-8 9-0 9-2
Mike Livock bt Brian Duke 8-10 9-3 9-0 9-4
Gary Snelling by K. Dryden 9-1 9-2 9-5
Norfolk bt Lancashire (17-8)
John Cordeaux by Ian Bradburn 9-3 9-4 9-1
Richard Millman bt Johnson 9-3 9-1 9-1
Nick Gollaglee lst Peter Upton 9-4 5-9 10-9 3-9 1-9
Mike Livock lst ……….. 2-9 1-9 9-6 1-9
Peter Scott bt …………. 9-7 1-9 9-4 4-9 9-5
Norfolk lst Middlesex (4-20)
John Cordeaux lst Alan Thomson 9-10 9-2 9-5 4-9 1-9
Richard Millman lst James Ockwell 5-9 10-9 9-1 1-9 3-9
Nick Gollaglee lst Mark Cowley 3-9 5-9 9-10
Mike Livock lst Dulip Adihetty 8-10 6-9 1-9
Gary Snelling lst Stuart Hardy 2-9 3-9 0-9
OVERALL RESULTS
1st Middlesex 46 points
2nd Norfolk 41 points
3rd Lancashire 35 points
4th Durham
Next match:
Finals weekend 21st – 22nd January 2011
Norfolk travelled to Manchester to play in the toughest of the stage 1
groups. They were joined by hosts Lancashire, national champions Middlesex
and another top side Durham and Cleveland. Norfolk had a strong line up
but injuries and illnesses meant everyone was not sure how they would
perform. As it turned out everyone contributed to another typically gutsy
team effort. The overall result was in doubt until the last match of the
weekend which actually involved Durham and Lancashire. Durham’s final
victory ensured Norfolk secured second place and another trip to the
National Finals in January by the narrowest of margins.
It all started on Saturday lunchtime with Norfolk taking on Durham. Nick
Gollaglee playing his first county match since last November (due to
injury) started the day with a convincing 3-0 victory over Colin Shields.
He started nervously but recovered in the first game from 0-6 and 3-8 to
win 9-8. From then on it was one-way traffic. From the middle of the first
game he won 24 points for the loss of only 2. Gary Snelling was also in
hot form and soon dispatched his opponent 3-0. Mike Livock also only just
back from a long term injury started tentatively but after losing the
first 10-8 he then took control to win the next three in quick succession.
At No.2 Richard Millman was nursing a bad head cold but despite looking
unwell still put together a range of shots others only dream of and
despite dropping a game still looked a class act as he won 3-1. John
Cordeaux deservedly promoted this year to No. 1 was faultless as he
demolished Neil Harrison 3-0. His pace around the court and accuracy of
shot far too good for Harrison despite his occasional nicks.
Victory over Durham was then followed with a repeat against Lancs in the
evening, but it was close! Gollaglee despite feeling good succumbed to an
awkward but quality player with an identical style. It must have been like
watching a chess match as each player coaxed, placed, lobbed and dropped
to all four corners. Not a match for those used to power play. Despite
taking a 2-1 lead Gollaglee finally lost 3-2. Cordeaux then ripped apart
former national champion Ian Bradburn 3-0 with speed of thought, speed of
movement and accuracy of shot. This was closely followed by Millman who
gave an unbelievable display of shot making. Mainly drops from impossible
angles. The whole auditorium stood and admired as he completely bamboozled
his opponent. Despite these two victories a 3-1 loss by Livock meant the
team result rested in the hands of the dependable Peter Scott. In a “close
encounter of the fifth string kind” the games were shared until Scott
pulled back the fifth to win it 9-5 and with it the match.
After the first day the overall scores were very close and the battle for
the top two qualifying places was between Middlesex (26 points), Norfolk
(37 points) and Lancs (24 points). Durham were out of the running. After
hours of calculations there appeared to be two targets. Beat Middlesex and
they were out! Or score 8 points and we couldn’t be caught by Lancs. It
soon became clear that beating Middlesex was going to be a pipe dream.
Gollaglee took on his arch nemesis Mark Cowley In a tough encounter. He
was outplayed in the first two but had game ball in the third before going
down 10-9 and therefore 3-0 to a hard hitting and committed Cowley.
Middlesex were clearly worried as one of their missing star players (Dulip
Adihetty – former national champion) was dragged up at the crack of dawn
from London to play at No.4. Livock put up a good show, but losing the
first 10-8 was as good as it got. A brave effort. Snelling also found the
going tough and went down 3-0 to Stuart hardy. This meant Norfolk had only
two matches to go and no points on the board. Meanwhile Lancs were
starting to rack up some points on the other courts. Cordeaux and Millman
put in two very brave performances. The former lost the first 10-9 but
then took a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately Alan Thomson despite looking very
tired still managed to find the will and skill to force errors from
Norfolk’s No.1 and he eventually won 3-2, but those two points gained
would prove crucial. Millman too was against top star James Ockwell and
after losing the first the omens were not good, but he dug deep to win a
dramatic second 10-9. Normal service resumed but after much encouragement
from his team mates Millman levelled things at 2-2 but the effort had
taken its toll and he went down 3-2.
Meanwhile Dave Lumsden had been in a titanic struggle with the Lancs No2.
Everything now rested on this result. In the end Norfolk needed him to
just win. Which he duly did 3-2 after being 2-0 up. The final points would
suggest it wasn’t that close but that final victory by Lumsden robbed
Lancs of victory and thus the 5 bonus points and that made all the
difference.
This was very much a team victory with crucial points won by everyone over
the weekend making the difference between 2nd and 3rd. The team will now
disperse to Coventry, Wales & Norfolk to recover, train and plot for
victory in the national finals in January.
As a foot note the team discovered that even if Lancs had won that last
match that would have left them on level points with Norfolk but with
Norfolk winning on count back.
RESULTS
Norfolk bt Durham & Cleveland (20-2)
John Cordeaux bt Neil Harrison 9-4 9-4 9-1
Richard Millman bt Dave Lumsden 9-4 9-0 2-9 10-8
Nick Gollaglee bt Colin Shields 9-8 9-0 9-2
Mike Livock bt Brian Duke 8-10 9-3 9-0 9-4
Gary Snelling by K. Dryden 9-1 9-2 9-5
Norfolk bt Lancashire (17-8)
John Cordeaux by Ian Bradburn 9-3 9-4 9-1
Richard Millman bt Johnson 9-3 9-1 9-1
Nick Gollaglee lst Peter Upton 9-4 5-9 10-9 3-9 1-9
Mike Livock lst ……….. 2-9 1-9 9-6 1-9
Peter Scott bt …………. 9-7 1-9 9-4 4-9 9-5
Norfolk lst Middlesex (4-20)
John Cordeaux lst Alan Thomson 9-10 9-2 9-5 4-9 1-9
Richard Millman lst James Ockwell 5-9 10-9 9-1 1-9 3-9
Nick Gollaglee lst Mark Cowley 3-9 5-9 9-10
Mike Livock lst Dulip Adihetty 8-10 6-9 1-9
Gary Snelling lst Stuart Hardy 2-9 3-9 0-9
OVERALL RESULTS
1st Middlesex 46 points
2nd Norfolk 41 points
3rd Lancashire 35 points
4th Durham
Next match:
Finals weekend 21st – 22nd January 2011
Mens O35
NORFOLK END 42 YEAR TROPHY DROUGHT TO WIN THE NATIONAL INTER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011!! A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS!
REDBRIDGE LEISURE CLUB in Essex, were the proud hosts of the Men’s Over 35, Women’s League and Women’s Over 50 Inter County Finals on the 26/27 March 2011
Norfolk National over 35 Champions!!!!!
Semi Final against Oxfordshire
Jamie Goodrich lost Scott Handley 2-11 3-11 2-11 0-3
Stuart Cowie lost Mark Cairns 3-11 0-11 3-11 0-3
David Youngs beat Jason Martin 11-6 12-10 9-11 11-7 3-1
Ian Cox beat Ashley Bowling 5-11 11-3 11-9 13-11 3-1
David Gouldby beat Simon Street 9-11 11-3 11-8 14-12 3-1
Norfolk’s semi final with Oxfordshire was always going to be tough as we had little chance at numbers one and two as both Scott Handley and Mark Cairns are still on the Professional tour. Youngs got Norfolk off to the best possible start with a 3-1 victory over Jason Martin. Gouldby followed that win with a very impressive 3-1 victory over England over 40 player Simon Street. On the other court Cowie and Goodrich were struggling to cope with the skill and accuracy of the two professionals and not surprisingly went down 3-0. This left Cox with the task of beating Ashley Bowling who himself is an English International at over 35 level. Cox started very nervously and lost the opening game 11-5, he then won the next 2 games fairly comfortably 11-3, 11-9 to lead 2-1 and put Norfolk within touching distance of a place in the National final. The fourth game was a real nail biter before Cox finished with one of his trade mark nic’s to take Norfolk through to the Finals.
Final against Hertfordshire
Jamie Goodrich beat Eamon Price 12-10 9-11 11-9 9-11 11-9 3-2
Stuart Cowie beat Ali Coker 2-11 14-12 7-11 11-9 11-8 3-2
David Youngs beat Scott Richard 11-4 11-6 11-5 3-0
Ian Cox beat Chris Stanley 11-8 9-11 11-3 9-11 11-8 3-2
David Gouldby lost Las Fernando 9-11 6-11 7-11 0-3
Well if our semi-final was a nail biter the final was even worse as at various stages it looked as if either County could take the title. Norfolk won the opening match with the impressive Youngs beating Scott Richard 3-0. Unfortunately Gouldby on the other court wasn’t in the same form as he had been the day before and lost 3-0 to Las Fernando. With the match score at 1-1 what was to follow was probably as close as any match could be as both Cox and Goodrich both led 2-1 before being hauled back to 2 games all. Cox finished first with his 3-2 victory which left Goodrich just needing to win for us to become Champions. Goodrich led 9-7 before his very experienced opponent pulled it back to 9-9, two points latter though Goodrich found the winner and Norfolk were crowned National Champions. Cowie also won his match 3-2 to leave us 4-1 winners but not sure what would have happened if the match had been all square with just this game left.
Best win of the weekend David Gouldby (semi final against Oxfordshire)
Overall performance Ian Cox (two great victories)
Gutsy performance Jamie Goodrich (final victory against Hertfordshire)
Most entertaining Stuart Cowie (both matches)
Best supporter Rob Hambrook (team reserve)
Overall organisation David Youngs (captain and responsible for luxury accommodation!!)
FINAL - HERTFORDSHIRE v NORFOLK – Official England Report
Las Fernando gave Hertfordshire the perfect start at 5th string as he beat David Gouldby 3-0. David Youngs levelled for Norfolk, beating Scott Rickard 3-0 at 3rd string. Things then tightened up. At 4th string there was a great tussle between Chris Stanley and Ian Cox, which went to 2-2 before Coxran out the winner, giving Norfolk a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile on the adjacent court the match of the weekend was unfolding between Eammon Price and Jamie Goodrich. A tight 1st game was won 12 -10 by Goodrich. Price took the 2nd 11/8, Goodrich the 3rd by the same scoreline, Price levelled 11/9, so all on the 5th, which was another great game, finally won by Goodrich 11-9 in 73 gruelling minutes. Whilst this marathon match was played out the 2nd strings Alistair Coker and Stuart Cowie were having a very lively encounter to say the least! Coker took the 1st 11/2, but Cowie then took a very tight 2nd 12/14, and then the 3rd 11/4. Coker pulled back in the 4th to level, but Cowie pressed home 9/11 in the 5th. Norfolk, ending 42 trophy less years were champions 4-1
Boys (U13)
Boys U13 Stage 2 - 30th January 2011
Essex v Derbyshire v Norfolk
Following the withdrawal of Oxford the evening before, Norfolk were left to compete with the host County Essex and Derbyshire for a place in the National Trophy Final.
Having narrowly lost 3-2 to Essex in Stage 1, a good result against first opponents Derbyshire was necessary to stand any chance of progressing. As things turned out Derby were missing there no.1 and all the Norfolk Boys were too strong for the young Derby players, with only Sam Crafer dropping a game following a slow start. Result Norfolk 20 Derbyshire 1.
Essex then followed on to produce an identical 20-1 result against Derby to set things up nicely for the Final match with ourselves.
Sam Crafer(3) and Sam McCluskey(5) took to the courts first and by the end of the first 4 games the score stood at 1-1 in each match. Sam Crafer’s opponent Ben Richardson was able to demonstrate the benefit of more time on court, and was able to take the last 2 games comfortably by virtue of better movement around the court, 3-1 to Ben. Meanwhile Sam McCluskey was showing similar ability on the adjoining court where his tremendous speed and determination to retrieve enabled him to also close out his match 3-1. With things all square William Henden(1) and Liam Bond(4) took to the court. With virtually nothing in the tank following 2 weeks of illness, William relied on his stroke play and court awareness to keep himself in the match against Regional player Charlie Green. Despite playing extremely well and taking the third game William went down 3-1. Liam was involved in a cliffhanger to keep Norfolk’s hopes alive, and after leveling at 2-2, there was all to play for. Liam’s serves had proved a constant weapon all day, but as the match progressed both players were finding it increasingly difficult to find the strength and technique to get the ball to the back of the court. Virtually all the play was confined to the front of the court where both players were equally competent, and the match could have gone either way. In the end the Essex player scraped home 11/8, with Liam showing great sportsmanship over some decisions which went against him.
So Essex had won the match, but with one place available to the best group runner up, there was still all to play for in the final match. Milo Butler (2) had lost to Connor Adams in the stage 1 match, but this time with the hopes of the rest of the Norfolk lads resting on him, Milo produced his best, and most consistent performance in a Norfolk shirt to take the match 12/10,7/11,11/7,13/11 displaying a great range of delicate boasts, immaculate cross court lobs and strong drives. So despite losing the match 3-2 there was nothing to choose between the Teams, and we must now wait to find out if we have qualified for the Trophy Final.
Match results Norfolk v Derbyshire
Will Henden v Henry Wall 3 – 0 11/7,11/4,11/8
Milo Butler v Oliver Lowe 3 – 0 11/5,11/5,11/3
Sam Crafer v Henry Jacobs 3 – 1 4/11,11/2,11/8,11/6
Liam Bond v Callum Harvey 3 – 0 11/6,11/3,11/7
Sam McCluskey v Tom Blenkinsop 3 – 0 11/1,11/7,11/4
Norfolk 20 - 1 Derbyshire
Norfolk v Essex
Will Henden v Charlie Green 1 – 3 7/11,10/12,11/7,7/11
Milo Butler v Charlie Adams 3 – 1 12/10,7/11,11/7,13/11
Sam Crafer v Ben Richardson 1 – 3 8/11,11/9,2/11,3/11
Liam Bond v Aaron Allpress 2 – 3 11/8,7/11,9/11,11/9,8/11
Sam McCluskey v Tom Bird 3 – 1 11/6,10/12,11/8,11/6
Norfolk 10 - 16 Essex
Daniel Heffer also travelled as reserve and also competed in 2 great matches against the Essex reserve players. So much so that at one point virtually everyone was actually watching his enthralling match against Harry Kitchens.
Reserve matches
Daniel Heffer v Harry Kitchens 3 – 2 8/11,12/10,9/11,16/14,17/15
Daniel Heffer v Clayton Hunt 1 – 3 9/11,9/11,11/6,11/13
Thanks also to Liam Nolan who attend as Team coach, and gave all the players constant encouragement and instruction throughout the matches.
NEWSFLASH
Norflk U13 Boys make the National Trophy Finals on 20th March
Venue to be announced.
Following the withdrawal of Oxford the evening before, Norfolk were left to compete with the host County Essex and Derbyshire for a place in the National Trophy Final.
Having narrowly lost 3-2 to Essex in Stage 1, a good result against first opponents Derbyshire was necessary to stand any chance of progressing. As things turned out Derby were missing there no.1 and all the Norfolk Boys were too strong for the young Derby players, with only Sam Crafer dropping a game following a slow start. Result Norfolk 20 Derbyshire 1.
Essex then followed on to produce an identical 20-1 result against Derby to set things up nicely for the Final match with ourselves.
Sam Crafer(3) and Sam McCluskey(5) took to the courts first and by the end of the first 4 games the score stood at 1-1 in each match. Sam Crafer’s opponent Ben Richardson was able to demonstrate the benefit of more time on court, and was able to take the last 2 games comfortably by virtue of better movement around the court, 3-1 to Ben. Meanwhile Sam McCluskey was showing similar ability on the adjoining court where his tremendous speed and determination to retrieve enabled him to also close out his match 3-1. With things all square William Henden(1) and Liam Bond(4) took to the court. With virtually nothing in the tank following 2 weeks of illness, William relied on his stroke play and court awareness to keep himself in the match against Regional player Charlie Green. Despite playing extremely well and taking the third game William went down 3-1. Liam was involved in a cliffhanger to keep Norfolk’s hopes alive, and after leveling at 2-2, there was all to play for. Liam’s serves had proved a constant weapon all day, but as the match progressed both players were finding it increasingly difficult to find the strength and technique to get the ball to the back of the court. Virtually all the play was confined to the front of the court where both players were equally competent, and the match could have gone either way. In the end the Essex player scraped home 11/8, with Liam showing great sportsmanship over some decisions which went against him.
So Essex had won the match, but with one place available to the best group runner up, there was still all to play for in the final match. Milo Butler (2) had lost to Connor Adams in the stage 1 match, but this time with the hopes of the rest of the Norfolk lads resting on him, Milo produced his best, and most consistent performance in a Norfolk shirt to take the match 12/10,7/11,11/7,13/11 displaying a great range of delicate boasts, immaculate cross court lobs and strong drives. So despite losing the match 3-2 there was nothing to choose between the Teams, and we must now wait to find out if we have qualified for the Trophy Final.
Match results Norfolk v Derbyshire
Will Henden v Henry Wall 3 – 0 11/7,11/4,11/8
Milo Butler v Oliver Lowe 3 – 0 11/5,11/5,11/3
Sam Crafer v Henry Jacobs 3 – 1 4/11,11/2,11/8,11/6
Liam Bond v Callum Harvey 3 – 0 11/6,11/3,11/7
Sam McCluskey v Tom Blenkinsop 3 – 0 11/1,11/7,11/4
Norfolk 20 - 1 Derbyshire
Norfolk v Essex
Will Henden v Charlie Green 1 – 3 7/11,10/12,11/7,7/11
Milo Butler v Charlie Adams 3 – 1 12/10,7/11,11/7,13/11
Sam Crafer v Ben Richardson 1 – 3 8/11,11/9,2/11,3/11
Liam Bond v Aaron Allpress 2 – 3 11/8,7/11,9/11,11/9,8/11
Sam McCluskey v Tom Bird 3 – 1 11/6,10/12,11/8,11/6
Norfolk 10 - 16 Essex
Daniel Heffer also travelled as reserve and also competed in 2 great matches against the Essex reserve players. So much so that at one point virtually everyone was actually watching his enthralling match against Harry Kitchens.
Reserve matches
Daniel Heffer v Harry Kitchens 3 – 2 8/11,12/10,9/11,16/14,17/15
Daniel Heffer v Clayton Hunt 1 – 3 9/11,9/11,11/6,11/13
Thanks also to Liam Nolan who attend as Team coach, and gave all the players constant encouragement and instruction throughout the matches.
NEWSFLASH
Norflk U13 Boys make the National Trophy Finals on 20th March
Venue to be announced.
Inter County Dates this weekend 19th March - Broadland - Results
Broadland Sports Club
Please click results below in Word format
Please click results below in Word format
| mens_intercounty_stage_2_-_main_mens.doc |
| under_13_report_for_jan_30th_round_2.doc |
Men (050)
The Norfolk O50's County Team finish a fantastic Runners up at the National Finals this weekend!!
Semi-final 23 Jan
Niorfolk beat Warwickshire 5-0
Final 24 Jan
Norfolk lost to Middlesex 1-4
Despite being without two of their regular players, No2 and seven times former county champion John Cordeaux who was recovering from a hernia operation and captain and No.3 Nick Gollaglee who had two frozen shoulders the Norfolk Over 50 team, under the captaincy of Richard Millman, defeated Warwickshire 5-0 in the semi-finals of the Inter County Championships only to go down 4-1 in the final to an exceptionally strong Middlesex team.
Against Warwickshire, King’s Lynn’s Peter Scott got the team off to a perfect start with a fine 3-1 victory over the vastly experienced Mo Sarwar while on the adjoining court Simon Cullum of East Anglia came out on top in the third string match to put Norfolk firmly in the driving seat. The team were assured of victory when Cullum’s club mate Gary Snelling comfortably won his fourth string match in straight games and with the pressure off Mike Livock, at No.2, also won his match 3-0.
Millman, who had only flown in from America forty eight hours earlier put any fears of jet-lag behind him and wrapped thinks up with a comprehensive 9-0 9-6 9-1 victory in the final first string match.
Norfolk knew that they would face a much tougher test the following day in the final against the star studded Middlesex team and so it proved although Scott turned in a brilliant performance to win the opening match against the England Over 55 international, Stuart Hardy 3-1. Middlesex however were incredibly strong and the World Over 55 champion Mark Cowley, at No.4, easily beat Snelling 3-0 while Duleep Adihetti was also far too strong for Cullum who nevertheless put in a battling performance.
With Norfolk at this stage 2-1 down they needed victories from their last two matches. At No.1 Millman was up against the Scottish No.1 Alan Thomson who had beaten him twice in the past twelve months so he knew he faced a tough test and so it proved. Millman adopted the strategy of hitting the ball deep to his opponent’s back hand and the tactic seemed to be working as he opened up a 2-0 lead but the tiring rallies started to take their toll and, although he led 9-7 in the fourth, he eventually went down to a 3-2 defeat.
In the final match Livock played England Over 50 international James Ockwell and turned in a superb performance to also lead 2-0 before his opponent raised the pace of the game to also win 3-2. The Norfolk team were beaten but certainly not disgraced, especially as they were without two of their leading players and they hope they will be able to build on this for next year.
Millman said afterwards. “To reach the final of a National competition was a brilliant performance. I know the Girls Under 16 team reached the final in 1992 but as far as I am aware this is the first time a Norfolk men’s team has reached a final since I captained the Under 19s to victory against Yorkshire back in 1977.”
Niorfolk beat Warwickshire 5-0
Final 24 Jan
Norfolk lost to Middlesex 1-4
Despite being without two of their regular players, No2 and seven times former county champion John Cordeaux who was recovering from a hernia operation and captain and No.3 Nick Gollaglee who had two frozen shoulders the Norfolk Over 50 team, under the captaincy of Richard Millman, defeated Warwickshire 5-0 in the semi-finals of the Inter County Championships only to go down 4-1 in the final to an exceptionally strong Middlesex team.
Against Warwickshire, King’s Lynn’s Peter Scott got the team off to a perfect start with a fine 3-1 victory over the vastly experienced Mo Sarwar while on the adjoining court Simon Cullum of East Anglia came out on top in the third string match to put Norfolk firmly in the driving seat. The team were assured of victory when Cullum’s club mate Gary Snelling comfortably won his fourth string match in straight games and with the pressure off Mike Livock, at No.2, also won his match 3-0.
Millman, who had only flown in from America forty eight hours earlier put any fears of jet-lag behind him and wrapped thinks up with a comprehensive 9-0 9-6 9-1 victory in the final first string match.
Norfolk knew that they would face a much tougher test the following day in the final against the star studded Middlesex team and so it proved although Scott turned in a brilliant performance to win the opening match against the England Over 55 international, Stuart Hardy 3-1. Middlesex however were incredibly strong and the World Over 55 champion Mark Cowley, at No.4, easily beat Snelling 3-0 while Duleep Adihetti was also far too strong for Cullum who nevertheless put in a battling performance.
With Norfolk at this stage 2-1 down they needed victories from their last two matches. At No.1 Millman was up against the Scottish No.1 Alan Thomson who had beaten him twice in the past twelve months so he knew he faced a tough test and so it proved. Millman adopted the strategy of hitting the ball deep to his opponent’s back hand and the tactic seemed to be working as he opened up a 2-0 lead but the tiring rallies started to take their toll and, although he led 9-7 in the fourth, he eventually went down to a 3-2 defeat.
In the final match Livock played England Over 50 international James Ockwell and turned in a superb performance to also lead 2-0 before his opponent raised the pace of the game to also win 3-2. The Norfolk team were beaten but certainly not disgraced, especially as they were without two of their leading players and they hope they will be able to build on this for next year.
Millman said afterwards. “To reach the final of a National competition was a brilliant performance. I know the Girls Under 16 team reached the final in 1992 but as far as I am aware this is the first time a Norfolk men’s team has reached a final since I captained the Under 19s to victory against Yorkshire back in 1977.”
| norfolk_squash_report_inter_county_over_50.doc |
Mens (035)
Fantastic Result from Norfolk Over 35 team. Outstanding performances from Rob Hambrook and Ian Cox who both beat players of a higher ranking and a great team performance from everyone. We now qualify for the last 4 counties in the County on the 26th and 27th of March 2011. Support is much needed!
| 035_results_premier_2010.xls |
Boys (U17)
| u17_squash_reportt.doc |
| cambslincsnorthntsnorfolku17_241010_results.xls |
Boys (U19)
| u19_report_2010.doc |
