2019 COUNTY CLOSED SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men's County champion 2019
Matthew Bolt

Ladies County champion 2019
Katie Cox

RESULTS
Men's A Championships                 Matt Bolt bt Jamie Goodrich
Men's B Championships                 Herman Van den Berg bt Kye McCourt-Hall
Men's C Championships                 James Thacke bt Keane Pye
Ladies Championships                   Katie Cox bt Nicky Green
Under 23's Championships          Robert Thirst bt Samuel Henden
Men's Over 45 Championships   Steven Moxey bt Robert Hambrook
Men's Over 55 Championships   John Cordeaux bt Robin Chipperfield
Men's Over 65 Championships   Nigel Reeve bt Graham Sibley
Men's B Plate                                     James Norris bt Johnny Kerr
Men's C Plate                                     James Warren bt Gary Powley
Men's 45 Plate                                  Ben Parravani bt Shaun Murgatyoyd
Ladies Plate                                        Jodie Dowe bt Jasmine Thirst
U23 Plate                                            Alex Hagag bt Brady Mackenzie
Men's A Plate                                     Steven Dawson bt Tom Smith

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2018 Squash & Racketball County Closed Championships
goodrich equals record...

Ah, Finals Night – the evening where the stakes are high, the play is fierce and reputations lie on the line. Everything is to play for on this occasion; and nowhere was it seen more clearly than in the Men’s 060/5 category. Brian Day beat Richard Soanes 3-0, but Peter Arbuthnot delayed his journey to see his new-born granddaughter to play Nigel Reeve instead. Sadly for Peter, he headed back down the A11 with nothing but a 0-3 loss for company, leaving Nigel as Men’s O60/5 champion. The Men’s O45 saw Martin Guppy beat Phil Buttery 3-1, and Rob Hambrook took a rowdy 3-2 win over Steve Moxey to win the title. Katie Cox was runner-up to Robert Thirst after a 3-0 defeat in the U23; Lucy Cox beat Chris Nixon by the same margin, and Josh Hall went down to James Thacker 3-1.

The Ladies’ Racketball Plate Final between Pam Reeve and Karan Cox was closer than the scoreline might suggest, with Karan emerging as 3-0 victor. Shaun Cramer had good 3-0 wins over both Brian Day and James Thacker in the Men’s B Racketball, and Steven Knight beat Ian Sneddon 3-1 in the same competition. The Ladies’ Racketball Champion is Julie Johnson, who beat Sue Kuhaudomlarp 3-0, and Steve Dawson had a thumpingly-brilliant run against David Gouldby, coming back from 0-1 down to win 3-1 and take the Men’s A Racketball title.

The Men’s C Plate semi-finals saw James Thacker beat Phil Buttery 3-1 to set up a final with Shin Azegami, but Shin couldn’t dent James’ winning streak and went down 0-3. In the Men’s B Plate semi-final, Jason Brooks triumphed 3-1 over Josh Hall, but he lost 1-3 in the Final to – yes, you’ve guessed it – James Thacker. The Ladies’ Plate Final was also a pairing of familiar faces, where Lucy Cox beat Sue Kuhaudomlarp 3-0.

At last, it was time for the main draw finals. Jason Brooks went head-to-head with Ben Margolis in the Men’s C Final and came away with a 3-0 win and the title, and Herman Van Der Berg made the home crowd very happy with a 3-1 victory over Robin Chipperfield in the Men’s B Final. The Ladies’ match was a hard-hitting battle between Katie Cox and Katie Lawrence, and that same crowd were left gasping by the skill and force demonstrated at every point; but it was Katie Cox who walked away with the title of Ladies’ Champion after a five-game slog. Lastly, it was the Men’s A event. After a shaky start, Ashley Bowling looked more purposeful against Norfolk’s defending champion as the games progressed, but in the end, there could only be one winner – and that was, once more, Jamie Goodrich, who never set a foot wrong throughout his 3-0 victory and came away with the crown of Men’s Champion for a record equaling 8th time!

So that’s it for 2018, and what a championship it was. It had a little bit of everything – drama, upsets, tantrums and gamesmanship – but above all, it had more than its fair share of brilliant squash, fair play, healthy competition and sportsmanlike behavior. Thanks must go to our tournament sponsors, Top Spin Tennis, for providing the entry bags for our competitors, to Katie Lawrence, for her scheduling wizardry, to Brian Day for filming and to our referee, Mike Campbell. Most of all, however, thanks must go to all the supporters who created such a great atmosphere throughout the week, and to the competitors, for making the Norfolk County Closed Squash Championships 2018 such a great event for players and spectators alike. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back to the courts next year.

Match Of The Night: It has to be the Ladies’ Final match, which overshadowed the Men’s Final in terms of tension, drama and uncertainty. Katie Cox came storming out of the blocks to go 2-0 up, only for Katie Lawrence to drag it back to 2-2; the final game was too close to call, but it was Katie Cox who will have her name etched on the trophy for 2018. An excellent match from two players who both gave their all to each game.

Player Of The Tournament: James Thacker. Four categories, no withdrawals, a scheduling nightmare and more matches than you could shake a racket at, he came away with a trio of trophies as rewards for his efforts. Well played, James.

Name Dilemma Of The Tournament: There are many candidates for this – Sue ‘Just-call-me-K’, Katie and Karan Cox, Ben and Ben, Katie and Katie, Chris Smith and Chris Smith – but in the end, it has to be Shin Azegami, who was listed as Shin Agazami for the entire tournament and never complained once.

Supporter Of The Night: Lucy Cox. Lime Tree Road’s resident cheerleader kept her nose buried in her chemistry revision throughout the whole of her sister’s Ladies Final Match.

Hero Of The Night: Claudie Lawrence and Ava Fox. Two little angels who mercilessly exploited their cute-factor and blackmailed everyone into buying at least two raffle tickets. They’re destined to be the next stars of Junior Apprentice.

Villain Of The Night: Steve Dawson, for going home with the magnum of prosecco that has been sat next to the organiser’s desk all week.

Text Of The Tournament: ‘So…anyone have an old racket for sale? (Seriously)…’ Better start saving those pennies, Bradley.

PS. Has anyone seen Adam Goodson?

Tournament Results
Racketball
Ladies’ Plate: Runner-Up: Pam Reeve Winner: Karan Cox
Men’s B: Runner-Up: James Thacker Winner: Shaun Cramer
Ladies’: Runner Up: Sue Kuhaudomlarp Winner: Julie Johnson
Men’s A: Runner-Up: David Gouldby Winner: Steve Dawson
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Squash
Men’s C Plate: Runner-Up: Shin Azegami Winner: James Thacker
Men’s B Plate: Runner-Up: Jason Brooks Winner: James Thacker
Ladies’ Plate: Runner-Up: Sue Kuhaudomlarp Winner: Lucy Cox
Men’s O60/5: Runner-Up: Philip Godfrey Winner: Nigel Reeve
Men’s O55: Runner-Up: Simon Cullum Winner: Robin Chipperfield
Men’s O45: Runner-Up: Steve Moxey Winner: Rob Hambrook
U23: Runner-Up: Katie Cox Winner: Robert Thirst
Men’s C: Runner-Up: Ben Margolis Winner: Jason Brooks
Men’s B: Runner-Up: Robin Chipperfield Winner: Herman Van Der Berg
Ladies’: Runner-Up: Katie Lawrence Winner: Katie Cox
Men’s A: Runner-Up: Ashley Bowling Winner: Jamie Goodrich

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2017 cOUNTY CLOSED SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Magnificent Norfolk seven for Goodrich while Butler retains ladies title ... just

Playing at Lime Tree Road in Norwich, he defeated the 2005-06 champion Matthew Bolt of North Walsham 14-12 13-8 9-13 11-13 13-4 in a thrilling final.
After winning a tight first game and then taking the second, Goodrich looked to be heading for a straight game victory, but Bolt battled hard to keep himself in contention by taking the third and then drawing level as he won the fourth.
But the effort he put into that fightback took its toll and Goodrich, whose athleticism and speed around the court is legendary, closed out the match relatively comfortably.
There was another terrific match in the ladies event where top seed and defending champion Bonnie Butler of East Anglia, who is still only 16, recovered brilliantly to defeat hard-hitting Katie Cox 8-13 6-13 15-13 13-5 16-14 in a match which either girl could have won.
The men's B event was won by the former veterans' champion Robin Chipperfield who beat Kevin Harvey of Bannatyne's 3-1 while the C event was won by Billy Draper who beat the vastly-experienced Gary Snelling of East Anglia 3-0.
Steve Moxey regained the veterans' title which he won two years ago as he beat the 2013-14 champion Rob Hambrook 3-1 while Snelling, who has been vintage champion for the last two years, lost his title 3-1 to Robin Chipperfield who thereby became the 10th player to have won both the veterans (Over 45) and Vintage (over 55) titles.

In the Under 23 event reigning junior champion, Will Henden of Broadland was too strong for Robert Thirst as he won 3-1 while at the other end of the age scale Nigel Reeve of East Anglia retained his Over 65 title as he beat Martin Pearse in straight games and David Cook won the Over 60 event beating Richard Soanes 3-0.
Finally in the inaugural Over 70 event Martin Pearse added to his plethora of age-related county titles as he beat Cromer's John Chandler in straight games.

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2012 COUNTY CLOSED SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Broadland’s James Pickles Norfolk champion for the first time...

It has been a remarkable week for James Pickles of Broadland who, in the Technifibre sponsored Norfolk closed squash championships, upset the seedings not just once but three times to become Norfolk champion for the first time.
The unseeded Pickles, who was Norfolk junior champion back in 2002, clinched the title in style at Lime Tree Road, Norwich, on Sunday evening when he beat another former junior champion – 1996 winner Liam Nolan of East Anglia, who was seeded No 3, 13-7 13-5 13-9 in the final.
Pickles beat his club mate, the No 1 seed and former champion Ian Cox 3-2 in an enthralling second round match and the No 4 seed Dave Gouldby of East Anglia 13-10 13-11 8-13 13-10 in the semi-final.
Nolan reached the final by defeating another former champion, Matthew Bolt of Barnham Broom, who was seeded No 2, 11-13 13-1 6-13 13-6 15-13 in the semi final having fought his way back from 5-11 down in the fifth game.
This marathon effort seemed to have taken its toll on Nolan who at times looked a little laboured in the final as the relentless power of the younger Pickles proved too much as he stormed to a straight game victory.
Suzanne Scarlett of East Anglia retained her ladies title and became champion for the fourth time as she came from 1-2 down to beat Nicky Green, who was champion in 1994, 5-9 9-1 7-9 9-5 9-1.
After three facile victories in the last three finals Scarlett had to work hard for her fourth victory as Green's racket skills came to the fore but in the end Scarlett's athleticism on the very warm Lime Tree Road courts proved to be decisive in the last two games.

Having missed last year's tournament through injury John Cordeaux, who won seven Norfolk titles back in the 1970s and 1980s, won his fourth veterans title as he beat defending champion Robin Chipperfield 9-6 9-1 9-1 while the newly-qualified Peter Scott, who is now playing for North Norfolk, won the Vintage title as he beat the reigning champion John Paling 6-9 9-5 9-3 9-6.
Paling made amends in the Over 60s event when he comfortably beat Martin Pearse 9-0 9-5 9-1 while Pearse in turn was a 3-0 winner against Cromer's John Chandler in the Over 65s. The current Norfolk junior champion, Jordan Creed of Bannatyne's retained his Under 23 title as he beat Adam Sinkins of Fakenham 13-9 13-4 13-7.
The B event for those who play their Norfolk league squash outside the top division was won by Andrew Trim who beat the 1996 and 1997 champion Johnny Edwards 9-3 9-5 9-3 while Nick Stringer of East Anglia won the C event beating Paul Harvey 9-0 9-5 9-4.

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2011 COUNTY CLOSED SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS
six of the best for youngs...

East Anglia's David Youngs is once again Norfolk Squash champion, taking the title for a sixth time, whilst his club mate, Suzanne Scarlett retained her ladies title.
Playing on his home courts on Sunday evening Youngs regained the title which he won five times between 1999 and 2004 as he beat the reigning champion and number one seed, Ian Cox from Broadland 9-7, 10-9, 1-9, 9-3.
Scarlett completed an easy hat-trick of titles as, in a repeat of last year's final, she beat another East Anglia player, Sophie Croft 9-4, 9-0, 9-0.
Youngs is an amazing player. Nothing seems to fluster him and he always appears to have time to play his shots and keep his opponent under pressure.
He trailed 0-7 in the opening game but gradually worked his way back into contention and drew level at 7-7 in one hand before going on to take the game 9-7.
If Cox let his chances slip in the first game he certainly had chances to win the second.
Youngs led 5-1 but in a reversal of the first game Cox recovered to lead 8-7 and then on game ball he put an easy backhand volley into the tin before going on to make four more unforced errors and then at 9-9 lost the game on a penalty stroke.

​Cox kept himself in the match by taking the third game 9-1 but this was only a brief respite as Youngs went on to open up a 6-0 lead in the fourth.
Cox recovered some of the deficit to pull back to 6-3 but he was only postponing the inevitable as Youngs went on to lead 8-3 and take the title when Cox volleyed a return of serve into the tin.
In the semi-finals Youngs defeated the 2005 champion Matthew Bolt of Barnham Broom in straight games while Cox also won 3-0 against the 2008 beaten finalist Dave Gouldby.
In the poorly supported ladies tournament Suzanne Scarlett was in a class of her own and she won the title for a third successive year with a very comfortable straight game victory.
Robin Chipperfield became veterans champion for the first time as he dominated the court against the 2005 champion Gary Snelling coming out on top 5-9, 9-2, 9-2, 9-0 while John Paling retained his vintage title winning it for the third time as he beat the five times former champion, Martin Pearse 6-9, 9-0, 9-4, 3-9, 9-5 in a closely contested match.
Pearse took some consolation by winning the over 60s event as he beat Nigel Reeve 9-4, 9-7, 9-1. Jordan Creed of Banntyne's beat Jack Bell of Diss 9-4, 9-2, 9-3 to take the under 23 event while the B event was won by Fakenham's promising youngster Adam Sinkins who beat Nick Stringer 3-0 and Nathan Taylor of East Anglia beat Martin Dack to win the C event.