Humber Squash Organisation

Knockout Competition 2007/8

2007/8 Individual Cup Competition

This year's knockout competition saw the introduction of the ranking points system to determine the players for the six cups. Early rounds were hosted at venues across the Humbersquash area with players winning a mini league before progressing through to the semi finals and then the Finals on Sunday the 20th April at East Riding Squash Club.

 

Preston Cup

The first Match up was Preston Cup where Steve Forster from Anlaby SC was playing his teammate Chris Forest. Steve had one a very close league with only one point separating the top 3 players. Chris had one his league without losing a match. The first game saw Steve start very slowly and Chris racing away to a 7-0 lead but with the American scoring system this can be easily pegged back. Steve began to settle into his game and the rallies got longer Chris made a few mistakes and it was soon 10-10 all. Chris then had a good spell hit a few clean winners and it was first game 15-10 to Chris. The second game was far more closely contested with both players trading points up to 11-11 Chris then went game ball up 14-12 some tight nervous rallies saw Steve pull that back to 14 all and Steve took the match 16-14. The 3rd game was the same again neck and neck hard fought rallies lots of hard work from both players, good sportsmanship entertaining for the spectators both Chris and Steve friends and family urging them on Chris takes the game 15-13 The 4th game Chris took an early lead 4-0 he was looking fresher Steve fought back 3-5 Chris went ahead again 10-5 Steve kept going 9-13 Chris closed out the match at 15-9. What a good start to the 2008 and Finals day

 

Quantock Cup

Next up was the Quantock Cup; the finalists were Mike Archibald of Warners SC and Steve Birss of Ferriby SC. Both had been won all there mini league matches Steve had won a higher proportion of his matches through the previous season. The first game was very close Steve taking an early lead 5-3 Mike then fighting back hitting good deep shots to go up 12-9 Steve retrieves some great rallies to draw level 12-12 Mike gets to game ball 14-12 Steve save two game balls 14-14 Mike wins two easy rallies to close out the first game 16-14. The Second game saw both players trading hard rallies scores staying neck and neck 8-5 to Mike 11-9 to Steve 13-12 to Steve and Steve finishes the game 15-13. It cannot get much closer both players working so hard the 3rd game goes 15-10 to Steve he is looking stronger Mike still enjoying the occasion but can the encouragement from his coaches bring him back. A great effort from Mike in the fourth and some unforced errors from Steve Mike leads 7-2 Steve fights back and gets to 10-10 Mike looks like he has lost the opportunity to draw level but manages to construct some good rallies and take the next 5 points to win the fourth game 15-10. This sets up the decider Steve still looking full of running takes an early lead and goes 6-2 up a small fight back from Mike brings 4 points behind at 4-8 but with not a lot left now Steve closes out the match at 15-5. Well done to both players for a great effort worthy of the final.

 

Ryder Cup

This was always going to be a close game between Colin Reid from East Riding SC and John Wormald from Barton SC, similar results through the season a close 3-2 win for Colin in the early rounds of the competition and both players looking forward to the final.. Colin settled in to the first game well and went into an early 8-2 lead John was having difficulty getting into his stride he pulled back a few points with good straight shots 13-9 Colin took the game 15-12 after a couple more long rallies. The next game was far more controlled from John after a pour start John went 7-5 up Colin fought back to 9-9 and then looked like he was going to win the game at 12-9 John then dictated the pace of the game to take it 15-13. It now looked like it was going to the classic game the supporters had been hoping for the third game just emphasised this with closely contested points all the way through to nail biting 14-14 two clear points win required John won the first point and managed to win the next rally to claim the third game. Was the more experienced John going to reverse the preliminary round result? Colin got off to flier 6-2 up and then 14-6, John looking like he was going to let this one go and save something for the deciding Fifth game 15-6 win to Colin. The Fifth game was not going to disappoint Colin taking an early lead, John then going ahead 8-4 Colin fought back to 9-10 John then seemed to hold his nerve more hitting a beautiful boast to take him to match ball at 14-10 and finally taking the match at 15-10. Having settled into the marking I was ready for nice easy 3-0 but what the finals have shown is the American scoring system and the use of the ranking points have ensured high quality fast moving even games.

 

Harris Cup

Next up was last years Harris cup winner, the continually improving young Sam Woolard from Beverley SC an impressive winter league record of 20 wins from 22 matches and winner of all his cup preliminary rounds against Nicholas Oaten from Ferriby SC with higher ranking points but just losing out on there last league encounter 2-3 it looked on paper to be another thriller The first game saw Sam far more relaxed chasing down balls and hitting positive attacking shots Nick was casual and full of unforced errors and Sam raced to 9-2 lead Nick pegged back a few points but Sam took the game 15-8 Nick was more focused in the second less mistakes making Sam play shots from deep at 8- 3 up Nick looked to be controlling the centre of the court, Sam fought back to 10-13 but Nick went on to win 15-11 There was the same dominance in game 3 Sam always competing but never quite getting ahead 7-9 being the closest Sam came to Nick, Nick eventually won the game 15-9 Was the experience on Nick's side going to take him through. Sam had no such thoughts an early lead some hard rallys Sam was soon up 4-2 a lapse in concentration and maybe some fatigue and Sam was 11-4 up and this was soon converted to 15-5. Two games all The deciding 5th game Sam raced to a 7-0 lead Nick was struggling to read Sams shots and was soon 14-4 match ball up. Nick then started a mini comeback sowing seeds of doubt in the young Sams mind bringing the score to 9-14 Sam then took the next point and the Match 3-2.

 

Jacobs Cup

The Prestigious Jacobs cup sees last years winner Andy Kiddy from Ferriby against Gary Williams from Anlaby Gary's very impressive return to squash has been highlighted by a unbeaten winter league season. Both had won their division playoffs to get to the final. The first game saw Andy forcing the pace and points being contested very 4-4 8-8 right through the game with Andy holding his nerve to creep ahead 14-12 and eventually winning 15-12. Gary was guilty of some poor drops shots in the second game allowing Andy into an early lead 3-0 Gary then settled down with some well constructed rallies clawing back the points to 7-7 and then forge ahead 11-7 Andy pegged some points back but eventually lost the Game 15-11 The third game had Gary always ahead 2 or 3 points, both players showing how strong they're all round game was working again Gary edged ahead 13-6 more long rallies and Gary had taken the third game 15-9 An early lead in the fourth game 6-2 suggested a possible win for Gary the squash was always entertaining played in a good spirit which plenty of respect shown throughout this hard fought final. Andy wasn't about to give this up and a string of points took the score to 9-7 for Andy, Gary then took the next couple of points to make it 10 all. In the next rally Andy was sustained a cut to his Eye resulting in him conceding the match to Gary. 3-1. It was an unfortunate end to a very entertaining match.

 

Hammond Cup

Well we were on schedule Next up was John White from Warners against Mark Birtles from East Riding Squash club both having won two closely contested Mini leagues. How two players can differ so much and yet be so closely matched the first game was nip and tuck John taking the initial lead ,Mark catching up and then leading 7-5 and then 11-7 and finally taking the game 15-7. John, covering a lot of the court, sometimes on his feet and once sliding in on his backside to execute the perfect drop shot. The second game John took an early lead 5-2 Mark although not the fastest around court managed to execute enough good shots to keep in the game, scores stayed close to 12-10, John eventually winning 15-12 One game all both players enjoying themselves. Mark again stronger early on in the game took a 7-3 lead John ever the fighter competed strongly but lost his third 15-9. Both players now desperate for the break between games to reenergise their depleted squash reserves. A cautious start to the fourth game so both players trading points to 5 all John had a run of 6 points as Mark began to look tired, John continues in this form to win the fourth game 15-8 The supporters again treated to another competitive, entertaining, spectacle from two of our long standing squash members. And so the final game of the final match of the finals day, two games all, John looking slightly stronger starts the game by forcing Mark into some long rallies, Mark gamely tries to keep his momentum going but John seizes his opportunity to go 13-6 up, three hard fort rallies John wins the match 15-7. Both players appreciative of each others enthusiasm and sporting nature, know looking forward to some well deserved liquid refreshment. On behalf of the Hull and District Squash Association I would like to thank all the players that have taken part in the Tournament, the clubs that have helped host the events, Steve Harris and Mark Birtles for their time organising the tournament and all those that have been to watch the finals at East Riding.

 

Presentations will be held at the AGM on Monday 12th May at Warners SC at 7.30pm please make sure all cup winners are present Robert Saffery Chairman HDSA ltd