End of Season

Find out how all of Petersfield's teams fared in the Hampshire Squash Leagues in the 2009/10 season.  Click here.

Club Graded Tournament

There were many weary bodies on Saturday, even before the Club's annual dinner!  This tournament began on Friday evening (7th May) and concluded on Saturday (8th May), everyone having played three matches in all.  Truly, everyone who took part was a winner - not just because generous sponsors had been encouraged to provide actual prizes, but because of the experience.

Each competition was interesting and worthwhile and there was much interest and support throughout the two days, from fellow competitors and from non-playing spectators (young and old!) alike.  Sometimes old rivalries were renewed and sometimes players were matched with opponents whom they had never before played.  In some cases, established members of the Club met for the first time!

However, it wouldn't be a competition (and this wouldn't be a news report) if we didn't say a word about the winners.  Winner of a closely-fought Division One was regular 1st-team player Andy Brinded, beating Gary Cox in a most entertaining final.  The Division Two winner, after an equally tough contest, was Club Chairman Simon Hills, who managed narrowly to see off Stuart Sinclair in a fascinating and well-supported match.

Top marks to tournament organiser, Andy Smith, who conceived and managed a tournament which worked so well and achieved so much for all concerned - many Club members and supporters.

Annual Dinner - Folly Wine Bar

A finely-clad assemblage of members of Petersfield Squash Club and partners gathered upstairs at the Folly on Saturday, 8th May, for the Club's annual dinner.  Coming hard on the heels of the Club's graded tournament, there was much to speak about, but many other aspects of the evening to fit in - eating, drinking, speeches and awards - before the dancing could commence!

A splendid evening and a feeling that it is good to belong to a splendid Club!

Petersfield to Prague

A dozen members of the Club set off in March to sample the delights of the Czech Republic.  Thanks to tour organiser, Stuart Sinclair, we were given ample opportunity to become acquainted with the delightful city of Prague, with guided tours available on foot, on bicycles and on Segway - amazingly good fun!

There was plenty of sightseeing, plenty of socialising and even time for a few games of squash with our hosts!  

However, 'absinthe make the heart grow fonder' and we returned to Hampshire, after an excellent weekend.

Hampshire Cup - Veterans' Final

The crowds gathered at 'LOST' (Lee-on-the-Solent Squash & Tennis Club) for the final of the Hampshire Premier League/Division 1 Veterans Cup.  Trojans Vets 1 had won the Premier Division and Petersfield Vets 1 had convincingly won the 1st Division, with 16 wins out of 16.

Unsurprisingly, although it was a seprate competition, these two teams met in the Cup final.  As always in cup matches where there is a difference between the divisions, a handicapping allowance is made and so our men started each game at 3-0.  Despite this adjustment, with the difference in standard and 'Premier sharpness', it was a tough mission for the Petersfield team of Robin Shaw (Captain), Gary Cox and Tom Longrigg.

Petersfield's injured 'Vets #1', Andy Smith, was present to provide verbal coaching and to share the marking duties with Stan ("the man") Thornton, the Trojans non-playing captain.

First up was Tom, at 3rd string, who faced a Nick Partridge who seemed to be shot-perfect and indomitable in the early stages.  Despite Tom's fine play, the loss of the first game was followed quickly by that of the second, making it look as though the first of the three strings was headed Trojans' way.

However, Tom settled and dug in to win the third game.  Really, the fourth game could have been different, but - after getting to eight points all - it went Nick's way, putting Trojans one tie ahead in the match and leading by 3 points to 1.

Next up was Gary Cox, who faced Mark Lewis, with three generations of supporters urging him on.  The match started off very similarly, with Gary succumbing, unwillingly but quickly, in the first game.  However, his acute focus and lightning reactions were enough to turn the second game into a win for Petersfield.  The match continued at a fast and fascinating pace, but Mark won out by 3 games to 1, to take the cup for Trojans.  :-(

Captain, Robin Shaw couldn't save the match, but could save face by not losing three strings to nil, although this looked unlikely as he embarked on his campaign against Geoff Whitfield.  In a match where points were decided by a blend of fine play and appeals to the marker, Robin was quickly down by 2-0.  However, he managed to win the third by 10-9 and worked hard also to win the fourth game.

Then, in an extraordinary run of points, he converted the initial 3-0 lead to a 9-0 win, clinching the first string match for Petersfield and making the final points tally 11-5 against..

The Petersfield players can look forward to many more matches at the same standard next season - but without the three-point advantage!  Overall, the match was played in a competitive but friendly spirit and was most enjoyable for the spectators of both sides.

Petersfield's players acquitted themselves well.  Well done all!