Launch into the new squash season

Racquets Fitness Centre played host to the Oxfordshire Open Championships and Racquets graded squash tournament this weekend to kick off the squash season for all standards of squash players from around the county and beyond.

Grades were from A grade which attracted professionals from Surrey, Oxfordshire and Bucks down to local beginners in the E grade.

Thame’s own juniors competed well and gained great experience with Ben Hedger, age 18 and ranked 25 Under 19s UK, losing in a close A grade quarter final match against professional Phil Nightingale – currently 260 in the Mens World rankings –  in a 5 set thriller.  Our own Nick Harbour, age 15 and currently 36 Under 17s UK finished second in the Mens B grade which is a good effort from the talented England ranked Junior as along with the other B graders could have played in the A.

Also well done to James Portsmouth and Oliver Cartwright, age 12 and ranked 173 Under 13 UK, who also played well in their grades giving the adults they played great competition.

The main A grade final featured Abingdon’s re-emerging professional back from university Joe Brooke, currently ranked 442 in the World versus seasoned pro Phil Nightingale who ranks 200 places higher at 261.   This match produced superb squash with Joe have the edge in shots and speed but by no means winning easily.  Phil is very experienced and considering the massage team here at Racquets were taping his leg up and helping him through the tournament he still was a handful.

Results were Joe Brooke beat Phil Nightingale 3/1 in the A grade

Tom Paine won the A plate beating Thame born Alex Preston 3/2

Stuart Burnett won the B grade with our Nick Harbour as runner up

Mark Essex won the C grade

Andrew Essex won the D/E grade   

Racquets Mens 1st team players also played to get them back on court for their Oxfordshire Top division return.  The team will be captained by ex-Oxfordshire junior champion Harry Hillier who has a great squad including current Oxfordshire closed champion Will John and hopefully Alex Noakes the local Tour Pro who is climbing the tour rankings to top 200 in the world.  

Racquets is looking to build upon our superb first team talent and local World class players and have 4 positions available in our academy.  Applicants should be year 6,7 or 8.  Keen to excel in a sport but do not have to have prior playing experience of squash.  Racquets has the coaching team to produce great players.  For more information please contact Sue or Simon at the club by emailing info@racquets-fitness-centre.com.