News
Racquets over 45's success
Also good news for Racquets mens 045s team who have won through to the final of the national mens o45s team champs defeating last 10 years winners colets last wednesday at Racquets. Wins from Captain Darren Withey 3/2 against England international Adrian Jaski&Steve Bateman secured victory for the 3 man team with the finals scheduled at Nottingham on the 16th may.Also Racquets has a good representation in the national singles champs this weekend with Steve Bateman looking to add to his national titles in the 045s &Mark Webster,Greg White,Gerry Burr,Simon Martin,Mike Clarke are all competing with strong hopes.
Racquets Open Squash Doubles Tournament 23/25 April 2010
This event was held last weekend at Racquets Fitness Centre Thame, and, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors who put up a prize fund of £1000, it attracted entries from all over the UK and even included one from Australia. Being a graded event it also attracted a number of social players, junior and senior, and was sub-divided into mens, ladies and mixed Categories. The ladies event was won by the Ealing pairing of Helen Creak and Stacey Sephton (Australian Sydney province champion) with a good effort from Anne Terry (Racquets ladies 1st team) and emerging Racquets Junior Aisling Guerzoni as runners up. In the mixed event the Ealing pairing of James Tewson and Stacy Sephton proved too strong for the Somerset pair of Martin and Tessa ( ex England under 19s international) Healey. The mens tournament was a great affair with several new pairings put together in an effort to try and beat last years champions and the professional pairing from Birmingham. Local players Simon Martin and Tom Power were beaten 11/10 in the final game after a very close match in which, with the score at 2 games all, they were leading 10/5 to the eventual losing finalists Guy Tupper & Jo Brooke (recently selected to represent England at junior level).
Another local pairing of Will John (Welsh junior international) and Dave Herron did well to overcome Mark Webster and Clive Johnstone but went on to lose in the semi finals to the pro’s who were too strong for them.
Surely after an amazing and tiring semi final Tupper and Brooke would not be able to defeat the Berks doubles champions Paul Johnston and Simon Rodwell? However they dug deep and produced yet another classic 11/10 victory on the 5th game to reach the final.
However with a combination of tiredness, and the superb touches and movement of the pros, they went down 3/0 to Chris Truswell and Jamie Haycocks in the final.
Racquets are indebted to the tournament sponsors, Terry Bradon, Eddy Smythe and Brian Cummings for their generosity.
The next event at Racquets is the south east area graded racketball singles tournament to be held over the weekend of 21/23 May 2010. Being a graded event it is open to all standards of players and beginners could even borrow rackets and balls.
If you would like to try squash or racketball go to our website: www.racquets-fitness-centre.com or give us a ring on 01844 261754 so we can arrange a free trial visit for you.
CHARITY CYCLE RIDE 28TH MARCH TO 5TH APRIL 2010
JOHN O GROATS TO LANDS END
NIGEL PATTISON
My challenge was to cycle 927 miles in 9 days unaided from John O Groats to lands End in memory of my Dad Bob.
Dad passed away in June 2006 only 9 months after being diagnosed with Motor Neurones Disease. It has taken a while for me to come to terms with the way Dad died so haven’t felt right until now about doing something to raise funds to find a cure for what is a horrible disease.
In addition to raising funds for MND I am raising funds for Cancer Research. With the kind permission of the Hillier family I have done it in memory of Chrissy Hillier a long time member of Racquets Fitness Centre who has been a fantastic supporter of the event.
Whilst as a Personal Trainer I keep myself fit, training for this did involve some slightly longer training sessions particularly at week-ends. As you may remember the beginning of the year was not the best for cycling; ice and snow on a bike are not a good combination.
Not to worry they’ll be no snow at the end of March, oh how wrong!!
Day 1, Gale force winds and driving rain, great for climbing into the Cairngorms. Thankfully the rain stopped mid afternoon and I managed to arrive at my B&B relatively dry.
Day 2, minus 2 but beautiful blue skies. A quick climb to the top of the Cairngorms and then downhill all the way to Edinburgh. Hit the wall twice first at 60 miles but this was all in the head solved it with a sausage roll and a cup of tea! Carried on through Perth and onto Kinross still had 20 miles to go when the wall was a bit more unforgiving. My energy levels were just on empty unfortunately nothing for it but to push on otherwise I would not make my bed for the night! Finally arrived at 5pm!
Day 3, off to Gretna Green today over the Southern Uplands "mountains"! Fantastic I awake to snow falling, nothing for it but to press on regardless wouldn’t be a challenge without the odd barrier to get over. Cycling down into Moffat in a blizzard was not pleasant in any way. The broth and tea I had whilst there was just exquisite! Three hours later I arrive in Gretna Green.
Bed & Breakfast. Just a quick note on the B&B’s of the country, they are absolutely fantastic. A typical response was to take my wet clothes away wash and dry them for the morning. Make me a fresh pot of tea and a sandwich before dinner, fab!
Day 4, Longest Day 115 miles this was to include Shap in a blizzard! I can safely say that coming down Shap into Kendal was the scariest thing I have ever done and do not wish to repeat it. 4 hours later through rolling hills of Lancashire and stopping in Chorley what a day, what an achievement; feeling slightly smug.
Day 5, off to Shrewsbury today and in all my planning a day I was not looking forward to. Only because the route took me between Liverpool and Manchester and would be quite built up. However turned out well in the end because they had so many bus lanes and cycle lanes it was one of my best days.
Day 6, Chepstow here we come. Beautiful surroundings with lovely rolling roads on the Welsh English borders. Down side of the day was very heavy rain for an hour around lunchtime. The upside the sun coming out in the afternoon and riding the Wye Valley between Monmouth and Chepstow. This has to be one of the most beautiful roads in the country?
Day 7, back into England across the Severn Bridge which is quite high on a bike? Had to make quite a long climb out of Bristol but then a long descent towards Taunton and Wellington. Finally stopping in Crediton, Devon for the night.
Day 8, nearly there and can’t quite believe it! But on the back of 800 miles one of my hardest days, the reason being nothing is flat in Devon and Cornwall. A lovely 100 mile roller coaster! The upside in the afternoon I took my winter gloves off for the 1st time in the whole trip. The sun came out in Cornwall!
Day 9, only 42 miles to go. What a fantastic morning even though it was very windy 42 miles was always going to be a pleasure. Coming over the last climb 2 miles from Lands End with just the Atlantic as a backdrop was a very emotional time. Knowing I could roll to the end having completed the challenge was quite special particularly with Dad up there in my thoughts!
THE END!!
Funds raised to date are £4,000 but if you would like to support then please follow either of the links below. By the way I am taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon in May and then the Three Peaks Challenge in July for all the same causes!
www.justgiving.com/nigjogle2010 Motor Neurones Disease
www.justgiving.com/jogle10 Cancer Research
