25/09/2015
Ferndown Club Champs 2015 - The Finals!
Thanks to everyone for participating in the Ferndown Club Championships this year and for all that came down last Friday, it was a great evening with some fantastic matches!
The final results were as follows:
A FINAL
Damien May beat James Ryan 3-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9)
Nothing was left on the court in the match! I thought I had Damien on the ropes, feeling in control and moving him around the court, he looked tired and I felt confident, taking the first game and leading 9-6 in the second. But oh how quickly things can change, chipping away the points in the second game, Damien grew in confidence and winning 5 points on the trot to take it 11-9. The wind had been taken from my sails (and oxygen from my lungs) and Damien continued to step up the court and increase the pressure, easily taking it 11-4. No longer able to run, I changed tactics in the fourth, 'slowing the game down' and using the trusty lobs and drops of old, it was working, I felt good... but I still lost. Well done Damien (not bitter at all!).
A PLATE
Andy Kimber beat Ian Frampton 3-0 (13-11, 15-13, 11-4)
I was on court when this 'Battle of the Titans' was going on, but Ian was looking to go out on a high before is lengthy break to recover from his knee operation. I heard Andy was very unsporting and didn't even have the courtesy to give Mr Frampton a game, don't know how he sleeps at night.
It did look like a ding-dong battle though and the first two games could have gone either way... Ian clearly got fed up and ran out of steam in the last!
B FINAL
Martin Broad beat Dan Marston 3-1 (11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9)
This one was always going to be an intense battle, with number one seed Martin Broad and the in form Dan Marston. Everyone thought Dan was going to run away with it after the first few points flew by in his favour, taking a 6-2 lead, but Martin has an experienced squash head on those shoulders and was just warming up and biding his time, frustrating his opponent by picking up everything and chipping away the points, eventually taking it 11-9. Dan came out strong in the second, this time not letting Martin back in, easily taking the game 11-5. Although width and length were deserting both as the match went on, there were some quite incredible rallies and retrieval skills shown. Martin took the third 11-6 and the final game could have gone either way, with both exchanging groups of points. But Dan looked like he needed a break and wisely stepped aside for Martin to grab the B crown... and got upstairs quickly to grab a well earned beverage.
B PLATE
Max George beat Julian Abbott 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-8)
I had the privilege to mark this one, with these two youngsters already creating an 'intense rivalry' having exchanged a number of close matches over the last year. Both played fantastically well and in good spirits, with the 3-0 scoreline not quite reflecting some great rallies on court. Max got out of the blocks well in the first, using his huge reach to push Julian to all four corners, eventually closing out the game impressively 11-6. The second could have gone either way, with lots of handouts (the game in english scoring would have actually been 3-2!), quick movement and incredible retrieval, but Max had the edge. Max was growing in confidence and looked like he had things wrapped up, taking a 7-3 lead, but Julain found a second wind and clawed his way back to 8-8. But it was too little too late, Max found his focus and finished off in fine style to secure the title 11-8. Definitely two to watch out for and an A final me thinks in the coming years!
Again thanks all and see you around the club soon!
Cheers,
James
