ANOTHER SUCCESFUL SEASON FOR REDRICE SQUASH
The Hampshire Squash League has reached the end of its season and it has been an extremely good one for the Redrice Men’s and Ladies teams. Four of the five teams finished third or better in their divisions. The Men’s 1st team, sponsored by Oakwood Shopfitting, finished as runners-up in the Premier Division. This was a highly commendable performance by the first team regulars: Michael Elford, Stuart Summers, Gary Hales, Ray Burke and Adrian Williams. Particularly, following the loss of two key members of the squad, Ginge Whiteman (injury) and Robbie Robinson (army posting) at the very start of the season.
Second team captain, Neil Dyke, steered his team, sponsored by Rappa Fencing, out of relegation trouble as they finished in a safe eighth position in Division 1. This was largely due to team regulars Ben Thornton, Alex Antonius, Tom Burnip and Neil Dyke. Special mention should go to Ben Thornton who played every match of the season at number one string and won thirteen of his eighteen matches. The final match gave them an invaluable 9 points in their 3-2 defeat by Avenue I. Antonius and Glide won 3-1 and 3-2, respectively. Meanwhile Dyke and Burnip went down in straight games. Thornton had one of his rare defeats but this time it was an improved performance as he had lost 3-0 to the same opponent in the first half of the season.
The Redrice Men’s 3rd team eventually finished third in Division 3A. A top two place and promotion looked extremely likely until number one string Adrian Williams was promoted on a permanent basis to the 1st team. Steve Reeves and Sue Williams were ever present and played over 90% of the matches. Then, no fewer than fifteen other players represented the team, sponsored by Squash Court Plastering Services, during the season. The last match of the season produced a 3-2 win at Lee V. Reeves, Matt Aldridge and David Williams all winning. There was a rare defeat for Sue Williams at number two string and team debutante Ben Clubley was defeated in three games.
Team captain Jillian Hall led the Ladies 1st Team, sponsored by Oakwood Shopfitting, to their highest ever position, third, in the top Hampshire Ladies Division. Sue Williams, Ros Hursell, Debbie Smith, Jillian Hall and Karen Sturgess secured this position with victory in the final match of the season a 4-1 success away at Avenue I.
The season is not yet over for the Ladies 2nd team who finished third in Division 3. They now know their opponents in the play-off match, which could give them promotion, will be Portsmouth Squash. The team finished third from bottom of Division 2 and have home advantage in the one-off match. Team captain Angela Riggs will lead the team, sponsored by Melting Pot, which will include Sally Biles, Lori Channon, Jenny Matthias and Sally Moore.
The Hampshire Junior League Season has also come to an end. The 1st team, sponsored by Weyhill Timber Products, played in Division I, but the league was disrupted by the withdrawal of two teams at the start of the season. The 2nd team, sponsored by MRT Castings, finished a creditable fourth. The squad of junior players used in both teams included: Dean Felkler, James Burke, Brett Farmer, Tom Rawnson, Matt Dyke, Nick Barrow, Tom Farmer, Sean Lutz, Todd O’Malley, Zachery Lutz, Andrew Dyke and Sam Stannah.
Gary Hales
Squash Manager