Cornwall Squash and Racketball

Following the Government’s announcement Friday 20th March 2020 all sports clubs must close meaning that we must all stop playing squash and racketball until further notice. The Committees of all our clubs and the managers of our sports centres with courts must ensure that this is enforced. We believe that this is the right course of action in the current battle against the spread of coronavirus and the terrible consequences of Covid-19. In ceasing our sport we are supporting our health workers in these most challenging times. Please observe this mandate scrupulously and take on board all advice on preventing the propagation of this virus.

So difficult but: TR1 win Spring League and play FAL1 in County Play-Off Final in Sept. hopefully; Div2 DRAWN so no promotion or relegation; Aim is to create a Div3 next season – deciding on the teams in each TBD at later date if 3 divs is possible.

Following the advice we received from England Squash and Sport England today (16/3) we are SUSPENDING all COUNTY LEAGUES TEAM MATCHES as from the end of this week. Matches booked and taking place this week may continue if both captains are happy to play. Regarding the conclusion of the Spring League, the Committee will make a further announcement shortly and communicate this to you all. This decision hasn’t been taken lightly but it mirrors the national picture and other sports as we all try to combat this potentially deadly virus. Please adopt good hygiene habits, avoid large gatherings and practice social distancing as best as you can is further advice. Obviously, if you may have come into contact with an infected person or have been in a hotspot, or are displaying symptoms in any way, please be responsible and withdraw from our sport (and seek appropriate advice). England Squash have stressed that ‘small scale’ activities in your clubs need not cease so we will continue to coach & play. The situation is changing rapidly, however, so we may have to make further announcements regarding, for example, the RB Festival in mid-April and the Pawle & Hine Cup.

Reigning champion and county captain Jared London made it a modern era record-breaking 6 in-a-row titles by beating Phil Thomas 3-1 in an enthralling final. In the Plate Final young Fin Irish, the rising star from Bude SC, notched up his first county senior title by beating Falmouth’s Huw Gibbon 3-1 in a tense but more tactical final. The semis and finals were broadcast live (with live scoring) for the first time with viewers from as far away as Qatar watching. The results from all 50+ matches over the weekend can be found at http://www.sportyhq.com . To see more pictures and to click on the link go to the EVENTS tab and click on COUNTY CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019/20. You can also see more photos on our FB page. Thanks to all who supported the event…….

Well, it all kicked off at Western Terrace in the last and deciding match of the Autumn League when home side Falmouth 1 had to beat TR2 Young Pretenders by more than 10 pts to make history! Captain Matt was delighted to report on a successful evening for Jonny et al. They made it by two points with their 12-4 victory. A very fitting climax to an exciting league and that means Falmouth have booked the first place at the End-of-Season Play-Off Final to decide overall Cornwall Champions. There must have been oodles of Christmas cheer in the Falmouth club house following the match. 

Bude SC eased over the line with a win at 2nd placed Falmouth 3 (Huw’s team) to continue their good run of titles in recent years. Captain Rob has declined promotion due to a ‘weakened’ squad with key players away in January & February. Those teams languishing at or near the foot of Div1 can therefore sigh a huge relief! Relegation may be on the cards, however, if Bude SC do the double by April with the knowledge that their squad will be that much stronger again by Sept. especially if their migratory #1 decides to over-winter in Cornwall!

The ever popular Cornwall Squash Masters’ Closed took place at TSRC over the weekend of 23rd/24th Nov. Brian, our ‘Main Man’ as always, organised the draws in the six categories. Stevie D (Truro) won the O35s, Matt H (NQY) took the O45s, Tim S (Truro) the 50s, pirate Nigel B won the O55s and Truro’s Dave M beat all comers in the 60s and 65s. Diane and Mike (DAM Civil Engineering ltd.) proudly sponsored the event again with Diane presenting the trophies with Brian on finals night. Full results and photos to follow….
Cornwall County Racketball Championships – 9th and 10th November @ The Falmouth Club to enter contact Mark Newton – to find out what happened click on the RACKETBALL TAB and then COUNTY RACKETBALL CHAMPS. Also, for more photos go to CornwallSquash on FACEBOOK – please LIKE & SHARE.

Truro SRC Junior Grand Prix – 11th and 12th January 2020 contact Tim Smith for details.

Cornwall County Squash Championships (Closed) – 25th and 26th January 2020 @ Truro SRC to enter contact Tim or Tony after Christmas.

Racketball Festival – APRIL 2020 date TBA.

Pawle Cup & Hine Plate – knock-out rounds in April, finals @ The Falmouth Club in May date TBA.

Last year’s Finals

Cornish Racketballers did us proud at the National Championships in Birmingham at the University’s world Class Sports Centre. Shuv Garland led the contingent of 5 which included ex-Pirate Mike Phillips who won the O60 competition. Shuv made it to two finals, the O50 and O55, but was shaded out each time but being silver medalist twice is an amazing achievement – WELL DONE OUR SHUV! Her Falmouth team mate and county President Terry Becket, playing in the O70 category, WON THE PLATE competition in his first attempt at the nationals. Both Pirates, Pete Eddy and Nigel Bell, lost in the second round. Pete lost by the narrowest of margins 12-10 in the fifth to just miss out on the semis. Had he made it he would have had an uphill task against ‘old pirate’ Mike Phillips who won the ‘60s’ without dropping a game! All credit to the Cornish at the nationals flying the flag of St Piran so proudly. Small county but big ambitions! For those interested a date has been fixed for our Cornwall Racketball Championships at Falmouth over the weekend of the 9/10th Nov next. See you there! More on our RB page and on our FB…….

For the first time in the history of Cornwall Squash we had 3 teams at the National Inter-County Finals in Birmingham. The O35s, captained by NQY’s Matt Harford, came 5th winning the inaugural Trophy competition. The O50s were plagued by unavailability and injuries but still managed the journey up. Captain Neil Counter did very well to find replacements and the weekend was certainly enjoyed on and off court! The O60s (Russketeers), captained by Truro’s Tony Bowyer, came 6th after losing narrowly to Wales in the Trophy Final by 2 rubbers to one. It was an incredible achievement to have all three masters’ sides at the finals for the first time ever. Great to see our small county rubbing shoulders with the country’s elite at such great venues. More photos and results details under the COUNTY TEAMS tabs…….

Our AGM took place on WEDNESDAY 19TH JUNE in Truro. A great deal was discussed but generally speaking those who attended were delighted with the leagues last season and the progress we have made particularly with the increased number of events we had. Both RB & squash, that is. We have two youngsters in England’s top ten for their age group, Truro School were 2nd out of 87 schools entered in the England Schools’ Champs and we have all 3 of our Masters’ sides competing in the National Finals at Birmingham, not to mention that we have had two professional squash evenings at Truro this season. Another great highlight was SUPER SATURDAY at Falmouth which was the best ever. Matt Harford has joined the Committee but Mike Batte has stepped down to be replaced by Gary Walton as our CCSRA Treasurer. Clubs represented: Falmouth, Newquay, Bodmin, Truro and Penzance – many thanks to those who made the journey. Teams will need to be entered by the first week of August with no change to the fees. To read the MINUTES in full click on ‘AGM 2019’ submitted by Tim…..