Cornwall Squash and Racketball

From 1st Sept. squash clubs and venues across the country can begin to play FULL-COURT SQUASH and racketball in bubbles of up to 6 players. There will still be social distancing measures in place, particularly off-court, the hygiene regime remains as important as ever and there are a few minor changes to the way the game is played. All our clubs and venues have this information which I’m sure will become reality at your club. Please proceed cautiously is our advice and, of course, observe strictly all the rules and protocols. To find out what constitutes a ‘squash bubble’ and get all the info necessary go to ENGLAND SQUASH  at http://www.englandsquash.com

CCSRA has taken the unprecedented decision to continue the suspension of all inter-club league matches until January 2021. This decision wasn’t taken easily but given that we continue to be in Phase 1 of ES’s Return to Squash and all the indicators point to a difficult Autumn, it was the only sensible choice. This mirrors what is happening nationally. However, we hope to complete last season with our PLAY-OFF FINAL and our knock-out cup competitions (Pawle and Hine). We will of course keep you posted of any new developments.
Reminder: CCSRA AGM to take place early Autumn – date TBA.

Following the announcement that clubs, gyms and pools can reopen as from the 25th July, CCSRA forwarded all the official guidance from ENGLAND SQUASH to our contacts and leaders within the county. Each club will have their own protocols in place to allow their members back on court for the (for now) adapted versions of squash & RB. NB The CCSRA Plan from June has been superseded by the latest ES Guidance. To view all the advice and to see how our clubs have prepared for a secure return please click on the link below. If you require further support and advice please do not hesitate to contact us.

https://www.englandsquash.com/backtosquash                              STAY ALERT!

Please continue to be alert to the threat and help our NHS workers – together we can make a big difference in beating the 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…….