Over 45s Team

2020 National Finals at Hallamshire Club, Sheffield

35ECF93F-D8AA-4375-A0D0-DFA72B630522Great news again for such a small county! Following the successes of our County Juniors and National Schools’ Champions Truro School, it’s now a big shout out for our O45s and O55s masters sides who both made it to the All England Inter-County Squash Finals at the Hallamshire Club, Sheffield at the weekend. The O55s beat Sussex in the quarters but didn’t fair so well against Surrey or Middlesex but ended an impressive 4th. They certainly felt they could have done better had a few not succumbed to something they’d eaten! A place on the podium was certainly merited for the O45s who made it to the grand final against mighty Yorkshire!!! They swept aside both Bucks and Cambridgeshire in commanding style. Second in England is the best ever achievement of any county side from Cornwall. The stuff of legends! Heroes all!
report by Tony Bowyer, May 2nd 2022

Season 2019-20      Captain  Matt Harford

Stage I: 28th and 29th March 2020     SW Venue: TBA 

Finals: 6th and 7th June 2020 (Midlands TBA)

2018-19: no team entered due to revamp of ICC competition – all masters sides playing the same weekend. Decision made to just enter O35s and O50s instead. 

2017-18 Season STAGE 2 AWAY in OXFORDSHIRE v BEDS & KENT                3rd/4th March – Neil to organise   

Stage 1 Over 45s   21/22 October  v Avon v Wilts (Devon withdrew)  @ Bristol

Team captain: Neil Counter

Over 45s Bristol Oct 17 Jon, Andy, Jules & Neil           

click below or visit LM masters 4 results:  http://mastersicc.leaguemaster.co.uk/

View Results Summary | View Results Detail Host Venue: Bristol Lawn Tennis & Squash
Nom Cornwall Nom Avon Result Games
1-1 Neil Counter 1-2 Ian Fudge 1 3 9/11 11/8 5/11 1/11
1-2 Jon Wills 1-5 Jason Mathias 0 3 5/11 5/11 7/11
1-3 Andy Ahearn 1-9 Chris Hall 0 3 7/11 9/11 9/11
1-4 Julian Roberts 1-11 Richard Dodsworth 0 3 9/11 8/11 9/11
Nom Wiltshire Nom Cornwall Result Games
1-1 Nigel Rowe 1-1 Neil Counter 3 0 11/4 11/6 11/7
1-3 Paul Clark 1-2 Jon Wills 3 0 11/5 11/1 11/6
1-4 Gary Preston 1-3 Andy Ahearn 3 2 11/9 10/12 12/10 9/11 11/7
1-6 Steven Wakefield 1-4 Julian roberts 3 0 11/3 11/8 8/11 11/9

Team captain Neil had enormous difficulties fielding a full-strength side due to unavailability, withdrawals and a growing injury list! Congrats to Neil for sticking with it and fulfilling the fixture and to his quality replacements……..

Last year……

Stage 1      2016-17      V Devon (only)      @ Truro      12th Nov

Cornwall’s best O 45 players were drawn against Devon in the first round of the Intercounty Championships. Given the size and depth of Devon’s resources this was a tough match up but at least we were given the luxury of playing at home at the Truro club, which has been very generous this season, as always, in making their excellent facilities available for County events. On paper, this was possibly the strongest team Cornwall has put out in many years and this was reflected in some spirited and hard fought performances throughout the order. Pete Walker and Elliot Moore started their matches simultaneously and immediately ripped into the Devon team with strong attacking play. Elliot won 3/0 and Pete went the distance with his opponent narrowly missing out 3/2. At 1 all in strings, Neil Counter and Mike Morgan entered the fray and engaged their matches with speed and aggressive shot making. Mike took a good 3/0 victory while Neil was very close to taking his match to 5 sets but just got pipped 3/1 in a very tight game. At 2 all in strings it looked close on paper going into the final match but unfortunately for Cornwall, Devon were able to call on England no1 and World no 5 Jon Gliddon to efficiently dispatch Tim Smith in straight games and claim the overall tie for Devon in very classy style.

All in all a solid performance and we should take great pride in having pushed Devon so close!

Tim Smith

STAGE 1 2015-16       v Avon v Devon v Wilts in Bristol        21st/22nd Nov 2015

The O45 County team traveled to Bristol for the inter-county Championships to face Avon, Wilts and our old rivals Devon. The team consisted of Tim Smith, Elliot Moore, Pete Walker, Mike Morgan and Jon Wills. Despite breaking down on the M5 we managed to just reach the venue on time (if a little travel weary)  to face an extremely strong Avon side, which included two international players, who beat us 5 nil in quite ruthless fashion. The second match was the “battle of the Tamar” with Devon and the whole team pulled out a gargantuan performance to beat our rivals 3/2 with great wins for Tim, Elliot and Pete against very worthy opponents at 1,2 and 3 string respectively. Overnight we were in second place but up against a tough team in Wilts on the Sunday morning. Jon Wills got a solid win in the opening match but unfortunately Mike Morgan picked up an injury and the rest of the squad just missed out on securing second place and that coveted spot in the promotion group for the second half of the season.

Roving reporter: Tim Smith

Stage 2 2013-14 (Stage 1 promotion gained to league 2B by beating Somerset at The Riverside Club, Gloucester but losing to the hosts).

Oxfordshire v Cumbria v Cornwall v Shropshire (withdrawn) @ Abingdon Squash Club

Cornwall: 1. Neil Counter, 2. Tim Smith, 3. Mike Morgan, 4. Kev Hugh & 5. Jon Wills

Captain Kev’s Over 45 superheroes travelled up to Abingdon on the weekend of the 22nd/23rd March 2014 to play in Division 2B of the All England Inter-County Champs. Unfortunately Pete Walker was unable to make it so the resurgent, ‘born again squasher’ Jon Wills stepped up to the plate for his Over 45’s debut. Fortunately, both Tim Smith and Neil Counter were able to make it so Cornwall were strong on paper at least. It turned out to be a tough weekend again with Cumbria the strongest (Won 2), Oxford second and Cornwall 3rd. Cornwall went down in both matches 3-2 so a gallant effort it surely was! All over in one day also meant that the social side of the weekend was most bountiful!    Tony Bowyer

Match 1 Oxfordshire v Cornwall Score Games
1 Alan Steptoe Neil Counter 2-3 11/7, 10/12, 6/11,   12/10, 8/11
2 Chris Burton Tim Smith 0-3 8/11, 5/11, 5/11
3 Nick Barnett Mike Morgan 3-0 11/6,11/8, 11/6
4 Paul Sayers Kev Hugh 3-0 11/9, 11/7, 11/7
5 Sean Humphreys John Wills 3-1 11/9, 9/11, 11/4,   13/11
Result 16-7
Match 2 Cornwall v Cumbria Score Games
1 Neil Counter David Gray 0-3 6/11, 3/11, 8/11
2 Tim Smith Robin Ridley 0-3 6/11, 9/11, 8/11
3 Mike Morgan Steve Edmondson 3-2 12/10, 12/10, 2/11, 10/12, 11/5
4 Kev Hugh Neil McCartney 3-2 11/4, 8/11, 5/11,   11/7, 11/5
5 Jon Wills Ronnie Bell 0-3 9/11, 3/11, 6/11
Result 6-18
Match 3 Oxfordshire v Cumbria Score Games
1 Andy Lewis David Gray 0-3 7/11, 5/11, 9/11
2 Nick Barnett Robin Ridley 3-2 13/11, 4/11, 11/6,   4/11, 11/7
3 Simon Pick Steve Edmondson 3-0 11/6, 11/9, 11/8
4 Paul Sayers Neil McCartney 2-3 11/8, 11/2, 9/11,   10/12, 7/11
5 Sean Humphreys Ronnie Bell 2-3 11/9, 11/6, 6/11,   7/11, 4/11
Result 10-16

 

 

Season 2012-13

Stage 2 @ Leicestershire V Lincs V Cornwall (Div 2)

Lincs

M Hildred

Neil

5-9

0-9

6-9

D Stones

Mike

2-9

8-9

9-3

6-9

A Simpson

Kev

9-5

9-1

0-9

1-9

9-6

A Smith

Russ

4-9

1-9

2-9

S Bell

Nige

9-2

2-9

9-7

2-9

6-9

 

Cornwall lost 4-1

 

 

Leicester

S Rolington

Neil

6-9

9-6

10-9

0-9

9-3

S Anvil

Mike

3-9

5-9

3-9

M Birch

Kev

9-0

4-9

7-9

2-9

D Preston

Tony

6-9

6-9

2-9

D Husband

Nige

9-5

9-5

9-6

 

Cornwall won 3-2

 

Cornwall’s Over 45’s travelled to Leicester on the iciest day of the year.  At least 3″ of snow blocked their path but that was not going to stop the six hardy veterans although Somerset did cry off making it a shootout between three teams – Leicester, Lincs and us.

 

First match up was Leicester v Lincs.  With the other two counties playing each other, Neil, Russ and Tony thought it was an ideal time to suss out the opposition.  Mike decided to go out for the ciggie, Capt. Kev attacked the sausage rolls and Nige busied himself ripping to shreds two chicken legs with his bare hands (I pity his opponent!).  Lincs won the first encounter 4-1.

 

Cornwall’s first match was against Lincs.  Russ and Nige got us going against A Smith and S Bell respectively.  Russ went down 4-9, 1-9, 2-9 to a wily competitor and Nige (fortified by chicken legs) lost a close encounter 3-2.  Capt. Kev was next on against A Simpson and quickly raced to a 2 love lead only to go and lost the next two for one point, but after a bit of a breather managed to pinch the last 9-6.  Neil found M Hildred a little too strong at N° 1 losing 5-9, 0-9, 6-9 although the match was closer than it sounds.  Mike played last against D Stones at N° 2.  He was 2 love down when he finally found some rhythm, took the next 9-3 but eventually succumbed 6-9. The result was 4-1 to Lincs.

 

Next up was Leicester in a battle to see who would come second.  Nige and his chicken legs were up first against D Husband and although they were playing long rallies, Nige lost 5-9, 5-9, 6-9.  Next it was Tony’s turn at N° 4 against D Preston.  I think Tony took his opponent by surprise with his unusual shot selection, tight play and his surprising mobility – Tony winning 9-6, 9-6, 9-2.  When Capt. Kev lost the first 9-0 he looked down and out but somehow he won the next 9-4 which seemed to break M Birch’s spirits and Kev took the next two 9-7, 9-2 to make it 2-1 to Cornwall.  Neil meanwhile was having a right battle with the Leicester N° 1, S Rolington.  Simon’s well known for his very frustrating aggressive and obdurate style and Neil did well to take him to the fifth before losing 9-3 to make it 2-2.  Last on was Mike against S Anvil.  Mike needed to win to secure second spot for Cornwall, so after a few extra puffs on his ciggie for luck, he went about his business.  S Anvil didn’t know what hit him.  With Mike’s all court game, power, large (sweaty) imposing frame and racket breaking boast he triumphed 3-9, 5-9, 3-9 to beat Leicester 3-2 and clinch second spot for Cornwall.

 

Well done Lads

 

Capt. Kev

    

Stage 1   Autumn 2012      Kev’s Men in Cider Country!     

Stage 1 Report by Captain Kev

Cornwall o45s team consisting of Neil Counter,Ttim Smith, Kevin Hugh Russ Jameson, Ian Hatch and Nigel Watson travelled to Taunton to take on Wiltshire, Sussex and Somerset respectively. First up was Wiltshire. A slightly injured Nigel put up a spirited fight at no.5 but lost 3-1. Russ, Kevin and Tim fared no better unable to extend their matches beyond 3 games. Only Neil Counter salvaged some pride for Cornwall narrowly losing 3-2. After a short break Cornwall took on a very strong Sussex team. A lot of fine rallies were played with Russ being very unlucky not to pinch a game or two off his opponent and with Ian, Kev and Tim all going down 3 nil it was again up to Neil to provide the cheer by winning at no. 1. On Sunday Cornwall did battle with Somerset for the wooden spoon. Unfortunately Tim had to miss the last match so everyone moved up a string and with nigel being injured Cornwall didnt have a fifth string so were up against it. Ian played an entertaining match but narrowly went down 3-2. Next up Russ went close but went down 3-1 in a very tight match. Kevin finally put in a captains performance winning 3-1 and Neil again went close finally losing 9/3 in the fifth. Who knows, with a full team and a few less injuries we could’ve passed the wooden spoon on to Somerset. Roll on March 23/24th where we can again do battle with Somerset at Leicestershire. Thanks for all your efforts, capt Kev.

Sussex   55pts    Wiltshire   38pts     Somerset   30pts     Cornwall    14pts

Dry on the inside, the Cornwall County O45s @ Taunton 2012

Season 2011-12  Over 45s Fail to Avoid the ‘Big Drop’ to Div 2 in Berkshire    Stage 2 Report by TonyBowyer
Team: Neil Counter, Mike Morgan, Pete Eddy, Tony Bowyer & Nigel Watson (captain Kev Hugh – injured and unable to travel). Article submitted to West Briton Sports…………………. 
Cornwall Over 45s Squash Team travelled to Wellington College, Berkshire to play in the All England
Division One Relegation Group B at the weekend. After earning promotion last season this was quite a disappointment but to avoid the drop back into Division Two Cornwall needed to beat hosts Berkshire, Kent and old foes Devon. The afternoon started well with a good win for Penzance’s Peter Eddy playing at three but Tony Bowyer, Truro at four, was unable to build on this early advantage and lost quite badly. Newcomer to Over 45 squash and experienced county squash stalwart Neil Counter, also Truro and at one, likewise disappointed missing far too many good opportunities to win points eventually going down to the same 3-0 scoreline. Torpoint’s Mike Morgan and Nigel Watson, at two and five respectively, both failed to impress resulting in a 4-1 overall defeat for Cornwall.  Against Kent in the evening match Cornwall faired much better
only narrowly losing 3-2 in the final game of the tie. Eddy showed again what an excellent squash player he is with another convincing win and Bowyer, playing more intelligently, was well worth his 3-1 win to set up the possibility of winning the match. With just one more win needed Watson almost succeeded but agonisingly lost 9-7 in the fifth which meant Morgan still needed to win. This looked on the cards as he stormed to a commanding 2-0 lead but his opponent fought back steadily to eventually eclipse the Cornishman 9-7 in a very gruelling fifth . A very narrow defeat. On the Sunday morning and with little to play for except pride Cornwall went down rather tamely 5-0 against a Devon side motivated strongly by needing maximum points to avoid relegation.  Final positions: 1 Kent, 2 Devon, 3 Berkshire and 4 Cornwall. Thanks are expressed by the players for the support given by Cornwall SRA. 
  
Tony Bowyer
Truro Squash Club    

The Christchurch Six

from left Kev Hugh (Captain), Mike Morgan, Tina (physio), Dave Scothern, Glenn Mesney & Tony Bowyer   – FOR FULL MATCH REPORT SCROLL DOWN………

Captain: Kevin Hugh (China Fleet)

Squad: Neil Counter, Tim Smith, Pete Eddy, Kev Hugh, Mike Morgan, Shaun Rosevear, Dave Scothern, Tony Bowyer & Glenn Mesney

Stage 1   Christchurch, Bournemouth  26th/27th November 2011

Division 1 South       V Dorset    V Hants   V Devon

Despite on paper looking like the strongest O45 squad Cornwall has had in years, the dreaded injuries hit hard to weaken the side after gaining promotion last year. First Pete Eddy sustained calf and sole injuries to put him out of action probably until after Christmas. In form Tim Smith has been busy at work and so was unable to commit to an away weekend, while Neil Counter, in his first full season at Over 45 level fractured his hand just two weeks before Stage 1 at Christchurch. Shaun Rosevear was unfortunately involved, though happily not too seriously, in a car accident just a week before and was unable to travel. So, to honour the entry, willing subs and old timers Tony Bowyer and Glenn Mesney stepped forward once again to help the team out. Mike Morgan, Kevin Hugh and Dave Scothern completed the line up.

Against BIG counties it was always going to be tough and predictably, with the injury list so long, that’s just how the weekend panned out. On Saturday early afternoon Cornwall took on the home side and got off to a great start with a win for new Cornwall O45 Champion Mike Morgan (3-2) at 1. Glenn Mesney cruised to a comfortable 2-0 lead but was unable to sustain his clever dropping game or combat the wily serving of his opponent who then took the next three thanks to some clever tactical changes. Tony Bowyer went down 3-1 while Dave Scottern and Kevin Hugh both narrowly lost 3-2 also against good opposition. Kevin looked to be suffering an embarrassing defeat at 2-0 down after what seemed like just a few minutes but worked hard to level the scores at 2-2. Unfortunately this drained him and his opponent quickly took a commanding lead in the 5th only for ‘Captain Kev’ to come back strongly again. Helas, it wasn’t to be even after such a dogged fight back and the local left-hander took the final points with some aplomb.

Next, against an experienced and very strong Hampshire 5, Cornwall always looked second best but put up a good fight in all 5 rubbers. Hampshire has a very strong squash set up with even its very own VETS LEAGUE with two divisions to boast of. Tony Bowyer was probably the pick of the Cornish players. He fought back well after losing the first easily, and ran his socks off to get to game ball in the second but then wasted his chances to go 2-o down. The same happened in the third with some long hard rallies on every point! A little more luck and a few more better-chosen shots would have got him at least 2 games but the final scoreline read 3-0 to Hants.

Sunday morning – everyone dreads it – and against the old adversaries Devon this match turned out to be for the wooden spoon. Devon had injury problems of their own but still came through 3-2 in matches with wins at 1, 2 and 5. Successes for Cornwall were provided by Tony Bowyer (3) who beat the Devon captain ‘Robbie’ 3-1, while the Match of the Day saw Dave Scothern beat ‘Chris’ 3-2 in a gruelling and hard hitting hour long battle which even drew blood and didn’t do much for either player’s prospects of getting out of bed easily or putting their socks on come Monday morning! There is a feeling in the Cornish camp that Dave is starting to reproduce his old form again – let’s hope so! Kevin Hugh, at 1, lost to the evergreen and one-time Cornwall player Nigel Bell; Mike Morgan looked bewildered against Exeter coach ‘Smudger Smith’ who knows where the nick is more than most, and Glenn Mesney, struggling with a sore shoulder, was eclipsed by his much younger opponent 3-0 after showing promise in the first. Glenn, a true servant of county teams for many years, deserves special mention should this weekend eventually turn out to be his last at O45 level – many thanks Glenn!

Altogether a poor result but hopefully Cornwall will be back to full strength in January for Stage 2 when relegation will need to be avoided. Let’s hope for better news regarding injuries……………………

 

 

2 Responses to Over 45s Team

  1. Tony Bowyer says:

    Kevin Hugh, China Fleet as captain.
    Promotion to Div 1 gained last season.

  2. Tony Bowyer says:

    Over 45s away 26/27th November in Dorset at Christchurch v Dorset v Hants v someone else (!). Captain Kev Hugh, then Mike ‘Morgy’ Morgan, Dave Scothern, Shaun Rosevear and debutant Neil Counter. Willing and eager sub: Tony Bowyer.

    Injury to Pete Eddy and Tim Smith unable to travel due to work commitments.

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