Archive News
Norfolk juniors compete in national squash finals
Two Norfolk Junior Squash teams competed in national Inter County Trophy Finals with the Under 19 Boys coming second and the Under 13 Boys finishing fourth.
Norfolk and Hampshire were the only counties to field teams in the U19 final with Hampshire travelling to Norfolk on March 15 as favourites with two nationally-ranked players inside the top 20.
The tie started with evenly matched outcomes for the 3rd and 5th string matches. Alex Foster (Norfolk) at 5 beat Dave Barkwill by 11/8, 11/8, 10/12, 11/5 in a closely-fought match. Meanwhile Ashley Stanton at 3 for Hampshire beat Joe Bolt 6/11, 5/11, 11/8, 6/11. Robert Downer at 1 for Hampshire was too much for Bradley Garrett winning in straight games 6/11, 2/11, 6/11. In the 4th string match Richard Johnson (Hampshire) and Jack Bell produced some entertaining squash with Johnson coming out on top 7/11, 6/11, 9/11.
In the final match Ben Rawsthorne (Norfolk) found himself up against the experienced Phil Bull and lost the first game 5/11. Thereafter the audience was treated to an entertaining and skilful display of squash from both players with determined performances and long rallies. The games were very closely fought with Phil Bull coming out on top 10/12 and 8/11.
Hampshire finished worthy winners and were presented with the Trophy by Steve Rawsthorne, the Norfolk U19 Manager who congratulated them on their performance and thanked them for travelling for the single game.
Playing at Potters Health Club, Hertfordshire on March 22, Norfolk Boys U13 were weakened by the absence of No.1 Lasith Ranasinghe and played South East Wales in the semi-final, who proved too strong.
With six accomplished players all displaying a solid straight driving ability, and showing very little weakness, William Henden, playing at third string, provided the only real resistance, going down 6/11,11/1,11/9,12/10, and could so easily have taken the match into the fifth game.
Final Scores
1. Adam Crafer lost to Liam Stafford - 11/1,11/2,11/5
2. Alex Coburn lost to Ralph Pompeus - 11/3,11/4,11/2
3. William Henden lost to J Cornwall - 6/11,11/1,11/9,12/10
4. Harry Dye lost to Rhodri Parkman - 11/1,11/4,11/4
5. Samuel Henden lost to Llyr Parkman - 11/4,11/3,11/2
Res. Milo Butler lost 3/0 to Dylan Banks
This defeat placed the team in the 3rd/4th place playoff against Merseyside where the opposition did not get any easier. Nevertheless, all of the Norfolk boys played with great determination throughout their matches, with many showing good improvement from the morning matches. Alex Coburn and Milo Butler just failed to extend their matches into the fifth game in 3-1 defeats, while Adam Crafer, William Henden and Harry Dye also gave their opponents a very competitive match despite all going down 3-0.
Final Scores
1. Adam Crafer lost to Patrick Rooney - 11/1,11/5,11/3
2. Alex Coburn lost to Alex Kirkpatrick - 11/5,10/12,11/7,11/9
3. William Henden lost to Ben Doyle - 11/6,12/10,11/7
4. Harry Dye lost to Haydn McLarney - 11/3,11/5,11/6
5. Milo Butler lost to James Molyneux - 11/7,11/8,3/11,12/10
Res. Sam Henden lost 3/1 to Herts no. 6
Team manager Tony Henden was particularly delighted with the attitude and effort shown by all six of the Norfolk players.
Norfolk (runners up) and Hampshire (winners) U19 Trophy Final: L-R Norfolk - Bradley Garrett, Alex Foster, Jack Bell, Joe Bolt, Ben Rawsthorne; Hampshire – Ashley Stanton, Phil Bull, Richard Johnson, Robert Downer, Dave Barkwill.
