Beds Closed 2016

Beds Closed 2016

The traditional curtain raiser for the local squash scene took place at the weekend with the Bedfordshire County Championships held at Lewsey Sports Park and at the end of a frantic weekend it was LDS players who took home all the main prizes.

First up were Under 11s and despite brave performances by Flitwick’s Sam Pattinson and local Jack Burke, neither could match the experience of Natalie Main who cruised to the title she first won 3 years ago without dropping a game. Pattinson showed great composure to see off Burke for second place.

A small field of two meant that the U19 final was contested early and doubled as an adult 1st round match. The match went to form as Sean Davies won with something to spare over Alex Axford to move into the A Grade category, with Axford dropping to B.

Flitwck brought two players with them to contest the U15 division but again it was dominated by LDS players as the very experienced Sophia John, still only 12, saw all-comers off without dropping a game. Lily Main, herself only 11, followed John home by seeing off first Tom Pattinson, then Tait Catherall, despite their awkward styles, whilst Connor Seymour pulled up injured without troubling the scorers.

So it was onto Sunday and the business end of the adult Grades, but first off was the U13 final which was the subject of sibling rivalry between the Main sisters. Last time the pair met every game went to a tie-break. This time the elder of the two Lily, showed a greater maturity and tactical awareness taking the pace off the ball and some exquisite height to negate Natalie’s natural power and pace game to take the title with a 3-1 scoreline.

In the Men’s B final it was local youngster Alex Axford who faced off against the vastly more experienced John Wixted from Bunyan. It was a classic match of its type with Wixted trying to use years of experience to outwit his much younger and more athletic opponent. However, as the game wore on, Wixted tired and Axford triumphed 3-1 to epitomise his improvement this season.

The A final was a repeat of last season’s affair with the holder, Bunyan’s Nathan Derrick, facing home favourite and 6 times previous winner, Steve Davies, who was determined to reclaim his crown.

Davies showed intent right from the off racing into a five point lead before conceding anything. Derrick twitched a little in that first game but it was all too little too late as Davies sealed it 15-8. The second was a closer affair to start with but the final outcome was little different, Derrick only gaining one more point. The third game went Derrick’s way, but the speed, physicality and determination of Davies took its toll as Davies won the fourth to regain the title 3-1.

Final Standings:

A Grade