Double the fun!

The annual doubles event took place last night with 10 pairs fighting out to be Club Doubles Champions for 2010.

With a new format this year where all the pairs played each other in a round robin, it was a full evening's entertainment for players and spectators alike. In games of 3 minutes duration the action was fast paced and frenetic, with some rallies featuring shots more akin to exhibition matches.

Last year's runners up, Jakey Musson and Paul Stewart were again paired up and were hoping to go one place better this year, but were disappointed to lose three of their nine games, included in these were defeats to favourites Mike Hetherington, who won last year with a different partner, and Kevin Preston. This was by far the most youthful duo on show and a prize scalp for all the rest, indeed this pairs colours were downed by 3 other teams, Ian 'sporty' Kelly and Steve Walker, Keith Pearson and Peter Penrose, as well as eventual finalists Brian Atherton and Phil 'cool' Mc Straw.

Hard hitting duo Ian 't-cake' Richardson and Nigel Reeves started slowly, weighing up the opposition before putting their plans into action, but as before 3 losses and a draw ended their chances  of going further, amongst their conquerors were Andrew Kelly and John Crichton who reached the final having only lost once all night to the young duo, as well as the previously mentioned finalists Brian and Phil, and Mike and Kevin. Perhaps the surprise package of the night were Simon Pugh, who's racket skills are sublime but unfortunately the body is ailing, and his partner Stuart Bramley who's raw enthusiasm and effort was a joy to watch, who managed to take a point in their drawn game with Ian and Nigel, as well as other victories over Gordon Thompson, a renowned doubles veteran, and his usual partner, when his back's ok, Mark Fox, and Ian 'sporty's' team and Keith's. Gordon and Mark had a high scoring close game against Alan Clements and Graham Robinson, just losing out to the slightly younger pair 10-9, in a game of cat and mouse squash, with the emphasis on fun.

So, with all games played the table shaped up as follows;

The final over 15 minutes paired together the top two pairs on total points won from all games played, and this was Andrew and John, against Brian and Phil. A lengthy opening rally was testament to the fact that in the intervening period between the group games finishing, and prior to the final taking place, a fine feast of homemade pie, with lashings of peas, gravy and chips, washed down with an endless supply of fine beer, means that dashing about with a full stomach on court can wait a few minutes. But it wasn't long after that the final lived up to its billing with some excellent squash, played in a very civil manner by two pairs intent on enjoyment first, and the result second. As it worked out, Andrew and John managed to open up an early lead and were never threatened for the duration of the match by Brian and Phil, despite the crowd's urgings for the underdogs.

Pictured left are Windscale Doubles Champions 2010, John Crichton (l) and Andrew Kelly (r) with their trophy.

As this is run as a charity event, it would indeed be uncharitable not to mention Hannah Crichton, who gave up her evening to cajole money from everyone who entered to play, sort out the raffle and a 'guess the points scored' competition. A total in the region of £250 is anticipated.

Thanks to all concerned, another great evening, in what is Windscales most fun squash event.