For the second consecutive year the Squash 1st Team had an amazing run of results to clinch the 1st Division title. Since the start of 2023 they have played 7, won 7 and taken 136pts from a possible 140pts! Last night (16th March) they played away at second placed Hamworthy knowing that a win by 8pts or more would win them the title. Earlier in the season they had lost 2-3 to Hamworthy in the corresponding home fixture.
Tom Kirby and Lee Burnie got the team off to a great start both winning their matches, 3-0 and 3-1 respectively. Team captain Charles Black followed that up with a 3-0 win to secure the match win, but could they get the points gap that they needed in the last two matches? Neil Chambers and Callum Watts were last on court and both up against very strong opponents. Callum raced into a 9-0 lead in his first game and never looked back eventually taking the match 3-0. Neil got a 2-1 lead in his match, but the physical effort of doing so seemed to be taking a toll on his legs. However keeping the rallies short and using his racket skills rather than his legs he won the 4th game and the match 3-1. The overall score of 5-0 (20pts - 3pts) make this look like a very one sided match, it was anything but! There was some superb squash played by both teams and many very close games, but the determination, effort and skill of the Dorchester team just had the edge on the night. So a second consecutive title won on the last match of the season. However this has been a squad effort, not just those playing last night, and there were significant contributions during the season from Ross Godfree, Stewart Dipple and Nick Lamb.
The team have one more match to play this season, the final of the Division 1 Cup against Two Riversmeet on Saturday 25th March at Bournemouth Squash Club, the "double" is on!
Tom Kirby ~ Lee Burnie ~ Callum Watts ~ Charles Black (Captain) ~ Neil Chambers
Gary Biles: 17th Mar 2023 06:51:00
now we have a new clock...
Squash 1st Team vs The Royal Marines...