Farmer’s boy Nick wins Junior Squash tournament

NICK Baker, from a local farming family, ploughed his way through to win the Racquets Junior, One-Day Squash Tournament which took place on Saturday, October 18.

Twenty youngsters –  who had been playing squash for for between just one month to a few years – turned out for the tournament to raise their competitive edge so that they can prepare for competing in the Oxfordshire county squads.

There were two grades – a 16 draw of players who are now playing the game of squash to a high level and will be vying for positions in the County squads over the coming year. Nick Baker won, beating Molly Woods in the final. Leo Hayden won the Plate, beating Max Bridges. In both these matches, the age gap and strength difference proved to be the deciding factors.

In the Junior Beginners’ grade Ned Richards won his very first tournament. This grade was especially significant to the game as it involved three girls who are new squash.

Sue Martin-Downhill, one of the coaches at Racquets,  said:  ‘The keenness of the kids this weekend was brilliant. They all played the game in fantastic spirit and there were plenty of very close matches helping them gain experience of coping in competitive environments.”

Squash is becoming so popular locally that Racquets now has coaching sessions almost every day of the week. But Sue would love to hear from others who would like a taster of the game she loves so much. Give her a call at the club on 01844 261754 if you would like to get involved in this great indoor sport.