The time arrived for OSRA’s first Summer Doubles Tournament and at Hithercroft S/C on Saturday 11th July, 8 teams competed for what we hope will become an annual title. After a slight rejigging of personnel, combatants were split in to two round robin groups with playoff matches scheduled to determine final positions.
Proceedings kicked off with the Jason Varrie/Grace Beglan combination taking on the young tyros Samuel Griffiths and Oscar Price. The latter took the first 15-10 but their opponents fought back in the second (15-9) to level matters The decider was a nail biter, points traded throughout with the youngsters eventually prevailing 18-16.
On the adjoining court another close battle was developing with Ben Terry and James Portsmouth locking horns with homeboy Chris Lewis-Brown and Joe Burbank (Abingdon). It was a thriller from the off but Lewis-Brown/Burbank managed to sneak both games 18-16.
Up next, the Abingdon duo of Geoff Walton and Chris Woo against the University’s Martin Packman & Alex Gunasekera. Yet another tight contest but the chaps from OX14 took the honours 15-12, 15-9. On the other court Donovan Eastes & Richard Bodkin (also Abingdon) played Leah Beglan & James Hicks with the former winning out 15-12, 15-10.
At this stage, all entrants had now had a taste of Squash Doubles and for some, their very first foray! Consequently, what followed proved to be matches of improving quality with increasing assurance of what was required.
In the case of Griffin/Price and Eastes/Bodkin, this was particularly salient as they managed to top their respective groups and make it to the Final.
Before they took centre stage though, the lower placings needed to be decided. Unfortunately, somebody has to finish bottom and this dubious privilege fell to Packman and Gunasekera who lost their 7th/8th Play Off to the Wheatley Park pairing of Terry and Portsmouth.
The Beglan twins restored some pride for the University representation as Leah and her partner James Hicks (Hithercroft) occupied 6th albeit following a 15-11, 15-8 setback against Lewis-Brown and Burbank.
Even better though, Grace and Varrie (Hithercroft) defeated Woo/Walton to bag a podium spot in 3rd.
The class of the afternoon was provided though by the Eastes/Bodkin and Griffin/Price match up for top honours. A tight opener went the way of those hungry young un’s but Eastes/Bodkin then displayed all their experience, frustrating their opponents to take the second and third games both 15-7.
Although it was a small event it was most enjoyable. We (OSRA) have every intention to build on this tournament – just look at the massive increase in participation in the County Closed this year over last – and we anticipate some good numbers for the next Doubles competition in December at Abingdon.
