Senior inter–county success
Over the recent Valentine’s Day weekend, a number of squash players risked all by putting the game first and compete in Stage One of the Senior Inter County Championships. This mini tri-series staged at Beaconsfield Squash Club comprised Oxfordshire, Berkshire and hosts Buckinghamshire and for our ‘brave’ representatives, victory over both their opponents has taken them to Finals Day towards the end of April.
First up Berkshire – a very strong side as James McCouat discovered in going down 3-1 to the young, fast and talented Dylan Kalar. On the adjoining court however, James Hempstead fared rather better cruising to a comfortable 11-8, 11-3, 11-6 win. Next up, Ben Hedger against Jamie Waters, normally very close but on this occasion Ben was too good and ran out a 3-0 victor. With our lads now 2-1 up, it was Kacper Kwiecinski who clinched the tie prevailing in a tight one against Jack Waldron 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 11-8. Former England youth International, Joe Brooke was last up for Oxon and he made it 4-1 overall proving too strong for Gurbhaj Khalon (3-1).
After a short break our boys were straight back into it matching up against Buckinghamshire. Utilising the same String Order, James McCouat took on Harry Carr and James Hempstead faced Matt Marshall. McCouat lost the first game but pulled it back swiftly in the second. Unfortunately, at 0-4 in the third Harry was forced to retire due to an ongoing injury. Meanwhile, Hempstead was having a tough time of it against the tricky Marshall and lost 11-8, 12-10, 11-8. With the match tied at 1-1 on came Ben Hedger against Harry Wyld and Kacper Kwiecinski against Alex Preston. Hedger got off to a fast start, Wyld hit back but Ben was too strong and took the honours 11-1, 13-11, 11-7. Kwiecinski repeated his effort form the morning in sealing overall victory in the tie by impressively despatching the very strong Preston 12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7. Last on court again, Joe Brooke took on ex Oxfordshire youngster Oliver Coulcher-Porter, a tough cookie who gave Joe a pretty good fight before the Oxon man sealed it 3-1.
Oxfordshire now make their way to Pontefract on April 26th perhaps bolstered by an additional player or two and let’s hope they can give it a really good go.
For the full results, go to: https://sportmgr.co.uk/tc/detail/982588