With the exception of 2021 when COVID restrictions prevented travel and social gathering, this was the twenty first consecutive annual squash tour to Newcastle and thirteen Army and Army Reserve players (six of which toured in 2020 – highlighted) from up and down the country were selected to represent the Army against Tynemouth SC and Northumberland SC in the Northeast. Including Maj Joe Rawsthorne INF (Res), Maj Sam Miller RA, Capt Martin Thompson RAC, 2Lt Arthur May RE (Res), WO1 Andy Black RLC, WO2 Dean Boys RLC, SSgt Paul Ryan AAC, SSgt Fazer White REME, Cpl Ollie Barker REME, LCpl Adam Smart REME and Tpr Paul Jones RA (Res). Representing for the first time on the tour was 2Lt Franz Gate RE (Res) and touring as a guest player was WO2 (Retd) Lenny Westover a veteran himself of this tour.

There is always a guarantee of some very good competitive squash when we travel North to Newcastle, beneficial for the Army players as they prepare for the 2022 Army Individual Squash Championships at Aldershot in a few weeks’ time. For much of the first day, most endured the long trip North in ‘predictable’ motorway traffic, stopping at the usual motorway ‘hot-spots’ on route! There was a good atmosphere around the club when we arrived, plenty of spectators and our hosts were keen to get started. Paul Ryan (seed 10) was first up against John Armstrong, a new face for this fixture. The first game was tight with the points being evenly shared until the end with John taking it on two clear points. The second was more convincing from the host who quickly went into a two-game lead. Paul fought back in the third with some wonderful attacking shots and worked hard to claim the third. The final game was much like the first, with both players showing their quality, but in the end our host proved too strong for Paul and claimed the first match.

One of the more competitive matches of the evening was between the No 3 seeds involving Dean Boyes and Richard Parsons. The first game was played at great pace and was arguably the best game of the match with each point hard fought, some long rallies and quality squash from both players, which in the end was taken by Richard. Dean was quick to respond in a contrasting second game that he very much dominated. The third game was well contested with the points evenly shared and two clear points in the end needed to separate the players, Richard dug in to take the game. Despite Richard making a strong start in the fourth, it was the experience and determination that we have seen many times in Dean over the years that changed the momentum of the game and take the match into a five setter. The fifth was exciting and again went all the way with both players showing their quality and trying to force a mistake from their opponent, but in the end, it was our hosts that secured another victory. Soon after, our guest player and veteran to these parts, Lenny Westover, took on the youth of Nick Hale. This was a match played in great spirit between two quality players, a game that was destined to go the distance and it proved to be a real battle. The first game seemed to last forever with both playing tight squash and many long rallies, but eventually the game went to the host. Lenny battled on and took the second and ‘almost’ the third, but Nick found a few ‘nick’s’ to steal it. The fourth game was a marathon, which could have gone either way, but fortunately Lenny took the ball early to secure the last few points and the game. Nick seemed to have strength on his side in the fourth and took the early points, but credit to Lenny it must be said, who dug in deep and with a series of tight boasts he ‘nicked’ it to claim the match. This was a superb match and a real spectacle for the many spectators.

Other victories for the Army team included Paul Jones (seed 2) who dominated his match proving ruthless at the front of court and eased to victory in the end. Also, Martin Thompson (seed 7) against Lewis Cruz a bright young player who played well but was overcome by Martin, who worked him hard to the end. Adam Smart (seed 6) put on a great display to beat Jon Evans, Andy Black (seed 12) showed off his ‘wiles’ skills to beat Andrew Walsh, Ollie Barker (seed 11), despite losing the first came back strong and won the next three, and Frazer White (seed 9) who had a cracking game against Eric Mok. This was a hard-fought match and good to watch, it could have gone either way in all five games, but in the end, showing great determination and stamina, Frazer took the match, albeit with a fluke shot off the edge of his bat!

The final match of the evening was another hard-fought match. A real veteran of the game and a regular and formidable player at the club Glen Ward, taking on a newcomer to Army squash, Franz Gate. Again, this was a very close match and good to watch, it could have gone either way, no doubt. But, with Glen turning it on after narrowly losing the first tight game he dominated and won the next two games, only to take a tactical rest in the fourth!  At 2-2 it was set up for an exciting last game and both players started well, producing some long and exciting rallies but, towards the end of the game, it was experience and sheer determination that won the day!  This match proved to be a tough five setter, again going the way of our hosts.

Also tasting defeat against strong opposition this evening was Arthur May who played well but was overcome by a very strong Dan Ward (son of Glen) at 5 seed and Sam Miller (seed 1), who was up against Sief Heikal (the club ringer!)  in what proved to be a very entertaining game. Sam got off to a great start taking the first tough game 12/10 a game that attracted a large crowd. Despite this Sief, to his credit, was very consistent over the next three games, keeping the ball tight and deep, he worked Sam hard, and despite being pressed himself, he kept his nerve to take the next three games with the same score line (11/9) to claim the match. And, somewhere in between all of that, Joe Rawsthorne (team manager) overcome Andy King in a racket ball match, reversing the score line from the previous encounter in 2020. The night proved to be a really close and exciting encounter, with the score advantage switching from one side to the other. In the end it could not have finished any closer after 12 matches with the score at 6 – 6 and the Army winning the day on count-back (games won).

There is always a special friendly atmosphere at Tynemouth squash club where members and visitors alike go out of their way to accommodate visiting teams and they made us feel very welcome. We remain grateful to all at the club and particularly for the after-match food, which was excellent and the unexpected presentation to the tour manager for his years of commitment to this fixture. It was good to see some of the regular players again and to meet some new ‘younger’ faces. The final match score saw the Army regain the Challenge Cup after three years of dominance from Tynemouth. It was a memorable evening of squash, and we look forward already to returning to Tynemouth next year.

On the Friday evening the team were very comfortably accommodated in the Holiday Inn Express on the edge of Newcastle town centre. Taking advantage of the ‘government rates’ and a much-needed full breakfast on the Saturday morning, feeling well rested, we headed the short distance across town to the Northumberland (Jesmond) club for an 1100hrs start.

Ryan Doran the Club Manager greeted us on arrival, and he seemed in confident mood as we confirmed the teams. In his line up were some usual formidable top seeds for the opposition in Dave Barnet, Jamie Matthews and David Breakey, but this year there were plenty of new faces also to inspire our confidence. With the Army v Jesmond Challenge Cup at stake the competition was soon underway. The Army got off to a good start with Adam Smart proving to be too strong in the end for Ryan Duran, who gave a good account of himself, but Adam’s ability to take the ball early was the difference. By contrast however, Dean Boys knew that he had his work cut out as he warmed up against Richard Parsons a new player to the Jesmond line-up. The match was very competitive from start to finish and good to watch, but Richard proved to be too strong in the end for his Army opponent and it ended 3-2. Fortunately, we were having better luck on the other court with our new boy Franz Gate taking on the experienced Matt Lilly who is renowned for his very accurate lob serves and deft touches. But Franz, with some excellent return of service, forced Matt to the front of the court where he was scoring heavily and earned himself a convincing win, taking the match 3-0. Another well-fought match and arguably the match of the day was between Paul Jones and Jamie Matthews, a new young player for Jesmond who from the outset seemed to have youth and speed on his side. It started at a really quick pace and the first game seemed to go on forever, which was eventually taken by Jamie, who also took the next, but as the pace slowed a little Paul seemed to take control and fought hard to win the next three games, including a cracking fifth game that was nip and tuck’ all the way, but Paul held out to win. In other games Martin Thompson was involved in a long three game match, but came second to a strong James Taylor, while the ever-dependable Lenny Westover recorded another 5-set victory in a thrilling match against Dan Toas.

At the mid-way point the match was poised to go either way, but credit must go to the Army players in depth, Frazer White, Paul Ryan, Ollie Barker and Andy Black who matched up to their opponents and were consistent in their play throughout their respective matches, winning convincingly in the main and restoring an ominous lead for the Army team. Other matches played included Arthur May (seed 4) who lost to Sam Aiston and Joe Rawsthorne who played well to take the first game but succumb to the relentless drop shots from Shiv Pabary in the next three games. A very entertaining Racket Ball match. The final match of the day was a classic between the No1 seeds Dave Barnett and Sam Miller, who have met several times before. Both players justified their seeding by producing squash of the highest order in front of a packed audience. There were long rallies and some brilliant shots from both players as the points were shared equally right to the end of each game. It was a fitting end to the competition and the overall result was a fair reflection on the day. Hard, competitive match-play played in great spirit. The final match score of 8 – 4 saw the Army regain the Challenge Cup after three years of dominance from the Northumberland Club. We remain grateful also for the excellent post-match meal enjoyed by all before setting off on the long trek home!

Overall, the tour was very successful and thoroughly enjoyable. The links between the Army, Tynemouth and Northumberland squash clubs are as strong as ever. All players benefited from some competitive and challenging squash, played as ever in Great Spirit. The date for the next Annual Tour to Newcastle is planned for April 2023 and the aspiration remains to field a strong Army team to retain both the “Army v Tynemouth SC and the Army v Northumberland SC Annual Challenge Cups.

RESULTS

Army v Tynemouth Squash Club 04 Feb 22

Final Result: The match finished 6–6 Army won 27–22 on countback (games won)

Army v Northumberland Squash Club 05 Feb 22

Final Result:  Army won 8 – 4.

Results of the Challenge Cups from previous years: