Thurso Club Championships - Season 2003-2004 - 07&08/02/04

The weekend of 07 February began cold and snowy, however the prospect of Thurso Squash Club Championship was going to raise the temperature for the eager squash players.

The opening rounds saw some good games, in particular the epic battle between Martyn Cook and Donald 'Cuddles' Pollard. Cuddles fought back bravely following Cookie's 2 game lead, however he narrowly lost in the fifth set after a great match. Things were hotting up!!

The next round produced some good games, however James Henderson, Alistair Miller, Daisy Swanson and Les Mackay proved to strong for their opponents wining through to the semi-finals.

Sunday produced two good semi final matches with James being to strong for hard hitting Alistair and Les managing to overcome the ever-improving Daisy. What was the final going to offer the packed gallery?

The ladies championship gave us some good matches with the two Carole's proving too strong and experienced for the rest of the ladies. Carole Mowat began the final with an air of supreme confidence racing into an early lead. Could this be the year for a new champion? Carole Cameron dug deep into her reserves and raised her game sufficient to be crowned ladies champion for the 22^nd year.

The plate competition final saw 'Cuddles' Pollard drawn against Stevie Spargo. Stevie returning to the squash courts after several years proved a worthy opponent, however 'Cuddles' proved too strong and took the trophy after a good match.

The mens final was an excellent finish to the tournament with Les and James playing a classic match. Les took the first set with some good play. James then managed to raise his game taking the next three sets to claim the title. Overall, a very good weekend of excellent squash with several players looking in good form for the forthcoming matches against Wick and Orkney.

Report trom Les Mackay.

Photos

ALL Winners & Runners-Up
Carole Cameron (winner) & Carole Mowat (Runner-Up)	James Henderson (Winner) & Les Mackay (Runner-Up)
It's all over but should've gone to a 5 setter.....	The best Mens Final seen for a while.....
Carole M scrambling to clear out of the corner.	Les and Bird on one of their long rallies.
Carole C playing one of her tricky shots against Jane Grant. Similar to the one above against Carole M.	Les goes into another rant in the final.... What a weekend he had of it - wouldn't see me doing that...
Carole M and Linda Sinclair at their tipe-tappies.....	Big Daisy giving Les the run around...????? picture by C Mowat
Jane Grant and Kirsty Irons	Les starts to get the upper hand... picture by D Ralph
Bird and hard hitter Alistair Miller in the semi's. picture by C Mowat	Bird and 'the always on time', Cookie...
Les goes into a rant about a decision, against Dougie Sinclair. picture by C Mowat	Alistair and young Craig Gardner
Les and Richard Sharp in the first round.	Cuddles (Plate Winner) and Spargo (Runner-Up)
Cuddles secures the victory over a dejected Stevie Spargo.	Duncan Ralph and Cuddles in a semi-final 5 setter.
Stevie and Malcolm Lord in the earlier Plate rounds.	Duncan Ralph and Richard Sharp in the Plate first round. picture by C Mowat
Young girls keeping themselves happy.....

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