County Open Championships, Thurso - Season 2009-2010 - 01&02/05/10

Mens Final - James & Jamie Henderson

Thurso Squash Club hosted this seasons' County Squash Open which provided some tough ties and exciting matches with a little bit of history to culminate the weekend.

Finals day began with an impromptu but worthy tie in the Under 15 Girls' event between Yasmin Turanli, Thurso and Lucy Aitken, Wick.

Both girls played well for their first final infront of a large crowd and on this occasion it was Yasmin who came out strongest, held her nerve and went onto win the trophy.

Gary Beales, Wick continues to improve his court skills and showed his extra experience to win the Under 19 plate event and Under 15 winners' trophy against Kobe Sutherland and Owen Harrold both Wick, respectively.

Although, Kobe and Owen became runners-up in these events they are showing excellent progress and will definitely be forces to be reckoned with in the very near future.

Stephanie Campbell, Wick has shown this season that she is only a couple of years away from pushing the top ladies of the county to their limits. On the other hand, her opponent in the final of the Under 19 Girls' event, Sarah Mackinnon, Thurso is pretty new to squash but, as she performs in a number of other sports, is taking to it like a natural.

Ladies Final - Donna Majilton & Carole Mowat

Stephanie controlled and finished the tie but Sarah pushed the eventual champion to her limits in a number of rallies through the duration of the contest.

The Under 19 final brought together two completely different styles - namely, the artistic, Jamie Henderson, Thurso and hard hitting, Gavin Majilton, Wick.

Jamie's creativity around the court flummoxed Gavin and never really allowed him an inkling to grasp his own power game, leaving Jamie to lift the title with a few points to spare.

Willie Jappy, Wick and Brian Henderson, Thurso were the only entrants for this seasons' Over 55 Mens' event and both were keen to lift the silverware.

Many thought the 'boiler house' conditions within Thurso Squash Club would not suit Willie, as he much prefers a cooler atmosphere to perform his legendary drop and lift shots where the ball would die in the corners.

After a number of quick fire points in each set and, as much as Brian battled, he could not stop Willie from finishing off the contest with a tight drop shot that nicked (caught the edge of the wall and floor) to secure victory.

Over 45 Final - Stuart Greig & Donald Pollard

Current holder of the Over 45 Mens' trophy, Stuart Greig, Thurso went out full guns blazing in the final to perform the double against Donald Pollard, Thurso. Unfortunately for Stuart, Donald is one of the clubs more, passionate, players and likes the smell of brasso on his trophies, as much as or, more than anyone else.

After a series of close rallies and tight calls during the contest, it was Donald who came out best to make sure he would be cleaning the silverware.

Carole Mowat, Thurso was inline to win her fifth Ladies' title in-a-row but as she had just returned from holiday with only a couple of practice matches under her belt, Donna Majilton, Wick was calmly going into this match with high hopes.

Donna pushed for every point, produced some great shots to take the tie to a final set and with a flagging looking Carole, she had every right to think that this was her year.

Never to be outdone, Carole produced one final push and some great, tight shots to clinch the Ladies' title, leaving Donna wondering what she has to do to topple her nemesis.

Davie Swanson and Stuart Sutherland both Thurso were left to battle it out in the Mens' plate event.

Over 55 Final - Brian Henderson & Willie Jappy

After long rallies, some good retrievals and a couple of altercations with the official, it was Davie who pulled through to win the plate.

To end the weekend was the showpiece match, the Mens' final and a little bit of history, as for the first time it would be between Father and son, James and Jamie Henderson, respectively.

James battled against his son with some brilliant rallies leaving the crowd in awe of what they were watching but the youngster always had the edge.

After a series of controlled finishes from Jamie leaving his father to scramble for points, he ended the contest with one of his trademark shots into the front corner of the court to lift the trophy for the first time.

James shook and raised his sons hand in admiration to the crowd, wishing him all the best for the future.

An excellent weekend of squash and thank you to everyone who provided hospitality and refereeing duties.

Results

• Mens - Jamie Henderson beat James Henderson
  • Plate - Davie Swanson beat Stuart Sutherland
• Ladies - Carole Mowat beat Donna Majilton
• Over 45 - Donald Pollard beat Stuart Greig
• Over 55 - Willie Jappy beat Brian Henderson
• Under 19 Boys - Jamie Henderson beat Gavin Majilton
  • Plate - Gary Beales beat Kobe Sutherland
• Under 19 Girls - Stephanie Campbell beat Sarah MacKinnon
• Under 15 Boys - Gary Beales beat Owen Harrold
• Under 15 Girls - Yasmin Turanli beat L Aitken

Photos

ALL Winners & Runners-Up of the 2010 County Open presented by Stevie Spargo.

Men's Plate Final

Under 19 Boys Final

Under 19 Boys Plate Final

Under 19 Girls Final

Under 15 Boys Final

Under 15 Girls Final

Is that Carly refereeing a match...???

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