SQUASH: LDSC dominate in County Champs

Top effort: LDSCs juniors Rahul Sheemar, George Allen, Sophia John, Dilan Sheemar and Fabian Cooper

In the elite men, reigning champion, Steve Davies, despatched Alberto Elfasi in quick time, whilst Nathan Derrick and Joe Elfasi did likewise to their opponents.

However, seven-time past winner Steve Barlow from Bedford went down fighting to youngster Declan Osborn, eventually losing 3-2.

Osborn followed that win up later in the day with victory against Bedford’s Jules Cooper to reach the semis where he was joined by Davies, Derrick, and surprisingly Bedford’s Ivan Schimanski, who benefitted from the withdrawal through injury of Elfasi.

Sunday’s semi-finals were one-sided affairs with Davies and Derrick triumphing against Osborn and Schimanski respectively.

The final was a treat though as Davies took the first before a great come-back by Derrick to even things up, although hehis later implosion saw Davies ultimately retain his crown.

In the B category, there was little trouble for the top seeds as Phil Hales of Mowsbury joined LDSC’s Stephen Axford, Ashley Norman and Paul Main in the semis.

Hales beat Axford to set-up a repeat of last year’s final against Main. Unlike last year though there was no real drama as Main won 3-0.

For the first time in over a decade there was a women’s event.

Debbie Main ran out winner without dropping a game, albeit Alison Parles should have prevented that before succumbing in a tie-break.

In the juniors the U11 category was won in imperious fashion by LDSC’s Sophia John, currently ranked in the top 20 in England, who edged past club mate Dilan Sheemar in the final.

The U15 title was won by Sheemar’s elder brother Rahul who finished ahead of surprise package, Flitwick’s Sam Dennis who lost an earlier match against LDSC’s Aran Flynn, but benefited from Flynn’s slip ups elsewhere.

The U17s winner, LDSC’s George Allen was no surprise, but debutant Bedford’s Fabian Cooper did well to reach the final beating LDSC’s Amy Rigby along the way.

That defeat perhaps paved the way for one of the most closely fought matches of the weekend for third place where home boy, Sean Davies, beat Rigby for the first time in his life in a five game thriller.