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 Le
Sport PSA Closed Satellite
28-29 June, Rhos on Sea, Conwy |
Final:
Patrick Rooney bt
Sam Ellis
11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8 (40m)
Semi Finals:
Patrick Rooney bt Sam Hodgkins 3-0 13-11, 11-7, 11-9
(34m)
Every game started off incredibly close with both players
evenly matched. Hodgkins was 10-8 up in the 1st, but
couldn’t get that point to take the game. There was some
great retrieving by both players, but it was Rooney who kept
his nerve to take the game.
The next 2 games followed suit. Very close until 7 all, but
then Rooney was able to pull away from his opponent.
Hodgkins played better than he did in his quarter final, but
was just unable to contain the very talented youngster.
Sam Ellis bt Neal Brooker 3-0 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (38m)
The first rally was incredibly long!! Both players moving
their opponent all over the court and this was the theme for
the match. Sensible, steady squash interspersed with some
very nice volley drops. It was nip and tuck, with both
players seeming evenly matched, but it was Ellis who managed
to pull away and take the game 11-7.
Ellis took control of the next 2 games, playing controlled
squash and just had a bit too much for Brooker.
Both semi finals were played incredibly fairly, with all
players calling balls down, making every effort to play the
ball and just getting on with the match, even if they didn’t
agree with the decision – which made for a good atmosphere
for the spectators.
Le Sport spectators will be anticipating an exciting final
with the 16year old Patrick Rooney playing Sam Ellis, who
has definitely made improvements to his game and temperament
over the past 3 months.
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Livestream Channel
Two members at Le Sport Health
and Fitness have once again put up the money so the club can
host another PSA Closed Sat event.
Gordon Riding and Robert Forde have generously
contributed towards every event at the club and their
support is much appreciated
Supporting the PSA Closed Satellite Series of tournaments
gives the young players trying to break into the PSA ranking
a way of earning valuable ranking points.
The isquash.co.uk Closed Satellite originally had 8 locals
and 8 PSA players in the first round matches, but due to
several late withdrawals the top 4 seeds got byes and then a
couple of locals got through to the second round without
having to play also.
There are some keen young players in the event and so Le
Sport was still hopeful that there would be some high
quality and competitive matches for the supporting members
and livestream viewers!
Livestream Channel |
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Quarter
Finals:
Neal Brooker bt James Connor 3-0 11-7 11-7 11-5 (30mins)
Young James Connor, a very keen squash player, travelled
over from Warrington to play. He competed really well and
matches like this will only help him progress. James moves
well, but the No.1 seed had too much experience for the up
and coming James.
Sam Ellis bt Alex Whittle 3-0 11-2 11-2 11-4 (22mins)
A staff member at Le Sport, Alex put up a commendable
performance against Sam, who has recently started training
with Phil Whitlock at Le Sport. This type of game is exactly
what Alex needs to get him ready to play in North West
Counties League next season, as Le Sport has just been
allowed to enter a team in the very prestigious league.
Sam Hodgkins bt Andy Faragher 3-0 12-10 11-4 12-10
(42mins)
Club member Andy Faragher was pretty close to taking 2 games
against Sam. He played well and was a bit unlucky not to
take the 3rd. Like Alex Whittle Andy will be playing for Le
Sport in the North West Counties League next season and on
tonight’s performance, he could gain some vital wins for his
club.
Patrick Rooney bt Jamie Henderson 3-2 6-11 11-9 11-13
11-6 13-11 (55mins)
By far the match of the night. Probably a bit of an unlucky
quarter final draw for the 2 seed, but he had his chance to
take the match – 10-6 up in the 5th!
Both players played well, going through patches of taking a
run of several points, only to then let their opponent back
in.
At 1 all in games, it looked like 16year old Rooney was
going to take the third, but he was unable to convert the
game balls he had and Henderson sneaked it.
The 4th was a different game – Rooney took the upper hand
and dominated, making very few errors.
The 5th seemed to be going Henderson’s way – 10-6 up, but
that elusive 1 point needed was impossible to get. The
squash was a bit erratic, with both players moving each
other all over the court. But errors at vital times meant
that Rooney took the match and moves on to the semis.
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SUPPORT FROM isquash.co.uk
Phil Whitlock started the isquash® brand out of a desire to
help the parents of junior squash players who were having to
shell out a fortune on rackets. Since it was first launched,
isquash® have brought out 4 different rackets, squash
clothing in the fast drying “Neoteric” fabric, bags and
their own PU grips.
All prices are kept low, but the quality of all the products
is high. The rackets are designed so they are durable and
there are a variety of different weighted models.
They do not sponsor players, but link up with player/coaches
so that the squash pros can supplement their coaching income
by promoting the brand. This way, costs can be kept down and
this is passed on to the customers.
isquash® has supported all of the events held at Le Sport as
Phil feels it is important to maintain a link with
professional squash
Website : isquash.co.uk
twitter : @isquash_co_uk
facebook : isquash |
SUPPORT
FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Squash has benefited greatly from the local Councils in
Colwyn Bay. Le Sport Health and Fitness have forged a
link the members of the Bay of Colwyn Town Council, who
are very proactive in supporting and pushing a range of
activities for youngsters in the area.
The Town Council supported the WSA $10k event at the
club last December, along with a junior coaching
programme to school children, and hopefully will be
supporting another WSA event later this year.
They also give out grants to talented sporting
youngsters from the Sir John Henry Morris Jones Trust
Fund – the Trust fund began in 1976 and helps talented
young people so that they can progress in their field of
excellence. Emily Whitlock and her younger brother Adam,
who has just signed to play full time for Wrexham FC,
have both benefitted from this over the years.
Conwy County Borough Council have also been keen to
assist setting up many tournaments at the club, with
help coming from the Sports Development and Events
departments. The County Council has an Excellence Fund
Scheme which gives financial awards to local people who
have excelled in their field whatever it may be. Again,
both Emily and Adam have been lucky enough to be
supported by this fund over the years, as has Elin
Harlow, former U13 British Champion who also trains at
Le Sport.
So squash really benefits from support from both the
Town and County Councils, which is fantastic=c in this
time of cutbacks. There is a definite benefit to the
local community and especially the youngsters who can
access the free coaching sessions, which go hand in hand
with the squash tournaments.
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