John Dale and Jane Martin won their 5th and 10th County titles respectively at Tynemouth on Sunday 21st Jan. John saw off the challenge of David Barnett, while Jane beat Kia Paasivirta, both 3-0, to extend their reigns at the top of Northumbria squash. 

Men's A: John Dale bt David Barnett 3-0
Men's B: Maurice Cliff bt Mark Rowell 3-1
Men's C: Tim Douglas bt Dave Barnett 3-0
Men's D: Nicky Barr bt Gordon Norton 3-0
Men's E: Michael Hinder bt Ricki Norton 3-2

Ladies A: Jane Martin bt Kia Paasivirta 3-0
Ladies B: Nicky Turnbull bt Gill Millington 3-0


John Dale and Jane Martin


The finalists


Busy night for the Barnetts ...

 Juniors were to the fore in this year's event - here's some stars of the future ...

The annual County Championships take place at Tynemouth Squash Club, from Thu 18th to Sun 21st January, supported for the fifth season by Ideal Caravans. Favourites to retain their titles are John Dale and Jane Martin.

A strong men’s entry of 70+ players from 18 clubs is split into five divisions, with the top eight going into the ‘A’ event for the county title itself. Four times champion John Dale, playing for Alnwick in the Northumbria Leagues, will be a strong favourite to add another title, but Tynemouth manager and former champion Paul Millington will relish the opportunity to test John on his home courts. David Barnett of Northumberland is just out of the junior ranks and has claimed several scalps on his way up to #3 in the county rankings - he’ll be hoping to add some more this week. Steve Calvert will also fancy his chances of upsetting one of the top two, having resumed competitive squash after completing his professional exams.

Competition for the B, C, D and E titles is also sure to be intense, with Northumbria’s juniors strongly represented including the Under 17 team that won their Inter-County match at Tynemouth last weekend.

The County’s top juniors also appear in the ladies’ event, again with the top three of the successful Girls’ U17 team included in the 22 strong field.

In the ladies’ A event Jane Martin, although no longer playing on the professional circuit, is highly fancied to take her County title tally into double figures. Main competition should come from Finnish student Kia Paasivirta who is playing for Tynemouth in the Northumbria leagues, with juniors Sarah Bowles and Emma Barnett also looking to make a big impression in the senior ranks. In the ladies’ B event Tynemouth’s Moira Gallagher faces a hard task to retain the title against a field from six Northumbria clubs.

Results and reports will be available here on www.squashne.com 


Can John and Jane do it again ???