MarkChalonerProAm Squash Tournament Comesto a Thrilling Conclusion
The CAYSRA ProAm 2000 Squash Tournamentconcluded at the South Sound Squash Club on Monday night withseveral thrilling displays before a large and enthusiastic audience.MarkChaloner
On the Men's side, favourite and World #15,Mark Chaloner was a comfortable 3-0 winner over game opponentTim Garner, who worked hard for three long games, but in the endhad no answer to Chaloner's speed and retrieval ability. Someof the rallies were breathtaking, and the appreciative crowd warmlyapplauded the two players at the end of their match.
Julian Wellings, recovering from 'flu, still had enough strengthto overcome Cayman's John MaCrury, 3-0, but the effort took alot out of him.
Mike Harris beat Cayman's other competitor, Jeffrey Broderick,in another entertaining match.
LindaCharman
In the Ladies' division, the other favouriteand off-court extrovert, Linda Charman, World #4, found herselfup against a determined Stephanie Brind, herself a World Top Tenplayer. Charman looked to be in charge early, but Brind's persistenceand calmness rattled Charman breifly before she was able to completea good 3-1 victory with the help of her best stroke, a killingbackhand volley.
In the battle for third place, Vicky Botwright, who had earlierin the week defeated the experienced Jane Martin, 3-2, beforegoing down to Charman in the semi-final, gave a fine performancein upsetting World #6, Fiona Geaves, and more will doubtless beheard of her in the near future.
In the Consolation Rounds, Jane Martin comfortably overcame KellyBuckley, and in an all-local battle, Zoe Foster fought long andhard to defeat Pat McCallum 3-2.
While here, the visitors held two Junior clinics, which were enthusiasticallyattended by over thirty youngsters of all ages and abilities oneach day. Of great encouragement was the number of juniors whothen attended the tournament on each evening thereafter.
So the game got a welcome shot in the arm, and anticipation ishigh for the next taste of top squash.
Junior Squash Clinic
Because of the Junior Squash trip to Jamaica this weekend (June16-18), there will be no Saturday morning Clinic on June 17. Thelast Clinic for the school term will be on Saturday, June 24th.