The inaugural FA Cup Challenge Trophy took place between Boldon and Primrose Squash Clubs on Saturday 25th May 2024.
Boldon Squash Club hosted the event and 15 players from each club played matches consisting of best of 5 games, first to 11, with sudden death at 10-10.
Play on courts 1, 3 and 4 started at 12.15pm and Boldon got off to a flying start, winning each match: Martin Cowey edging young Magnus McKay 3/1; Marc Shipley beating Colin Naughton 3/0 and Dave Ramsey prevailing against Michael Basham 3/0. BOLDON 3 v 0 PRIMROSE
In the second round of matches which started on all 4 courts at 12.55pm, Primrose opended their account with Glen Cranson leaving his mark, literally, on Stu Finlay with a 3/0 win. Billy Fyall staged an edge-of-the-seat comeback against Dean Barnes, winning the 4th AND 5th games 11-10. Unfortunately the match between Tim Smith and Kevin Dryden ended prematurely with Kevin having to concede in the 4th game due to injury. Mark Sadler proved too fit for Peter Douglas as he won 3/1. BOLDON 5 v 2 PRIMROSE
The third round of matches starting at 1.35pm swung the momentum in Primrose's favour. Shiv Pabary was too strong for Colin Woods, winning 3/1; Neil Dewar won by a similar score against Liam Fellows and Derek Allen completed the hat-trick against Adam Jassat. The only success for Boldon was a hard fought 3/2 victory for Simon Steele against Tom McKay. BOLDON 6 v 5 PRIMROSE
The final round of matches started at 2.15pm. Eric Alderson came from 2/1 down to pip Omar Sassoon 3/2 but current Boldon Club champion had all the answers against Paul Little, winning 3/0. Boldon were now on the brink of overall victory with 2 matches on court. Dan Douthwaite took on Tony Hockey and Tony raced into a 2-game lead. In response Dan staged a spirited fightback winning the next 2 games on sudden-death 10-10 points. The fifth game was another very tight affair with Tony coming out on top 11-9 to set up the final game to decide the fate of the trophy. BOLDON 7 v 7 PRIMROSE
Court 2 was the venue for the epic battle. Ian Mapstone v Mike Paul. Things looked bleak for Ian when he lost the first 2 games, but everyone at Boldon knows that Ian likes to play the long game and duly started his comeback, winning the 3rd and 4th games to draw level at 2/2. Everything now rested on the final game of the final match. Ian seemed to have the game, match and trophy in his grasp at 10-7 but Mike had other ideas. With both players running on fumes Mike clawed it back to 10-10 and now everything rested on the final point of the final game of the final match. The spectators held their collective breaths. Mike served and at the culmination of another frantic rally Mike ran out victorious. Final Score: BOLDON 7 v 8 PRIMROSE
After all the match everyone headed to the bar for much-needed refreshment. Paul Craigs (squash member at Boldon) set up his mobile pizza, hotdog and chips operation in the kitchen and all players were treated to great food. Thanks Paul and your little helper Vlad.
Thank you to all those who took part in the competition and those who organised it too, namely Kevin Forster, Tracey Coats, Mandy Forster, John Gallagher and Eric Alderson. The plan is to hold the competition again next year and hopefully it is another successful day.
