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QUOTES FROM TEAMS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED THE SQUASH 'BLITZ' CLUB TEAM COMPETITION

Quotes from the 2011 Squash Blitz

Redcar Squash

Another excellent squash weekend this year, great to see a couple of decent players, lots of hackers, a few young ones and plenty older plus plenty of socialising - just wish we hadn't left our car keys on the island. We'll all be back for our fourth year and my daughters looking to get their university team in too

Thanks, Dominic

Rochdale Squash

Rochdale Squash club entered two teams again into the Blitz weekend this year and all 12 players are definitely returning next season.  The squash is competitive and fun, the organisers have it all down to a T, the entertainment side is great and my only problem is getting my team to bed in a reasonable state and at a time to be able to play again the next day

Andy Parton, Rochdale Team Manager

 Vale of Lune B

The Vale of Lune (Lancaster) entered 2 teams in the 2011 Squash Blitz competition and were accompanied by a non-playing (injured) supporter – Rosko. The 13 of us had a thoroughly enjoyable time and were suitably impressed by the organisation of the weekend tournament. We had good accommodation, took full advantage of the local restaurants and pubs and enjoyed listening to the many excellent live bands that were on offer. The squash was also enjoyable, despite early starts for some of us and both teams had success on court (1^st and 6^th). It was the taking part that counted though, together with the camaraderie, the socialising and the whole Isle of Man experience – even the sun came out for 2 days!! We’ll be back!

Regards,

Ian Donnellan

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St Annes Squash

Helen,

I'd like to thank you for organising the Isle of Man Squash Blitz, 2011. This was the 2nd year running St Annes entered 3 teams, but this year we brought extra players and stayed a day longer to enjoy some sights of the island. Interest was strong because of our experience the previous year, and I have to say no one was disappointed. The whole weekend was a mixture of great competition and excellent leisure time. Our hotel was comfortable, the breakfasts awesome, and the staff very friendly (we particularly appreciated their sympathetic attention to sore heads in the morning).

You'll probably be aware we intend to return next year with at least 3 teams, which shows how much we've enjoyed the event.

Looking forward to the island's hospitality in 2012.

Steve Trafford 

Vale of Lune A

The Vale win their 3rd Isle of Man title!
 
For the forth year on the trot the Vale of Lune travelled to the Isle of Man for the Blitz squash tournament. The Blitz is a season ending amateur cup competition run over 2 days with 22 teams from all over the country bidding to win a first prize package of £525.00. This year the Vale entered 2 teams for the first time, the 1st team fresh from their North West Division 2 league win had already won 2 IOM trophies but were runners up last year to a strong Rochdale side. Only 2 Vale players from previous campaigns made this trip, Captain Craig Mercer and Marc Jackson. Their team mates this year were Steve Hollinrake, Marc Atkinson, Steve Rowsby and veteran stand in Ian Donnellan. Ian came in for the injured Russell Lambert who made the trip as team motivator and supporter. The second team consisted of Dave Jewitt, Shaun Gorry, Karen Dunk, Ian Garbutt, Ian Row and Mick Lougheed.
On the first day the teams were split into 4 groups with the top 2 teams from each group qualifying for the quarter finals on Sunday. The groups were split between two venues, the National Sports Centre (NSC) and Mount Murray squash club. Each team had six players who would each play five 8 minute games during the session with all team points accumulated to create a final team score. The Vale 2nd team played in the morning session at the NSC and played fantastic squash squeezing into 2nd place by just 3 points! All the players had some superb victories especially Dave Jewitt playing at no1, Dave beat players from division 2 and 3 playing excellent squash, clearly the 8 minute format suited Dave's game! Much to the surprise of all the teams competing the Vale 1st team were drawn in the same group as Rochdale 1, the teams have played in the final for the last 2 years so qualification was going to be tight. At the end of the session Rochdale 1 had the highest points total and the Vale were 30 pts back in second however in the head to head the Vale beat Rochdale but didn't beat the other teams as convincingly therefore had to settle for the second qualifying place. All the players performed well with Steve Hollinrake, Marc Jackson, Craig Mercer and Marc Atkinson all remaining unbeaten throughout the day.
As both teams celebrated qualification in the bars around Douglas news came through of the quarter final draw, it was going to be Vale 1 vs Vale 2! Finals day started at 1pm on Sunday and Vale 1 overcame a spirited fight from Vale 2 to make the semi finals. The 2nd team would eventually finish 6th, a superb result and debut for the boys just getting into the prize money! The 1st team faced Hallamshire in the semi finals and comfortably won ensuring they have never failed to make the final in 4 years. Yet again they faced Rochdale in the final for the 3rd year running, with Rochdale winning last year the Vale wanted revenge and a hat trick of Blitz titles, it was going to be another tight battle! 
Ian Donnellan started the final playing at number 6 with an outstanding effort, the contest was tight for the first few minutes however Ian found some superb form and shots to pull away winning 17-11, the best possible start for the team. Playing at number 5 Steve Rowsby played Rochdale's highest points scorer from Saturday, the game was close all the way however Steve's determination came through as he never gave up and snatched a 1 point victory. Marc Atkinson playing at number 4 started slowly but gained some momentum as the 8 minutes ticked on, Marc who was flawless in all his matches came good and extended the Vale's lead by another 2 points. With a 9 point lead Craig Mercer playing at number 3 was looking to extend the lead but Rochdale had other ideas. After a marathon 1st rally the Rochdale player pulled away to lead 9-3 and things were looking good for a Rochdale comeback however Craig managed to pull back to 9-8 when the 8 minutes ended. Next on court playing at number 2 Marc Jackson faced an inform player who has had an excellent league season, Marc won the game against this player on Saturday so was full of confidence. The game was of a high standard and Marc didn't disappoint with an awesome 3 point victory. With an 11 point cushion it was down to Steve Hollinrake to seal the win and he started the best possible way taking a 4-0 lead. The Rochdale player responded but was never going to pull back the deficit and the game ended in a draw meaning the Vale won their 3rd title in 4 years. The win capped a league and cup double for the Vale who have had flawless season, well done to both teams!

Craig Mercer

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The IOM Squash Blitz event is very addictive. We went for the first time 4 years ago and haven't missed an event since! Last year we took 2 teams and now all those players will return next year. The weekend is a good mix of squash and socialising, the bars and restaurants in Douglas keep all the players entertained throughout the late nights! Its a great weekend for meeting players from all over the country and pitting your skills against them all!

FROM ST. ANNES SQUASH CLUB

Last year, St. Annes sent three teams made up of players from all standards to the Isle of Man Squash Blitz Competition and I think it fair to say everyone had a fantastic weekend – they must have done because they’ve all signed up to go back next time!

The squash was great fun, the organisation first class and the bars and restaurants of Douglas lively.

Amazingly we didn’t lose anyone on Saturday night and we managed to put out all our teams on Day 2, though the local Manx beer clearly took its toll on one or two!!

It was great to see so many players staying to support the later rounds and attend the presentation ceremony (sadly we didn’t win).

I would like to pass on thanks from all at St. Annes to the organisers and venues for such a great weekend.

See you again in 2011.

John, 2010

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FROM NORTON SQUASH CLUB

Isle of Man invites Squash Players [and Mexicans]

When it was first suggested that Norton Squash Club enter a team in the ‘Isle of Man Squash Blitz’, most squash players hurried quickly out of the club.  Many of Norton’s players don’t even like travelling to away fixtures and when they do they usually demand a lift there and back!!  But out of nowhere I managed to produce a team, plus a few reserves, for the first event in 2005.  And as they say, ‘the rest is history!’

Five years on, the jockeying for places on tour could read like a chapter from an old K.G.B. novel.  Everyone wants to go, but sadly not everyone can.  Money changes hands, winks and nods are secretly given, others are spotted performing funny handshakes and at the last minute, people have mysteriously disappeared!!  Going to the ‘Blitz’ is something that everyone wants on the squash C.V.

If you have not been, you have never been ‘squashed’.  And why is that?

Well, the tournament is organised brilliantly and run to perfection.  The players are fiercely competitive, yet friendly, and the social side is a riot of fun.  Mexicans have been known to turn up to play and watch.  Did I mention we play squash? How any of us turn up and play, like we do on Saturday and Sunday, now ranks as the eighth wonder of the world.  But when that first ball is struck, its ‘match on!’

We are a bit like a dysfunctional family. On court we all want to beat each other but when the game is over its all smiles, handshakes and pats on the back.

Norton looks forward to 2011.  The arguing over places has started already but we all love it.  Norton hopes that one year we will win the ‘Blitz’, with or without the Mexicans.

Dave Geldart, 2010

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FROM KESSINGLAND LADS SQUASH CLUB

I would like to say that last year’s weekend was superb and I didn’t think it could be bettered. I was wrong. What a superb weekend you put on for us this year. Thanks so much to Mike for picking us up at the airport. The team were very grateful. He went that extra mile. The hotel that you had for us was exceptional. We were treated very well by the staff and the quality of the food and rooms was excellent. I hope you can book the same hotel for next year.

The squash was as expected great fun and very well organised by Les and Patrick. It makes it a much better competition when you are guaranteed that the people in charge know exactly how to cater for such a large number of players. It ran very smoothly indeed. The one drawback is I have definitely got to get fitter for next year.

It was our second year at the Isle of Man Squash Blitz and as everyone can probably guess by my email, we look forward to coming back next year and having another fun-packed weekend. From all my team and myself, I would like to say a huge thank you to you everyone in the Isle of Man involved with the event.

See you next year.

Max Dawson, 2009

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