Last Friday night saw the culmination of Reigate Squash Club’s 2024/25 ITL tournament, and after six months of intense battle, involving no less than 81 club players, we ended up with a clear winner.  Rhythm & Blues put clear water between themselves and the other three teams, thereby regaining the title and becoming the first team to win the virtual trophy on two occasions (out of a total of four seasons that this competition has been run).

Blue’s opponents in this final instalment were Rediculous 5, last year’s champions, whilst Mellow Yellows tried to consolidate their second place position against the Green Machine, who were at the foot of the table.  The first round of matches entertained the early bird audience, with Steve Cobby offering early hope for the Reds by taking out ‘Father of the Blues’ Chris Lucas in three tight games, even having the audacity to come back from 7-14 down in the third!  Meanwhile, Chris’s daughter Caroline Linton was redressing the Blue’s familial balance by beating Mark Wilmshurst in three further tight games.  The outrageously fast improving Freddie Jenkins, a key player in Yellow’s investment in youth, scared the living bejeezus out of Mike Pinggera, before the old warhorse came out a 3-1 winner for the Machine – you’ll feel sorry for that in the morning, Mike!

Kevin Uphill was proving a tricky opponent for Mark Peters, making light of several league’s difference, before Mark secured a precious Yellow win 3-1.  Greens now decided to field their veteran crack unit, with Godfrey Jordan overcoming another improving Yellow player, Alfie Champion, in straight games.  Conversely, in a rematch of an earlier tie of the season, club Royalty Danny Lee was unable to reverse his fortunes against Richard English, who once again came out the 3-1 victor.  Paul McKay showed Julian Griffiths all corners of the court in taking the tie 3-0 for the Reds, but Julian girded his Blue loins and reversed that result, in a subsequent match with Maggie May.

It’s racketball time!  In the first of three doubles matches, Sue Denman and Colin Waite shared the points for the Blues and Reds respectively as they beat Andy Catford and Thomas Dalton in straight games.  Sue then carried on, changed her partner, but unfortunately also her fortunes, as she and Paul McKay were powerless to prevent Yellows’ Alan Ellerbeck and Thomas Dalton from taking the next round, also in straight games.

Red’s loan shark Tom Jenkins, hoping for a quick muellering at the hands of youth, and a quiet retreat in preparation for his Vet’s match the next day, instead found himself in a long drawn out tussle with Blue’s Fred Taylor, and just couldn’t curb those competitive instincts as he took the tie 3-2 – good luck tomorrow Tom!  Joe Ales took out Red’s middle order stalwart Richard Allum in straight games, and then had the sheer audacity to do the same to tournament organiser Brandon Bratton – there should be a law…..  Chris Cable was extremely pleased to overcome Guy Huddleston in straight games, thereby securing his first win for the Greens, at the ahem attempt – well done Chris!  Guy, obviously piqued at this slight, took it out on Ed Chapman, winning his second tie with a tight 3-2.

Back at the racketball, Greens got serious, as Roger Crabb entered the fray, and in cohorts with Andy Catford, defeated Colin Waite and Thomas Dalton in a close match 3-2.  Roger then proceeded to further stamp his mark on the proceedings by taking out Yellow’s Alan Ellerbeck in straight games in a racketball singles match.  A second sporting career beckons, Roger!

At the business end of proceedings, England’s O50’s squash captain Wayne Beglan (oh, we have a Scottish version, Richard Campbell, at the club as well – how good to write is that!), belied his ancient years in showing young whippersnapper Ollie Dredge how the game is played, taking him out in three close games; youth can get knackered – there’s hope for us all!  And then, lucky us, we were privy to an even more incredible squash match, as The Green Icon Alan Taffinder took on his ITL nemesis, the only man to ever beat him in this tournament, Jack Martell.  Breathtaking squash of incredible skill, which Jack took 3-1 for the Reds.

We then entered the graveyard shift, which proved to be very productive for the Greens at Yellow’s expense, as Gus Garcia beat Guy Stedman 3-1.  It was left to Callum Carmichael and James Mace to draw this year’s competition to a close, in the early small hours, as Callum secured Green’s second spot in the table with another 3-1 victory.

So Blues are the clear and deserved winners of this year’s tournament, having won five of their six matches.  But look at the table, only five points separate the other three teams, a testament to just how competitive this ITL has been.

Many many thanks to Sarah Marrington and Lisa Pinggera, hard working catering supremos (festoon them with a cascade of flowers!), and to esteemed barmen Clive Raynsford Smith, Paul McKay and Roger Crabb (and honorary bar lady Petra Crabb).  Without you, there simply would be no ITL.

The biggest thanks go to Brandon for his efficient organisation of the ITL – what a superstar!

And not forgetting Giggling Squid, for sponsoring this tournament and providing the most delicious food imaginable.  Roll on next season!

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The famous festive edition of Reigate Squash Club’s ITL tournament took place last Friday, with 48 club members forgoing a comfy night in front of the Christmas tree to give all to the cause.  Rhythm & Blues, sleigh riding high in the league table, took on their nearest challengers the Mellow Yellows, whilst the Green Machine were raisin themselves to take on the currant champions Rediculous 5.  There was a welcome injection of new talent from our near neighbours the tennis club, with nine newbies dancing… and taking up the challenge of racketball – those walls just get in the way!

Darren Mackay was the quickest to the presents in taking down Gus Lewis, the latter having driven home from uni, 3-1.  Meanwhile sister Ruth Lewis was up against Richard Allum, the ever present man in the Red suit, Richard taking this one in straight games.  Veteran sage Chris Lucas rolled back the years and defeated Sylvia van Oevern 3-1.  Morgan Stannard, making his ITL debut for the Greens, emptied Andy Catford’s mead cup and drained his barrel, in a close contest 3-2.  Stephen Lewis showed his kids just how it should be done, taking a tight match 3-2 for the Greens against Coleen Cloherty.  Callum Carmichael showed no mercy to Brandon Bratton, stuffing the organiser of many colours in straight games – another Green win.  And Caroline Linton did likewise for the Blues, outwitting the latest ITL youth policy of Freddie Jenkins.  Court D was hosting the first of several racketball doubles matches, old lags being paired with shiny new tennis converts.  First up, Andy Catford and Suzy Driver delivered points for the Reds by defeating Mike Parsons and Sue Denman 3-2.

Julian Griffiths took another tie for the Blues by defeating Jim May in a Scrooge-like performance.  Favourite Corporate five gold ringer Colin Woods returned to give another Reigate regular a basting, defeating Alfie Champion in three tight games.  Gus Garcia made it a silent night in the Jenkins household, taking father Tom out in straight games.  And in the second racketball doubles match, John Miles and Linda Parsons took another tie for the Greens by defeating Paul McKay and Matt Dwyer 3-2.  Ian Drummond decked the halls for the Blues by defeating Guy Huddleston 3-1.  Richard English brought tidings of comfort and joy to the Yellows in defeating Joe Ales 3-1.  In a battle of the barmen there was a welcome return to the ITL fold from Roger Crabb, who defeated Paul McKay 3-2 in a singles racketball match.   And in the doubles variant, Mike Parsons and Janet Kenny took another close match for the Blues against Alan Ellerbeck and Gillian Rae.

Alan took immediate revenge for the Yellows by beating Mike at squash 3-1, in what was most likely Mike’s final ITL match.  He’s been an ever present fixture in the Blues team for years now – we wish him well.  On the showcourt, a cracker of a match saw Godfrey Jordan and his holy green socks defeat Chris Thompson 3-2.  Yellow’s Peter Knee had a ding dong of a match with Jono Smith, making a belated but welcome ITL debut, before Peter took the tie three games to one.  Andy Catford, in his third appearance of the evening paired up with Alison Newman, as they went merrily on high to defeat Guy Huddleston and Tom Gutwald 3-0.

Maggie May, she of the humbug lobs and deadly drops, gave Ed Chapman a torrid time and a sore toe to boot, winning the tie 3-2 for the Reds.  In the final racketball doubles match of the evening, Colin Waite and Vicki Partington took yet another tie for the Reds, beating John Miles and Janet Kenny 3-2.  Fred Taylor, another uni returnee, went two games up against Matt Jones with some deep and crisp and even drives, but Matt dug deep to save three match points, and then proceeded to haul his opponent back in, winning a quality match 3-2.  In the graveyard shift Red Roy Taylor beat the Green Ghost of Machine Past Stef Loucaides 3-1, whilst Colin Waite nutmegged John Miles in three straight games, a final win for the Reds.

Down to the bar to enjoy the Feast of Sarah and the mulled wine of Clive.  The assembled throng reflected on a winning wonderland for the Blues, with their decisive 28 – 17 win against a plum pudding of a performance from the Mellow Yellows.  Rediculous 5 won their first match of the season 31 – 26, undoubtedly punch drunk from the points cascading down from the racketball doubles matches.

Half way through the season, and Rhythm & Blues are undefeated, and have put clear blue water between themselves and the other three teams, who are all within three points of each other.  Mellow Yellows have just about held onto second spot, whilst Rediculous 5 have hauled themselves off the foot of the table at the expense of the Machine.

Watch out for the next round – Friday 17th January!

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In October, Peter from The Planet Reigate podcast joined us for the ITL, soaking up the club’s atmosphere, interviewing members and enjoying a delicious dinner courtesy of Giggling Squid.

Episode 64 is now live, and you can hear our feature here!

Let’s spread the word—share the link with friends, family and neighbours to help us reach as many listeners as possible. It’s a fantastic showcase of our club and community spirit!

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Check our calendar to see who is playing and when.

Everyone is welcome to watch great, local squash and racketball!

Our friendly bar opens at 7.30pm during the week and is open to non-members!  We stock fantastic beer from the local Pilgrim Brewery, soft drinks, wine, Prosecco, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks!

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