ITL Final Report
March 2026

March ITL – Rhythm & Blues win out on the night, and retain the ITL title

The stage was set on Friday night for this season’s Internal Team League finale at Reigate Squash Club, as 32 club members came together to decide the outcome once and for all (well, until next season 😉).  In a mixed line-up of matches between all four teams, Rhythm & Blues were seeking to secure the title and retain their crown, holding off the challenge of the Green Machine, whilst Mellow Yellows and Rediculous 5 were fighting to avoid the ignominy of the ITL wooden spoon, surely the most humiliating prize in sport.

First up on court was Blue’s returning hero from seasons past, Christian Harding, back from a self-imposed purdah to play his first ITL of this season.  He was up against one of Mellow Yellows bright young things, Harry Peters, but made light of a four point handicap to secure a competitive and tight  3-0 victory.  Meanwhile on court A, veteran warhorses Darren Mackay and Stef Loucaides were re-engaging with the very oldest ITL rivalry, the canny Green Stef winning out on this occasion with a 3-1 result.

A late withdrawal meant that Mark Peters had drawn the short straw of taking on favourite corporate ringer, Colin Woods.  Mark tried to make his handicap count, and secured one hard fought game, but Colin came out on top once again – surely a candidate for Blues MVP of the season.  

Paul McKay and Andy Catford kicked off the racketball proceedings, with both Red players sharing the spoils 3-2 (see what you did there!).  In another single colour affair, Mike Parsons defeated Blue’s team mate Paul McCallum 3-1.  On the showcourt, Red’s Simon Fredericks took advantage of a somewhat surprising handicap to defeat Richard English 3-1.  And in one of the games of the evening, Yellow’s alternative yoof policy Freddie Jenkins took on Red’s new recruit Jonny Ellis, plus a sizeable handicap to boot, and after a dodgy start came out a 3-2 victor in an exhausting encounter.

Old Father Tom seemed to have caught the Jenkins’ malaise, in losing the first two games against a resurgent Roy Taylor, the Red devil taking advantage of another juicy handicap, taking the first two games.  But Tom heaved himself back into contention, ultimately matching his son’s result with a 3-2 win.  May sweetness and light shine on the Robin Turk Cup for evermore in the Jenkins’ household.

On the racketball court of play, a mixed Blue/Red bag of Mike Parsons and Paul McKay took on and defeated an all Green combo of John Miles and Martin Howe, whilst Andy Catford secured more vital points for the Reds by beating Sue Denman 3-0.  In the top squash string match of the evening Richard Jackson strengthened Red’s position further by beating Matt Jones three games to one.  Yellow’s Kevin Miret made light work of his match-up against Paul Phillips, repeating the result of a recent league match, despite a small handicap now working against him.

Martin Howe, radiant in his shiny new ITL green-top, took a close racketball match against Paul McCallum 3-2.  Roger Crabb, seemingly becoming more comfortable in the large racket format, defeated a tiring Mike Parsons 3-1 – more Green points!  John Miles was unable to successfully navigate the switch from racketball back to squash, as Jonathan Hart took him down in straight games, no marathon effort required from the new Blue man on this occasion.     

Ginger Pap ruled the roost on the racketball court by defeating the Yellows Sue Denman 3-0.  In the final racketball doubles match of the season, Paul McKay and Roger Crabb shared a straight 3-0 win against Andy Catford and Martin Howe. 

And down to the final squash knockings.  Iain Briggs and Peter Knee, the latter forced onto the low barren wastes of his very favourite court D, fought out a tight match, which the dripping Peter won 3-1 for the Yellows.  And it was left to Callum Carmichael and Joe Ales, the latter summoned from his pipe and slippers to come out and play, to draw proceedings to a close.  Joe made light work of the handicap imposed on him (both in terms of points and a full stomach!) to take this tie for the Blues three games to one.

So Rhythm & Blues retain their ITL title, securing the crown for the third time in five years.  The Green Machine occupy their perennial bridesmaid’s spot, whilst the Rediculous 5 came up on the rails and overtook the Mellow Yellows in the final furlong, relegating the youngest and brightest team of the bunch to the wooden spoon.  Your time will surely come.

Well done to the 76 club members who turned out to represent their teams across this ITL season.  A huge thanks go to the club members who give up many hours to deliver a key pillar of the social and playing scene at the club.  The bar was ably manned by the tremendous trio of Clive Raynsford Smith, Paul McKay and Roger Crabb.  And in the kitchen, Lisa Pinggera and Sarah Marrington worked tirelessly to deliver meal after meal, month after month.  Thanks to Andy Laurillard and his restaurant chain Giggling Squid, who sponsored our event and provided the curries.  And a humble bow from the overall organiser, Brandon Bratton, who is grateful for your continued support of this wonderful event.