Players and Ulster Squash representative / liaison officer Danny Goldring.
Ballymena Squash Club hosted a greatly successful inaugural Open tournament in the town on Saturday 23rd March featuring two draws and 12 competitors.
The tournament was backed by Ulster Squash and supported by Dan Greenaway and Danny Goldring who both helped to organise and run the event. Visitors travelled from Antrim, Cookstown and Omagh to join players from Ballymena Squash Club (BSC) in the day’s events.
The organisers had intended to use a best of five game format for each match, utilising both courts at the centre. However, court one was deemed unsafe to play due to a recurring roof leakage, so the format had to be shortened to best of three games to fit the schedule into one court.
Draw A had 8 players run on a “monrad” (or Swiss) format, like the Ulster Open and Closed tournaments earlier in the season.
Draw A winner Malcolm Watterson (Mid-Ulster Squash Club) being presented his winners trophy by Hugo Carlin (Runner up) and Danny Goldring (Ulster Squash).
The number 1 seed (#1) Malcolm Waterson from Mid-Ulster Squash Club, who's A team recently won the Ulster League, took the honours following keenly contested final with Hugo Carlin (#2 BSC).
Mark McKane (#3 BSC) came third by default when Tony McCullough, who plays his squash in Antrim Forum, had to withdraw with a hamstring injury. Peter McConnell (Omagh) took the 5th spot following a competitive encounter with Stephen Houston (BSC) and Jonathan Day took 7th place.
Draw B winner Ben Irwin (BSC) being presented his winners trophy by Danny Goldring (Ulter Squash) and Mark McKane (BSC).
Ben Simpson didn’t attend, but Danny Goldring from Ulster Squash gave Ben's opponents a game to ensure everyone got their quota of matches.
Draw B included 4 BSC players (2 having had to withdraw due to colds/flu) and was run on a “round robin” format. Ben Irwin put in a strong performance to take the honours, with Stephen Smyth runner up followed by Sanjeev Bali and Ben Pillar.
A club spokesperson commented:
"Ballymena Squash Club players got to show off their new T-shirts procured by Style ‘n Sport, Castle Street, and enjoyed the experience of tournament competition.
"We made some new friends and received invites for some friendly matches with other club teams over the spring and summer months. The day ended with a social in the Pizza Parlour attended by players and their families. A great day was had by all!"
The club will take a couple of weeks break over Easter and will resume meetings on Monday 8th April at 6:15pm, at the Squash Courts in Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena.