Triumph for Henley Seconds

After a difficult start to the summer season when the squash courts were occupied by the May 5 polling station(!!), Henley’s teams had mixed fortunes – with the major success being the seconds’ runaway triumph in Division 3.

The first team had a highly successful run but could not quite repeat last season’s first place in Division 1.

The third team were at best only going to survive in Division 4 and were unable to seriously challenge for a promotion spot.

The fourth team was unable to maintain any momentum and finished well bottom of Division 6. Playing in this team does, however, provide the up-and-coming juniors with match practice for when they progress to the higher teams.

The first team, who were led by Simon Street, did exceptionally well to stay with Wallingford who pulled out all the stops to avenge the previous summer season’s relinquishment of top spot to Henley. With injuries in the latter part of the season and insufficient strength in depth for Henley, Wallingford squeaked first place by 10 points.

The second team, led for the first time by Chris Wallace, won the third division quite easily. The margin would have been much higher had it not been for penalties incurred when a player could not attend a match at Defence Academy.

The third team, captained by Roger Booker, lost some very tight matches where a point or two in the other direction would have given them a win bonus and maybe have enabled a challenge for promotion. There is always next year.

The fourth team was very enthusiastic and won two matches and continues to provide match experience for those who want to play team squash.

The final League Tables can be seen here.

Henley Squash Club will be fielding four teams in the OSRA winter leagues and one team in the Berkshire veterans’ league, also a winter league.

The standard of squash played in these matches, particularly in the first team, is very high and for any person interested in squash it is well worth coming to the Henley Leisure Centre to watch.

The first and second team play on Tuesday nights starting the second week in September. Spectators at the matches are always welcome.

The club has been able to attract the most talented players in the area through Simon Street’s continued close attention to team matters and in no small part to the continued support for the club by Invesco Perpetual and by Nexus/Henley Leisure Centre.