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The Gloucestershire Closed Squash Championships provided a
successful weekend at East Glos over the weekend of 18th-20th
January. A large entry meant play commenced on Friday night with
men's, ladies and doubles matches kicking off proceedings.

With both Jonny Harford and Robbie Temple now in the world top 100
players a much anticipated final was expected. The earlier rounds
provided few upsets in any of the events. However, after winning his
first round match against top junior Nathan Lake, Robbie withdrew from
the event with a reoccurring wrist injury.

This paved the way for 17 year old Anthony Graham, the current U19
Champion to reach his first senior final. Anthony was given a fright
in the semi-final where he would not have expected to meet such
stubborn resistance from 46 year old Phil Taylor. Taylor, who also
retained his veteran's title with ease, controlled the play with a
near perfect tactical display but was unable to find the strength to
overcome his younger opponent in the fifth game.

Jonny Harford brushed aside all challengers in his half of the draw
beating East Glos pro Jonathan Gallacher 9-0, 9-4, 9-4 in the semis.
In the final Harford showed why he is ranked 62 in the world not
losing a point until the third game and winning by a scoreline of 9-0,
9-0, 9-6.

The Vintage final saw Maurice Buck overturn the seedings to beat John
Turner 3-1 in what was a hotly contested match and a repeat of last
year's final. In the Veteran's event Dale Curtis beat Old Pats' Gary
Powell 3-2 in the semi-final but with weary legs was no match for
Taylor in the final.

The Ladies' championship produced a fantastic showdown between top
seeds Jenny Tamblyn and Julianne Courtice in front of an enthralled
crowd. Jenny won the first game and looked likely to run out the
winner. Julianne, who has this season won the English Junior Open and
climbed to no.6 in the English Junior rankings, hit back to take a 2-1
lead and held match balls in the fourth game. Tamblyn displayed a
calm resolve to take the crucial points to save the game and took the
fifth 9-3 to win her title.

The mixed doubles event produced an upset at the semi-final stage with
Bob Williams and Julianne Courtice defeating brother and sister
partnership, Tom and Charlotte Elgood. In the final top seeds
Jonathan Gallacher and Jenny Tamblyn were the clear favourites and
duly delivered winning in three straight games.

The men's doubles championship final was expected to be between the
top seeded men Jonny Harford and Robbie Temple facing Cheltenham
coaches Jonathan Gallacher and Rob Shepherd. With Temple withdrawing
Nathan Lake stepped in to partner Harford. They duly reached the
final and despite losing the first game fought back to win close
second and third games and then win the fourth with ease to become
this year's Gloucestershire Double Champions.

During the presentation tournament organiser, Jonathan Gallacher
thanked the sponsors Cotswold BMW and Graham Wildin from Wildin & Co.
"This was a fantastic event and it was good to see so many people
watching the finals on Sunday evening. Thankyou to Graham Wildin and
Neil Overton for their assistance in running the event and to Claire
and Faye from BBC Radio Gloucestershire who covered the matches live
on Saturday afternoon."