SQUASH Once again we are in the happy position of being able to report a highly successful season. Last season was reported as our best for many years, but this season was even more outstanding. For the second year in succession we were undefeated in school matches, and in all matches only lost three times, twice to the Old Peterites and once to a strong York R.I. team. The highlight of the season was our first tour, on which four matches were played in three days. Leaving York on a Friday morning, we played Hurstpierpoint College that afternoon and won 5-0. On the Saturday afternoon we played against Brighton College, who had had an undefeated season and were considered the best team in the South. This was a very close match, but thanks to the fine form of the first three strings, we won 3-2. On the Saturday morning we beat Tonbridge 4-1, and that evening, on the way back to York, we beat Worksop College 5-0. In every way this was a most enjoyable weekend; we were made most welcome at each school and the matches were played in an excellent spirit. Our tour success must not overshadow our success in the Triangular match. This year Barnard Castle were the hosts to Rossall and ourselves. In our two matches we defeated Barnard Castle 3-2 and Rossall 5-0, and in the remaining match Barnard Castle beat Rossall 4-1. Before mentioning individuals, it should be emphasised that the season's success was a team effort. There was a lot of competition for the lower places in the team and the first three strings did much to encourage and help the younger players. At first string, Vooght had a fine season. For the third season out of four which he has had in the team, he was undefeated in school matches, in fact only two schoolboys have ever beaten him and both of them have been winners of the Drysdale Cup. It was a pity that he could not enter for the Drysdale this year, and it was left to Harding to represent the School in this cup and in the Lonsdale Cup (doubles). Having received a difficult draw in the Drysdale, Harding was narrowly defeated in the first round. However, in the Lonsdale Cup, he and his partner (C. Owens, late Hymer's College, Hull) did extremely well to reach the final. This season 'Harding completed his fifth year in the 1st V and his third as captain; at last he is finding the speed and stamina to help his hard-hitting game and he had a splendid season, finishing with four 3-0 wins on the tour. Baxter, at third string, was like Vooght, undefeated in school matches. He has always been a fine stroke-player, and this year he overcame a somewhat erratic temperament and had several excellent wins. These three strings are leaving school this year and deserve many congratulations on their squash records for the School. They finished on the best possible note, as they all won their four matches on the tour. The two members of the team, who are coming back to school next year are Richardson and Morris. Richardson improved very quickly after Christmas and had an excellent first season in the team. At present he lacks stamina, but he has plenty of ability and should continue to make quick progress. There was quite a lot of competition for the fifth place in the team, but Morris held off all challengers, particularly from Roebuck and Emsley, and in fact played consistently well.
44
