Dominance leaves others squashed
Title defended at ADF nationals

By CAPT Stephanie Lacey

Winner of the men’s open and masters titles at the ADF Squash National Championships Sergeant Daryl Bessell with Base Commander at RAAF Base Williamtown Wing Commander Ian Farnsworth. Photo by CPL Mark Eaton.

The winning Air Force team from the 2003 national interservice titles (L-R) SGT Peter Gilkes, CPL George Sweeney, SGT Daryl Bessell, FLGOFF Brianna Connelly, SGT Trevor Thorne (absent, LACW Kerri Bryen).

Winner of the women's A grade title CPL Melinda Boyd is congratulated by ADF Squash president CMDR Ian Middleton. Photos by CPL Mark Eaton

AIR Force squash players have defended their title as the champion Service by claiming a decisive victory over Navy and Army at ADF Squash National Championships at RAAF Base Williamtown from July 24-28.

In what can only be described as an awesome turnout, Air Force managed to recruit many good players, some new and some returning to squash and achieved a number of excellent results.

Navy was superior in its matches against Army, winning five games to one. This gave Navy the right to challenge Air Force (as the 2002 champion) in the annual national interservice final.

The Air Force combination, which included the three highest ranked men at the carnival, proved far too strong, fending off an enthusiastic Navy team to claim victory five games to one.

History was made in 2003, as it was the first time in most people’s memory that Army was beaten and didn’t play against Air Force in the interservice final.

Noteworthy performances included Sergeant Daryl Bessell’s dominating return, defeating Sergeant Peter Gilkes in the men’s open final and Corporal George Sweeney in the men’s masters.

Flying Officer Brianna Connelly remained firm at the top of women’s squash, beating Navy’s PO Pennie Douglas in the hotly-contested open and masters’ divisions.

Corporal Melinda Boyd’s ongoing improvement earned her the title of women’s A grade champion over Sergeant Madonna Doyle, while Squadron Leader Allan Collier-Baker fought off another Navy opponent in LCDR Brian Froome to claim the men’s A grade trophy.

Warrant Officer Dave Street took his match to five games against Army’s WO1 Col Watego to claim victory in the men’s B grade event.

The men’s C grade event saw Leading Aircraftman Michael Dean go down to Navy’s LS Steve Henderson in a hard-fought match, while Sergeant Dave Collison won the C grade plate over Corporal Shane Thompson.

Of the nine graded events, Air Force was very well represented in every final, occupying 13 of the 18 finals berths available.

In the doubles, SGT Peter Gilkes teamed up with LCDR Brian Froome to win over Sergeant Trevor Thorne and CPO Richard Miles.

Despite these impressive performances, president of ADF Squash CMDR Ian Middleton wishes to further raise the profile of squash as not being a sport for just the elite level player.

He hopes to see both Navy and Army to field stronger contingents in 2004; with both services’ aim of beating the Air Force at the nationals at the end of July next year, again at RAAF Base Williamtown.

.