Unsquashable

By Sergeant Madonna Doyle

The winning team. From left, ACW Candice Bennett, LACW Kerri Bryen, AC Brendon Munday, CPL Nicholas Bailey and SGT Darryl Ferguson.

Photo by AB Joanne Edwards.

AIR Force continues to dominate inter-Service squash after retaining its championship title for the fourth year in a row, denying a strong Army team its chance of a count-back on points.

The inter-Service squash competition was held at RAAF Base Williamtown from August 19-22. Army was hoping for a win, as several top Air Force players were absent from the tournament.

The teams squared off and, after some exciting matches, were deadlocked at three rubbers each.

The title balanced on a count-back of points. When the count was over, Air Force won 249-220.

The nationals drew more than 50 competitors from around Australia. Events contested were the men’s and women’s open, graded events, masters and doubles.

Air Force was well represented in the finals, with players in seven of the final rounds.

Sergeant Darryl Ferguson, from RAAF Base Williamtown, took out the runner-up trophy in the men’s open, while Squadron Leader Paul Millett, from RAAF Base Richmond, was runner-up in the men’s masters, both losing to ADF top seed Warrant Officer Class One Craig Simmich.

Leading Aircraftwoman Kerri Bryen made the trip from Darwin worthwhile. She won the number one position in the women’s inter-Service team, and also stole the women’s open with a sweet victory over Corporal Kim Booth-Collis of Enoggera.

In the graded events, Squadron Leader Millet won the men’s A-grade, defeating Corporal Ken Friend from RAAF Base Amberley. Leading Aircraftman Joe Slater, from RAAF Base Williamtown, defeated Leading Aircraftman Ryan Sandri, also from Williamtown, in the men’s D-grade, and Sergeant Peter Hohn from the Federation Guard took home the runner-up title in the men’s E-grade.

In the doubles, the Williamtown team, comprising Sergeant Ferguson and Corporal Scott Bateman, won convincingly.

Everyone agreed that the quality of play was extremely high, particularly the exhibition match between aspiring Australian junior Matt Kawalski, who beat Warrant Officer Simmich in four games.

The 2006 ADF Squash Nationals are to be contested at RAAF Base Williamtown in August next year. Tournament coordinators are hoping to attract new players to the game, especially females, as only six women competed this year.

Full results and images from the championships and information on ADF Squash, including area representatives and local competitions, is available on the ADF Squash website at http://wlmis001.ear.defence.gov.au/squash.

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