Report by Derek Tootill

The Manx Pronto-sponsored Dave Karren Memorial Rose Bowl competition took place last week at Onchan Squash Club.

Twenty-four players took part in the competition, which is held in memory of a well-liked and respected Telecom employee and squash player.

As usual, the players were seeded and the first round went as expected with 3-0 wins for the top players.

The second round, with two exceptions, also went with seeding. Mike Hayler (8) lost out to No. 9 seed, Pete Fergusson, in a close five set match, while Lyndon Cheetham, seeded 5, lost out to Chris Corrigan (14), also in five.

On the second day, the third round again went predominantly with form, although Tom Whiteway, fresh from his Newcastle success, took a game off Hayler, as did Dave Griffiths and Haydn McLarney against Cheetham and Helen Cave, respectively.

Les Callow and Phil Shaw seem destined to meet in every competition and when it happens, the spectators are treated to frenetic but friendly encounter.

So it was again, with Shaw emerging victorious at the end of the obligatory fifth game.

Not so for Robin Crease (3) going down a very close five setter against Allister Crossley, two of which needed to go beyond 11 to be settled.

Round four, also on the second night, took its toll with two players retiring injured.

Veteran Pete Orrell, managed to keep going though, but was no match for Doug Jacobsson, while Crease and Crossley were also dispatched in straight sets by Richard Corlett and Hamish Thornton respectively, the latter earning a place in the final.

Colin Hanbidge managed to take a game off Steve Baker and Hayler managed two against Cheetham.

The race to the final also went the distance as Colin Crawshaw got the better of tournament favourite, Kevin Watterson.

In the final, Crawshaw and Thornton produced the quality squash which characterises this event and these players.

On the night, however, Crawshaw couldn’t quite match his opponent, and Thornton won in straight sets.

Flash Watterson made up for his fourth round disappointment by dispatching Crossley, also in straight sets as did Corlett against Corrigan.

Crease finished ahead of the injured Fergusson while Cheetham lost out in an entertaining match against Steve Baker.

Hayler got the better of Hanbidge as did Jacobsson against Whiteway, both winning in straight sets.

Orrell finished ahead of the injured Griffiths and Pete Sharples managed to pip Shaw, despite losing the first game.

Junior, Mason McLarney taught coach Callow a lesson, beating him in five sets.

Vicky Watterson beat Cave after losing the first game, while Derek Tootill missed out on probably his only chance of beating up-and coming junior Haydn McLarney in a thrilling five-set match.

With places decided, the players retired to the bar, where Dave Karren’s brothers, Brian and Bill, were on hand to present the Manx Pronto rose bowl to the deserving winner, Hamish Thornton.

In accepting the trophy, Hamish thanked his opponents, other entrants, tournament organiser Les Callow and his helpers.

Particular thanks went to Brian and Bill Karren for their continued support of this event.

For more information go to www.iomsra.com

Pictured: Brian and Bill Karren flanking winner Hamish Thornton (left) and runner-up Colin Crawshaw.