VETERAN BAKER IN SEVENTH HEAVEN!  

Long serving club member John Baker is still Cromer Squash Club’s Veterans champion after retaining his title, which he won for the first time in 2014, on Friday evening. Appearing in his ninth veterans final in the past eleven years the four times former club champion came from behind to win a pulsating final against the 2010 and 2011 champion and No.1 Seed, Henri Paul, 14-12 6-13 11-13 13-10 13-8 to win an unprecedented seventh title in front of a large and appreciative crowd. 

Played under the point a rally scoring system the match was hugely entertaining  and featured some excellent squash from both players. The opening game showed just how evenly matched the two players were as there was never more than two points between the two of them before Paul served for the game at 12-10. He wasn’t able to close out the game however and Baker won the next four points to win the game 14-12 and open up a 1-0 lead. 

The second game game was completely different as  Paul stormed into a 6-0 and 10-2 lead before taking the game 13-6 to draw level at 1-1 and when he recovered from being 1-5 down to take the third 13-11 it looked as though he was on course for victory. 

The fourth game followed a similar pattern to the first and when Baker made a rare unforced error to enable Paul to regain the serve at 10-10 Paul was only three points from taking the title. However Paul made an error of his own which enabled Baker to close out the game 13-10 and level the match at 2-2. 

The final decisive game was dominated by Baker from the start. He led 7-3 and then 12-6 before taking the final 13th point to win the game 13-8 and the match 3-2. Interestingly over the five games Baker won 57 points while Paul won 56 which shows just how close the match was. 

As always the final attracted a good crowd to the Norwich Road balcony and Technical Director Barry Starling, who himself was runner up in the tournament twenty seven years ago in 1996, but who, because of injury is no longer able to take part , said “Time and time again John has proved that when it comes to competitive tournament play he is unbeatable” while Paul ,who was also beaten 3-2 in last year’s final was gracious in defeat saying “ Well done John. I was outclassed tonight” 

Since winning his first handicap tournament in 1984 Baker has, over the past 39 years, now won no fewer than 20 titles at the club – 4 club championships, 5 Over 35 titles, 7 veterans’ titles and four handicap tournaments – and no other player is remotely near that record. 

VETERANS' CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

The club Veterans' championship (for Men aged 45 and over and Ladies aged 40 and over) was instigated in 1984. Apart from a seven year break between 1997 and 2003 the tournament has been held every year since. The Ladies tournament was held spasmodically and ceased in 1996 due to a shortage of eligible ladies

VETERANS' CHAMPIONSHIP

The club Veterans' championship (for Men aged 45 and over and Ladies aged 40 and over) was instigated in 1984. Apart from a seven year break between 1997 and 2003 the tournament has been held every year since. The Ladies tournament was held spasmodically and ceased in 1996 due to a shortage of eligible ladies

1984      Gordon Little      Henry Cooper                                 Mary Land                        Gabrielle Woodward

1985      Gordon Little      Bob Morgan                                   Mary Land                        Rita Bryant

1986      Gordon Little                                                             Mary Land

1987      Nick Amis          Gordon Little                                  Mary Land

1988      Neil Batchelor     Nick Amis                                                       Not Contested

1989      Nick Amis          Neil Batchelor                                Gwen Braybrook              Rosemary Frior

1990      Nick Amis          Neil Batchelor                                Gwen Braybrook              Diane Booth

1991      Barry Dennis       Nick Amis                                      Judy Long                         Gwen Braybrook

1992      Nick Amis          Neil Batchelor                                Judy Long                         Gwen Braybrook

1993      Giles Margarson Neil Batchelor                                                 Not Contested

1994      Giles Margarson Nick Amis                                                       Not Contested

1995      Giles Margarson Chris Burton-Pye                                             Not Contested

1996      Giles Margarson Barry Starling                                 Sue Read                          Ann Keysell

1997-2003          Tournament not held

2004      Kim Payne          Jim Russon

2005      Alan Harper

2006      Alan Harper        Jim Russon

2007      David Jones        Paul Roebuck

2008      Paul Roebuck      Henri Paul

2009      Alan Harper        Gary Spruce

2010      Henri Paul           Alec Burrows

2011      Henri Paul           Alan Harper

2012      Alec Burrows      Henri Paul

2013      Matt Copeman    John Baker

2014      John Baker          John Chandler

2015      John Baker          Gary Spruce

2016      Stephen Watts     John Baker

2017      John Baker          Phil Godfrey

2018      Phil Godfrey       Martin Sanville

2019      John Baker          Séan Moore

2020      Tournament not held due to COVID

2021      John Baker          Alan Harper

2022      John Baker          Henri Paul

2023       John Baker         Henri Paul