IT’S KEEBLE’S TITLE ONCE AGAIN! 

Forty years ago this month Cromer squash player Jeff Morris tragically died on court and the club decided to honour his memory by instigating a tournament for players aged 35 and over which was held for the first time in the autumn of 1985..Apart from a six year break around the turn of the century, and in 2020 when COVID was the winner, the tournament has been held every year since and this year the 2024 tournament was pushed back a couple of months to mark the fortieth anniversary of Jeff’s death.  

 In the final on Friday five times former club champion and No.1 seed, Richard Keeble regained the title which he won previously in 2021 by beating new club member Ian Baker, who was playing in his first club final 13-11 13-11 8-13 13-3 thereby becoming the tenth player to win the prestigious title more than once. 

Keeble started the match at a terrific pace racing into an early 6-0 lead in the first game as Baker appeared slightly nervous before Baker recovered to level the game at 11-11 only for Keeble to take the next two points and the opening game 13-11. The second game followed a different pattern with both players concentrating on keeping the ball tight to the walls and hitting to a length and they traded point for point until Keeble again took the final two points to again win the game 13-11 and open up a 2-0 lead. 

The third game was different once again as Baker seemed to discover a new lease of life as he opened up a 7-2 and 11-3 lead. Although Keeble won five successive rallies to bring the score up to 8-11 it was Baker’s turn to win the final two points to take the game 13-8 and keep his championship hopes alive. 

This turned out to be a false hope however as Keeble dominated the fourth game leading 5-0 and then 12-1 before going on to win the game 13-3 and the match 3-1. 

Ian Baker was gracious in defeat saying: “ Congratulations, Richard. I really enjoyed playing the match” while Keeble said: “It was a great match to play in . Ian really pushed me hard for the first three games and I had to concentrate all the time. Hopefully we gave the large number of spectators a good game to watch. Thanks to all the spectators and to everybody who took part in the tournament” 

Jeff Morris’ son, Jeff, and daughter, Debbie were among the large number of spectators who watched the final and they presented the trophies to the winner and runner-up. 

JEFF MORRIS MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT (Over 35s)

Year      Champion                        Runner-Up

1985     Neil Batchelor                 David Long

1986     Neil Batchelor                 Nick Amis

1987     Roger Tuck                      Jim Russon

1988     Roger Tuck                      Marc Forbes

1989     Jim Russon                       Tony Kerry

1990     Michael Driscoll              Barry Dennis

1991     Roger Tuck                      Michael Driscoll

1992     Roger Tuck                      Michael Driscoll

1993     Martin Pearse                 Roger Tuck

1994     Martin Pearse                 Roger Tuck        

1995     Martin Pearse                 Roger Tuck

1996     Michael Driscoll              Kevin Gee

1997     Nick Amis                         Kim Payne

1998-2003         Tournament not held

2004     John Baker                       Jim Russon

2005     William Frazer                 Icarus Hines

2006     William Frazer                 Icarus Hines

2007     Paul Roebuck                   Alec Burrows

2008     Paul Roebuck                   John Baker

2009     Henri Paul                        Matt Copeman

2010     Henri Paul                        Stephen Watts

2011     Stephen Watts                Adam Sexton

2012     Matt Copeman                Henri Paul

2013     John Baker                       Gary Spruce

2014     John Baker                       Martin Sanville

2015     John Baker                       Martin Sanville 

2016     Stephen Watts                Martin Sanville 

2017     John Baker                       Philip Godfrey

2018     Philip Godfrey                 John Baker

2019     Matthew Jordan             John Baker

2020     Not held due to COVID

2021     Richard Keeble                Matthew Jordan

2022     Ben Herrieven                 Henri Paul

2023     Richard Millman            Martin Guppy

2024     Richard Keeble               Ian Baker