Hi,
The final of the Devon Cup was held on Friday 7th April 2017 at EGCC.
I would like to thank everyone who turned up to watch this event and all the players involved.
Also to Bob Hefford for all his work he does as the Chair of Devon SRA.
Thanks to all the markers on the night:
Phil Hancock, Paul Gregory and Mike Harris.
Also again to Mike for his help with sorting out the evening.
The Final was between EGCC v Fort Stamford.
(Match report by Jon Sharpe)
Devon Cup Final – April 7th 2017
Exeter Golf & Country Club Vs Fort Stamford
Venue – Exeter Golf & Country Club
Attendance – Full House!
Matches
1) Mike Harris Vs Mark Chapman
2) Mike Gregory Vs Jon Gallagher
3) Peter Joyce Vs Tony Tremain
4) Gary Bennett Vs Dominic Lyons
5) Reuben Morris Vs Duncan Hefford
Exeter Golf & Country Club hosted the 2017 Devon Cup
Final, featuring a battle of the champions: 2016 League and Cup Winners, Fort
Stamford Vs 2017 League Winners, Exeter Golf & Country Club.
The venue was set, the crowd were ready and the bar was
already doing a roaring trade before the first match, Reuben Morris Vs Duncan
Hefford, had even started! Both served up an absolutely fantastic spectacle of
squash with the match always finely poised. In the end Reuben was able to open
EGCC’s account with a hard fought 3-2 win, in what proved to be the match of
the evening.
Next up was the evergreen Gary Bennett Vs the highly
skilled Dom Lyons in another competitive match. With a 3-1 win, Gary moved the
Golf Club within striking distance of the cup. Gary was keen to get off court
as quickly as possible to start rehydrating with Topsail and Champagne – to
celebrate his 30th birthday!
With the Golf Club now 2-0 up, Pete Joyce and Tony
Tremain kicked off at the same time as Mike Gregory and Jon Gallagher. It was
hard to know which game to watch. Both matches were very tight, with both
poised at 1-1. Jon Gallagher played some fantastic, controlling, squash and
despite the ‘Sheriff’s’ trademark holds and on court guile, Jon was able to hold
on for a hard fought 3-1 win. With the Fort deservedly pulling it back to just
2-1 overall, Pete Joyce kept a cool head and wrapped up a 3-1 win, taking the
Golf Club to an unassailable 3-1 lead on the night.
With the title already won, Mike Harris and Mark Chapman
renewed rivalries at 1 string, with Mark arguably providing Mike’s sternest
test of the season so far in a previous league match. Despite Mark’s best
efforts and some creative commentary from match referee, Paul Gregory, he was
unable to stop Mike from winning the match 3-0 and with it, the League and Cup
double.
It was a great evening and a fitting advert for Devon
squash, with the two standout teams of the season, and indeed the last 2 years,
contesting the final. The fact that half of Plymouth bravely ventured to
Exeter, made the night even more enjoyable and helped to create a superb
atmosphere.
Thanks go to Bob Hefford, Alan Ford and the two guest
referees for the evening, Phil Hancock and Paul Gregory – representing the
Crediton Revolution!
Jon Sharpe
EGCC Squash Captain
Devon Cup being presented to EGCC by Bob Hefford (Chair)
Jon Sharpe, Reuben Morris, Peter Joyce, Rob Brown, Mike Gregory, Bob Hefford, Mike Harris, Gary Bennett.
Bob Hefford (Chair) presenting Rob Brown the Premier winners Cup.
Congratultaions to EGCC for winning the Premier League and also the Devon Cup.
More photos are online in the Picture Gallery.
To view the Score Card please click below:
Cheers
Alan Ford
