Kicking off June with a competitive edge, Essex players made the trip up the M6 to compete in this year’s British Open Masters Squash. Running alongside the British Open 2025, the tournament was held at Solihull Arden Club & West Warwickshire Sports Complex. Essex were well represented, with eight players in action across six age-groups.
In the Men’s Over 35’s, we had entries from seasoned Essex League players, Mike Aley (Club Kingswood) & Mark McEwen (Park Drive Maldon). With both players seeded 9/12, and Aley given a bye to the second round, they both progressed to round two. 3-1 defeats for both Aley & McEwen against Oliver Hudson (5/8) and David Allman (5/8), they were placed together in a three-player pool match for the Plate. Joining them in the group was Damien Burgess from Aberystwyth (Wales). Both Aley & McEwen were too strong for Burgess, lining up an all Essex battle for the Plate. Mike Aley got over the line with 36 minute 3-1 victory over Mark McEwen. Well done, Mike.
In the Women’s Over 35’s, we had representation from Bishop’s Stortford’s Keeley Peacock. Keeley on the back of success with the England team recently, headed to Birmingham in confident mood. A straightforward 3-1 victory in the opening round against Jodie Hodgkins meant a semi-final match against the number one seed from Warwickshire. Unfortunately for Peacock, Leonie Holt was too strong, defeating Peacock 3-0 in just 17 minutes to reach the final.
In the Men’s Over 45’s, Maldon’s Paul Wallace & Kingswood’s Vivek Marwah were in a 32-strong draw. Marwah, unseeded, came up against Mick Biggs in the first round, losing out 3-0 in a 16 minute battle. Wallace defied his seeding by winning both the first and second round, setting up a quarter-final with 3/4 seed Jonathan Tate. A 44-minute battle that saw Wallace fight back twice to stay in the game before ultimately losing out 11-2 in the fifth.
In the Women’s Over 50’s, Laura Northeast lost her opening round match 3-0 to seeded Libby Montgomery (5/8). Entering the four-draw plate, Northeast faced a tough task in Debbie Locke who exited the main competition sooner than expected. Again, Locke proved too strong for Northeast and ran out a 3-0 winner.
In the Men’s Over 60’s, seasoned Masters competitor Nigel Bacon (Hamptons) had a straightforward first round victory over Simon Dancer. A tough draw saw him face fellow England squad member Alex Betts, who was seeded 3/4 this time around. Betts proved too strong for Bacon, beating his teammate 3-0 to reach the quarter-final.
In the Women’s Over 60’s, Jackie Gregory (Hamptons) lost his opening round match 3-0, placing her into a four-draw plate competition. Winning her plate semi-final 3-0, she lined up a final with Tamsin Bennett. Gregory showed her grit and determination to fight back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 in a 34-minute five setter! Well done, Jackie.
Also a shoutout must go to Paul Clarke, an experienced referee from Essex who has been refereeing at the tournament this week. Well done, Paul.
Strong participation from Essex players was a highlight, capped by Plate triumphs from Mike Aley and Jackie Gregory. As the 2024/25 Masters season comes to a close, Essex can reflect proudly on a year of impressive performances.
