After consecutive Men’s Over 45s titles in the four regional events leading up to the British Nationals, all eyes were undoubtedly on Lee Jemmett to complete the clean sweep and lift the title once again.
Seeded one in a strong field, Jemmett cruised through to the final, dropping only the opening game of his quarter-final along the way. Tim Richards (Kent) enjoyed a similarly straightforward route, defeating Essex’s Paul Wallace en route to the final.
In the final, a dominant Jemmett overcame Richards in just 25 minutes, winning 11/8, 11/6, 11/5 to claim the Over 45s crown. Well done, Lee!
Other notable performances included Rory Pennell, who beat Damien Burgess and Matthew Sampson before going down to the overall winner Phil Rushworth in the semi-finals. Keeley Steel reached the semi-final of the Women’s Over 35s before losing to runner-up Emmeline Gale.
The county was also represented by Paul Clarke, who was once again officiating at the event last week.
Full results can be found here.
With the British Masters Nationals now concluded for another year, attention turns to the England Squash Inter-County Masters, with stage one beginning in two weeks’ time.
Essex boast six sides in the competition:
• The Men’s Over 35s travel to Suffolk to face the hosts and Norfolk.
• The Men’s Over 45s face hosts Hertfordshire and Surrey.
• The Men’s Over 55s head to Surrey, where they will meet the hosts along with Sussex and Middlesex.
• The Men’s Over 65s travel to Northamptonshire to compete against the hosts, Middlesex and Norfolk.
• The Women’s Over 40s and 50s progress directly to the finals in May.
