Local players entered alongside others from all over the Midlands region – and national ranking points were up for grabs.

Town club members, along with the competitors' families, witnessed some high quality squash with many close matches.

The under-15 age group final was competed for by two of the home club's juniors, Patrick Sadd and Tim Arthur. Sadd was the number one seed, with a national ranking of 59. Arthur was ranked 169 nationally at the start of the event but came through by playing some excellent squash, beating the event second seed, Patrick Stewart (Herts), who was some 86 ranking points above him. In a close- fought final, which swung to and fro between the Harborough team-mates, Sadd managed to take the title 3-2.

The under-15 plate was contested by two Northants players, with Angus Elsby beating Ryan Swadling 3-0.

In the under-17 age group, number one seed George Parker (Leics) was too strong for Jordan Coppock (Warks), winning 3-1, despite Parker having come through a tough semi-final match against Leicestershire team-mate Mayank Bhandari.

Coppock had beaten higher ranked players each round, dispaching the second seed, James Blyth (Derby) 3-2 in the other semi-final.
Harborough's Jack Turney lost in the first round of the U17 to Chris Abel (Notts), a higher ranked player in the match of the tournament. Despite having several match points Turney lost 13-11 in the fifth game after 60 minutes of close squash.

However he did get some consolation by winning the plate competition, beating Northants' Jack Follett 3-1 in the final.
It was the first time the Harborough club had run one of the national events.

MARKET Harborough Squash Club are looking for 30 adults who would be keen to learn to play the game of racketball under coach Joe Green.
All 30 players will receive free coaching to get them started and a month's free off-peak membership. Equipment hire will also be free.
Racketball is similar to squash, played with a larger ball and a shorter racket.
As the ball tends to bounce higher in racketball, the game is easier and less physical. Players are often able to play racketball long after they may have retired from squash. Phone the coach on 07957 856866 or e-mail joe@squashstuff.com