​2026 Prizes

 

Willis Cup Winner:  Sam James

Willis Cup Runner-up:  Michael Crawford

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Willis Plate Winner:  Katharine Gaine

Willis Plate Runner-up:  Bradley Deurden

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Handicap Cup Winner:  Sam James

Handicap Cup Runner-up:  Rob Halls

 

Doubles Cup Winners:

Martin Brown and Greg Watts

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Doubles Cup Runner-up:

Guy Jones and Brian Margetts

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Ladies Cup Winner: Katharine Gaine

Ladies Cup Runner-up: Liz Worthington

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Myles Knauer League Winner:

Michael Crawford

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Myles Knauer League Runner-up:

Sam James

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Rutland Squash Rackets Club

Finals Night 2026

 

At the end of March, Rutland Squash Club held their Finals Night – the culmination of a number of competitions that had been ongoing during the 2025-26 season. Plenty of silverware and other prizes were awaiting presentation, and an appreciative gallery of club members assembled to watch the evening’s events.

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First up on court was the Handicap Competition final between Rob Halls (defending champion) and Sam James, (who was also due to compete in the Willis Cup final later on that evening). Both players were on equal handicap scores, so it was a straight ‘first to 21’ over the best of three games. The rallies were fast and furious, and there were rarely more than two or three points between them in the first game. However, a couple of superbly judged shots by Rob enabled him to close out the game 21-16. Game two was even closer, with Sam levelling up the match by winning 21-18. So it came down to the deciding game, which once again was nip and tuck up until 10-10 when Sam had a run of four consecutive points. Rob used all his skill and experience to try to unsettle his opponent, but Sam’s fitness and determination to get to every ball was outstanding and he secured the win at 21-16.

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Meanwhile, on the neighbouring court, the doubles final was taking place. Rutland Squash Club is proud to have a strong core of players who meet regularly to play doubles each week, and their friendly(?) rivalry is always entertaining. Guy Jones and Brian Margetts were up against Greg Watts and Martin Brown in the final, and this keenly contested match ended with a win for Greg and Martin 3-2. The victory looked unlikely after the first two games which were won by Guy and Brian, but a tactical wardrobe change by Martin altered the course of the contest. His combination of power coupled with Greg’s tenacity in the last game was enough to clinch the title. Both Brian and Guy could only watch enviously as a delighted Martin was handed the new Doubles Trophy by Rudy Ike (see pictures).

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The Willis Plate final followed between Bradley Duerden and Katharine Gaine. As with the doubles final, Katharine won the first two games and it looked as though she would secure the match easily. Bradley, however, had other ideas and staged a superb comeback to level the match at 2-2. It was a question of whether Katharine’s lobs to the back of the court or Bradley’s boasts at the front would prevail. At 7-7 it was still anyone’s game, but Katharine was able to draw on her years of experience over her younger opponent and finally closed out the match to win 3-2.

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As is customary, the last match of the evening was the Willis Cup – the premier competition final. This saw the return to court of Sam James versus the defending champion Michael Crawford, and the spectators were treated to a brilliant match. Sam raced to a 15-5 victory in the first game, but Michael levelled at 15-13 in the second. The crucial third game went to Sam, but Michael fought brilliantly in game four to level the scores at 2-2. So once again it came down to the deciding game, which could not have been closer. Both players were covering the court with astonishing speed and playing shots that received gasps of appreciation from the viewing gallery. At 13-13 it was on a knife-edge, but somehow Sam managed to keep running and achieve a 15-13 win to take the trophy.

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Two other trophies could not be presented on Finals Night for various reasons, but the winner of the Ladies’ Competition was Katharine Gaine with runner-up Liz Worthington, and the winner of the Myles Knauer League Cup was Michael Crawford with runner-up Sam James.  

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At the trophy presentation, which was made by Rudy Ike, (retiring player and much valued committee member), Katharine thanked the markers and referees and all those who had attended the evening and contributed to the excellent atmosphere – it was a wonderful finale to the 2025-26 season.

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