Teen ace squashes rivals
PRODIGY, 16, MAXES OUT TALENTS TO CLAIM TITLE
A NEW squash sensation has claimed his second title in as many months by winning the first ever Eldon Challenge Open.
Max Forster, 16, backed up his County Closed triumph by winning a gripping final against Cai Younger.
He showed typical calmness to come through 3-2 in the semi-final against Tynemouth’s Jamie Todd, while Paul Lord’s injury against Younger set up a final between two of the North East’s most exciting young talents.
The pair did not disappoint. A full house was treated to nearly an hour of top-quality, hard-fought squash.
In the first, lengthy, attritional rallies were shared point for point, neither man dominating the T for any period of time.
Given his form, it was little surprise that Forster was confident. He took charge of the crucial late rallies, with an 11-9 score giving him the lead.
Both competitors showed exceptional ball control. The movement was also outstanding in a very watchable game.
The second was a near carbon copy of the first. A small early lead for Younger was eaten up and a tight game was taken 11-8 by the county champion to put him in the box seat.
And the physicality finally took its toll on Younger, who after nearly 45 minutes of brutal play, began to tire. An 11-4 third game scoreline sealed the title for Forster.
For most, to see a 16-year-old take first place in a draw of such calibre would be a surprise. To see him as the favourite from the start might be even more absurd.
But it is no surprise. It is a sight that North East squash is becoming used to, and one it will likely see for years to come.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the Gosforth Classic in December, he went on to win the County Closed Championship.
This included a memorable win over long term coach and mentor, as well as 13-time champion, Dave Barnett.
The match followed a memorable B Event final between Dunston’s Michael Bridgewater and home favourite Mark Steven.
It didn’t look to have the makings of a classic as Bridgewater took the first 11-1, as Steven struggled to find his basic length game.
However, the Eldon man turned it around, taking two tense games 14-12, 12-10 to give himself the lead.
But then it was Bridgewater’s turn to fight back. He saved four match balls in the fourth to set up a final set decider, and duly took it 11-4.
Also on finals day, Lennox Lockwood overturned a 1-0 defecit to take the A Event Plate with a 3-1 win over Tom Cornell.
Robert Aynsley took a battle of the shot makers in the B Event Plate with a 3-1 win over John Armstrong, while Tom Hodgson took a 5 set battle against Andrew Webber to win the C Event.
Tournament co-organiser Adam Coates took the C Event Plate with a 3-0 win over Matthew Saddler, saying: “The tournament exceeded our expectations.
“The quality of the entries was top class, from Max Forster, the county champion, to a former world number 27 in Paul Lord. We couldn’t be happier with the turnout and hope to improve on it next year.”