Clio blasts away Stars in squash grand final

After safely negotiating their preliminary finals, the top two teams - Blasters and Stars - played off in the Baw Baw Squash Association Grand Final.

In the first match, Clio Milsome came up against the undefeated Bruce Barry. She won the first two games convincingly and seemingly had the match in her grasp.

Bruce, whose drop returns of serve had been just missing in the first two games, found his range and also began striking the ball more firmly to put pressure on his opponent.

Even so, the game went to a tie-break in which Bruce finally prevailed.

The fourth game also went to a tie-break which, this time was won by Clio, together with the match.

In the second match, Richard Jasek played Brendan Brentwood who was ranked one place below him. In their only encounter during the season, Richard won in five games.

On this occasion, Brendan took the first game 15/10. Richard, who is a notoriously slow starter, took control in the second game winning it comfortably 15/6.

Not to be outdone, Brendan reversed the score in the third game. He then went on to win the fourth, 15/12, to put his team 2-0 and in a commanding position.

Although neither player was able to place his shots well, it was Brendan’s relentless frenetic court coverage that proved the difference in the match.

The next match was between James Cullen and Michael Bellingham. Like the previous pairing, they were ranked one place apart.

The match began with a tie-break which was not unexpected with two evenly matched players. James took the honours 17/14.

In a similarly competitive second game, Michael evened the match 15/12.

James regained the ascendancy in the third, 15/7, and finally took out the match 15/9 to keep his team alive in the tie.

For this achievement, he was presented with the “Player of the Grand Final” award. The match between these two players displayed great skill, with a wide range of power and placement in their shots together with great court coverage.

In the contest between the top players, Tim Kubale had to beat Ryan Witty without conceding more than one game.

He got off to a good start, winning the first 15/11. Ryan lifted his game in the second with better control which often caught his opponent out of position. It enabled him to draw level in the match, winning the game 15/10.

He closed out the match 15/9, 15/8 against the higher-ranked Tim to give his team the title.

At the presentations, Clio Milsome won “Player of the Finals Series” after winning both her matches and getting her team off to a great start in the Grand Final.

Luke Johnson won “Most Improved”, having raised his ranking by five places.

The evergreen Bruce Barry took out the award for “Most Consistent” after winning all his matches during the season, most of them in three games.

Grading for the next competition occurs on Thursday night.

All interested players, both new and returning, should attend. Please call David on 0408 577 398 if you are unable to attend.