The 18th June saw the 2012 North West Schools Championships take place at The National Squash Centre and what a fantastic day of squash it turned out to be.
The North West Schools Championship is open to any school in the North West wishing to take part. This year 8 schools answered the call fielding a total of 23 teams, each made up of 3 pupils aged under 15. The aim of this event has always been about creating a lasting legacy of squash among the schools in the North West by inviting schools to enter teams of any ability to take part. St Helens graphics and signage company Vinyline continued their support and sponsorship of the event and were again generous enough to provide trophies for the winning teams and souvenirs for the runners up. As has become synonymous with this event the enthusiasm and sportsmanship on show, and the impeccable behaviour on and off court, was a credit to the players and their respective schools.
The competition started with 5 Groups, each consisting of at least 4 teams, playing each other in timed affairs, each game lasting 4 minutes per player and with the win going to the team scoring the most overall point from the 3 matchups.
The boy’s championship final was in the end an all Altrincham affair with the Altrincham Grammar Schools for Boys Team 1 taking on the Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Team 2.
The Altrincham Team 1, consisting of Leon Bowers, George Osbourne and Jack Conner, made light work of their first group stage finishing 82 points ahead of their nearest rivals, the Nelson Thomlinson School Team 2 who themselves managed 102 points. Altrincham Grammar Team 2 consisting of Guy Maxwell, Ewan Simpson and Robert Shenkman also topped their group made up of Nelson Thomlinson 1, Manchester Grammar 2 and Bridgewater High School team 2.
The Altrincham Boys Team 1 and Team 2 reached the semi-finals by again topping their respective groups in the second round. King David High School 1 claimed their berth in the semi-finals by racking up 122 points and finishing in the second qualifying position beating out very good Nelson Thomlinson Team 2, Bridgewater High School Team 3 and the Altrincham Boys Team 3. The second semi-final spot from group one was an incredibly tense affair with the positions 2nd through 4th split by only 5 points! Ultimately it was Nelson Tomlinson Team 1 that claimed the last semi-final spot from St Francis Xavier’s Team 1 and Manchester Grammar Team 1.
After despatching their respective semi-final opposition the Altrincham boys were ready to take the spotlight in the 2012 North West Schools Championship Final. The final showcased some great squash and was closely fought, going right down to the 3rd and decisive match-up. In the end it was Altrincham Boys Team 1 which emerged victorious from the final defending their 2011 title won with the same line-up to again claim the winners shield.
The girls final took place earlier in the day and saw a Nelson Thomlinson Girls Team consisting of Molly Tweddle, Katie Twentyman and Chloe Lowes fresh from topping their group in the first round triumph over the Alderley Edge School for Girls Team 1 of Elanor Floto, Georgina Charlesworth and Nina Thompson 3 -0 to take the Girls Title for their school.