Social events
The RDSA organises a number of social events each year. These may just be get togethers in a local pub or restaurant or they may be organised days out to watch or play squash at other venues around the country. Have a look at the Events Calendar for upcoming dates for your diary.
Premier Squash League Semi-Final, Croydon
A couple of squash-hungry RDSA members made it over to Virgin Active in Croydon to watch Surrey Health & Racquets edge past Oxford in one half of the PSL semi-final draw. The highlight of the match was Adrian Grant's 11/13, 11/4, 11/9, 14/12 comeback to beat Cameron Pilley - world number 20 beating world number 17.
Surrey H&R will face Nick Matthew's Duffied in the PSL final on 7th May in Nottingham.
White Lion Quiz Night, Redhill
Great turn out for the Easter Sunday White Lion Quiz Night which saw three RDSA teams take positons 2, 3 and 4 in a special holiday format of the popular weekly quiz.
Over 14 RDSA members and their families took up one section of the pub and, despite the bitter blow of a closed kitchen, pushed team RDSAces into second place like a well-oiled Formula 1 team: team We're With Steve and the continuously-growing team Roger & Holmes managed a credible third and fourth place.
Check out the Events Calendar for details of the next quiz night.
Canary Wharf Qualifiers and Six Nations Decider, Wimbledon
The disappointment of witnessing England's non-performance in the Six Nations decider via the widescreen facilities of Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club was offset handsomely by the bar's two Guinness for a fiver offer and some excellent squash of the Canary Wharf Classic first round of qualifying.
Eight games in all proved a feast of squash on Saturday afternoon. Of the sixteen contenders, four made it through to the tournament proper, with one, Henrik Mustonen of Finland, making it through to the quarter-finals by beating the world's number 17 Adrian Grant.
It was a fine afternoon of squash featuring two-handed back-handers, forfeited games due to snapped shoe-laces and vocal international duels. If you carefully inspect the official photos, a certain RDSA representative's right hand is just about visible on image number 20.
2012 Christmas Wrap Up, Reigate Squash Club
Follow this link for details and pictures of the 2012 presentations evening that took place in December at Reigate Squash Club.
British Open Finals, 02 Arena
Sunday, 20th May 2012 saw the O2 Arena, London host the Mens and Ladies Finals of the British Open. Eight hardy souls from the RDSA endured harrowing tales of nasty bicycle accidents to witness a quality of squash second to none.
Full results and match reports can be viewed at http://www.britishopensquash.net/sunday-allam-british-open-finals/. Special prize for spotting Mike or Colin in the crowd shot photo, or Jansher Khan who was also in attendance.
Family Fun Day, Reigate
On Saturday, September 3rd 2011, RDSA members and their families turned up to a Family Fun Day in Reigate's Priory Park.
About twenty participants ranging from 15 months old to around Steve's age took part in games of rounders, football and cricket, boarding in the skate park or just climbing trees.
In keeping with tradition, the event was rounded off with food; club funds sponsoring a round of delicious ice creams from the Pavillion Cafe.
Bisham Abbey, Berkshire
On Saturday, April 16th, the committee organised a mini-tournament and change of scene at Bisham Abbey, Berkshire, about a 50 minute drive from Redhill. Five people made the trip to the National Sports Centre at Bisham for a round robin squash tournament followed by a beer at a pub in Cookham, with a curry later.
National Squash Championships, Manchester
February saw the return of the National Squash Championships to the National Squash Centre in Manchester. The RDSA social committee organised a weekend trip to watch the semi-finals and finals. Despite being limited to UK players, the field was packed with highly ranked players from the world’s top ten and the level of squash didn’t disappoint.
In the Ladies' final, the number 3 seed Laura Massaro beat number 1 seed Jenny Duncalf 11/7, 9/11, 7/11, 11/7, 11/2 in 62 minutes. In the Men's final, number 3 seed Daryl Selby beat the world number 1 Nick Matthew 9/11, 11/9, 6/11, 11/9, 11/7 in a nail-biting climax to an 84 minute match.
As a bonus, the weekend also offered the opportunity to watch the Masters games ranging from the under-35 division all the way up to the under-75s.
Click here for the full match report at the official website.
Other highlights of the weekend included a ruby on the Curry Mile in Rusholme and a Sunday morning hangover-shifting full English in the Koffee Pot.
