Roehampton Invitation Tournament 2012
Congratulations to the Eton 1st V squash team coming 3rd in League 1 of the 2012 Roehampton Schools Invitation Tournament (Runners up in 2011), comprising 16 teams over 2 leagues. The team comprised
1. Jak Antony (C Block, WFM) 2. Ed Wilson (Keeper, B Block, AW) 3. Jamie Giddins (B Block, MAG) 4. Felix Andrews (D Block, MGHM) 5. Angus Maudslay (B Block, PBS), replaced by Max Cooper (E Block, MJP) Vice-Keeper (injured): Peter Iltchev (B Block, MGHM)
The field was stronger than ever this year, with serious rivals Harrow, Charterhouse, and Wellington taking part, as well as the favourites, Lancing, who have a host of national players.
The Eton side saw a mixture of drama, injury, emotion, and inspirational squash play important roles in their campaign. The boys peaked during this competition, a fitting end to a squash season during which they have worked extremely hard to improve many aspects of their game. It was particularly satisfying to beat Harrow in the overall standings, having lost to them in the National Schools Competition earlier this season and to avenge the loss to Wellington in last year’s final.
Match details A few minutes into Eton’s 1st group match against Wellington, Eton no. 5 Angus Maudslay picked up a heel injury and had to forfeit the match and end his campaign, meaning that Max Cooper stepped in for 3 matches. Meanwhile, Eton’s no. 1 Jak Antony managed edge ahead in the deciding game when the buzzer sounded, wrapping up a close 3-2 Eton victory.
Eton’s 2nd group match saw the team heavily outgunned by a stunning Lancing side, although great credit goes to all the boys for digging deep and coming very close in several games (well done to Ed Wilson on being the only player on the day to take a game off the Lancing no. 2).
Eton won a tough 3rd group match saw the team qualify for the semi-finals where the opponents would be Charterhouse. Felix Andrews and Jamie Giddins produced confident displays, whereas Ed Wilson and Jak Antony produced remarkable comebacks, stopped short only by some questionable refereeing, meaning Eton drew the match 2.5-2.5 but just lost on points.
Undeterred, Eton held on to the momentum from the previous match to beat Wellington in the 3rd place playoff. The boys had saved their best until last, producing their finest display of squash all season to edge the match 3-2, finishing 3rd overall.
A.P. Iltchev French Master Master in Charge of Squash
