Squash
Squash
It has been a highly successful season for the squash team - the best for ten years - reaching the last sixteen in the National Schools’ Squash Competition.
In the group stage of the National Schools’ Squash Competition Solihull were drawn against Solihull Sixth Form College, Oakham School and Ecclesborne School. In the first game of the campaign Solihull beat local rivals, Solihull Sixth Form College, 4-1 with comfortable victories from Hiren Chauhan and Sam Tucker. Nick May and Omar Abdel-Mannan both played in epic matches battling back from 2-0 down to win 3-2. These were important wins at the start of the competition and the team went to Oakham School confident of securing victory. Solihull started strongly and eventually secured a 3-2 victory thanks to impressive performances from Nick May, Omar Abdel-Mannan and Hiren Chauhan.
In the last game of the group stage Solihull School faced Ecclesborne School. Unfortunately, we lost 5-0, but there were spirited performances from Mark Taylor and Robert Johnson.
Solihull School progressed through the group stage as runners-up and were drawn against Manchester Grammar School in the lastsixteen round. After some scouting by Mr Wild, Oliver Talbot (a county squash player) joined the team of Mark Taylor, Nick May, Omar Abdel-Mannan and Hiren Chauhan. It soon became apparent that Manchester had some strong players. Despite losing 5-0 and going out of the competition, the team battled hard and gained valuable experience against top players.
We finished a successful season with a match against Rugby School at home. It was an ideal opportunity for the whole squad to play and after narrowly losing to Rugby last season the team were eager for revenge. Solihull School started well with Rob Johnson, Matt Gooden and Mark James all winning in emphatic style 2-0.
Sam Tucker, Mark Taylor and Omar Abdel-Mannan continued Solihull’s dominance over Rugby with fine victories. Nick May once again battled back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in a marathon match and Hiren Chauhan fought hard before narrowly losing. Finally, a special mention goes to Oliver Talbot, who played some brilliant shots and kept cool against an intimidating opponent to secure victory in three close games.
This 8-1 victory was an impressive performance by the whole squad illustrating their current strength in depth and the progress made since last season.
I would like to thank Mr Wild for his commitment and for coaching the squad through the year.
Nick May (Captain)