Calli Smith & Adam Percy are the new Wiltshire Doubles champions after defeating the experienced pairing of Paul Clark & Steve Wakefield in a hard-fought and entertaining final. This was a second title in a row for Calli who won in 2017 with Josh Watkins,
With a good entry of ten pairs the draw was divided into two groups playing best-of-3 matches. Smith & Percy were unbeaten in group A, only dropping one game in a tight 2-1 win over Gary Preston & Rob Camden. Runners-up in the group were Clark & Wakefield whose only defeat was against the eventual winners but as that was the final group game both pairs were already assured of their semi-final berth.
Group B was dominated by two pairings, former winners Mike Stannard & Kevin Jones and those perennial runners-up Nev Buckle & Dave Ridgway. Both teams recorded three wins against the other teams in the group but a 2-1 victory for Stannard & Jones against their rivals saw them secure top spot.
There was so much really good squash played on the day but I think it fair to say that the semi-finals were definitely the highlight. Having reverted to the standard best-of-5 format (despite protests from some of the more mature players left in the competition) both matches went to five games and no one could call either of them at two games all.
Semi-Final 1
Mike Stannard & Kevin Jones v Paul Clark & Steve Wakefield
Mike and Kevin led 2-0 having managed to take two very close games, 17/15 and 16/14. Paul and Steve replied by taking a relatively comfortable third game 15/9 before levelling the match with a 17/15 win in an epic fourth. Mike and Kevin weren't finished though and they pushed their opponents all the way in the fifth before Paul and Steve finally got over the line 15/13.
Semi-Final 2
Calli Smith & Adam Percy v Nev Buckle & Dave Ridgway
The game scores may not have been quite as tight as the first semi-final but this match swung one way and then the other and it was there for the taking at two games all. Nev and Dave took the first game 15/10 but then found themselves 2-1 down as Calli and Adam won the next two 15/11 and 15/12. Nev and Dave tied things up with a 15/13 win in the fourth but the fifth was just a game too far for them as Calli and Adam closed the match out 15/6.
Final
Calli Smith & Adam Percy v Paul Clark & Steve Wakefield
Whilst the final may not have had quite the tension of the two semis there was some excellent squash on display and almost a dramatic twist at the end. Calli and Adam took a close first game 15/13 but Paul and Steve pulled level by the same score. With a 15/7 win in the third game it seemed that Calli and Adam might have it sewn up but the fourth game was extremely close and it looked like we were going all the way when Paul and Steve forged ahead at 13-11 and then had game point at 14-13. However, the youngsters were not to be denied.