Squash
Groves is Alcester club champion

Buy photos » Nigel Groves (left) with the ASC Club Championship trophy and runner-up Phil Talbot on court immediately after the final. (s)

NIGEL GROVES is celebrating after being crowned Alcester Squash Club 2013 champion at the annual ASC Championship finals recently.

The event was held at the newly-refurbished courts in the Greig hall sports complex and, after battling through the preliminary rounds, the remaining finalists competed in a round-robin, two-league system, from which the top two from each league went forward to the semi-finals.

The first semi-final was between Mike Horner and 2012 champion Phil Talbot and the latter emerged victorious to book his place in the final once again.

The second last four game featured John Dyke and Groves, who was champion in 2006, and Groves used his renowned power game to blast through to what was an eagerly awaited final.

After a very short rest the two - already tired - squash players were warmly greeted by a packed viewing gallery.

Unusually both players are left-handers with very contrasting styles, as Groves uses power and speed around the court, whilst Talbot plays the angles and tight wall-hugging balls.

The opening stages were nip and tuck but gradually power began to win the points and Groves prevailed 21-14.

All of the finalists then retired to The Holly Bush for the annual meal and traditional after dinner speech from club secretary Jack Chisholm.

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