Almost 40 of the County's top senior squash players took part in the Durham and Cleveland County Closed squash tournament held at Nunthorpe squash club over the three-day weekend.

Shock of the first round was a 3/1 win for Aycliffe teenager Lee Skinner, playing in his first senior event, over Yarm shot maker Tim Clark and Redcar's top junior Nick Pugsley continuing a family squash tradition by gradually wearing down a resolute Leon Kirton from Darlington.

After Saturday morning's second round matches the evening quarter-finals was to produce more drama with Nunthorpe's Neil Harrison and Ian Williams slugging out a titanic battle. With Williams constantly taking the initiative in all games, Harrison tried to talk himself back into the game and Williams out of it, even bringing in the referee on more then one occasion, but Williams concentration would not be broken and he completed an impressive 3/0 win over England international Harrison. With top seed and ten times senior champion Yawar Abbas having a comfortable win over Norton's Mark Hockbourn and No.2 seed Gareth Lumsdon receiving a good workout against club team-mate Andy Cross, the most interesting quarter final was between County under 19 junior champion, Lee Skinner and Norton's big hitting Ben Cowen. An eventual 3/0 win for the junior champion was a victory of youth and speed over power and experience.

No. 1 seed Yawar Abbas was pushed hard in the semi-final by Ian Williams but his range of shots were always too good for Williams, who went down 3/0. The other semi-final gave Lee Skinner a taste of top class senior squash with a blistering fast and powerful display from Norton No.1 Gareth Lumsdon who took the tie 3/0 despite a valiant display from the Aycliffe teenager that was well received by the packed crowd. It was standing room only for the final, which allowed both players to reveal a showcase of shots and power. With the 24-year old Lumsdon screaming to a 9/0 opening game win many opponents would have folded under the intense pressure but the older Abass has been a supreme champion over the years and tried to slow the game down in the second game with a series of tight shots to all four corners of the court. In the end nothing could stop Lumsdon's pace and devastating power to win his first senior County Championships 3/0, which was watched by proud father and former County Squash and badminton Champion, David Lumsdon.

The ladies championships had a disappointing entry but two ladies who are a shining example of dedication and commitment to their sport played the final in excellent spirit.

Top seed Jacky Gardner plays at No.1 for the England over 45 team and is the current over 45 national champion and has held the title on 4 previous occasions. Faith Sinclair from Sedgefield has been Ladies County Champion ten times, first winning the title under her maiden name of Faith Cooper in 1970 and is the current over 50 World Champion and captained the England over 45 team. The final started in explosive fashion with the more experienced Sinclair storming to an early lead but a fight back from Gardner saw her produce a series of powerful drives that had the former, Faith Cooper, battling hard to recover but dogged determination as well as a supreme will to win gave Faith a decisive first game. In the remaining games the younger Gardiner gradually took control and worn her opponent down with a combination of straight powerful drives and boasts to the front court to claim a well deserved 5th Ladies title 3/1. Both ladies deserve much credit for producing a final worthy of the occasion, which was enjoyed by the packed crowd.

* The weekend was organised by Graham Lewis and refereed by Brian Dukes and very kind and generous sponsorship for the event was provided by Mark Williams from ABS Northern who are Office Suppliers the region.