It may be a long way from Shrivenham to Brackley but Nev Buckle summoned his Defence Academy troops for one last battle of the Winter Campaign, the Division One Play Off Final against Brackley 1 to decide who would be crowned the 2024/25 County Champions.
Having suffered a fairly comprehensive defeat in a dress rehearsal against the same opponents only seven days earlier in the final round of Winter 2 fixtures, the omens were not great but just one change was made to the line up with Adam Oakley coming in for Callum Ray.
Skipper Richard Craven similarly made just the one alteration to his side with James Kettle stepping in for the unfortunate James Harris.
DA brought along a few fans, although to be fair most of their small contingent represent Carterton, only to be greeted by a raucous full house of home fans but with the most genial of welcomings with snacks and drink aplenty.
The attendant masses were not let down either by the quality and excitement of what they witnessed on court.
The opening two Strings were shared with the Brackley Number 4,Tim Melvin getting the better of Ed Hopkins 3-0 whilst Simon Lucas squared matters disposing of Hugh Perks by the same score.
On to court stepped the 2’s and 3’s. Young James Kettle had too much for Callie Smith, winning 3-0 to give the hosts a slender lead. The drama however was taking place next door where Richard Craven and Adam Oakley locked horns in an absolute classic and in what turned out to be the decider.
Following Kettle’s victory it was the turn of the Number One seeds, Brackley’s Odhran Imlah and DA’s Adam Giles. The previous week, the former had got the better of this encounter 3-2, but Giles knew he had to reverse that result this time and in a very tight contest, he did just that, taking the spoils 3-1.
Meanwhile and having finished just a short time earlier, Craven and Oakley took their tie down to the wire. 2 all, 13 points all, Championship on the line, but having squandered match point in the fourth, Craven was not to be denied this time. The cup was staying in Brackley for another 12 months.
A great night of squash topped of with a curry and beers at Chilli & Peppers!
Brackley 1 v Defence Academy 1
Odhran Imlah v Adam Giles 6/11 13/11 7/11 14/16
James Kettle v Calli Smith 11/6 11/7 11/8
Richard Craven v Adam Oakley 5/11 11/3 11/1 11/13 15/13
Tim Melvin v Ed Hopkins 11/6 11/5 11/9
Hugh Perks v Simon Lucas 6/11 8/11 5/11
Hope you like the photos!
Brian Bell (OSRA Treasurer) presenting the trophy to Richard Craven (skipper of Brackley 1)
Victorious squad – Brackley 1 (with trophy):
L-R: James Kettle, James Harris, Tim Melvin, Richard Craven, Jack Togneri, Hugh Perks
Lying down and summoned from the showers – Odhran Imlah
Defence Academy 1
L-R: Ed Hopkins, Calli Smith, Adam Giles, Simon Lucas, Adam Oakley, Nev Buckle