Senior Inter County 2024 champions crowned on action-packed finals day

The 2024 Senior Inter County Championships finals took place over the weekend in Nottingham, with Sussex crowned as the Men’s Premier Division league winners and Hampshire taking the honours in the Women’s Premier Division.

Sussex defeated Yorkshire 5-0 in the men’s final, while Hampshire emerged victorious against Yorkshire in the women’s final, taking the tie 4-1.

There was also success for Men’s Division 1 winners Hampshire and runners-up Surrey, with both teams gaining promotion to the Premier Division. Women’s Division 1 table toppers Northumbria and second-placed Lancashire will also both play in the top tier next season.

Kent and Northumbria were relegated from the Men's Premier Division, while Surrey and Middlesex also dropped down to Division 1 after finishing in the bottom two places of the Women’s Premier Division.

The opening two rounds of the Men’s Premier Division on Saturday (27 April) saw Yorkshire and Sussex progress to the final in impressive style, with Sussex winning all 10 of their individual matches against Avon and Warwickshire, whilst Yorkshire clinched a close encounter against Essex 3-2 before recording a clean sweep over Warwickshire.

However, in the final it was Sussex who proved too strong, with all four Malik siblings, Curtis, Perry, Bailey, and Heston, as well as Jake Sim-Baskar claiming victories on their way to the title.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Premier Division, champions Hampshire lost just one match across the weekend and recorded 5-0 wins over both Gloucestershire and Wales A on their way to the final. In a tense showpiece versus Yorkshire, Olivia Besant, Megan Light, Harriet Broadbridge and Sophie Bolland all emerged victorious to secure the title for Hampshire.

Elsewhere, in the Men’s Division 1, Hampshire prevailed 3-2 winners against Surrey to top the table, with Alex Broadbridge, George Stafford and George Griffiths all recording wins over their opponents.

Finally, the Women’s Division 1 final between Northumbria and Lancashire proved to be a gripping affair, with all five matches going to a deciding game. However, it was Northumbria who eventually came away with victory, thanks to a trio of thrilling wins from Josie Barker, Mia Smith, and Katie Barker.

Speaking after the finals, tournament organiser Vickie Prow said:

"This year’s Senior Inter Counties was, once again, such a great weekend of squash, with an enormous amount of depth and quality displayed across all teams. It was brilliant to see so many young players representing their counties.

"The event was hosted over two super venues in Nottingham with the University hosting the finals, and Nottingham Squash Club hosting the promotional team play offs. Overall, it was a really fun and friendly weekend - thanks to all of the players, coaches and volunteers for making the event such a memorable one."

For a full list of results from the Senior Inter County Championships finals, please click here.