Six counties share glory at 2025 Masters Inter County Championships

Six different teams left last weekend’s 2025 Masters Inter County Squash Championships in Manchester with winning smiles, as Essex, Norfolk, Cheshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, and Yorkshire each lifted a trophy during the season finale held at The Northern Club and Grove Park Squash Club (5–6 April).

Top seeds Essex claimed the men’s O35 title after a nail-biting final against Avon. The tie ebbed and flowed, with Andy Ewings and John Welton putting early wins on the board for Avon, only for Paul Wallace and Mark McEwen to level it for Essex. The decisive top-string match saw Gareth Naidoo hold his nerve to secure a four-game victory over David Allman and clinch the title.

In the women’s O40 round-robin, Buckinghamshire emerged triumphant against Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, and Essex - but not without a fight. Two of their wins against Essex went to five games, and their victories over Herts and Warwicks both hinged on the final rubber. Bucks No.1 Heather Joy was a standout performer, remaining unbeaten across all three matches.

A special mention goes to Jackie Gregory, who competed for both Essex’s O40 and O50 sides - playing an exhausting seven matches in just two days to ensure both teams could take part.

Norfolk were crowned men’s O45 champions after overcoming Cheshire in the final. Jamie Goodrich, Ian Cox, and Stuart Cowie led the charge, following earlier victories against Hampshire and bronze medallists Cornwall.

In the women’s O50 division, Yorkshire, captained by Diane Fenwick, triumphed in a competitive five-team round-robin. No.1 Nicky Horn proved vital, edging past Jane Armstrong in five games to win a tight clash with Warwickshire and repeating the feat against Hertfordshire to seal another 2–1 victory. Their encounter with Wales also went to a deciding rubber before Yorkshire swept Essex 3–0 (with a weary Jackie Gregory making yet another appearance). Herts and Warwicks rounded out the podium in second and third, respectively.

Cheshire upset top seeds Surrey to take the men’s O55 crown. Strong performances from the lower order - Dave Kelly, Dave Williams, and Paul Kettle - secured victory, despite Surrey’s Jason Fletcher and Shailendra Kumar winning at the top of the order.

In the men’s O65 final, Hampshire recovered from an early deficit to defeat Lancashire. Ian Bradburn gave Lancashire the lead, but Geoffrey Lees and George Kousseff turned things around to seal the title for Hants.

Vickie Prow, England Squash’s Competitions Project Lead, said:

"Having six different winners at this year's Inter-Counties Masters Finals shows there is strength in depth in age group squash across the country. It was a very busy but rewarding weekend. Congratulations to everyone who took part."

View the full results from the 2025 Masters Inter County Squash Championships on Sport Manager.