Campion wraps up major title winning campaign

BIX’S Jill Campion won the British Open over-65s Squash Championship last weekend at Solihull Arden, beating arch-rival Karen Hume 13-11, 12-10, 11-5 in a closely fought final.

This is the sixth time Campion has won this tournament in her age group and this title comes shortly after her victory in the National Championships in February and the European Masters Championship last summer, which means that she has won all the major titles this season.

Commenting on her win, Campion, who plays her squash at Henley Squash Club at Henley Leisure Centre, said: “This is a great way to end what has been one of my busiest — and most successful — squash seasons.

“The final was a re-run of the British Closed final, in which I beat Karen 3-2, coming back from 2-0 down. This time I went in with a clearer game plan, focusing in particular on my serves and returns of serve.

“I edged ahead in the first game mainly by playing the ball hard to the back, but Karen fought back using her low hard kills. I’m not quite sure how I managed to sneak that game 13-11.

“The second game was a different story, with numerous lets and what we both felt was inconsistent decision-making, and I quickly found myself 9-5 down.

“Fortunately I managed to regain focus and concentration, pulling back to win that game 12-10, being two games up gave me the confidence I needed. I quickly established a clear lead by varying my shots, making Karen twist and turn and keeping her guessing and won that game comfortably, 11-5 and therefore the match 3-0. The match was far tougher than the result suggests.

“I’ve adopted a different type of on-court training this season, Gevolution Squash developed by Tony Griffin, which seems to have improved my shot choice, my focus and my reactions. I find it rewarding that after playing squash for more than 40 years I can keep learning and improving aspects of my game.”
Meanwhile Campion represented Wales in four age groups at this year’s Home International Masters Squash team events. She played three matches on each of the four weekends, winning nine and losing three, helping Wales win gold in one age category and silver in two others.

The event, which is held annually over four weekends in late Spring, pitches teams representing England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland at age groups from over 35 to over 65 for women and to over 75 for men.

The first weekend, hosted by England in Nottingham, included a women’s over-65s team for the first time. With Campion playing at one and number two and three both experienced international players, Wales clinched the title, beating England 2-1, Scotland 2-1 and Ireland 3-0. The following weekend Campion, again playing one, captained the Wales over 60s team in Edinburgh where they finished fourth. Next up was Dublin for the over-50s, where Campion, playing number three in a team of five, was on top form, winning her match against Scotland, narrowly lost her match against Ireland, and took the English number three and current over-50s European Champion Sarah Parr to two games all, with Parr unable to complete the match due to a serious shoulder injury. The rest of the Welsh team also delivered and they got their silver medal.

At the over-55s event in Cardiff, Campion, playing number two, won her matches against Ireland and Scotland but England’s Izzy Bramhill was too dexterous for her.

Speaking after the tournament, Campion said: “The Masters Home Internationals are great events to play in, with men’s and women’s teams from two or three age categories at each venue.

“These matches certainly sharpened me up for the British Open Masters.”