EVEN though several of the regulars were missing, the large entry still needed a qualifying round before the big guns started firing in the 2003 Malvern Squash Club championships.

In the quarter-finals the seeded players set about justifying their ranking as they marched on untroubled. Kevin Sandercock, too powerful and too experienced for Andy Bond, Mark Read, retrieving and hitting with the fierce determination he has shown in matches throughout the season, while Steve Gains was unable to match Oliver Jones' exceptional court speed.

The outstanding match at this stage was between number two seed Guy Rutter and the rapidly improving Dave Watson, two players from the Saturday morning coaching group. Earlier in the season this would have been a one-sided meeting but Dave has improved more than anyone would have imagined and once he can add more accuracy to his athleticism he will test anyone at the club.

In the semi finals, Kevin Sandercock had to really work before he disposed of Mark Read in three hard fought games and Guy Rutter cleverly exploited Oliver's lapses in concentration to produce a predicted final.

In the plate final Hugh Webber treated hardworking organiser Peter Shaw to some extremely uncharitable drops and lobs.

Finally top honours went to Kevin Sandercock with a typically aggressive performance. In his first final Guy Rutter was understandably nervous and the first game seemed like a total mismatch as he conceded eight points in one hand before getting his name briefly on the score sheet.

In the second game Kevin kept his nose in front up to game ball, but at 1-8 Guy started to play a much more controlled game and Kevin's confidence began to wane as he hit down a series of shots which suddenly brought the score to 7-8 and it was with some difficulty that the number one seed took the last point.

It seemed that Kevin had got his concentration back in the interval as he started like a whirlwind, the pressure of his fierce hitting giving his opponent no time to employ his shots in a more considered game. Guy led briefly at 4-3 but that was the end of his resistance and Kevin Sandercock was once more able to add his name to the honours board.

RESULTS. Plate final: Hugh Webber bt Peter Shaw 3-0. Third-place play off: Oliver Jones bt Mark Read 3-0. Championship final: Kevin Sandercock bt Guy Rutter 3-0 (9-2, 9-7, 9-4).