National Schools second a ‘fantastic achievement’ for College squash team

The quintet of Leo Carpenter, Marcus Chanter, Rocco Elliott, Arthur Leonard and Hamish McLellan placed runners-up to London’s prestigious Harrow School at the national KS3 finals in Edgbaston, following their feat of qualifying through the south regionals with nine wins from 10.

A young team even for this age group, the Sarnians maintained their winning ways right until losing that final match against Harrow – the school credited with inventing squash.

They opened their finals campaign by triumphing 4-1 against Aylesbury Grammar School, with McLellan losing out on a third-game decider.

Carpenter, Chanter and McLellan then picked up wins as they battled past Yorkshire’s Shelley College 3-2.

They returned to court after only a very short break to face a show of strength from Harrow, who prevailed 4-1 with only Leonard picking up a win.

Squash development officer Martin Watts did not feel that the final was a foregone conclusion.

‘Harrow are certainly a well-known school,’ he said.

‘They fielded a team that was a little bit older than our team and powered our team off the court a little bit.

‘But we were definitely in the final – it was not like they won it easily.’

With this being the college’s first year participating in the National Schools programme, Watts had to be rather proud of what the boys had achieved.

‘Second place in the national schools – and that’s all schools – is nothing to be ashamed of,’ he said.

‘It’s a fantastic achievement for the group.’

All of Elizabeth College’s players have at least another year in the age group – and they will certainly be keen to return.

They had the further spectacle of meeting and having pictures taken with professional players Joel Makin and Jonah Bryant, the former of whom is ranked fifth in the world, together with England development coach Tim Vail.

‘It was a long journey, being from Guernsey, but it was well worth it,’ Watts added.

‘Their memories will last a lifetime.’