Civil War: Army & RAF Squash Players Battle It Out For Top Honours

The top Army and Royal Air Force squash players have been battling it out to be named best in their service.

The men of the Royal Navy, which held its individual championships December, made waves last year when they took the Inter-Services title for the first time in 55 years.

The Army, meanwhile, holds the remaining three Inter-Services titles - the ladies, Under-25, and masters - but is looking to return to a full complement this year.

Army number one Captain Sam Miller told Forces Network the Army men are determined to get back to winning ways.

The Men's Open champion said: "We just weren't happy with our own performance as a team that weekend [of the last Inter-Services]... There's more we can do. 

"We're going to be better prepared this year, so we're looking forward to it."

Sam, an ex-professional, won his sixth Army title this year by beating James Burke in three games.

In the women's event Elaine Radcliffe fought off the challenge of Michelle Higgins to be named champion but as pleased as she was to win, she said she'd like to one day beat her main rival.

The Army major says her determination to beat UKAF women's champion Rosie Hamilton, who was not able to play this year due to work commitments, spurs her on:

"My drive to chase her and hunt her down is what makes me turn up at the squash courts and... gives me a bit of extra determination to train hard."

It's this kind of rivalry, even within their own service, that drives these sportsmen and women.

With a strong core of players, the Army runs a 'bring a friend' policy to entice new members and has opened the competition to reservists.

And it seems to be working, with the novice tournament attracting more players every year.

At the Royal Air Force tournament at RAF Halton, meanwhile, last year's winner Chrissie Miller met a familiar opponent, Annabel Bacon, in the final.

The defending champion won in three, with Flight Lieutenant Bacon admitting the game had got away from her:

"She doesn't give an inch... It was really tough."

Squadron Leader Miller, meanwhile, said:

"Annabel is such a good player that I know if I let up for a second or try and relax into the game she will [take advantage]... So I had to just absolutely stay focused throughout the whole game and hope for the best."

Left-hander Craig Stephens played in two finals, winning the Under-25 title but losing out to Paul Warner in the Open. Squadron Leader Warner said:

"Craig's a great player [despite] obviously [being] fairly new onto the scene.

"I think what helped is he had a few games extra before that match than I did and that probably made the difference. But it was a great game."

The majority of these players, as well as those from the Royal Navy, will meet again next month for the UK Armed Forces Championships being held in Aldershot.

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