Rob Dadds, head coach at The Sports Academy, reports on the National Club Squash Championships.

Hunts County Squash Club showcased the best of Cambridgeshire’s squash as they faced off against the formidable Hallamshire Squash Club team in the National Club Championships.

Spearheaded by the legendary three-time world champion Nick Matthew, Hallamshire brought a formidable challenge to the courts of Hunts County.

The evening kicked off with local favourites Diego Pita and Jason Burgon taking centre stage.

In a thrilling display, Pita, the 16-year-old rising Cambridgeshire star, demonstrated his potential by claiming the first game against seasoned pro Adam Turner.

However, Turner's experience and strength proved decisive as he ultimately secured victory with a 3-1 win.

Meanwhile, Burgon produced a dominant performance against Hallamshire's junior player Julian Duffield, clinching a 3-1 victory and keeping Hunts County in contention.

As the match hung in the balance, HCSC's resident coaches, Rob Dadds and Colin Griggs, stepped up to the challenge.

Griggs faced off against the rapidly improving pro Matt Gregory, putting up a fierce fight but ultimately falling short against his younger opponent with a 3-0 defeat.

On the show court, Dadds played some superb squash against the former world number one, Nick Matthew. Despite a glimmer of hope sparked by Dadds' third-game triumph, Matthew's skill and experience prevailed as he secured a 3-1 victory.

Although Hunts County Squash Club was ultimately defeated by the Sheffield side, the great entertainment and competitive spirit were applauded by the capacity crowd, which included many of the club's junior players.

The event not only showcased high-quality squash in Hemingford but also demonstrated Hunts County's ability to compete among the elite in English squash.

While the journey in the National Club Championships may have come to an end for HCSC, it was a superb event for the counties squash community.