FOR the third year in succession, Hunts County Squash Club in Hemingford Grey played host to the British U23 Championships, and once again the event was a massive success.

FOR the third year in succession, Hunts County Squash Club in Hemingford Grey played host to the British U23 Championships, and once again the event was a massive success.

Number one seed and world number 37 Victoria Lust, from Bedfordshire, put last year’s injury disappointment behind her to claim her first women’s title as she defeated former European U19 champion Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwickshire).

Lust’s superior experience and fitness were key and she ran out a worthy 11-9 11-4 11-6 winner in 29 minutes.

On the men’s side, top seed Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) won his fifth British title, defeating Sussex’s Ollie Pett 13-11 11-9 11-8 in 50 minutes.

Local interest in the men’s event rested with Cambridgeshire duo Robert Dadds and Daniel McGinn, but unfortunately both were eliminated in the first round.

Dadds safely progressed through his qualifying match against Alexander Williams (Norfolk) 11-6 11-5 11-4 before bowing out 13-11 11-3 11-5 to Nathan Lake (Gloucestershire) in round one.

It was then left all down to McGinn, but he was up against 19-year-old rising star Charles Sharpes (Surrey).

This was always going to be a tough encounter for McGinn – and so it proved – with the British U19 champion prevailing 11-0 11-1 11-7.

Meanwhile another Cambridgeshire player, Peter Dickson, was beaten 15-13 8-11 11-9 8-11 11-9 in 55 minutes by Norfolk’s Jordan Creed in the qualification round.

The British U23 Championships will return to Hunts County Squash Club again next year – as well as another year after that at least.