Squash

At the beginning of this season perhaps you could be forgiven for thinking it impossible for the squash team to repeat the successes of last year, let alone do one better. Yet that is precisely what this team has managed to do, and they have done it in style. The statistics speak for themselves. The Ms clinched the league title by a comfortable 13 points, and beat Oriel in the Cuppers final by 5-0 to retain the trophy – a repeat of the scoreline against Balliol last season. This is the Ms third Cuppers final in as many years (the 2020-21 final was cancelled due to Covid-19). In total, these achievements mean the team has developed into one of the most successful College sports team of recent years. 

Of course, it goes without saying that these successes would not be possible without the weekly efforts of every member of the Ms squash club. Especially deserving of commendation are veterans Trajan Halvorsen (2019), Benedict Yorston (2019) and Tim Bennett (2019) who, yet again, stepped up in the Cuppers final and delivered crucial victories with ease. Having played winning squash at the highest level for the College over the past three years, they all leave huge shoes to fill next season. Also deserving of recognition is women’s Blues seed Grace Beglan (2022) who delivered instrumental performances to secure safe passage to the final. In addition, Mansfield players Nicholas Choustikov in the Cuppers final and Alexander Cliffe in the league provided integral contributions throughout the season. League success was only made possible with the help of Charlie Hobbs (2022), Peter Aitken (2022) and Jonathan Utterson (2018), giving the squad much-needed strength and depth. My thanks extend to every player involved in these games. 

Moving on to more social squash, it has been pleasing to see the increasing popularity of the sport among members of the College as the new racquets and balls purchased for the year have been well used. Grace Beglan led an excellent session, coaching beginners in Michaelmas that proved popular with members of both the JCR and MCR. This is a sign of things to come as the squash club looks to encourage those interested in exploring the game for the first time. I thank my Mansfield co-captain Alexander Cliffe (2019) for his support over the past two years and I wish my successor Grace Beglan (2022) all the best for the coming season. 

George Adams (2020)
Squash Captain 2022-23

I think it’s fair to say that the 2021-22 season has been extraordinary. After a superb league performance in Michaelmas, the team finished joint second, picking up 37 points, and were promoted from Division 1 to the Premiership, where we finished third place in Hilary, an outstanding achievement which will prove a strong foundation for next season’s campaign. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to the 2021-22 league games: without you this success would not have been possible.

On Sports Day in Hilary, we played a friendly fixture against Peterhouse, Cambridge, including performances from Jonathan Utterson (2018), George Adams (2020), women’s second team player Khadija Sarguroh (2019) and Trajan Halvorsen (2019), who beat the Peterhouse first seed 3-2 in a competitive and entertaining final game.

The highlight of the 2021-22 season was winning the College Squash Cuppers. After receiving a bye due to the cancellation of the final in the 2019-20 season, the M&Ms beat Brasenose 3-2 in the play-offs, Wolfson 4-0 in the quarter-finals and Corpus Christi 3-0 in the semis. In the final, all-round performances from men’s blues player Trajan Halvorsen (2019), and second team players Timothy Bennett (2019) and Benedict Yorston (2019), as well as Dr Henry Spelman and Alexander Cliffe, meant the team won in the fewest number of games, beating Balliol 3-0 to be crowned Cuppers champions. This is the second final the team have reached in as many tournaments – clear evidence of the squad’s talent and perseverance.

A special mention goes to Trajan Halvorsen, Benedict Yorston and Dr Henry Spelman for being unbeaten throughout the entire year, and to Khadija Sarguroh, who has been appointed women’s second team captain for next year.

George Adams (2020)
Squash Captain 2021-22