Between 14-16 November 2017, the Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre saw Squash teams from 13 different Corps (with 8 Corps fielding both A and B teams) battle for honours in the annual Army Inter Corps Squash Championships. The tournament was contested in 3 divisions each containing 7 teams in each, all in all over 1000 games of squash were fiercely contested in just 3 days. As always, the games were played in a highly competitive but sporting like manner.
Division 1 saw a runaway victory going to the Royal Artillery “A” side (captained by Captain Sam Miller) winning all but one of their matches and scoring 119 points out of a possible 120. The Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers “A” side came second whilst the Royal Signals “A” team was relegated to division 2 scoring just 36 points, the Adjutant General Corps “A” narrowly survived in division 1 with 40 points.
Division 2 was dominated by the Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC) “A” who finished on 113 points and duly earn promotion to division 1 next year. The real success story within division 2 was that of the Army Ladies Team (ALT). The ALT has gone from strength to strength over recent years, earning a nomination for Army sports team of the year 2017. The ALT eventually finished second in division 2 on 94 points with special note going to Captain Rosie Hamilton who won all of her matches at number one seed for the ALT. Both the Royal Signal “B” side and the Corps of Army Music both suffered relegation from division 2 to 3 completing a tournament to be “best forgotten” for the Royal Signals.
The Infantry team lead division 3 from start to finish winning the division with 112 points earning them promotion to division 2. The RAPTC “B” side also battled hard to secure a well earned promotion into division 2 completing a very successful year for the RAPTC as both their “A” and “B” sides gained promotion from their respective divisions.
Corps Squash within the Army remains healthy and buoyant. Whilst some fantastic high class Squash can be seen in the higher divisions it should be noted the Inter Corps Tournament also fields teams that compete on a less skilful level but matches are still competitive and played full of heart. To that end, any squash player in the Army, both regular and reserve, are encouraged to contact your Corps Squash representative and partake in this glorious sport.
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