EACH year, squash members from Bega play a squad from Canberra for the “Rashes” in an inter-town challenge.
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After a three-year winning streak, Bega was unable to hold on to the Rashes this year with Canberra winning 57-37.
Bega squash member Janelle Curtis said the rashes was a trophy, much like cricket’s ashes.
“The Bega Club created a suitable trophy by burning two old fashioned wooden racquets (one from each club) along with some other squash mementos, forming ashes which were sealed in an urn and presented to the winning club at the inaugural event,” Curtis said.
Twenty enthusiastic Bega members played in the challenge, this year held in Canberra.
“Bega’s team was a mix of locals combined with some ‘ex- pats’ now living in the ACT.”
“The ACT Masters club members are 35 years or older, with Bega fielding a mix of youth and experience in their team,” she said.
Curtis said the event aimed to create a friendly rivalry between the two clubs and players enjoyed a tournament style event.
“[The] tournament format is mixed ladies and mens timed squash played over two days.
“The host club also organises a social event for the Saturday night.
“And this year’s cruise on Lake Burley Griffin was enjoyed by all who attended,” she said.
Curtis said Bega had a stranglehold on the competition for the past three years, but lost decisively this year.
“[Bega] was unable to repeat its success from 2012 in breaking the home-court advantage, with Canberra winning the 2014 event convincingly.”
Curtis said everyone who attended enjoyed the weekend and said, despite the loss, the tournament was a great success.
Bega members are now looking forward to more masters events, while local tournaments are scheduled for later in the year.
“A small group of Bega players will attend the Bathurst Masters next weekend,” Curtis said.
“[It plays] as part of the full calendar of Masters and Open tournaments run by clubs throughout NSW and Australia wide.
“Coming events for Bega include the Bega Club Championships in July and Bega Open in October,” she said.