It’s been twenty years since the club hosted an exhibition match, so the 50th anniversary was a great opportunity to invite a couple of rising young professionals to come and show us what top level squash looks like.
Patrick Rooney and Connor Sheen set out to provide an entertaining evening for the members and other fans who gathered to watch. The squash was first rate. The hor d’oevres were provided when two of Kendal’s finest each took on one of the professionals. Club Champion Ben Welton gave a good account of himself in a best of three game bout with Connor Sheen, however, the gap in class was clear. The evergreen former champion David Barber took on Patrick Rooney in another best of three, but the result was never in doubt.
Suitably warmed up, Patrick and Connor settled into a best of five exhibition. Patrick’s party piece was a double or triple feint shot which caused appreciative gasps from the audience. One of Connor’s party pieces involved trying to trick the marker into giving him extra points, which proved very entertaining. Ben Welton proved himself an admirable referee who was not phased, by this amusing mischief.
It was a great night of squash, and Patrick and Connor proved themselves to be accomplised entertainers.
Patrick arrived at Kendal hard on the heels of winning the Madeira Open. The following day he jetted off to Germany to play and the following week he was back in th eUK winning the Tring Open, notably without dropping a set and beating number one seed Daryl Selby in the semi-finals and third seed Ben Coleman in the final.
Well done Patrick. Your new fans at Kendal applaud you
https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/sport/17936636.rising-star-rooney-visit-kendal-squash-club/
