SUFFOLK county tennis champion Ashley Watling showed his versatility by sweeping through the Ipswich Sports Club squash championships.Having concentrated on tennis throughout the season no one would have expected him to perform so well, but Watling had other ideas.

SUFFOLK county tennis champion Ashley Watling showed his versatility by sweeping through the Ipswich Sports Club squash championships.

Having concentrated on tennis throughout the season no one would have expected him to perform so well, but Watling had other ideas.

Alistair Livingstone, the first team's player of the season, should have been too strong for him. Watling, however, proved everybody wrong.

With his uncompromising retrieving style, Watling wore his opponent down and, despite some resistance in the second and third sets, took a 3-0 lead.

Once the third had gone Watling's way the fourth became a procession.

Livingstone said: “I started badly and once Ashley got the bit between his teeth it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

“All due credit, he outfought and outplayed me in the end.”

The ladies championship was taken by Jane Cook for the third time. Cook beat Pam McCartney, last year's winner, 3-0.

Athough it was a hard-fought game, ultimately Cook had too much firepower and was always just too strong.

The boys' championship was won by Watling, again. Alex Beynon put up a great fight, but never really looked like seriously threatening Watling.

The girls' tournament went to Sumitha Bose, whose brother, Lalit, won the under-13s event.

The girls' under-13s final provided a great spectacle; with Kitty McWhirter

eventunally managing to over-run Byrony Paczy-Smith.

Paczy-Smith's defeat was sweetened by her taking the Most-Improved Player of the Year award.

The boys' prize was taken by Chris Watling, brother of Ashley, who is also following in his brother's footsteps in tennis.