Carlisle Squash Club have hailed the professional tournament that they held as a success.

Over the weekend, a number of rising national squash players, as well as some local players, were involved at the event.

British National Under-19 champion Nick Wall won the competition, beating Stuart George, of Giffnock, Scotland, 3-2 in a keenly-contested final at the Warwick Road venue.

"It was fantastic, really," said one of Carlisle’s coaches, Dave Box.

"The number one seed [Rory Stewart, British Under-23 champion] was knocked out by one of his training partners, Stuart George. 

"Stuart was a latecomer to the game, starting as a 17-year-old, but his game is phenomenal. 

"He got to the final and he faced Nick Wall, who is on an upward trajectory at the moment, and he is still only 18. 

"That went on to be a fantastic final.

"Nick did not have it all his own way at all but the effect of the five-setters Stuart had played before took its toll in the last, really. 

"He was zapped of most his energy by that time. 

"But it was a good match and well supported, so it was a successful weekend."

Box added: "There was a bit of pressure on Nick. He is based in Sheffield. 

"His dad is an ex-professional who still plays in the masters events.

"But Nick is based at Sheffield Hallam, where Nick Matthew does all his training, so, as well as his dad, Nick Wall has Nick Matthew bringing him along.

"He has the right people around him now, so it will be interesting to see if he goes the full distance with it."

Elsewhere, some of Carlisle’s own players performed well in the two plate competitions.

Box said: "A few of the local guys got through to the semi-finals of the plate events which was the purpose of it [the plate competitions] to keep people around throughout the weekend.

"So, there was good local interest as well as good competition, it was all very well fought, and the players enjoyed it."

Box says Carlisle were also pleased with how well the event was supported.

He said: "There were quite a few people that came to watch.

"Some of the guys said it made a lovely change because, sometimes, they are playing with only two or three people around the marker at other venues.

"It bodes well. It’s the second year we have run it, and it’s building in momentum."

It was sponsored by Appleton’s of Carlisle with £1,500 available to the winners.