Rachel Barnes claimed a fifth successive Axa Bermuda Squash Racquets Association Club Championships crown in Devonshire on Friday.

The pre-tournament favourite dealt with the added pressure, overcoming a spirited Hailey Moss 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 in the quarter-finals, before beating Alex Furtado 11-3, 11-5, 11-2 in the semi-finals to reach the final.

Despite giving Barnes her toughest match of the tournament, Susie Lacey could not deny the defending champion, who eased to a straight sets 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 victory.

Barnes spoke of her delight at overcoming a familiar opponent in Lacey.

“I’m so excited to have won the final, I felt strong and think I played well,” Barnes said.

“My opponent, Susie Howells, played really well too. She is super fit and chases after every shot I hit, so it was tiring to keep up with her but so much fun.

“We train together often but this match was a lot more intense and competitive than we usually play in practice.

“I’m very excited for women’s squash in Bermuda right now and proud of the club for hosting such a successful event.”

A new men’s champion was crowned as Anthony Fellowes won the tournament for the first time in a hard-fought final against Korin Knights, prevailing 11-9, 11-7, 11-5.

Both players survived scares in the semi-finals with Knights overcoming Elijah Simmons in four sets, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-2, while Fellowes beat Stephen Smith over four sets, winning 4-11, 11-13, 11-3, 11-7.

Meanwhile, Jayne Craig and Joann Bielby played out an epic five-set women’s veterans final. Craig came through to take victory, winning 11-6, 9-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8, while Eugene Bothello was crowned the men’s veteran champion after defeating Spencer Moss in straight sets, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5.

In the men’s B final, Alex Adelsberg battled back from a set down to ultimately beat Graeme Henderson over five sets, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, while Andrew Cox lifted the men’s C title after beating a spirited Jason Savoury 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10.

Results, Page 28