LEE HORTON REPORTS
ESSEX pair Elise Lazarus and Jack Jago were crowned England national racquetball doubles champions on Saturday after a punishing all-day tournament at The Connaught Club in Chingford.
Elise, the reigning British Under-15 national squash champ, teamed up with former PSA tour player and current coach at Brentwood School Jack and blitzed their way through the event without dropping a game.
“We worked well as a team and it was great to see Elise playing so well after a little time away from the game,” said Jack, who will now be coaching Elise. “We were up against some experienced players so it was pleasing to come away with the title.”
Jack and Elise were impressive in the early rounds and overcame their stiffest challenge in the final when they took out Zoe Mellis and Patrick Osbourn 2-0.
CHAMPS: Tom Ford and Jack Jago (right)
Jack made it a double success by teaming up with Tom Ford to win the men’s doubles title, adding another five matches to his already punishing schedule.
“It’s safe to say I was pretty tired at the end of the tournament but it was definitely worth it,” added Jack. “Winning two national titles in a day was definitely worth draining every ounce of energy.”
Again, Jack and Tom went through the event without surrendering a single game and topped off their day beating reigning champs Ted Geal and Billy Jones 3-0 in the final.
Tom said afterwards:” Playing alongside Jack was terrific fun. He called the shots when it came to tactics and we both put in the hard yards. We’re delighted to be crowned national champions.”
Jack, who recently became a UKCC level 3 coach, will now be putting a coaching programme together to help prepare Elise for this month’s British Junior Championships in Manchester.
“We’ll be working three times a week right up until the tournament and I’ll be up there for the tournament,” he added. “Elise has not played too much squash over recent months but she is still hitting the ball and moving so well. She is definitely up for the challenge.”