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Australian runner-up for Lyons

Brian Lyons, with his national runner-up award. Photo by Les_Garbutt

It was so close in the 2022 Australian Masters squash championships in Adelaide for Yarrawonga squash legend Brian Lyons.

Competing in the 80-84 age group, the 80-year-old and his opponent, Tom Slattery, 81, of Melbourne, were 13 all in the fifth and deciding game.

Serving, Lyons hit the tin; 14:13 Slattery’s way who lobbed a serve which Lyons got to but his reply shot was put away by the eventual winner.

It was an epic match, which Lyons qualified for by beating four opponents, three in three games and one in four over Monday to Thursday before the final on Friday, October 14.

“I was happy enough,” Lyons commented about his performance in this year’s championships. “Tom had come back from Poland playing in the world championships where he came third. He’s a good sportsman.”

Lyons, who was national champion in 2017 at Ballarat in the 75-79 age group, advised he will play in next year’s national championships in Sydney.

Having had the better of Slattery in recent times before this year’s Adelaide championships, it will be an interesting encounter in Sydney.