Even though only one third of the entrants at the annual Hermanus Rock Challenge were local, two Hermanus players battled it out in a thrilling final – Stellenbosch University player Luka Jaspica narrowly beating veteran Wayne Cooke.
The experienced Wayne took an early comfortable lead, but after a gruelling day of squash it was the young legs that proved to be the decider.
This year only 17 players took part, but it had the added bonus that more matches could be fitted in. To accommodate league as well as social players, the field was divided in a Main and Shield Event. In the knock-out format, losers were then put into a first, and then in a second plate event. It meant that some players could play five to six games. After a gruelling but fun day of squash, prizes, refreshments and a lucky draw were enjoyed. The prizes were generously provided by local businesses: The Rock (main sponsor), Creation Wines, Big Joe’s Pies, Clubhouse, Gabriëlskloof, Hermanus Pharmacies, Land and See and Sport and Tackle.
The winners and runners-up were: Luka Jasprica, Wayne Cooke (Main Event), Luqmaan Fakier, Stan Voges (Main Plate), Faeez Baboo, Ryan Ingles (Shield Event), Colin Austin, Rob Cooke (Shield Plate) and Stan Voges snd Adriaan Wesson (Second Plate).