The squash courts at the Marsa Sports Club were full of activity during the Easter break as national squad members practised regularly with three German, one Austrian and an English player, all sparring partners in the build-up for the Games of the Small States of Europe in June.

It was the third time in as many months that foreign players were here and joined the locals for training sessions.

The Squash Racquets Association also held the Malta Open with participants classed in two categories.

The A Category included, among others Michael Fiteni, Diane Desira and Joe Desira, three Maltese/Australians who will be playing for Malta in the GSSE, as well as Germany no.2 seed Karen Beriere, Andreas Hubbert, Germany no.8, and current U-17 junior German champion Jens Schoor.

The B Category was open and included 16 entries. It was encouraging to see players of different standards taking part in this event.

As expected, all Category A matches were competitive with most needing a fifth set to determine a winner. The ladies' final, between Beriere and Desira, ranked no. 43 in the world, was no exception. Both fought hard for the honours but in the end the title went to the German who won 9-5, 4-9, 10-8, 7-9, 9-6. The third and fourth places went to national team members Theresa Camilleri and Johanna Rizzo.

Fiteni beat Hubbert 3-0 in the men's final but this contest was a tight affair, notwithstanding the clear result, and kept spectators rooted to their seats. Schoor and Desira placed third and fourth respectively.

The B Category contest was just as exciting. Here, Gordon Camilleri had to face a rather tough time before beating Stuart Marsh in the final.

The smooth running of the tournament is owed to the perfect organisation of Paul Lake, the English coach who has been in Malta since February, training the national squad. Preparations are already underway for the next Malta Open, which promises to be a much bigger event thanks also to Lake's useful contacts abroad.