Just over 37 years ago Cromer squash player Jeff Morris tragically died on court and the club decided to honour his memory by instigating a tournament for players aged 35 and over, which was held for the first time in the autumn of 1985.

Apart from a six-year break around the turn of the century, and in 2020 when Covid was the winner, the tournament has been held every year since and this year was the 37th anniversary of that first tournament.

In the final on Friday Ben Herrieven, who won the prestigious club championship back in 2012 and 2014, became the 16th different player to win the title and the 10th former club champion to go on to win the Over 35 title as he defeated the 2009 and 2010 champion, Henri Paul, (game scores 14-12, 13-11, 8-13, 13-8) in a well-contested and hard-hitting final.

36-year-old Herrieven was playing in the tournament for the first time and he went into the final as a firm favourite to win the title having previously defeated the tournament’s oldest competitor, Alan Harper in the semi-final.

The much older and experienced Paul had beaten the five times former champion John Baker in his semi-final match.

Henri Paul was gracious in defeat saying: “It was a great match to play in but Ben was just too strong.

"I played as well as I could and hopefully we gave the large number of spectators a good game to watch. Thanks to all the spectators and to everybody who took part in the tournament”

Jeff Morris’ son, Jeff, and daughter, Debbie, were among the large number of spectators who watched the final and Jeff presented the trophies to the winner and runner-up.

Technical director Barry Starling, who was prevented by injury from entering the tournament, said: “Over the years we have witnessed some tremendous finals and although this was decided in four games it was high on entertainment and provided a terrific advertisement for age-related squash”.

Next month the club will be holding its final tournament of the year when those players aged 45 and over will be bidding to win the club veterans’ title.