Ben Edney vs Charles Wakeford: A Five-Game Final Worthy of the Trophy
Whether you're a long-time player or just squash curious, the 2024/25 Hogarth Squash Final was the perfect showcase for everything this game offers – intensity, drama, strategy, and community.
If you’re inspired by the below and you’ve ever thought about picking up a racquet, you can join the Squash Club every Friday 6pm-10pm. Total beginners always welcome!
Now: here’s what went down in one of the best matches the Club has seen...
Meet Our Competitors
A CLASH BETWEEN EXPERIENCE AND MOMENTUM IN THE 2024/25 HOGARTH SQUASH FINAL.
Players: Ben Edney (2023 Champion) vs Charles Wakeford (ex-rugby player, rising star)
__________________________________
Ben Edney
Last year’s Hogarth Champion, Ben is known for his touch play and infamous drop volleys.
Route to the final:
◦Round 1: Beat Fred Fairhead
◦Quarter Final: Beat Peter Charles
◦Semi Final: Beat Ashok Patel
__________________________________
Charles Wakeford
A former rugby player who only took up squash seriously a little over a year ago. Charles has gone from strength to strength and came into the final with three consecutive wins over Ben.
Route to the final:
◦Round 1: Beat Robert Cookson
◦Quarter Final: Beat Charles Bridge
◦Semi Final: Beat Peter Easterbrook (2023 finalist)
Setting the scene:
It was a warm, sunny April day, so the court promised to be fast paced. Spirits were high, the balcony packed with spectators, and the stage perfectly set for a high-octane final: the seasoned champion versus the determined challenger.
Game-by-Game Summary
__________________________________
Game 1: Charles wins 11–8
Charles came out swinging with raw power and aggressive drives.
• Ben took the early lead with classic drop shots
• Charles powered through with pace and width
• Strong finish gave Charles the first game
Giles’ Commentary:
Charles won the toss and served. He immediately lost the first point thanks to one of Ben’s infamous drop volleys. Ben took the next two points in quick succession, but then Charles hit a very hard, low length that whizzed past Ben before he could turn his head. Power was the order of the day, and despite one mistake, Charles took a commanding 7–4 lead. Ben, still feeling relatively fresh, got around the court well and pulled it back to 7–7. Serve changed hands through errors twice, then Charles powered to an 11–8 win with some lovely wide cross courts out of Ben’s reach.
__________________________________
Game 2: Ben wins 12–10
Ben edged a tense game with tactical variety and clever placement.
• Charles surged ahead early
• Ben fought back with variety and nerve
• Tense rally at 10–10 tipped in Ben’s favour
Giles’ Commentary:
Charles once again powered to a 4–1 lead with some tight, very hard-hit drives to the back corners. Ben responded with deft drops to bring it back to 4–4. Both players were breathing now and neither wanted to give any ground. Charles went 8–6 up and looked as though the wind was in his sails. However, Ben hit the tightest backhand drive that Charles swiped into the tin. Charles responded with a similar shot into the forehand corner that Ben hit down 9–7. Ben hit a lovely lob over to the backhand corner putting Charles under pressure to dig out, leaving Ben to play a winning drop. Ben went 10–9 up and had game ball, but forced an error. It was 10–10 – whose nerve would hold? Charles hit the ball out of court and Ben took the next point to win 12–10. One game all, everything to play for.
__________________________________
Game 3: Charles wins 11–9
Charles’ speed and pressure proved too much despite Ben’s resistance.
• Charles went into overdrive, racing to a 7–1 lead
• Ben slowed it down and recovered to 9–11
• Charles stayed strong to edge ahead 2–1
Giles’ Commentary:
Ben lost the first point and Charles went into overdrive. He went 4–0 up and then 7–1 up – his speed around the court was amazing. Despite Ben’s best efforts, Charles was getting to every ball, no matter the accuracy or distance. Ben slowed the game and clawed it back to 4–7. Both players were getting nervous, service changed hands a few times, but Charles looked in the driving seat as he reached 10–6. Ben again slowed things down, lofted to the back, and followed up with the drop to close in at 9–11. Charles upped the ante and took the final two points. 2–1 to Charles.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTERVAL: 2–1 TO CHARLES. MOMENTUM VS EXPERIENCE. BOTH COMPETITORS DETERMINED.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Game 4: Ben wins 11–8
Ben took control early and didn't let go, using finesse over force.
• Ben reset mentally and come out confident
• Controlled early points with drops and lobs
• Held off Charles' comeback to level the match
Giles’ Commentary:
I’m not quite sure what happened in the interval, but Ben clearly had a serious talk with himself. Despite blowing hard, he was relaxed and took control right from the word go. Ben got his eye in and the drops were beginning to pay off – despite Charles’ lightning speed around the court, Ben went 7–2 up in a very short space of time. Charles turned the power back on and hit some beautiful lengths that Ben could only scrape back, closing the gap to 5–7. Ben won a couple more points – one rally even ended with the ball hitting Charles off the front wall due to a lucky feign. Borderline tactics! At 10–8, Ben was gifted an opportunity for a short, tight drop in the forehand corner whilst Charles was in the back right – there was no retrieving that. 2 games all.
__________________________________
Game 5: Ben wins 11–6
Ben dominated the decider with experience, patience, and accuracy.
• Ben stormed to an early 7-2 lead
• Charles fought hard, but unforced errors crept in
• Ben sealed it with smart, accurate drops
Giles’ Commentary:
The scene was set for both players to give it their all. The balcony, which was full, was certainly being entertained this evening. The final game was almost a repeat of the fourth – Ben slowed everything down and hit a number of straight and cross court drops. None were in the nick, but they were just out of Charles’ reach. If Ben was feeling the pressure, he surely wasn’t showing it. Ben stormed to a 7–2 lead. Did Charles have anything left in the tank? I believe he did. However, Ben’s experience was on his side, and he managed to increase his lead to 9–2. Charles responded with two quick points and was coming back at 4–9, but a couple of unforced errors put Ben in the driving seat. At 10–6, Charles dug deep and ran everything down to get back to 6–10. Could he take the next four points to bring it back to 10–10? Sadly for Charles, it was not to be. Ben’s drops were really on form now, and he won the next point to take the final game 11–6.
FINAL RESULT: Ben wins 3-2
An epic five-game battle full of grit, momentum shifts, and world-class shot-making. A true showcase of Club squash at its very best!
BEN 8 – 11 CHARLES
BEN 12 – 10 CHARLES
BEN 9 – 11 CHARLES
BEN 11 – 8 CHARLES
BEN 11 – 6 CHARLES
Post-Match Notes
A THRILLING FINAL SHOWING TALENT, STRATEGY, AND SPORTSMANSHIP.
• Ben proved why he’s still the one to beat, showing composure under pressure.
• Charles cemented himself as a serious contender – his rise has been nothing short of remarkable.
• The balcony crowd was electric – loud, supportive, and fully invested!
• Both players were back on court the next morning, eyes already on the 2025/26 trophy.
Join the Squash Community at Hogarth
Matches like this are exactly why the squash scene at Hogarth is thriving. Whether you’re a an ex-athlete like Charles, a seasoned tactician like Ben, or picking up a racquet for the very first time – there’s a space for you on court.
FROM CASUAL RALLIES TO TOURNAMENT-LEVEL ACTION, YOU’LL FIND FITNESS, FUN, AND COMMUNITY IN EQUAL MEASURE. COME FOR THE CARDIO, STAY FOR THE CAMARADERIE.
See you on court every Friday from 6pm. No need to register – just head to the squash court and get involved!