British National Squash Championship Closed 2011 - Sportcity
The Nationals in Manchesters Sportcity on the 13th -16th of February went very very well with a fantastic representation from Norfolk and some great results.
Mens Over 35
In the Men's 35+ Jamie Goodrich had the win of his career in the quarters - downing Jago Nardelli in a spectacular display of control before losing to the eventual winner the famous Nick Taylor in a match where he certainly wasn't out of it and earned considerable praise from Taylor. Ian Cox progressed to the quarterfinals where, despite his amazing strokeplay, number two seed Ben Ford was simply too mobile to succumb to even Cox's most outrageous attempted nicks.
Mens Over 40
In the Men's 40+ David Youngs recovered from a below par performance in his early rounds to win in some style in the quarters against old rival Andrew Cross 3-1, before pushing the eventual champion Graeme Stewart from Ireland to five in a tough semi that perhaps could have seen Youngs reach the final of the British Championships for the first time. Alas it was not to be. In the over 40s Steve Moxey lost a tough first round game and then had a close five setter in the plate.
Mens Over 60
In the Men's 60+ In his last year in the age group, perennial England player Martin Pearse, who had looked like missing out on an England place, produced the performance of his season to beat rival Larry Grover on the eleventh match ball. He then lost to eventual winner Keith Jones without disgrace in three.
Mens Over 50
In the Men's 50+ reigning British Champion Richard Millman had a poor first round match against Mark Hurd from Dorset - limping to a 3-1 win. In the quarter finals he faced the brutal challenge of australian brit Simon Rollington from Leicestershire whose reputation for physicallity had if anything been increased by his bad tempered and interference ridded 10-8 in the fifth previous round victory against Welsh champion John Evans. However Millman took control of the quarter final match early and played a brand of accurate touch oriented squash that took the physical element out of the game, by and large. Despite gaining a lead in the second, the Leicester man never found a comfort level and Millman ran out the victor 3-0.
This left Millman, the 3/4 seed, to play Scottish number one and second seed Alan Thomson, who had beat Millman on the previous three occasion that they had met, including the recent finals of the Intercounty championships. On that occasion Millman had led 2-0 only to see the lead evaporate and the incredibly fit and mobile Scot win 3-2. Once again in this match, Millman built a two games to love lead, out playing the Scot by pinning him in the back corners and catching him time and again with deceptive cross court flicks which left the Scot wrong footed and out of position. In the third game Millman built up a 6-2 lead and it looked as if he was going to take the match 3-0. But once again the specter of the Scot's fitness in combination with his amazing backhand lob to the rear forehand corner, appeared. Point by point Thomson pegged Millman's lead back until finally he took the third game, with Millman looking ( and feeling) decidedly picqued. The fourth game ensued much as the end of the third, with the Scot lobbing mercilessly to the forehand back corner and then intercepting with gut punching volleys.
In no time at all Thomson stood at 6-2 - the same lead as Millman had had in the third. At this point however, things began to change. From somewhere Millman found the strength to lever the ball into Thomson's backhand back corner and with this as a gameplan, through some brutal rallies, inched his way back to 6 apiece. There then ensued several soul destroying rallies as the Scot and the Norfolk man wrenched each other around the court, almost never hitting the ball with any pace and yet taking the ball earlier and sending each other to the four corners.
The Norfolk support was terrific with ten Norfolk players in the gallery exhorting Millman to yet greater efforts. With the score at seven all, the most devastating rally of all took place with Thomson ultimately unable to run for the last drop shot. This game Millman match ball - a good thing - but with Millman clearly out of steam, not only a good thing but probably his last chance as a fifth game was not in the plan. The last rally was again cut and thrust with almost nothing between the players and neither giving an inch. Finally a ball to that backhand back corner resulted in Thomson clattering his racquet against the back and sidewall, with the ball harmlessly bouncing a second time. Victory for the Norfolk player!
Unfortunately, in so far as the overal competition was concerned, it was to prove a pyrrhic victory as the stresses of the competition and of the two and half weeks of competition prior had resulted in damage to Millman's right knee that made change of direction impossible. Despite physio and a thorough warm up, Millman had to retire after just one game of the final on Sunday against Mark Woodliffe, the number one seed from Gloucestershire. Woodliffe had progressed through the tournament, scything through his opposition and was certainly a deserving champion, but Millman would have liked the opportunity to at least offer some sort of challenge. But it was not to be and second place had to be settled for.
Other Norfolk noteworthies were: Pete Blackmore was thrust into the limelight after a first round walkover and then proceeded to sweet talk eventual champion Pete Alexander into going easy on him - and promptly went 3-0 up in the first game before the Suffolk player reigned him in, winning 3-0. Pete also was representing Norfolk as our first class referee throughout the event and did a fine job!
Chris Langford and Mike Robinson were Norfolk's other entrants and both fought hard before losing to seeded opponents in the Men's 55+.
In the women's 55+ Pat played a great match against the number two seed Jane Law, losing 1-3 in a close 40 minute battle.
I certainly hope more Norfolk players with follow the example of our participants and supporters for this year. Every enthusiastic club should be sending a bus load of their best players and supporters to both the Nationals and the British Open. The experience of playing is unique and being in that atmosphere, watching some of the best players of all ages, both men and women, is unrepeatable and will improve your game and Norfolk's squash overall. Please consider a four day vacation to the British Open when it is held in Nottingham this June, Whether as a player, qualified referee, spectator or all of the above. Norfolk squash is getting stronger and participation by as many of our players as possible can only help to continue the growing wave that we seem to be being carried along on. Finally a BIG well done to everyone that attended the British Closed.
Roll on the British Open. And GO NORFOLK SQUASH!
Mens Over 35
In the Men's 35+ Jamie Goodrich had the win of his career in the quarters - downing Jago Nardelli in a spectacular display of control before losing to the eventual winner the famous Nick Taylor in a match where he certainly wasn't out of it and earned considerable praise from Taylor. Ian Cox progressed to the quarterfinals where, despite his amazing strokeplay, number two seed Ben Ford was simply too mobile to succumb to even Cox's most outrageous attempted nicks.
Mens Over 40
In the Men's 40+ David Youngs recovered from a below par performance in his early rounds to win in some style in the quarters against old rival Andrew Cross 3-1, before pushing the eventual champion Graeme Stewart from Ireland to five in a tough semi that perhaps could have seen Youngs reach the final of the British Championships for the first time. Alas it was not to be. In the over 40s Steve Moxey lost a tough first round game and then had a close five setter in the plate.
Mens Over 60
In the Men's 60+ In his last year in the age group, perennial England player Martin Pearse, who had looked like missing out on an England place, produced the performance of his season to beat rival Larry Grover on the eleventh match ball. He then lost to eventual winner Keith Jones without disgrace in three.
Mens Over 50
In the Men's 50+ reigning British Champion Richard Millman had a poor first round match against Mark Hurd from Dorset - limping to a 3-1 win. In the quarter finals he faced the brutal challenge of australian brit Simon Rollington from Leicestershire whose reputation for physicallity had if anything been increased by his bad tempered and interference ridded 10-8 in the fifth previous round victory against Welsh champion John Evans. However Millman took control of the quarter final match early and played a brand of accurate touch oriented squash that took the physical element out of the game, by and large. Despite gaining a lead in the second, the Leicester man never found a comfort level and Millman ran out the victor 3-0.
This left Millman, the 3/4 seed, to play Scottish number one and second seed Alan Thomson, who had beat Millman on the previous three occasion that they had met, including the recent finals of the Intercounty championships. On that occasion Millman had led 2-0 only to see the lead evaporate and the incredibly fit and mobile Scot win 3-2. Once again in this match, Millman built a two games to love lead, out playing the Scot by pinning him in the back corners and catching him time and again with deceptive cross court flicks which left the Scot wrong footed and out of position. In the third game Millman built up a 6-2 lead and it looked as if he was going to take the match 3-0. But once again the specter of the Scot's fitness in combination with his amazing backhand lob to the rear forehand corner, appeared. Point by point Thomson pegged Millman's lead back until finally he took the third game, with Millman looking ( and feeling) decidedly picqued. The fourth game ensued much as the end of the third, with the Scot lobbing mercilessly to the forehand back corner and then intercepting with gut punching volleys.
In no time at all Thomson stood at 6-2 - the same lead as Millman had had in the third. At this point however, things began to change. From somewhere Millman found the strength to lever the ball into Thomson's backhand back corner and with this as a gameplan, through some brutal rallies, inched his way back to 6 apiece. There then ensued several soul destroying rallies as the Scot and the Norfolk man wrenched each other around the court, almost never hitting the ball with any pace and yet taking the ball earlier and sending each other to the four corners.
The Norfolk support was terrific with ten Norfolk players in the gallery exhorting Millman to yet greater efforts. With the score at seven all, the most devastating rally of all took place with Thomson ultimately unable to run for the last drop shot. This game Millman match ball - a good thing - but with Millman clearly out of steam, not only a good thing but probably his last chance as a fifth game was not in the plan. The last rally was again cut and thrust with almost nothing between the players and neither giving an inch. Finally a ball to that backhand back corner resulted in Thomson clattering his racquet against the back and sidewall, with the ball harmlessly bouncing a second time. Victory for the Norfolk player!
Unfortunately, in so far as the overal competition was concerned, it was to prove a pyrrhic victory as the stresses of the competition and of the two and half weeks of competition prior had resulted in damage to Millman's right knee that made change of direction impossible. Despite physio and a thorough warm up, Millman had to retire after just one game of the final on Sunday against Mark Woodliffe, the number one seed from Gloucestershire. Woodliffe had progressed through the tournament, scything through his opposition and was certainly a deserving champion, but Millman would have liked the opportunity to at least offer some sort of challenge. But it was not to be and second place had to be settled for.
Other Norfolk noteworthies were: Pete Blackmore was thrust into the limelight after a first round walkover and then proceeded to sweet talk eventual champion Pete Alexander into going easy on him - and promptly went 3-0 up in the first game before the Suffolk player reigned him in, winning 3-0. Pete also was representing Norfolk as our first class referee throughout the event and did a fine job!
Chris Langford and Mike Robinson were Norfolk's other entrants and both fought hard before losing to seeded opponents in the Men's 55+.
In the women's 55+ Pat played a great match against the number two seed Jane Law, losing 1-3 in a close 40 minute battle.
I certainly hope more Norfolk players with follow the example of our participants and supporters for this year. Every enthusiastic club should be sending a bus load of their best players and supporters to both the Nationals and the British Open. The experience of playing is unique and being in that atmosphere, watching some of the best players of all ages, both men and women, is unrepeatable and will improve your game and Norfolk's squash overall. Please consider a four day vacation to the British Open when it is held in Nottingham this June, Whether as a player, qualified referee, spectator or all of the above. Norfolk squash is getting stronger and participation by as many of our players as possible can only help to continue the growing wave that we seem to be being carried along on. Finally a BIG well done to everyone that attended the British Closed.
Roll on the British Open. And GO NORFOLK SQUASH!
Its the National Squash Championships next week in Manchester!
Norfolk representatives include:
David Youngs - Semi Finals
Ian Cox - Quarter Finals
Jamie Goodrich - Semi Finals
Steve Moxey - Last 16
Pat Millman - Last 16
Richard Millman - Runner Uo
Martin Pearse - Quarter Finals
Chris Langford - Last 16
Pete Blackmore - Last 16
Mike Robinson - Last 16
For draws and times click on the Logo to the right to take you there.
David Youngs - Semi Finals
Ian Cox - Quarter Finals
Jamie Goodrich - Semi Finals
Steve Moxey - Last 16
Pat Millman - Last 16
Richard Millman - Runner Uo
Martin Pearse - Quarter Finals
Chris Langford - Last 16
Pete Blackmore - Last 16
Mike Robinson - Last 16
For draws and times click on the Logo to the right to take you there.
2010 British National Squash Championships –
Sportcity MANCHESTER
Seven Norfolk men took part in this year’s British National Squash Championships which were held in Manchester and pride of place must go to the eight times former county champion, Richard Millman of Cromer who was crowned British Over 50 champion. Seeded at No.1 Millman, who won his eight titles between 1984 and 1992 and is now based in the USA, was expected to go one better than in the British Open Championships when he was beaten in the final and he didn’t disappoint either the seeding committee or his large band of loyal supporters as he clinched the title in style, beating his opponent, Jeremy Goulding from Avon 9-5 9-0 9-3 in just 25 minutes.
After a first round bye, Millman made a slightly hesitant start in his first match against Doug Waller of Cheshire, losing the first game 7-9 before taking the next three for the loss of just three points and his quarter-final tie followed a similar pattern as Duleep Adhihetty of Middlesex opened up a 9-2 lead and had game ball in the second before Millman took the game 10-8 and then clinched the match for the loss of just one more point. There were no further alarms as he cruised through his semi final against Chris Harland of Yorkshire dropping only four points along the way and then went on to take the title.
Another former county champion, David Youngs of East Anglia,, who won five titles between 1999 and 2004 had a good run in the Over 40s event, notching up two comfortable straight game victories before pushing the No.1 seed Yawar Abbas of Durham and Cleveland to the limit only to lose 9-11 10-12 10-12. The reigning Norfolk champion, Jamie Goodrich of Potters reached the quarter-finals of the Overs 35s event before losing a 39 minute match to Nick Wall of Yorkshire 5-11 2-11 7-11 and Ian Cox of Bannatyne’s also reached the quarter-finals before finding Clive Ewins of Dorset too strong.
The three other Norfolk representatives, Brian Hawkes (East Anglia), Pete Blackmore (Barnham Broom) and Martin Pearse (North Norfolk) all lost their first matches although Pearse who was seeded 9/16 will have been disappointed to lose what was described on the official web site as an entertaining and often brutal 52 minute encounter in the Over 60s tournament to Allen Brown of Dorset. To quote the web site : “Pearse, who was repeatedly running into his opponent, sometimes getting lets and sometimes not, saved six match balls to level it in the fourth, but Allen recovered from 3-6 in the fifth to take it 9-6.”
Results:-
Over 35
Ian Cox beat Richard Cook (Lancashire) 11-6 11-3 11-2 15 minutes
beat Gary Milner (Bedforsdshire) 11-4 11- 11-5 15 minutes
lost to Clive Ewins (Dorset) 6-11 3-11 6-11 20 minutes
Jamie Goodrich beat Mark Webster (Oxon) walk-over
beat Chris Stanley (Surrey) 11-9 11-8 11-4 30 minutes
lost to Nick Wall (Yorkshire) 5-11 2-11 7-11 39 minutes
Over 40
David Youngs beat Paul Frankland (Dorset) 11-6 11-4 11-5 16 minutes
beat Karl Hardy (Cheshire) 11-2 11-3 11-4 15 minutes
lost to Yawar Abbas (Durham &Cleveland) 9-11 10-12 10-12 31 minutes
Over 50
Richard Millman beat Doug Waller (Cheshire) 7-9 9-2 9-0 9-1 22 minutes
beat Duleep Adhihetty (Middlesex) 2-9 10-8 9-1 9-0 36 minutes
beat Chris Harland (Yorkshire) 9-0 9-3 9-1 25 minutes
beat Jeremy Goulding (Avon) 9-5 9-0 9-3 25 minutes
Pete Blackmore bt Richard Mosley (Yorkshire) walk-over
lost to Neil Harrison (Durham & Cleveland) 0-9 3-9 3-9 24 minutes
Over 55
Brian Hawkes lost to Richard Whitehouse (Staffordshire) 7-9 8-10 9-5 3-9 30 minutes
Over 60
Martin Pearse lost to Allen Brown (Dorset) 9-3 4-9 7-9 10-8 6-9 52 minutes
After a first round bye, Millman made a slightly hesitant start in his first match against Doug Waller of Cheshire, losing the first game 7-9 before taking the next three for the loss of just three points and his quarter-final tie followed a similar pattern as Duleep Adhihetty of Middlesex opened up a 9-2 lead and had game ball in the second before Millman took the game 10-8 and then clinched the match for the loss of just one more point. There were no further alarms as he cruised through his semi final against Chris Harland of Yorkshire dropping only four points along the way and then went on to take the title.
Another former county champion, David Youngs of East Anglia,, who won five titles between 1999 and 2004 had a good run in the Over 40s event, notching up two comfortable straight game victories before pushing the No.1 seed Yawar Abbas of Durham and Cleveland to the limit only to lose 9-11 10-12 10-12. The reigning Norfolk champion, Jamie Goodrich of Potters reached the quarter-finals of the Overs 35s event before losing a 39 minute match to Nick Wall of Yorkshire 5-11 2-11 7-11 and Ian Cox of Bannatyne’s also reached the quarter-finals before finding Clive Ewins of Dorset too strong.
The three other Norfolk representatives, Brian Hawkes (East Anglia), Pete Blackmore (Barnham Broom) and Martin Pearse (North Norfolk) all lost their first matches although Pearse who was seeded 9/16 will have been disappointed to lose what was described on the official web site as an entertaining and often brutal 52 minute encounter in the Over 60s tournament to Allen Brown of Dorset. To quote the web site : “Pearse, who was repeatedly running into his opponent, sometimes getting lets and sometimes not, saved six match balls to level it in the fourth, but Allen recovered from 3-6 in the fifth to take it 9-6.”
Results:-
Over 35
Ian Cox beat Richard Cook (Lancashire) 11-6 11-3 11-2 15 minutes
beat Gary Milner (Bedforsdshire) 11-4 11- 11-5 15 minutes
lost to Clive Ewins (Dorset) 6-11 3-11 6-11 20 minutes
Jamie Goodrich beat Mark Webster (Oxon) walk-over
beat Chris Stanley (Surrey) 11-9 11-8 11-4 30 minutes
lost to Nick Wall (Yorkshire) 5-11 2-11 7-11 39 minutes
Over 40
David Youngs beat Paul Frankland (Dorset) 11-6 11-4 11-5 16 minutes
beat Karl Hardy (Cheshire) 11-2 11-3 11-4 15 minutes
lost to Yawar Abbas (Durham &Cleveland) 9-11 10-12 10-12 31 minutes
Over 50
Richard Millman beat Doug Waller (Cheshire) 7-9 9-2 9-0 9-1 22 minutes
beat Duleep Adhihetty (Middlesex) 2-9 10-8 9-1 9-0 36 minutes
beat Chris Harland (Yorkshire) 9-0 9-3 9-1 25 minutes
beat Jeremy Goulding (Avon) 9-5 9-0 9-3 25 minutes
Pete Blackmore bt Richard Mosley (Yorkshire) walk-over
lost to Neil Harrison (Durham & Cleveland) 0-9 3-9 3-9 24 minutes
Over 55
Brian Hawkes lost to Richard Whitehouse (Staffordshire) 7-9 8-10 9-5 3-9 30 minutes
Over 60
Martin Pearse lost to Allen Brown (Dorset) 9-3 4-9 7-9 10-8 6-9 52 minutes
