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Linda Davie watches the Masters in Action:
Friday 11th |
Men’s over 60
Qtr Final
Roy Bradley v Mike Clemson
7/9, 1/9, 7/9 (33 mins)
Where were you guys, you the public at 12.45 today.
I refereed a fabulous match and only wished a few more people to be in
attendance.
Clemson (A Road Runner) was 2/7 down in the first but took it 9/7 in 9
minutes.
These two fit men chased everything and of course have a superb range of
shots with skill, which comes with experience. Clemson won the match 3/0 in
33 minutes.
I have little more to add except to say “Thank you guys for giving us such a
wonderful time”. I didn’t wish the match to come to a close……and you don’t
say that about many matches!!
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"Most entertaining match and it’s
always a pleasure to come down from Hull to Manchester.
"It’s such a well organised event and of course all the markers are
attractive..(silly man – he had already won!) Speaking as a club player,
the sheer existence of the Masters is enjoyable."
Mike Clemson |
"Since the event has been held in
Manchester I haven’t missed one yet. It just gets better and better.
"We also get the chance to rub shoulders with the BEST and they chat
away even though they don’t have a clue as to I am.
"There is a lot respect and rivalry between us Vets. You know you can
still get a lot of exercise playing squash at over 60."
Roy Bradley |
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Linda Davie watches the Masters in Action:
Thursday 10th |
Over 45:
Ian Bradburn v. James Ockwell
I found out after the match that these two have played each other twice
before, Bradburn winning the first match 9/7 in the fifth and Ockwell
winning their second encounter 10/9 in the fifth !!!!
 I
arrived at this match to find Bradburn two-nil down, surprised because I
know that if Bradburn loses it has to be a good opponent! So I reckoned it
would be worth staying to see how this one would unfold.
It was easy to see what the problem was; Bradburn was tinning everything,
very uncharacteristically of course. The game stayed close throughout the
third and at 7/7 Bradburn got a lucky break 8/7 but Ockwell wasn’t giving up
that easily and got it to set but Bradburn took it 10/8, 14 mins.
Was the break he needed, would he hold his nerve?
The fourth passed quickly in just over 4 minutes. From 1/5 down Ockwell
clawed up to 4/5. But when Bradburn eventually got the handout he went straight through
9/7.
Now I felt Bradburn had the upper hand and he took a 5/0 lead, but as we all
know a game is never over so we watched as Ockwell did his best to get back
into the game. But at 5/7 I think he saw the game slip away from him.
Bradburn played a couple of sweet backhand drops and he finished off the
game with a deep back hand drive, perfect pace, perfect length.
Ian Bradburn bt James Ockwell
3/9 1/9 10/8 9/4 9/5 44m
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"I am fit enough at the moment as I
have been training and I was never tired in the game but he slowed
everything down and I found it very frustrating, and James being a lefty
didn’t help as I couldn’t even think about a game plan.
Two nil down, 5/7, and I had to hold my nerve, I was frightened to play
winners but I got a couple of lucky breaks. I think he went in the
fourth which gave me confidence in the fifth.
Ian Bradburn |
"So near yet so far, blew it for a
couple of points ..."
James Ockwell |
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"I visited every bus stop in Manchester
to get his shots ie, I played Nigel Willis!"
Frank Ellis |
“Single looking for a blonde- female of
course ...”
“I’ve had slight back problems for a couple of months. Got some physio
before I went onto court and it helped me… it helped me a lot. I
stiffened up a little towards the end but got there. Ellis played well,
it was a nice game played in the right spirit.”
Nigel Willis |
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Over 35:
Nigel Willis v Frank Ellis
What a wonderful display of squash we witnessed here this evening. Yes I
know Beachill and Gough were on court but I had the honour of watching Nigel
and Frank. Both guys played beautifully almost as if it were an exhibition.
Nigel took control in the first and had a 5/0 lead but after numerous
rallies he won 9/6. 12 minutes.
 Although
he had lost the first game Frank came out of the old starting blocks and
held a 5/1 lead in the second. Then of course Willis came back into it and
played an exquisite shot to the back which died in the nick making it 4/5. I
thought he would take the second game on his first game ball, but not so. At
hand out 5/8 Ellis staged a come back. At 7/8 down Ellis asked for a let and
perhaps was looking for the stroke but the ball was “glued” to the side wall
and the correct “yes let” was given. ( Jill Wood the marker when discussing
with the referee Peter Blackmore used this term, nice one Jill) Willis won
9/7 11 minutes.
One could be forgiven for thinking that Willis had this game in the bag but
Ellis gave his all and at 8/5 up Nigel put in a storming effort and
retrieved 5 stunners but not so the sixth, game to Ellis 9/5 9 minutes.
Nigel stayed focused in the fourth and took it 9/0. A wonderful performance
by two superb players.
Nigel Willis bt Frank Ellis 9/6, 9/7, 5/9, 9/0 |
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