MASTERS

British National SQUASH Championships 2008 ● 10-17 Feb ● Sportcity, Manchester ● 

       2006 MASTERS     

THE FINAL STAGES

M35 Final
[2] Gary Thwaite bt [1] Galen Le Cheminant
      9/5, 9/2, 9/2

M40 Semis
[1] Jonathan Clarke bt [3/4] Martin Greenslade
        9/1, 9/2, 9/5 (43m)
[2] Peter Gunter bt [9/16] Steve Calvert
        10/8, 9/2, 9/3 (49m)
Final: Clark bt Gunter 9/5, 7/9, 9/2, 9/7 (70m)

M45 Final:
[1] Nick Gatward bt [2] Alan Thompson 
         9/5, 9/5, 9/4

M50 Final:
[5/8] Duleep Adhihetty bt [3/4] David Lumsden
         9/0, 10/8, 9/6 (33m)

M55 Semis:
[3/4] Moussa Helal bt [9/16] Ken Randall
       9/6, 9/5, 9/3 (28m)
[2] Phil Ayton bt [3/4] Howard Cherlin
       9/3, 9/2, 10/8 (30m)
Final: Ayton bt Helal  9/7, 9/3, 9/4 (34m)

M60 Semis:
[5/8] Adrian Wright bt [1] Chris Ansell
        9/5, 3/9, 9/6, 10/8 (39m)
[2] Rodney Boswell bt [3/4] Mike Clemson
       9/2, 9/3, 6/9, 7/9, 9/6 (45m)
Final: Boswell bt Wright  9/2, 9/6, 9/7 (24m)

M65 Semis:
[1] Pat Kirton bt [3/4] Gary Greenhalgh
      9/5, 8/10, 9/3, 9/3 (40m)
[2] John Woodliffe bt [3/4] John Shaw
      9/5, 7/9, 9/4, 10/8 (52m)
Final: Kirton bt Woodliffe  8/10, 1/9, 9/5, 9/7, 9/1 (65m)

M70 Semis:
[1] Lance Kinder bt [3/4] Kenneth Barratt
       9/3, 6/9, 9/3, 9/6 (34m)
[3/4] Don Williams bt [2] Anthony Breakwell
       9/6, 9/2, 9/2
Final: Kinder bt Williams  5/9, 9/1, 9/2, 9/5 (32m)

W35 Final:
Nicky Fowler bt Zoe Durbach 
    9/0, 9/10, 8/10, 9/4, 9/5

W40 Semis:
Heather Tweedle bt [1] Mandy Akin
    5/9, 9/4, 10/8, 9/5 (41m)
[2] Candy Wilton bt [3/4] Fran Wallis
     9/4, 9/5, 9/1 (29m)
Final: Wilton bt Tweedle  10/9, 9/7, 9/1 (37m)

W45 Semis:
[1] Liz Brown bt [3/4] Lesley Sturgess
      9/2, 9/1, 9/4 (17m)
Paula Arrowsmith bt [3/4] Jacky Gardner
      9/3, 9/7, 9/3 (25m)
Final: Brown bt Arrowsmith 9/1, 9/0, 9/1 (11m)

W50 Final:
Catherine Woodhart bt Jan Ellis
   9/6, 10/9, 9/6 (35m)

W55 Semis:
[3/4] Averil Murphy bt [1] Rebecca Czucman
     9/3, 9/6, 9/4 (27m)
[2] Ann Manley bt [3/4] Anna Cherry
     7/9, 10/8, 7/9, 9/5, 9/1 (47m)
Final: Murphy bt Manley 3/9, 9/3, 9/5, 7/9, 9/2 (50m)
  

A QUICK DEATH
BY THE SPANIARD ...

The final session was running well late, with the men's O40 and Women's O35 finals on the show court starting late and turning out to be marathons.

So Gary Thwaite, aka 'The Spaniard', was sent into the arena with strict instructions to despatch his victim quickly and cleanly, and he duly obliged to collect his second O35 title in three years.

"I played him maybe 7 or 8 years ago in a Yorkshire League match, and I beat him then, so it was nice to go into the final with a bit of a mental edge. "I knew he'd taken Glen to the cleaners in the semis so I realised that letting him get to the front was dangerous as he has great racket skills. "I managed to keep it tight, kept him behind me, but it wasn't easy, I felt sharp, and had to stay really focussed." Gary Thwaite

LAST MAN STANDING

Somehow fitting that the O65 final, the last match to be played on the 'outside' courts this week, should last 65 minutes.

And at the end of it, having been 2-0 down, Pat Kirton eventually outlasted John Woodliffe to add a further National title to his locker.

"Being 2-0 down wasn't a problem, but in the third he was playing well enough to win it, so I was lucky to come through. The only easy game was the fifth. "I've been collecting titles since the age of 20, but it used to be a bit easier then, age tends to even things up a bit. "John and I will probably be doing battle again in the 70s next year ..."

  

65 minutes, and the markings are still on the ball
"we don't hit it very hard," says Pat ...

CLARK TAKES O40 TITLE
Gordon Kerr reports

Despite the early start (noon) this match was played in front of a gallery of about 200, all of whom were treated to a gem. If the elite men’s game can sometimes seem almost too fast to follow in detail, and the women sometimes seem almost too kind to each other, this match was the perfect compromise – played at the pace of elite women but with all the bite and aggression of the top men. Both men sought dominance of the tee, both tried to impose their physical presence, no quarter was given and the referee was earning his lunch.

Gunter, who has represented England at 035 level (at first string), started well. His smooth and classical technique sent clinger after clinger into the back corners and after about ten hard fought rallies he was 3 – 0 up. However, rather than attack further at this point Gunter’s play became ever so slightly looser and Clark, the busier of the two players made sure the referee was aware, and seemed to earn the better of the decisions. After one or two slightly questionable ones went Clark’s way he took the first and went ahead 5 – 0 in the second quite quickly. Whenever Gunter boasted Clark was into the front with excellent soft winning drops.

At this point Gunter changed his game a little, stepping in early and employing more delay. He also produced a string of perfect drops and volley drops which now forced Clark to do much more work. Clark tried to break the rhythm with a bizarre appeal against a great drop but Gunter had taken control of the court and won the second game 9 – 7 to level the match.

Gunter changed his shirt between games but looked in his chair to be tired. Clark sensed this and pressed hard at the start of the fourth, again appealing to the referee each time the taller man failed to jump clear of Clark’s preferred line. Again this perfectly legitimate harassing tactic seemed to turn the game. Gunter chose to play a few shots to try and reverse a losing sequence of rallies without success. The third went to Clark 9 – 2 quite quickly.

The uplift that winning the third gave Clark was visible to all, and a quick end was expected by the crowd as Clark relaxed into his game in the fourth. However Gunter’s desire for the title was also visible as he went deep into his physical and mental reserves and slightly increased the pace of the game and the quality of his own shots. Now it was Clark who was on the back foot and reeling as the point score crawled into the 5s and 6s. Clark tinned an attempted wonder shot and audibly confessed to a lifelong shortage of “bottle”. Yet in the next rally he produced a perfect high pressure backhand crosscourt drop from deep to move 7 – 6 ahead.

Gunter pressed again and at 7 – 8 down declined what was surely an obvious stroke as Clark stumbled under his own poor lob. Foolishly or sportingly Gunter tried a restricted swing high volley kill but hit the base of the tin. Hand out and match ball. This last point was surely the best of the match. Both players were flying into all four corners. 3 or 4 times your author was about to stand to applaud Clark’s deep crosscourt kill only for miraculous retrieving by Gunter to keep the point alive. After what must have been 50 shots Gunter lunged midcourt and played a superb low volley drive down the backhand side wall…but in his exhaustion he was slow to push back from it.

Clark saw his opportunity – dived into the situation and won a relatively generous (though correct) stroke and with it the title. 70 minutes of playing time had elapsed.


   

BOZZA DOES IT ON HIS OWN

Most of Bozza's Barmy Army was absent today (it turns out they do know him, contrary to my suggestion in the previous report, but had other engagements), and they missed him capturing his first National title at the expense of Adrian Wright.

"I tried to keep it away from Adrian's forehand, as I knew that was particularly strong, and make him work. "As long as the body holds up my target now is to emulate Adrian and play for England, hopefully this week will have gone some way towards helping me achieve that goal." Rodney Boswell

"He's too fit. I'm too old." Adrian Wright

CANDY COLLECTS ...

It was expected to be a showdown between two Kent team-mates, but Heather's dismissal of top seed Mandy Akin in the semis put paid to that.

She couldn't do the Kent double though as Candy, moving up from the 35s, secured her first National title, running away with the third after two close opening games.

"My main aim was just to beat Claire in the first round, so after that I was really relaxed against Mandy in the semis and again today. I wasn't expecting to do well, so I'm really pleased to have got to the final."

ANOTHER ONE FOR AVERIL

After a first pass of the three courts on which the masters finals were being played, I disappeared to do some updates, then returned to find the two men's matches finished but the women's O55 final still going on.

I thought it was a bit harsh of the ref to deny one of the ladies a let, deep into the fifth, imploring her to "make more effort" ...

A great battle that swung to and fro, and finally Averil Murphy added another title to her collection.

"Although Ann has never beaten me, we always have good games. The last time we played was in the World Masters in Helsinki. "I thought I was struggling a little, I really wanted to push on and win in the fourth. We spent a long time at 2-1 in the fifth, but then I got a run of points which took me clear."

 

"He was just too crafty for me. After the first he started to put his serves in, and the ball got colder and colder, and I just couldn't get it back. "He plays a slower game than me, and is just too accurate with his lobs and drops, and is very agile too, he's a bit younger than me. "I need to play people like Lance more often to bring my game on ..."

Phil Ayton has won many national titles, and today collected his "third or fourth" at this level, avenging last year's rare defeat against Howard Cherlin in the semis.

"I was a bit quicker than Moussa today, I kept the pressure on and just managed to stick in and win it, but it wasn't easy, not at all ...

FIFTH TIME LUCKY FOR DULEEP

Four-time losing finalist, Duleep Adhihetty earned himself another shot at a National title in his debut season in the Over 50 event (passports are being asked for as he doesn't look a day over 21!).

His opponent was Dave Lumsden, former O50 champion appearing in his third consecutive final. Dave qualifies for the O55, but wanted another shot at the O50 crown.



In the first game he might have wished he'd gone for the older option, as Duleep raced through it, all his shots coming off. Dave recovered to lead handsomely in the second, and really should have taken it, but a few untimely tins nd hew was 2-0 down.

Buoyed by this Duleep raced away in the third, and at 8/3 it was all over ... or was it. Presented with a sitter at the front, with Dave ambling up from the back corner with his hand outstretched, Duleep somehow contrived to hit the tin - no, don't laugh, we've all done it.

But Duleep managed to do it again ... then again ... then again. Suddenly it was 8/6 and the foregone conclusion wasn't so foregone any more.

Finally Duleep managed to get in a dying length, and much to his relief and delight, a National title was finally his.
 

DAY SEVEN, Sat 11th

"In the first game he never missed a thing, but I just blew the second. The pendulum might have swung my way if I'd held on to take that. Dave Lumsden

"I started well then lost my way, so I went back to playing basic length in the second, but it's so hot on there, it's really tiring. "My heart sank when I missed that drop on match ball, then another three tins. How can you miss them? "This is only the start for me, I'll be playing some masters events, definitely the British Open, then back here next year to defent my title." Duleep Adhihetty

ANOTHER FINAL FOR AVERIL

Averil Murphy has been a feature of these championships for a while now, appearing in many finals since she started competing in the O40 event and winning ... "some of them", as she says.

Today she reached another final, beating top seed Rebecca Czucman, another regular, in the first match of the day.

"My game hasn't changed much over the years, I've always tried to hit the ball hard and volley as much as I can, trying not to give my opponent time to get to the ball. "It's the same game today, although I can't move quite as well as I used to, and some days it works better than others. "Becky was missing a lot of backhands today, which helped me ..." Averil Murphy

MANDY EXPECTS TOUGH DEFENCE

Defending champion Mandy Akin started her campaign with a dropped game, but soon found the form that served her so well last year ...

"It took me a while to get going, which is actually quite normal for me. I'm expecting it to be harder this year - if I get to the final I could end up playing Candy Wilton, who's just moved into this age group. She's from my county and we play each other a lot, and although she's not beaten me yet it's always a very close game. Mandy Akin

DAY SIX, Fri 10th

HOME SUPPORT FOR JACKY

Jacky Gardner won the women's O45 title at her first attempt in 2002, but since then has come up against the legendary Liz Brown in the final.

Today's quarter-final was a hard-fought affair, with "hit an run" the dominant theme - there weren't many drop-shots to be seen.

"I keep telling her after each game to play more drops," said Jacky's partner, "but maybe she'll listen to you!".

REVENGE AT LAST ...

I only caught the last rally of this match - the marker's call of "match ball" sent me scuttling across to court three just in time to see John Shaw gain revenge on Berge Kay after 30 years ...

"I've only played Berge once before, it was in a National League semi-final some years ago. We were the away team, and we turned up on a Sunday morning to find that the courts were freezing and that the host club had no new balls available. "So we had to play with Berge's ball, which had been used about 50 times and was was shiny and hard ... it's the only time in 55 years that I've ever complained about anything!" John Shaw "I should have served harder, John was picking off my serves really well. I didn't much like his boasts either ..." Berge Kay

  
ANTHONY AT BREAKNECK SPEED ...

You wouldn't believe how fast Anthony Breakwell moves on the court - 70+ and fast as lightning. Today his movement was just too much for James, who has some lovely shots, but I'm sure he isn't used to seeing someone of Anthony's age run down those lovely drops and boasts, then return them with interest.

NOT AN ENGLISHMAN IN SIGHT ... YET

This was an Welsh/Scottish clash, with Gary, the Welsh number one at Over 60 level, winning the day with some fine play, often stemming from putting his opponent in trouble from the serve.

"His service is very unusual, and it was catching me out a lot of the time, although it didn't make any difference in the end, Gary was simply too good, he had all the answers. "He played very cleverly, going for everything when he was serving and playing safe when he wasn't, that's pressure. "If anyone's going to beat him they'll have to run themselves into the ground, he's the Roy Keane of squash, is Gary !" Martin Sweeney

RODNEY'S BARMY ARMY

To the delight of his huge, noisy fan base (I'm not sure they actually knew him, they probably just decided to pick on some unfortunate to support), Rodney Boswell beat his second successive North-East opponent to reach the semis.

Ken looked sharp in the early exchanges, but a few careless errors early in the second let Rodney back in, and he needed no second invitation.

"That was tough. In my opinion all left-handers should be shot at birth, but having said that Ken's a great bloke and it was a fun match played in a great spirit. "I'm looking forward to the semi-final against Mike [Clemson], who's another left-hander ... Rodney Boswell

DAY FIVE, Thu 9th



MORE MASTERS REPORTS COMING UP  ...

 

You may remember Tommy Elves from last year. He absolutely hated courts 4,5,6 - the ones with the painted glass front walls.

Masters matches yesterday took place on courts 1,2,3 (the ones with plaster front walls) and court 5. You can guess which one Tommy got ...

Rodney handled the conditions that much better, pinning Tommy at the back before catching him out with some delightful drops and, especially, boasts, although he too was less than impressed with court 5, but satisfied with his game.

"The lights are too bright when you look up, it sounds awful off the front wall, which takes all the pace off the ball. "Tommy's a good volleyer, so I knew I needed to keep the ball up to get it past him, stop him cutting it off. For the most part it worked ..."

 

Another of the North East players we followed last year was Ken Johnson, who was competing in his first ever Nationals and reached the O60 semi-final unseeded.

Since then Ken has gone on to represent England in the Home Internationals at Nottingham, and came into this year's event as a 5/8 seed.

Ken had an fairly comfortable match today, his left-handed flicks and deceptions winning him most of his points. He now plays Rodney in the quarter-finals.

"The courts on this side are much better to play on, the ball seems to react more how we're used to it. "The lights are still a problem, but they've painted the walls above the out-of-court lines white which makes it much easier to see the ball when it's up a height." Ken's Newbiggin team-mate John Smith concurs: "I only lose the ball half the time now!"

Third time lucky for Moussa?

Moussa Helal is a familiar face at the Nationals. He used to be a full-time pro, and now coaches full-time at local clubs Fairway Lodge and Village Leisure in Bury.

He's been Over 35, Over 40, Over 45 and Over 50 Champion, but in the Over 55s he has lost two finals so far, as he makes his third attempt as a 3/4 seed.

"I made the mistake last year of coaching on the day of the final, and against Howard Cherlin, who I actually coach and can usually beat 3/0, I ended up losing. "It will probably be the same this year - I'm coaching tonight after this match, then I've got two three-hour courses here tomorrow before my quarter-final at 7.15. "But I have to coach. A lot of the players I take would just stop playing if I stopped, and some of them are so keen, coming from say Liverpool every week for a session."

No joy for the Enforcer

Defending O50 champion Mark Cowley, who is the director of the country's largest enforcement agency and featured in the BBC series about bailiffs, lost out to his best friend in tonight's quarter-finals, squandering several game-balls in the fourth before losing out to a rather luck volley from Duleep and a tin on the last point.

 

"I'm disappointed to lose, obviously, but if I had to go out to anyone it would be Duleep. I'm quite happy for him to progress and I'll be supporting him all the way to the final. "I've been in a couple of O40 finals too ... I seem to be getting better as I get older!" "It was a good game, like it always is between us, with very few problems for the referee. "I played a really lucky shot as 8-all in the last, I feel a bit guilty about that. "We've played each other for the past 15-20 years. Mark used to win more, but I've been catching up recently and we're probably about even now.

ANOTHER VICTIM FOR
'THE SPANIARD' ...

O35 Champion two years ago, and runner-up (to Derek Ryan) last year, Cumbria's Gary Thwaite looks in ominous form again, reaching the semis without yet being seriously troubled.

What caught my attention was the encouragement coming from Gary's club-mates at Lancaster. "Come on, Spaniard .... great shot, Spaniard ... do the business Spaniard ..."

Now Gary certainly looks the part of a gladiator, clad in black, but any resemblance to Russell Crowe is surely passing, so I felt obliged to ask the origin of the nickname.

"Oh no, it's not because he LOOKS like Russell Crowe," explained the Lancaster lads, "it's because goes for the kill with the same merciless swiftness!"

So now we know. I'd watch out if I were you, Karl, as you take on the Spaniard, in, as the Lancaster lads put it, "the Great Arena" ...

Gary goes for the kill ...

KARL'S HAT-TRICK OF GARYS

Karl Hardy reached the O35 semi-finals for the second successive year with a hard-earned win over Gary Clarke that put the schedule well behind on court three.

Having dealt with two Garys already, Karl now meets at third in Gary Thwaite, to whom he lost 3-2 at the same stage last year.

"That was tough. We were both working very hard, even in the second which I won 9-0 but the scoreline doesn't reflect the game. "I knew the third was crucial, and when I won that I was confident of winning the fourth, as I could see he was tiring. "I'll need a good start tomorrow, as Gary's a very strong player, especially with it being on the glass court - I've only played on it once before."

Me and my Squash Guys
Karl regularly practices with Becky Botwright, who offered to give him at hit on the glass court before tomorrow's semi-final. "He's one of my squash guys ..." says Becky
  

MASTERS

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