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British Under 23 Championships 2011
08-10 April, Hunts County |
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Men's
Draw
Women's Draw
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10-Apr, Finals
Lust and Adrian crowned
British Under 23 Champions
Chris Nutley reports
[1] Victoria Lust bt [3/4] Sarah-Jane Perry
11-9 11-4 11-6 (29m)
[1] Adrian Waller bt [3/4] Olivier Pett
13-11 11-9 11-8 (50m) |
The women’s final saw the
World No37 and No1 seed Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire)
take on full time university student and former European
Under 19 Champion Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwickshire).
The first game started with some long hard rallies are both
players jostled for position. Both played some good solid
squash and moved each other around the court well. It could
have gone either way but it was Lust who managed to take a
9-7 lead and although Perry got it back to 9all Lust took it
11-9.
The loss of the first game seemed to affect Perry and Lust
was able to take control and dictate the direction of the
second without too much trouble and it was quickly 2-0.
Perry then regrouped and started to use her great racket
skills to create good openings only for the execution of the
winner to let her down. She hung on in there but Lust’s
superior experience and fitness were the key and she ran out
a worthy 11-9 11-4 11-6 winner in 29 minutes.
I think it is fair to say that both girls can have a fiery
temperament on court but it should be noted that this final
was played out in a fantastic spirit and gave the packed
gallery an entertaining match.
Top seed Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) got off to a
flier in his final with 3/4 seed Ollie Pett (Sussex)
and quickly took a 5-0 lead in the opening game. Pett
finally got into his stride and pulled it back to 4-6 before
a disputed no let decision disrupted his run and allowed
Waller to regain the initiative. The game then settled and
they traded point for point until at 9 all another disputed
let seems to unsettle Pett once again and Waller took the
game 13-11.
Waller was now in control and although it remained extremely
close you always got the impression he had that little bit
extra to give. Again it remained close until at 8-9 down
Waller stepped up and closed it out to take a commanding 2-0
lead.
Pett was desperate to get back into it and at the beginning
of the third led at 2-0 and 4-2 only to be pegged back each
time. Waller took the lead for the first time at 7-6 and
stayed ahead earning match ball at 10-9. The following rally
saw incredible returns from both players, Waller wanting to
finish it off and Pett desperate to stay in it. However it
finished in Waller’s favour and with it a fifth British
title. 3-0 but a great match and a fitting end to a
wonderful weekend in Cambridgeshire.
The championships return to Hunts County again in 2012 and
both Lust and Waller will be back to defend their titles. |
09-Apr, Semis:
Pett and Perry take out
second seeds in semis
Chris Nutley reports
 Victoria
Lust (Bedfordshire) renewed her junior rivalry with
Rachel Willmott (Sussex) this afternoon with Lust
commenting ‘its just like the old days with all these
players back on court facing each other’.
The names remain the same but for some their game has
dramatically improved. Lust is one of those players who has
pushed on in the last year or so and is now enjoying some
success on the tour. From the start it was clear who the
full time player was as Lust took the first game 11-1. The
momentum carried on into the second as Lust raced into a 5-1
lead, then 8-3 and soon took game 11-4.
The third was just as emphatic, Lust too quick and precise
with her shots leaving no way back for Willmott who was
struggling to get into the game, 11-5 in the third and a
comprehensive 3-0 victory for Lust who looks forward to her
Final tomorrow.
The first Men’s Semi Final saw Charles Sharpes
(Surrey) take on his good friend Adrian Waller
(Hertfordshire). Both men have made great strides in the
game of late with Sharpes playing well on the domestic
circuit and Waller steadily climbing up the world rankings.
With both players mainly untroubled through the draw so far
it was a good test of ability for each player, the onus on
Sharpes to see just how much his game has improved. Sharpes
started the first well but at 5 all Waller moved up a gear
and took control as he took the next 5 points, and
eventually the game 11-6. The second saw Sharpes step up,
keeping with Waller point for point until it was 9-9, a no
let decision gave the game ball to Waller and he took full
advantage, taking the next rally and the 2nd game 11-9.
In the third Sharpes could no longer match Waller's fast
pace, Waller didn’t look in any trouble from this point
onwards and booked his place in the Final as he won the 3rd
11-5 and the game 3-0 in 35 minutes.
 Next
up it was the battle of the European Junior Champions –
Carrie Ramsey (Yorkshire) and Sarah-Jane Perry
(Warwickshire). Both players had endured tough quarters
earlier in the day so stamina and determination were going
to be important - however it was a strange match that failed
to generate the intensity expected in a major semi final.
 Second
seed Ramsey started the stronger and edged the first but
after that she failed to move Perry around the court
effectively and Perry started to pick off the winners at
will.
The match quickly ran away from Ramsey and Perry was a very
worthy winner 9-11 11-4 11-4 11-6. Perry now has time to
rest and prepare for tomorrow’s final.
Last semi on court was Eddie Charlton
(Nottinghamshire) against Ollie Pett (Sussex). The
first was a bit scrappy and went to a tie breaker but it was
Charlton that prevailed. He then got off to a flier in the
second courtesy of 4 errors from Pett and a stroke to lead
5-0. Any thoughts of a quick finish were soon dashed as Pett
fought back and levelled at 1-1.
The next was tight and went to 5all with some great squash
and some incredible retrieving. However the difference was
another run of unforced errors by Pett and Charlton took the
lead once more 2-1. But as the script predicted back came
Pett to take it into a decider.
The fifth was hard to watch as Charlton tried everything to
keep in it but he simply had nothing left after the
exertions of the day and Pett took it.
A bitter disappointment for Charlton but a great win and a
place in the final for Pett.
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Men's
Draw
Women's Draw
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Semi Final
Results
[1] Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) bt [3/4] Rachel
Willmott (Sussex)
11-1 11-4 11-5 (19m)
[3/4] Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwickshire) bt [2] Carrie Ramsey
(Yorks) 9-11 11-4 11-4 11-6 (39m)
[1] Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) bt [5/8] Charles Sharpes
(Surrey)
11-6 11-9 11-5 (34m)
[3/4] Olivier Pett (Sussex) bt [2] Eddie Charlton (Notts)
10-12 11-9 6-11 11-6 11-5 (63m) |
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Men's
Draw
Women's Draw
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09-Apr, Quarters:
It's Down to the Semis at Hunts
County
Chris Nutley reports
Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) got the quarter finals
off with a straight forward win over Kirsty West (Cheshire).
Lust has been on the WISPA tour for four years and is
currently ranked 38 and her experience was too much for
West. Rachel Willmott (Sussex) booked her place in
the semi finals and a meeting with Lust after a solid 3-0
win over Katherine Quarterman (Oxfordshire).
The women’s quarter final of the day was definitely
Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwickshire) against Victoria Bell
(Cumbria). Bell, a former British Junior Champion, took the
first before the match really kicked in – a monster of a
second game ended in Perry eventually levelling the match
courtesy of a 21-19 score.
The third continued in the same vein with some thunderous
drives and physical play. However it was Bell who took it
12-10 and went into the lead once more, only to lose focus
at the start of the fourth and before we knew it we were all
square again. There was no let-up in the decider as they
traded point for point but in the end it was former European
Junior Champion Perry who sneaked it 11-9. Not inspiring
squash but a great contest.
 No2
seed Carrie Ramsey (Yorkshire) took the final semi
slot with a tough win over Julianne Coutice
(Gloucestershire).
The match was always in the balance with neither player
really able to push on and take control, but it was Ramsey
who managed to hold on and take a 11-9 8-11 11-5 12-10 win.
 In
the men’s championship top seed and World No 61 Adrian
Waller (Hertfordshire) was first to make the semi final
with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Alistair Mutch (Wales).
Waller controlled the match from the off, was too quick and
made Mutch work too hard to allow him to get into it.
Another good performance from Waller who is yet to be
tested.
Waller’s opponent in the semi’s is British Under 19 Champion
Charles Sharpes (Surrey) who gained a walkover after
Tom Pashley (Sussex) had to withdraw, still struggling after
his bout of glandular fever. A fresh Sharpes will no doubt
pose a real threat to Waller’s charge towards the title –
one to watch.
 No2
seed Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) made the semi
finals for the second year running but had to do it the hard
way. Charlton twice had to fight back from a game down
against Anthony Graham (Gloucestershire) who had found some
form and was playing some quality squash.
The match was nicely balanced at 2all and 2-2all in the
fifth when England National Coach Chris Robertson remarked
he would now put his hat on a Graham victory.
Those words of wisdom signalled the end of Graham’s
challenge as Charlton took the advantage and won it
11-2…….what does he know!
In a bizarre turn of events, Charlton now plays Ollie
Pett (Sussex) who himself also gained a walkover – this
time Chris Fuller (Northamptonshire) withdrawing due to his
recurring viral infection.
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Quarter
Final Results
[1] Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) bt [5/8] Kirtie West
(Cheshire) 11-2 11-2 11-4 (15m)
[3/4] Rachel Willmott (Sussex) bt [5/8] Katherine Quarterman
(Oxfordshire) 11-5 11-3 11-5 (23m)
[3/4] Sarah-Jane Perry (Warks) bt [5/8] Victoria Bell
(Cumbria) 6-11 21-19 10-12 11-3 11-9 (63m)
[2] Carrie Ramsey (Yorks) bt [5/8] Julianne Courtice
(Gloucestershire) 9-11 11-8 11-5 12-10 (43m)
[1] Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) bt 9/16* Alistair Mutch
(Wales) 11-6 11-7 11-7 (31m)
[5/8] Charles Sharpes (Surrey) bt [3/4] Tom Pashley (Sussex)
Walkover
[3/4] Oliver Pett (Sussex) bt [5/8] Chris Fuller
(Northamptonshire) Walkover
[2] Eddie Charlton (Notts) bt [5/8] Anthony Graham (Gloucs
8-11 13-11 8-11 11-7 11-2 (72m)
Semi Final Line Up
[1] Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) v [3/4] Rachel Willmott
(Sussex)
[2] Carrie Ramsey (Yorkshire) v [3/4] Sarah-Jane Perry
(Warwickshire)
[1] Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) v [5/8] Charles Sharpes
(Surrey)
[2] Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) v [3/4] Oliver Pett
(Sussex) |
08-Apr-11:
Down to the Quarters
Chris Nutley reports
The British Under 23’s at the fantastic facilities at Hunts
County Squash Club came alive this evening with some
excellent squash and some great matches.
Top seed Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) set the
session off with a professional and clinical 11-4 11-7 11-4
victory over Nation Lake (Gloucestershire). Waller looks to
be in good form and is going to take some beating this
weekend as he aims to add this title to the four British
titles he amassed as a junior.
Alistair Mutch (Wales) became the first player to
take out a higher seed when he defeated 5/8 seed Ben Coleman
(Essex) in a tough second round encounter. The 9/16 seed
took control late on in the first game and then fought back
from 10-8 down in the second to take a two games to nil
lead. Coleman continued to fight and took the third and then
raced into a 5-0 lead in the fourth. However something awoke
Mutch and back he came to take the game 11-8 and the match
3-1. It was always a close call as which of these two should
be the higher seed and Mutch made his point – we got it
wrong!
3/4 seed Tom Pashley (Sussex) struggled in his match
with Rob Downer (Hampshire). It was a scrappy affair and a
real shock looked on the cards when Downer took an unlikely
2-0 lead. Although Pashley looked out of sorts and sluggish
he managed to find his length and back he came to square it
at 2 all. The decider remained untidy with nether player
really taking control – Downer was ahead for most of it but
seemed to lose his focus and discipline every time he lost a
point and was getting frustrated with himself. Pashley
remained calm even at 6-8 down and managed to edge it 11-8.
A win but only just and Pashley knows he is going to have to
do better if he is to progress through the draw tomorrow.
Charles Sharpes (Surrey) and Declan James
(Nottinghamshire) entertained the show court crowd with some
wonderful squash, played in the true spirit of the game.
Although Sharpes took it 3-0 James fought back from 7-1 down
in the third before eventually losing out 16-14.
No2 seed Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) and 5/8
seed Chris Fuller (Northamptonshire) enjoyed fairly
comfortable 3-0 wins over Adam Auckland (Lincolnshire) and
Tom Ford (Gloucestershire) respectively. Ollie Pett
(Sussex) is a man in form and looked good as he put James
Earles (Yorkshire) to the sword – an impressive performance
and he moves on to meet Chris Fuller in the quarters.
Last match on was [5/8] Anthony Graham
(Gloucestershire) against 9/16* Adam Murrills (Cheshire) and
as predictable it was never going to be easy. A close first
game ensued that Graham probably shaded but Murrills took
the spoils for. Graham then withstood an injury break and
took the second 11/4 and also took the third… just 12-10.
Graham then went on to wrap it up in the fourth as Murrills
lost his composure and allowed unforced errors to keep in
far too often.
The women’s draw also got underway but the top seeds were
able to rest until tomorrow. The pick of the Round 1 matches
was Katherine Quarterman (Oxfordshire) who had to dig
deep to overcome 15 year old Eleanor Lake (Gloucestershire).
Quarterman was twice pegged back before eventually taking it
11-9 7-11 11-7 7-11 11-9. Quarterman’s reward is a Round 2
match against Rachel Willmott (Sussex) who overcame
Brogan Lane (Hertfordshire) in three.
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Men's
Draw
Women's Draw
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Men’s Round
2 Results:
[1] Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) beat 9/16* Nathan Lake
(Gloucestershire) 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 (14m) 9/16* Alistair
Mutch (Wales) beat [5/8] Ben Coleman (Essex) 11-7, 12-10,
7-11, 11-8 (56m)
[3/4] Tom Pashley (Sussex) beat 9/16* Robert Downer (Hants)
9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (54m)
[5/8] Charles Sharpes (Surrey) beat 9/16* Declan James
(Nottinghamshire) 11-6, 11-8, 16-14 (39m) [5/8] Chris Fuller
(Northamptonshire) beat 9/16* Tom Ford (Gloucestershire)
11-7, 11-5, 11-9 (38m) [3/4] Oliver Pett (Sussex) beat 9/16*
James Earles (Yorkshire) 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 (28m)
[5/8] Anthony Graham (Gloucs) bt 9/16* Adam Murrills
(Cheshire) 11-13 11-4 12-10 11-5 (61m)
[2] Eddie Charlton (Notts) beat 9/16* Adam Auckland
(Lincolnshire) 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 (25m)
Women’s Round 1 Results:
[5/8] Kirsty West (Cheshire) beat Lucy Pallett
(Warwickshire) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9 (16m)
[3/4] Rachel Willmott (Sussex) beat Brogan Lane
(Hertfordshire) 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 (23m)
[5/8] Katherine Quarterman (Oxon) beat Eleanor Lake (Gloucs)
11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9 (41m)
[5/8] Victoria Bell (Cumbria) beat Lauren Tamilla
(Lancashire) 11-9, 11-3, 11-4 (17m)
 Quarter
Final Line Up
[1] Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) v [5/8] Kirst West
(Cheshire)
[3/4] Rachel Willmott (Sussex) v [5/8] Katherine Quarterman
(Oxfordshire)
[3/4] Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwickshire) v [5/8] Victoria Bell
(Cumbria)
[2] Carrie Ramsey (Yorkshire) v [5/8] Julianne Courtice
(Gloucestershire)
[1] Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) v 9/16* Alistair Mutch
(Wales)
[3/4]Tom Pashley (Sussex) v [5/8] Charles Sharpes (Surrey)
[3/4] Oliver Pett (Sussex) v [5/8] Chris Fuller
(Northamptonshire)
[2] Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) v [5/8] Anthony Graham
(Gloucestershire)
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08-Apr-11:
Under 23s Kick Off in the Sun
at Hunts County
Chris Nutley reports
 The
usual beautiful sunshine and BBQ stand were out this morning
to signal the start of the third British Under 23
Championships to be staged at Hunts County Squash Club.
Local interest in the men’s event rested with Cambridgeshire
duo Robert Dadds and Daniel McGinn. Dadds
safely came through last night's qualifying to face 9/16
seed Nathan Lake (Gloucestershire) in Round 1. It was
a great first game that went to 9, 10 and 11 all before Lake
finally took it 13-11. That seemed to drain Dadds and his
challenge quickly faded - Lake taking the following 2 games
comfortably 11-3 11-5 to move into Round 2.
It was then down to McGinn, but he was up against 19 year
old rising star and 5/8 seed Charles Sharpes
(Surrey). This was always going to be a tough encounter for
McGinn who went down to the British Under 19 champion 11-0
11-1 11-7.
It was an uneventful first round with all the seeds
progressing with good 3-0 victories.
 The
session also signalled the return of Nottinghamshire’s
Jon Brown who was a legend (not always for his squash it
must be added) around the junior circuit for many years. No2
seed and close friend Eddie Charlton (Nottingham)
persuaded Jon to pick up his racket again after a few years
away from the game and try his luck in the U23’s. His 2
training sessions in recent weeks weren’t quite enough to
get him back up to match fitness and he struggled from about
the fourth point as he fell to Adam Auckland
(Lincolnshire) 11/1 11/3 11/3.
Round Two sees a rematch of the recent BSPA Wimbledon Cup
tussle between 5/8 seed Ben Coleman (Essex) and 9/16
seed Alistair Mutch (Wales). Coleman will be looking
to justify his higher seeding and gain revenge for his 3-0
loss to Mutch two weeks ago.
Adam Murrills (Cheshire) will be hoping to keep his
good run going. Back in Februarys National Championships
Murrills beat Former World No3 Simon Parke and just last
week he took out Stephen Meads in the PSL semi final but
still finished on the losing side as Chapel Allerton lost to
St Georges Hill. Murrills faces friend and training partner
Anthony Graham (Gloucestershire).
The Women’s draw begins this evening with No1 seed
Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) looking to put the
disappointment of missing last year’s championship through
injury behind her and claim her first British title since
the juniors. |
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Men’s
Qualification
Robert Dadds (Cambridgeshire) beat Alexander Williams
(Norfolk) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 (25m)
Jordan Creed (Norfolk) beat Peter Dickinson (Cambridgeshire)
15-13, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 (55m)
Men’s Round 1
[1] Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire) beat Jordan Creed
(Norfolk) 11-1, 11-4, 11-2 (14m)
9/16* Nathan Lake (Gloucestershire) beat Robert Dadds
(Cambridgeshire) 13-11, 11-3, 11-5 (24m) [5/8] Ben Coleman
(Essex) beat Niall Engerer (Essex) 11-3, 11-6, 11-8 (32m)
9/16* Alistair Mutch (Wales) beat Lyell Fuller (Devon) 11-5,
11-3, 11-4 (21m)
[3/4] Tom Pashley (Sussex) beat Charlie Johnson
(Hertfordshire) 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 (24m)
9/16* Robert Downer (Hampshire) beat George Parker
(Leicestershire) 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (23m)
[5/8] Charles Sharpes (Surrey) beat Daniel McGinn
(Cambridgeshire) 11-0, 11-1, 11-7 (25m)
9/16* Declan James (Nottinghamshire) beat Matthew Hardy
(Northumbria) 11-8, 11-1, 11-7 (19m)
9/16* Tom Ford (Gloucestershire) beat David Allman
(Herefordshire) 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 (28m)
[5/8] Chris Fuller (Northamptonshire) beat Tristan Eysele
(Hampshire) 12-10, 11-3, 11-7 (29m) 9/16* James Earles
(Yorkshire) beat Thomas Allman (Herefordshire) 11-5, 11-7,
11-6 (22m)
[3/4] Oliver Pett (Sussex) beat Richie Fallows (Essex) 11-5,
11-2, 11-3 (23m)
9/16* Adam Murrills (Cheshire) beat Eric Garson (Berkshire)
11-3, 11-3, 11-3 (19m)
[5/8] Anthony Graham (Gloucestershire) beat Liam Gutcher
(Northumbria) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (27m) 9/16* Adam Auckland
(Lincolnshire) beat Jon Brown (Nottinghamshire) 11-1, 11-3,
11-3 (13m)
[2] Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) beat Nicholas Mulvey
(Hertfordshire) 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 (21m) |
HUNTS
COUNTY AWAIT
NEW U23 CHAMPIONS
Preview from Paul Houghton
The British U23 Championships once again returns to the
fantastic Hunts County Squash Club in Cambridgeshire this
weekend as Britain’s most talented Under 23 players compete
against each other for the chance to be named National U23
Champion.
The Championships is returning for its third year and with
the support from The Sports Academy it has been
reinvigorated and is now firmly established as a major event
in the squash calendar.
With last years champions Joel Hinds (Derbyshire) and
Deon Saffery (Wales) moving out of age, new champions
are guaranteed and will have their name added to the role of
honour on this prestigious title which includes current
world stars James Willstrop (Yorkshire) and Jenny Duncalf
(Yorkshire).
Favourite to take the Men's title this year is world number
53 Adrian Waller (Hertfordshire). Waller was stopped
at the semi final stage last year by eventual winner Hinds
and will be looking to go one further this year as he tops
the seedings. Also hoping to contest the final this year
will be the second seed Eddie Charlton
(Nottinghamshire). Charlton lost a dramatic 85 minute match
in last year’s semi finals against Joe Lee (Surrey)
but is back this year with hopes of claiming a first
national title. Also looking to make an impact will be 3/4
seeds and county comrades Olivier Pett (Sussex) and
Tom Pashley (Sussex).
The Women's event will see Victoria Lust
(Bedfordshire) head the seedings, Lust missed out on this
event last year through injury but has since been in great
form enjoying success on the WISPA tour and is now ranked 36
in the world. Former European Junior Champions Carrie
Ramsey (Yorkshire) and Sarah Jane Perry
(Warwickshire), seeded number 2 and 3/4 will be looking to
cause an upset as will Rachel Willmott (Sussex) who
joins Perry as a 3/4 seed. Willmott enjoyed success at every
junior level as she came through the ranks and will be
searching for an U23 title to add to her collection.
Main Draw matches start at 12 midday this Friday 08 April,
for ticket information and availability please contact Hunts
County Squash Club –
www.huntscountysquash.co.uk.
This year tickets are FREE on Friday and FREE to children
under 16 over the duration of the tournament. Adults are £12
for the weekend.
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Men's
Qualifying
Men's Main
Draw
Women's Draw
Saffery wins in 2010 |
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