Garavan's West of Ireland Open 2018
16-21 Apr, Galway, Ireland, $10k

21-Apr, Final:
Parker beats Lee in all-English final
Andre Davies reports

It’s been a great week of squash and the eagerly awaited final match between George Parker and Charlie Lee got under way at 15:00 and it did not disappoint.

Lee, the number 8 seed reached the final having played some unbelievable squash but expended a lot of energy with some gruelling matches whereas Parker the championship’s number one seed had a relatively straightforward route to the final having not dropped a game en-route to today’s final.

The first game started with some obvious and understandable tension with a few errors and strokes in the first few points. It soon settled though with both players finding their rhythm and range with some ferocious hitting to the back of the court.

It was even -stevens at 6 each when a controversial no let decision frustrated Parker whose response was to fly a cross court service return in to the nick leaving Lee no chance to pick up the rolling ball.

Lee was dogged and determined and found himself 9-7 up but Parker dug in to level things up at 9 all. A great length followed by a no let decision handed Parker the first.

With some stern words by match referee Joe ruddy, the second game got under way with both players showing great touch and finesse with some super volley drops. Parker looked fairly comfortable on the T but Lee was always in touching distance until the mid-section of the second when Parker started to pull away eventually taking it 10-5 to go 2-0 up.

Parker started the third positively with an excellent rally using all four corners of the court. Lee demonstrated the sort of athleticism he’d been showing all week and hunted the ball with pure determination. Having lost the first point and after such a gruelling rally, Lee looked a little weary.

His response was phenomenal though winning 7 points in a row giving him a commanding lead. Parker tried to respond but the game was too far gone and Lee won the third 11-3. Things were getting interesting……

Lee started the fourth looking confident, going 2-0 up. A couple of long rallies really tested Lee’s resolve and Parker started to nudge ahead. Lee kept Parker within his sights but at the business end of the fourth, Parker put in a punishing boast to move 2 points clear then 2 strokes later Parker found himself with 2 match points.

He only needed the one however and so after 50 minutes of excellent squash George Parker was crowned the Paddy Whack Walsh, West of Ireland Champion 2017.

Qualifying:

Finals:
Nick Wall (Eng) 3-0 Marc ter Sluis (Ned)      11-8, 11-4, 11-3 (26m)
Roee Avraham (Isr) 3-2 Tiago Goriely (Bel)  11-6, 12-10, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8 (66m)
Connor Sheen (Eng) 3-1 Rory Stewart (Sco)  12-10, 6-11, 11-3, 11-9 (52m)
David Haley (Wal) 3-0 Robert Dadds (Eng)   11-7, 12-10, 11-6 (43m)

The first semi-final, between George Parker and Charles Sharpes, started out with George firmly in control. He stepped up the court, taking his volleys very early and was just too clinical for Sharpes.. He took the first 11-5.
The trend continued in the 2nd before Sharpes mounted a come back, halted by a no let at 10-9, giving Parker a 2-0 lead.. He ran away with the 3rd, Sharpes looking a little tired..

The second semi, between Charlie Lee and Nick Sachvie, was much anticipated by local club players, Sachvie proving a favourite amongst the budding junior players in Galway.

Some amazing rallies, drawing big reactions from the court 1 crowd, took their toll on the Canadian. With Lee playing some very accurate squash, stretching Sachvie around the court, he was really controlling the court.
Impressive throughout, Lee got a 2-0 lead and stayed infont the whole way to the end.. A well deserved victory for the 19 year old, an exciting final in store..

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