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BSPA UK GRAND PRIX |
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BSPA UK GRAND PRIX |
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Ilkley Open 2007,
01/04 February
2006 Event
Men & Women | Ilkley Squash Club |
Robbie Burnett | Club Tel: 01943 607182 |
Sun 4th Feb,
FINALS ... Dave Taylor reports
[1] Ong Beng Hee bt Scott Handley
11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5 (45m)
[1] Vicky Botwright bt [2] Madeline Perry
11-5, 11-7, 11-2 |
Vicky
on form in final
The anticipation for the women's final could not have been higher. Two
of the worlds top ten players were about to battle it out, and neither
would give up without a fight.
The match in question however, was all about one lady, Vicky Botwright.
The world number 6 came on to the court today with focusand gritted
determination. Botwright took the first game 11-5, and showed no signs
of letting up.
A number of unforced errors from Perry allowed her to gain an 8-4 lead
in the second which she eventually went on to take 11-7.
The final game was mostly one sided, and though the rallies were long
and hard fought, Botwright won 11-2.
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Bengy pulls through
After having watched a mostly one sided women's final, the crowds were
hoping for a more open contest in the men's. They were far from
disappointed.
The first game went to the pre-match favourite Ong Beng Hee, though it
was very close. Once again Beng Hee's flair for showmanship caused him
to drop a number of early points. However, he more than made up for this
with a series of blistering winners and tight technical length.
The next two games were won by Scott Handley, 11-4, 11-6, and the crowds
seemed to be anticipating an upset in the final round of the tournament.
However, once again Ong Beng Hee demonstrated why he is number 16 in the
world, and stepped up his game to win the final two games.
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Sat
3rd Feb, Day
THREE ... Dave Taylor reports |
Ilkley Ladies BSPA Open 2007: Quarter Finals
A fine sunny day, clear blue sky, pity we have to be inside but a great
way to start the day. The women's quarter finals are first on. It's
great having world class ladies playing at Ilkley.
Vicky Botwright proved far too strong for Sarah Bowles, winning easily
3-0. To her credit Bowles never stopped running, but Botwright, always
looked in control.
Madeline Perry looked just as impressive against Leonie Holt. She moved
well around the court and was always in control.
A much closer tussle was had between Fiona Moverley and Lauren Selby.
Selby won the first well and had a game ball in the second only to lose
it. The third set could have gone either way, but Moverley made fewer
mistakes at the crucial times and won the fourth well.
Dominique Lloyd-Walter also looked in good form as she moved her
opponent Victoria Lust all round the court and controlled the rallies
well.
MENS
QUARTER FINALS.
Top seed Ong Beng Hee was taken the full distance by Ben Ford. After
winning the first 2 sets,which were very close, it looked like he would
win in 3, but then missing 2 match points and Ford taking out the set,
it was game on, with Ford winning the 4th and then leading 6-3 in the
5th set, it looked like a upset. But Beng Hee didn't panic and won a
couple of hard rallies and Ford made 2 unforced errors, and Beng Hee
sneaked in.
While this match was going on another battle was taking place between
Andy Whipp and Simon Parke. It was a match of the highest quality and
worthy of a final, but some one has to win and Simon came through after
an hour of thrilling squash. Whipp looked odds on to win after taking
the 2nd set easily, but Parke does not know when to give up and dug deep
in to his reserves and won a tough 3rd set and from then on took
control.
Scott Handley faced up to the young Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy. Both
players had looked good in their previous match and a close game looked
on. But it was Handley who took a quick 2-0 lead and during the 3rd the
El Shorbagy had to stop due to an injury.
Last on was the no 2 seed Stacy Ross facing rising junior Joel Hinds.
After a close 1st set with Ross winning 12-10, he took control of the
game taking the next 2 sets comfortably to set up a semi final match
against Scott Handley.
It's a quick bite and then start again at 4pm with the ladies semi-
finals and another round of excellent squash looks likely.
It's sponsor's night tonight with free drinks and nibbles so guess who
will be the loud ones, I can't wait.
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Semi
Finals
As expected the top two seeds will meet in the ladies final, but there
were 2 different ways to winning. Vicky Botwright was far too strong for
Fiona Moverley winning easily 3-0. Right from the start Botwright had
Moverley running to all parts of the court and was always in total
control.
Madeline Perry however had a far harder match against 3rd seed Dominique
Lloyd - Walter, winning in 3, but the last 2 sets both went to tie
break. Lloyd- Walter had her chances to take both these sets. Both
players moved well around the court and there were many long hard
rallies.
Tomorrow's final we all await, it should be a great match between 2 of
the world's best ladies players.
MENS
SEMI FINALS
Unfortunately our second seed Stacy Ross was forced to withdraw through
injury shortly before his semi-final match. His opponent Scoot Handley
was therefore given a bye into the final.
Top seed Ong Beng Hee faced 3/4 seed Simon
Parke in this years men's semi-finals. On a packed court three, two of
the world greatest squash players were to play off for a place in the
final against 3/4 seed Scott Handley.
The first game was all about Simon Parke. His incredible speed and
consistency left a bemused Ong Beng Hee 6-0 down. Though he made a sort
of recovery, the game still went to Parke, and the crowd was hyped.
However, itwould not be possible for Ong Beng Hee to have gotten into
the worlds top 10 if he gave up that easily, and the next two games went
his way. Simon Parke is another player renowned for his full
determination, and this was clearly evident today.
The fourth game was an example in showmanship and sporting brilliance
from both players, and it was Simon Park who managed to battle his way
through. At 2-2, it looked anybodies game, but the fitness of the
younger Ong Beng Hee proved to be the killing factor, and he took the
final game 11-5.
This was truly a match of the highest calibre, which was played with
grace and excellent sportsmanship. Hopefully the final will live up to
this high standard. |
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Fri
2nd Feb, Day TWO ...
Dave Taylor reports |
Having been whittled down to the last 16
players in the morning, the draw now included only the best of the
best. The remaining competition is a combination of outstanding junior
talent, and seasoned veteran ability.
First on court was rising English star, 17 year old Joe Lee. Facing
former world number 2, and last year's winner, Simon Parke. With rallies
lasting minutes, and an enthralled crowd, this match proved to be one of
the best so far. Although Simon managed to use his experience to secure
a 3-0 win, the match was far closer than the score line suggests.
Andy Whip then finished off John Tate, 3-0 (14-12, 11-6, 11-6) in 30
minutes. This was quickly followed by Ben Ford beating David Barnet 3-0
(11-7, 11-7, 11-9). 30 minutes.
Once he had managed to find his way to the club, our top seed Malaysian
Ong Beng Hee beat Stuart Crawford in four Games.
3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2).31 minutes
Joel Hinds and Pete Billson were enjoying an incredibly close match,
when an injury forced Pete to concede the game (much to the
disappointment of the spectators.) Joel Hinds bt Pete Billson (12-10,
6-11, 11-6, retired..)
In an encapsulating display of junior Egyptian talent, Mohamed El
Shorbagy progressed to the quarter finals. Mohamed El Shorbagy bt Andrew
Birks 3-0, (12-10, 11-7, 11-9). 22 minutes.
The number two seed Stacy Ross has also made his way to the quarter
finals along with 3/4 seed Sc ott Handley.
Stacy Ross bt Shahid Khan 3-1, (11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4). 40 minutes
Scott Handley bt Robbie Temple 3-0, (12-10, 11-4, 11-4). 30 minutes
All of our top seeds have made it unscathed into the quarter-finals, but
hopefully tomorrow's matches will be as tense and exciting as those we
have seen today.
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Thu
1st Feb, Day ONE ...
Dave Taylor reports |
So it begins.
The opening evening of the 2007 Ilkley BSPA Open was crammed with
gripping matches and fascinating results. The 60 qualifiers to the event
were battling to secure a place in the main draw alongside our top four
seeds.
The evening kicked off with a number of very talented junior players
fighting to beat some of the more experienced campaigners.
Stuart Crawford bt Alex Ingham
11/2, 13/11, 13/11
Eddie Charlton bt Chris Bentley
11/5, 11/9, 11/6
Joe Lee bt Kris Meadows
11/5, 11/7, 11/5
Chris Tasker-Grindley bt Mark Fuller 11/5, 11/8,
11/4
With such a large and talented array of
players, all the squash was at a standard unbelievable to the average
player. Plenty of highly athletic matches kept the growing crowds
excited and impressed.
Mick Biggs bt John Fullham
11/7, 11/5, 6/11, 11/7
David Barnett bt Neil Desai
11/7, 11/5, 11/7
Peter Creed bt Jamie Matthews
11/6, 11/3, 11/6
Ben Ford bt Asa Morris
11/4 11/7 11/3
Andy Whipp bt Richard Birks
9/11, 11/6, 11/8, 11/3
Aurthur Gaskin bt Steve London
11/7, 11/1, 11/5
Chris Hall bt Rory Pennell
11/3, 11/4, 7/11, 6/11, 11/5
John Tate bt Elliot Selby
11/2, 11/5, 11/2
Jaymie Haycocks bt Richard Underhill 11/4, 11/8, 11/7
Steve Siviter bt Dean Newberry
11/2, 11/7, 11/4
A selection of local players were
competing in this years event, with varied success.
Sean Thornton bt Robbie
Temple 4/11, 4/11, 11/6
Tom Power bt Kieern Webster
11/3, 11/3, 11/8
Ben Rickaby bt Issa Kamara
7/11, 11/7, 11/7, 3/11, 11/1
As the evening drew to a close the
quality of the squash increased even more.
Marwen El Shorbagy bt
Chris Truswell 14/12, 11/7 11/6
Shahid Khan bt Sean Hunter
11/2, 11/3, 13/11
Pete Bilson bt Sammy Wileman
11/3, 11/7, 11/6
James Snell bt Adam Taylor
11/5, 11/5, 5/11, 11/7
Nick Wall bt Mark Pearson
11/0 11/4, 11/4
Keith Timms bt Nathan Cole
11/9, 9/11, 11/5, 11/4
Tom Phipps bt Craig Chappell
11/6, 6/11, 11/4, 10/12, 11/8
Joel Hinds bt Adam Fuller
11/6, 11/5, 11/8
It is entirely possible that the
incredible squash tonight might not be
matched by tomorrow's play. However, with the top seeds playing, I doubt
it!
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Crawford sneaks it
Lee laps it up
Tate takes it easy
Khan comfortable |
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