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FINAL:
[2] Andy Whipp bt [3/4] Steve Meads
11/8">
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BSPA UK GRAND PRIX |
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BSPA UK GRAND PRIX |
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 Manchester
Northern Open
29-Nov to 02 Dec 2007
Men Only | The Northern | Peter Billson |
2006 Event |
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FINAL:
[2] Andy Whipp bt [3/4] Steve Meads
11/8, 12/14, 11/9, 13/11 (54m)
Home win
for Mr Whippy ...
Andy Gould reports
Andy Whipp took the 2007 Manchester Northern open in an enthralling final,
played to a packed house at the Northern this afternoon. Following Steve
Mead's upset of top seed Scott Handley in the semi final, home favourite
Whipp would go into the match with local expectations high. The talk before
the match, was if Whippy could keep the pace high, and avoid getting drawn
into a slower game, as happened to Handley the previous evening.
With thought of a high pace obviously in his mind, Whipp came out at a
blistering pace, and as in the semi final, it took Meads a while to get
going. In no time Whipp was 5-0 up having hit a number of dead nicks and
cracking winners. Slowly Meads got into it, and from 10-5 saved three game
balls, but eventually one length ball was too good, and Whipp took the game
11-8.
Whipp came out firing again at the beginning of the 2nd, racing out to a 5-1
lead, but then it started to go wrong. Some great retrieving from Meads,
taking the pace out of the game, lobbing with unerring accuracy, started to
frustrate Whipp, and errors started to flow from his racket. Meads worked
his way back to 8-8 where upon 2 tins took Meads to game ball. Whipp saved
the first with service return into the nick, and the second with a feathered
overhead into the same nick. Into the tie-break and they exchanged game
balls to 12-12 before 2 more Whipp tins handed the game to Meads.
The errors continued from Whipp at the start of the 3rd, as Meads eased out
to 6-4 Whipp was berating himself “ Its all mistakes”, another tin followed,
and a harsh no let took Meads to 8-4, but this finally stung Whipp into
action, and the errors dried up, a volley boast winner, were followed by
meads hitting out, and being stroked for a loose drive. An overhead backhand
crosscourt tot he nick was followed by a good drop, and Whipp was in front
9-8 they exchanged winners but at game ball to Whipp a mishit backhand
turned into a disguised winner, much to Meads' disgust.
Meads came out strong a the start of the fourth, with some good drops, and
some more Whipp tins, moved to 5-2. From here, Whipp went into overdrive
though and reeled off 7 unanswered points, and it looked like it was all
over. Meads finally stopped the rot with a winning service return, but a
good length from Whipp took him to 4 match balls. The first couple
disappeared with a tin and an unreturned drop before a drive into the tin
with Meads stranded gave the crowd the feeling that this wasn't all over
after all. Meads got it back to 10-10 then saved another match ball, but
finally, after 54 minutes, Whipp got a dying length to the forehand which
Meads couldn't retrieve, and the title was his.
Semi-Finals:
[3/4] Steve Meads bt [1] Scott
Handley
5/11,
11/7, 11/7, 11/9 (59m)
[2] Andy Whipp bt [5/8] Chris Ryder
11/7, 11/5, 8/11, 11/5 (44m) Semi-Final reports from Andy Gould
Whipp vs Ryder
In the first game, Ryder was quickest out of the blocks, wrong footing Whipp
a couple of times to move to 5-2. Whipp then started to move better, and
eased up the court starting to volley more, taking the ball early, and
sliding in a number of backhand volley boasts, which would catch Ryder time
and again throughout the match. Whipp recovered to 8-6 up, there were a
couple of long rallies, before a stunning airborne overhead forehand boast
on game ball clinched the game for Whipp.
The second was fairly comfortable for Whippy, keeping the pace high and
moving Ryder about, he was able to force enough mistakes to move clear.
Despite A number of volley errors of his own, he was able to claim the win
11-5
Whipp started the 3rd, as he did most games, with a volley error. This set
the pattern for the game. Two winners from Ryder were followed by a couple
of errors and Whipp was back to 3-3. Ryder moved to 7-3 with a combination
of winners and errors from Whipp, before the game was closed out in scrappy
fashion with 5 consecutive tins, two from Ryder, but three from Whipp to
give the game to Ryder 11-8.
The errors were often finishing rallies, but his wasn't to say that the
points were short or low on quality, both these guys retrieve and retrieve
and then, when the ball looks dead, retrieve some more, and as they tried to
force the attacks tighter and tighter, it was almost inevitable that the
mistakes would come.
The fourth game started with two quick points to Ryder, with a short flicked
winner and a lob that died on the back wall. Whipp started to push again,
trying to re-assert his authority and recovered to 3-3. A couple of tins
from Ryder and some good lengths from Whipp took him clear to 7-3 before
they exchanged errors again, and finally a cracking backhand drive from
Whipp took the game and the match.
Did you enjoy that? Whipp: “I always enjoy it if I win. I just love running
about – I'm an idiot, it hurts, but the more I run about the more I enjoy
it”
Meads vs Handley
The first game of this match was all about Handley, he came out firing, with
the pace high, and Meads wasn't in it at all. All his points came from
Handley errors, but he was never able to stay in enough rallies to pose a
challenge.
Meads started the second in a much better vein, taking as much pace out of
the game as he could. Again and again, Handley would push him short and time
and again, he would lob his way out of trouble. Eventually drawing a mistake
or loose shot from Handley and then putting it away with aplomb. From 5-all
Meads moved clear to 9-6 before a tinned boast from Handley brought up game
balls, and a tight forehand drop took the game 11-7
the 3rd followed the same pattern again, with all the pace out of the game,
and mistakes coming from Handley, as he tried to force it a little bit much.
Two bad mistakes at 5-5 took Meads to 7-5, but a crosscourt winner a a drop
into the nick brought it level again. A winner from Meads, followed by
another tinned boast from Handley took it to 9-7, and a contentious stroke
brought up game ball. An unreturnable drop from Meads, and he was 2-1 up.
The 4th was neck and neck up to 5-5, before again Meads started to pull away
with Handley not really able to change the course of the game. Trying to up
the pace, the mistakes came, but without the pace, he was unable to fully
pressurise Meads, and he was able to close out the match in fairly
comfortable fashion.
Quarter-Finals:
[1] Scott Handley bt [5/8] Peter
Billson
6/11, 11/3, 16/14, 12/10
[3/4] Steve Meads bt Farzan Rasheed
11/7, 11/9, 14/12
[5/8] Chris Ryder bt [3/4] Alex Stait
9/11, 16/18, 11/2, 11/4,
11/3
[2] Andy Whipp bt [5/8] Peter Marshall
13/11, 11/7, 11/8
Quarter-Final reports from Andy Gould
Whipp vs Marshall
A tight opening game, feeling each other out, you got the sense that both
players were trying to find some rhythm. Marshall probably happier than
Whipp. An overhead slam nick to get back to 8-8 was followed by a cheap tin
from Whipp. A mishit backhand into the tin, brought up 2 game ball for
Marshall. A boast into the tin saved one and a stroke from a loose drive
brought it back to 10-all. They exchanged winning backhand drops, before a
Whipp boast caught Marshall flat footed and a good counter drop won it for
Whipp.
The second game was all about Whipp trying to shorten the rallies, taking it
in shorter with frequent boasts, the rallies were a lot quicker, but there
were a lot of mistake too. Whipp got to game ball at 10-6 whereupon Marshall
won a monstrous rally, but promptly served out to hand Whipp the game.
That was it for Marshall and despite competing well in the final game,
whippy moved into the semis with a 11-8 win.
Whipp “He's quality, his shots are still all there, but he's not as fit as
he was. I tried to take it short, but its a dangerous ploy, as if he got
there, he was sending me the wrong way every time, and I was scrambling from
there. Really enjoyed the match though”
Ryder vs Stait
Meanwhile on the other court, Alex Stait and Chris Ryder were treating the
crowd to a highly entertaining game, if the frequent burst of applause were
anything to go by. 1st game to Stait 11-9. In the second they were level up
to 9-9. First game ball to Stait was saved by a back hand drop from Ryder. A
monstrous rally ending in a let was followed up by a game ball for Ryder
saved by Stait. A backhand volley error brought up another game ball for
Stait, but a feather drop caught the tin. Another bad tinned error followed,
but a dying backhand length kept the game alive 15-15 “Brutal” said the by
now spectating Andy Whipp A not up call on a tight drop from Stait and a
tinned drop finally gave the game to Stait 18-16.
If anyone thought that Ryder's head would drop now, they were quickly
disabused.. He raced out to 6-2 as Stait tried to go too short too early.
Stait gave up the game11-2 and it was back to 2-1. In the 4th Stait tried to
stem the flow, but Ryder was moving better now, and moved to 8-3. a
disguised forehand flick took Ryder to 9-3 a sidewall nick to game ball and
although one was save with a overhead winner off the serve, a drive into the
top of the tin took it to 2-2.
Stait came out for the 4th looking to get back in to the game with some more
solid rallies, but the first point finished with a tired looking boast
clipping the tin, and that set the tone for the game. The rallies were
longer but often finished with a Stait error, 3 errors from 2-2 , were then
followed by 3 more to take it to 9-3. It was all over at that point and an
uncontested boast was followed by a winning counter drop, and Ryder was
through to play Whipp in tonight's semi final.
Ryder “ that was morning squash for you. I felt good, just not quite there.
After the second, just had to think – can I do this? After 55 minutes for 2
games, that was hard. I just won it on fitness in the end”
Meads vs Rasheed
I missed most of this game, but it seemed that although Meads won in
straight games, they were all very well contested. Meads will have been glad
not to spend too much time on court.
Billson vs Handley
Having to follow the Ryder vs Stait match was a hard act to match, but
Billson and Handley managed it with a match full of outrageous winners,
unbelievable retrieving, all played in a friendly, sporting manner. Billson
was on fire in the 1st game; as he said afterwards - “ I couldn't miss” and
Handley wasn't quite getting to the ball as well as he'd like 11-6 to
Billson. It all changed in the 2nd though, as Billson's winners were turning
into errors, and Handley was onto the ball that much quicker 11-3 to
Handley. The 3rd was an altogether tighter affair, but not without its
attacking squash but now, both players were moving well, working hard,
retrieving the tightest of drops with feather like counters, or looping
floated lobs, and crashing nicks when the loose ball appeared. Billson was
working slightly harder, and always slightly behind. He saved a string of
game balls from 10-9, until eventually Handley took it in the tie breaker,
18-16.
The 4th had much of the same, all court, all action. They were together all
the way, taking it into another tie break. Again, Handley had that bit too
much and one final unretrievable length left Billson flat out in the back of
the court. Handley plays Meads in tonight's second semi final.
Down to
the Quarters
in Manchester ...
Second round report from Andy Gould
Stait vs Ewins, Ryder vs Walters
Comfortable wins for Alex Stait and Chris Ryder in the first couple of
second round matches. Although a blip of concentration in the 3rd game from
Ryder coupled with some excellent retrieving from Walters cost him a game,
it was followed up by a comfortable 4th game..
Whipp vs Timms
A straightforward win for Andy Whipp against the Hertfordshire's Keith Timms.
Despite Timms being willing to chase down everything that Whippy threw at
him, he was always behind and despite a bout of 'tin' itis at the beginning
of the second game, Whippy always had the match in hand.
Marshall vs Waller
A proper battle of youth versus experience, Waller came out firing at the
start of the match, but the experience of Marshall allowed him to drag the
game out, and a few mistakes at crucial times cost Waller the game. It was a
similar story at the start of the second, with Waller coming out of the
traps fastest, but steadily being reeled in by Marshall, from 9-9 a forehand
kill took Marshall to game ball, but a held backhand drive from the front of
the court brought it back to 10-10. 3 more game balls were saved before
finally Marshall finished it with a drop too tight for Waller to reach. That
game seem to have broken the younger man's will, and Marshall race dot a 7-1
lead in the 3rd. A dead back wall nick got him back in it, but a contended
ref decision followed by boast into the tin took it away again, and Marshall
close out the match 11-4
Billson vs Hampson
An entertaining game, with Billson bringing his full array of flicks, lobs,
and feather drops into play. Hampson was always there though, covering a lot
of ground, and putting in plenty of his own winners. A few discussions with
the markers, and some outrageous winners kept the crowd entertained, with
Billson winning in 3 despite a hard push from Hampson in the final game.
Handley vs Ingham
Scott Handley looked in fine fettle, having that bit too much experience and
quality for young Alex Ingham, who despite never being able to put much
pressure on Handley, never stopped running.
Rasheed vs Snell
This was a very well contested match – 7-7 in the first game before Rasheed
pulled away to win with some inopportune tins from Snell. He came back well
in the second to level it, but from there on Rasheed pulled steadily away to
take it 3-1
Meads vs Lee
Steve Meads showed that he was a force to be reckoned with in this
tournament with a confident display against Joe Lee. Moving well, and
hitting good lengths, he was never in trouble despite some fantastic shots
from Lee. In particular 3 outright winners in the first half of the third
game stood out. Unfortunately for Lee, these were often mixed in with some
unforced errors. In the end, the running took its toll and Meads was able to
move through in straight games.
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Friday Results
Qualifying Results
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Round Two Results:
Scott Handley bt Alex Ingham
11/3, 11/2, 11/6 (24m)
Peter Billson bt Carl Hampson 11/8, 11/6, 12/10 (26m)
Steve Meads bt Joe Lee
11/1, 11/7, 11/5 (47m)
Farzan Rasheed bt James Snell 11/7, 9/11, 11/7, 11/4 (52m)
Alex Stait bt Clive Ewins
11/3, 11/3, 11/2 (19m)
Chris Ryder bt Lewis Walters 11/4, 11/4, 7/11, 11/0
(34m)
Peter Marshall bt Adrian Waller 11/8, 15/13, 11/4 (54m)
Andy Whipp bt Keith Timms 11/6, 11/9,
11/4 (27m)
Round One Results:
Scott Handley bt Andrew Birks 11/8, 11/7, 11/6
Adrian Waller bt Alistair Gorrie 11/5, 11/9, 11/4
Keith Timms bt Jamie Matthews 9/11, 6/7 rtd (sick on court)
Lewis Walters bt Rory Pennell 12/14, 11/9, 11/9,
12/10
Andy Whipp bt Mike Knight
11/4, 11/5, 11/4
Peter Marshall bt Neil Cordell 12/10, 11/2,
11/?
Chris Ryder bt Richard Birks 11/5, 1/5, 11/5
Alex Stait bt Andrew Widdison 11/3, 9/11, 8/11, 11/3, 11/4
Clive Ewins bt Chris Truswell 11/3, 11/5,
6/11, 11/9
Farzan Rasheed bt ?Grindley 11/8, 11/9,
11/7
James Snell bt Graham Melvin 11/9, 11/5, 11/7
Joe Lee bt Jamie McAuley
11/5, 11/1, 11/7
Alex Ingham bt Mick Biggs
11/6, 11/4, 11/7
Carl Hampson bt Steve London 9/11, 11/6, 7/11, 11/6, 11/8
Peter Billson bt Steve Siveter 12/10, 7/11, 11/7
Steve Meads bt James Jacobson 11/6, 12/10, 11/6
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Manchester Northern
Open – Qualification
Thursday 29th November 2007
1.00pm Andrew Birks bt Alex Cutts
11/5, 11/4, 7/11, 11/5
1.00pm Alex Ingham bt Dan Lawrence
11/2, 13/11, 11/3
1.00pm Steve London bt Ky Hibberd
12/10, 11/7, 11/5
1.00pm Steve Siviter bt Adam Murrils
11/3, 11/3, 11/5
1.45pm Farzan Rasheed v Ben Molyneux
1.45pm James Snell bt Dean Newberry
11/3, 11/4, 11/7
1.45pm Jamie MacAuley bt Richard King
11/2, 11/5, 11/3
1.45pm James Jacobsen bt Morgan Hibberd
11/4, 12/10/ 11/6
2.30pm Andrew Widdison bt Chris Tasker-Grindley
12/0, 11/7, 8/11, 11/7
2.30pm Chris Truswell bt Adam Taylor
9/11, 11/4, 11/6, 11/6
2.30pm Rory Penell bt Simon Retter
11/8, 11/5, 11/5
2.30pm Richard Birks bt Alex Phillips
11/6, 11/6, 11/1
3.15pm Neil Cordell bt Eddie Charlton
11/6, 11/8, 8/11, 11/3
3.15pm Alistair Gorrie bt Paul Bell
11/5, 11/5, 1/4
3.15pm Jamie Matthews bt Sean Hunter
5/11, 11/4, 1/8, 7/11, 11/4
3.15pm Mike Knight bt Michael Harris
8/11, 11/8, 9/11, 11/9, 11/8
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UK’s
top talent heads
for Manchester
Preview from Andy Gould
The return of the BSPA Manchester Open to the Northern in Didsbury,
Manchester, sees former National Champion and world number 3, Simon Parke,
head the seedings in a highly competitive field. Parke will have his work
cut out, with number two seed, Scott Handley, hoping to go one better than
the losing finalist role he played in last year’s inaugural tournament. [stop
press - Parke out, Handley top seed!]
With the weather hopefully not curtailing the field like last year, the
people of the Northern are in for a squash treat.
Local hopes will be provided by the Northern’s resident Pro, and tournament
organiser, Pete Billson, who is due to meet Parke at the quarter- final
stage, and Andy Whipp, returning to the club which he represented
successfully for many years before concentrating on coaching at neighbouring
Grove Park.
With many local up and coming youngsters also involved in the qualification
rounds, and junior events as well (Boys and Girls U15/13 and Under 11's),
this tournament is a showcase for Manchester’s thriving junior squash scene.
Qualification rounds are on Thursday afternoon, whilst the main event starts
on Friday at 12:45.
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BSPA UK GRAND PRIX |
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