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British U23 Squash Championships 2010
23-25 April, Hunts County Club |
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2009 RUNNERS UP BECOME
2010 CHAMPIONS
Chris Nutley reports
Joel Hinds and Deon Saffery finally got their
hands on the British Under 23 trophies at Hunts County a year
after finishing as runners up. Both finals were great showcases
with some wonderful squash.
No1 seed and World No60 Saffery defeated Emma Chorley to add the
British Under 23 title to the Under 17 crown she took back in
2004. The match started tentatively with unforced errors from
both players with neither looking able to take the initiative.
At 6-8 down Saffery suddenly discovered her length and eased
away to take it 11/8.
The second was close but Saffery again had the edge and took a
two game lead. Things started to change as the third started and
Chorley surged ahead to start a remarkable comeback. She made it
back to 2-1 with an easy 11/3 and then lead throughout a tight
fourth and eventually took it 11/9 to square things up.
As Chorley went 2-0 up in the decider it looked like it was
going to be her day but then Saffery somehow regained her
composure and took six points on the run - this seemed to brake
Chorley's spirit and Saffery went on to take it 11/6 in 50
minutes. A great match with some excellent squash from both
players.
The Men's final saw the No3 seed Hinds up against Joe Lee who
had survived a marathon semi final against Eddie Charlton. Lee
showed no effects of his semi final exerts as he powered out of
the blocks and took the first 11-7. Hinds roared back to take
the second 11/4 and then edged a close third 11/9.
The fourth was a fantastic battle with both players going for
their shots and retrieving everything the other threw at them
but in the end it was Hinds who held his nerve to take the
championship his first British title.
A wonderful weekend of squash and thanks must go to all at Hunts
County for staging such an impressive championships.
The event will return to Cambridgeshire again next year as will
Joe Lee, Adrian Waller and both beaten women's semi finalists
Carrie Ramsey and Sarah-Jane Perry, all in search of the coveted
British Under 23 titles.
Finals:
[1] Deon Saffery bt [2] Emma Chorley
11/8 11/9
3/11 9/11 11/6 (50m)
[3] Joel Hinds bt [2] Joe Lee
7/11 11/4
11/9 11/9 (60m) |
24-Apr-10,
Semis:
Hinds does it again, Lee wins a
thriller, top women's seeds through ...
Chris Nutley reports
Derbyshire's Joel Hinds rose to the challenge once again
and dispatched the No1 seed Adrian Waller in the semi
finals - just as he had done to Tom Richards last year.
Hinds got off to a great start and came out with all guns
blazing to take the first 11/6. Waller started to find this
rhythm as the second got under way and he began to control the
rallies and move Hinds out of position. The match started to
turn direction and Waller levelled and then took the third to
look the likely victor.
However Hinds was having none of it and fought back to take it
into a decider. The full house was expecting fireworks in the
fifth but Waller seemed to run out of stream and Hinds pulled
away to make the final for the second year running.
In the second semi final it was No2 seed Joe Lee who got
the flier, taking a 6-1 and 10-5 lead over No4 seed Eddie
Charlton. Then Charlton found his feet and staged a mini
comeback to get to 9-10 before Lee closed it out just as the
gallery lights went out!
Charlton took the initiative in the second and levelled the
match at one-all. In the third Charlton strode to 6-1
thanks to some excellent drops and boasts and took full
advantage to race into a 2-1 lead.
Both players came out fighting in the fourth with intent and
neither giving much away. Some excruciatingly long rallies
ensued with drops galore and some unbelievable retrieving - a 56
shot rally ended in a let! At 13-12 to Lee this could have gone
either way but a tight ball down the backhand side was
unreachable for Charlton - two games all!
The fifth was a real nail bitter - Charlton went 7-3 up but Lee
never gave up believing and somehow managed to fight back and
take a fantastic win.
Some incredible squash with neither deserving to lose the best
match of the weekend by a country mile ... in fact the best
match I've watched in a good while.
Saffery & Chorley to contest women's final
The first Women's semi final was a strange affair. No1 seed
Deon Saffery was always going to be the favourite against
Sarah-Jane Perry and found it easy in the opener and took it
11/5. Perry seemed to be completely out of sorts, struggling to
get any length or pattern to her game and quickly went 2-0 down.
The match had 3-0 written all over it - but then at the start of
the third it all changed. Perry forced her way back into
proceedings and Saffery's game suddenly started to break up and
it was soon back to 2-1.
The fourth was much better quality with both players competing
hard for each point. Perry lead 6-2, 7-4 and 9-7 but it was the
experienced Saffery that dug deep to take the game 11-9 and the
match 3-1.
Saffery can now look forward to tomorrows final hoping to add
the Under 23 title to the Under 17 crown she won back in 2004.
In the other semi final Emma Chorley took on Carrie
Ramsey, who joined the senior ranks today leaving the
juniors as the reigning European Under 19 Champion. It was a
nice encounter and close throughout the first and second games
but Chorley's experience was a step too far for Ramsey Chorley
taking it comfortably in 34 minutes.
Men's Semi Finals
[3] Joel Hinds bt [1] Adrian Waller 11/6, 6/11, 7/11, 11/7,
11/3 (64m)
[2] Joe Lee bt [4] Eddie Charlton 11/9, 9/11, 3/11, 14/12, 11/7
(85m)
Women's Semi Finals
[1] Deon Saffery bt [3] Sarah-Jane Perry 11/5, 11/9, 6/11,
11/9 (34m)
[2] Emma Chorley bt [4] Carrie Ramsey
11/7, 11/9, 11/4 (34m) |
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24-Apr-10, Quarters:
Down to the Semis ...
 The
quarter finals kicked off with Adrian Waller
(Hertfordshire) taking on Charles Sharpes (Surrey) on the
show court at the prestigious Hunts County Club in
Cambridgeshire. Waller, the World No58 showed why he is the No1
seed with an impressive display against the highly talented
Sharpes. It wasnt that Sharpes played badly but Waller always
looked to be in total control and eased to a 11/6 11/7 11/9
victory.
Waller now faces Joel Hinds (Derbyshire) who dispatched
Ben Coleman (Essex) in a slightly scrappy affair. This
evenings semi will be interesting with Hinds hoping to reach the
final for the second year running.
 Eddie
Charlton (Nottinghamshire) continued his quiet move through
the draw with victory over former European U19 champion
Anthony Graham (Gloucestershire). It had been Graham who had
started the stronger taking a 5-1 and 7-2 lead in the first but
Charlton soon found his feet and showed why he is a top 100
player in the world. Charlton winning 11/9 11/7 11/2 in 31
minutes.
The last quarter final saw former junior British Champions and
old rivals Joe Lee (Surrey) and Neil Cordell
(Yorkshire) cross swords. These two had enjoyed some great
matches at junior level and although Lee had progressed further
up the world rankings a tight encounter was again expected.
Unfortunately this never materialised and Lee showed his class
with a quick 11/5 11/4 11/5 victory to take him into the semis.
The Women's quarter finals were straight forward with the top
seeds all progressing. Hot favourite Deon Saffery (Wales)
was slow out of the blocks and was always playing catch up in
the first against Harriet Ingham (Surrey). After saving
two game balls Saffery slowly took control and nicked it 12-10.
The second was also close but Saffery had seized the initiative
and went on to win in 3.
 European
Under 19 Champion and birthday girl Carrie Ramsey
(Yorkshire) started her campaign with victory over Katherine
Quarterman.
Next up for Ramsey will be No2 seed Emma Chorley
(Somerset) who didnt give much away in her 11/3 11/5 11/3 win
over Annabelle Collins-Ballands (Kent).
Mens Quarter Finals
[1] Adrian Waller bt [10] Charles Sharpes
11/6 11/7 11/9 (35m)
[3] Joel Hinds bt [7] Ben Coleman
11/5 11/8 11/8 (45m)
[4] Eddie Charlton bt [8] Anthony Graham
11/9 11/7 11/2 (31m)
[2] Joe Lee bt [6] Neil Cordell
11/5 11/4 11/5 (25m)
Womens Quarter Finals
[1] Deon Saffery bt [6] Harriet Ingham
12/10 11/9 11/1 (20m)
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry bt [7] Brogan Lane
11/6 11/4 11/7 (15m)
[4] Carrie Ramsey bt [5] Katherine Quarterman 11/8 11/3 11/8
(26m)
[2] Emma Chorley bt [8] Annabelle C-Ballands 11/3 11/5 11/3
(19m) |
23-Apr-10:
Sharpes shapes first upset
The first real upset of
the tournament was caused by Charles Sharpes (Surrey) who
saw off an out of sorts Lewis Walters (Nottinghamshire) in
straight games. Sharpes, the current English Junior Under 19
Champion was too good for the No5 seed and despite a fight back
in the third always look good for a 3 nil. The reward for
Sharpes is a quarter final spot against No1 seed Adrian
Waller (Hertfordshire). Waller didn't appear to be suffering
any effects from his unscheduled delay in Dubai as progressed
with victory over Chris Fuller (Northamptonshire).
Joel Hinds (Derbyshire) returned to Hunts County today with
one aim to go one better than last year and claim the Under 23
title. Last year he dumped No1 seed Tom Richards (Surrey) out in
the semis before eventually losing out to Chris Simpson
(Hampshire) in the final.
Hinds who is now starting to climb the world rankings faced
Andrew Birks (Shropshire) in his second round and came up
against some stiff opposition. It was a lovely match to watch
with some immense rallies as both players moved each other
around the court with ease. However after losing the third it
was Hinds who stepped up the pace and took the match 3-1. Hinds
now faces Ben Coleman (Essex) who defeated James Earles
(Yorkshire) quite comfortably in three.
Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) looks to be playing well
but is yet to be stretched as he moved into the quarters with a
comfortable win over Richard Birks (Shropshire). Waiting in the
quarters in former European Under 19 Champion Anthony Graham
(Gloucestershire). Graham found Alex Phillips (Hampshire) a
strong opponent and had to come back from game point down before
taking the first 12/10. Graham was then expected to power on but
it remained tight throughout a 3-0 but not easy.
Mens Round 2 Results
[1] Adrian Waller bt [9] Chris Fuller
11/8 11/7 11/8 (45m)
[10] Charles Sharpes bt [5] Lewis Walters
11/1 11/3 12/10 (33m)
[3] Joel Hinds bt [11] Andrew Birks
11/3 11/9 7/11 11/6 (55m)
[7] Ben Coleman bt [15] James Earles
11/5 12/10 11/3 (39m)
[8] Anthony Graham bt Alex Phillips
12/10 11/8 11/9 (30m)
[4] Eddie Charlton bt [12] Richard Birks
11/6 11/6 11/4 (30m)
[6] Neil Cordell bt [14] Robert Downer
11/4 11/4 6/11 11/3 (38m)
[2] Joe Lee bt [13] Adam Murrills
11/5 11/7 11/4 (29m)
In the only two Women's first round matches Katherine
Quarterman (Oxfordshire) overcame Sophie Lemom (Essex) and
Annabelle Collins-Ballands (Kent) defeated Jade Thompson
(Yorkshire) both 3-1.
The Quarterman Lemom match was a real battle and looked to be
going the way of former British Junior Champion Lemom who took
the first two games. However Quarterman, who has just left the
junior ranks dug deep and fought her way back into contention
and ultimately took the match in a nervy 5th game.
(Millie Tomlinson (Derbyshire) and Rachel Willmott (Sussex)
withdrew prior to the event)
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23-Apr-10:
BRITISH UNDER 23 CHAMPIONSHIPS
KICK OF AT HUNTS COUNTY
Recent travel chaos had threatened the British Under 23
Championships with a number of players stranded in far off parts
of the world.
Those struggling included Mens favourite and No1 seed Adrian
Waller (Hertfordshire) who was stuck in Dubai while Anthony
Graham (Gloucestershire) and Adam Murrills (Cheshire) were
enjoying a prolonged stay in Canada. It was all starting to look
a little grim with the possibility of either delaying the event
or redrawing looking increasingly likely. However luck was to be
on our side with the skyways opening up just in time to allow
most players to get back to the UK in time.
The Mens main draw kicked off with all seeds progressing through
to round 2 without too much trouble, the only casualty being
Nathan Lake (Gloucestershire) who withdrew just prior to the
start with a knee injury. Waller opened up with a straight games
win over qualifier Tom Robinson (Warwickshire) while No2 seed
Joe Lee (Surrey) took out Samuel Hodgkins (Shropshire) by the
same score.
Local Cambridgeshire interest was cut short with both Robert
Dadds and Sammy Chambers succumbing to the No4 seed Eddie
Charlton (Nottinghamshire) and Alex Phillips (Hampshire) who
qualified for the main event yesterday.
The only seeded players to drop any games were the Birks twins,
Andrew and Richard who ran out 3-1 winners over Steven London
(Kent) and Declan James (Nottinghamshire) respectively.
The Women's first round starts today but the top seeds including
hot favourite Deon Saffery (Wales) and Emma Chorley (Somerset)
sit it out until tomorrow so they can relax and enjoy the
sunshine and barbeque that once again accompanies the
championships.
Mens Round 1 results
[1] Adrian Waller bt Tom Robinson
11/1 11/5 11/5 (19m)
[9] Chris Fuller bt David Allman
11/3 11/7 11/3 (23m)
[5] Lewis Walters bt Charlie Johnson
11/3 11/1 11/2 (16m)
[10] Charles Sharpes bt Mike More
11/4 11/3 11/1 (10m)
[3] Joel Hinds bt Rueben Phillips
11/2 11/7 11/8 (22m)
[11] Andrew Birks bt Steven London
11/7 12/10 7/11 11/7 (40m)
[7] Ben Coleman bt David Wardle
11/5 11/9 12/10 (28m)
[15] James Earles bt Nick Hopcroft
11/5 11/5 11/9 (26m)
Alex Phillips bt Sammy Chambers
11/3 11/5 11/7 (19m)
[8] Anthony Graham bt Sam Wileman
11/3 11/8 11/5 (22m)
[12] Richard Birks bt Declan James
18/16 8/11 11/6 11/6 (41m)
[4] Eddie Charlton bt Robert Dadds
11/4 11/2 11/3 (23m)
[14] Robert Downer bt Nicholas Bradley
11/8 11/0 11/9 (25m)
[6] Neil Cordell bt Jack Jago
11/2 11/5 11/5 (22m)
[13] Adam Murrills bt Adam Auckland
13/11 11/2 11/9 (32m)
[2] Joe Lee bt Sam Hodgkins
11/2 11/6 11/1 (18m) |
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2009 Event |
WALLER AND SAFFERY GUNNING
FOR BRITISH U23 GLORY
Former British junior champions Adrian Waller
(Hertfordshire) and Deon Saffery (Wales) head the
seedings for the British Under 23 Championships, supported by
Huntingdon Marriott, which are being staged by the prestigious
Hunts County Squash Club in Cambridgeshire between 23 and 25
April 2010.
The draws announced today include the top players in the age
group from around the country. Adrian Waller, the World No58 has
enjoyed a great run on the PSA World tour this season and is
scheduled to meet long time rival and World No85 Joe Lee
(Surrey) in the final.
The top two are unlikely to have it easy with third and fourth
seeds Joel Hinds (Derbyshire) and Eddie Charlton
(Nottinghamshire) respectively looking to cause upsets. Hinds,
who is seeded to meet Waller in the semis, took out top seed Tom
Richards (Surrey) in last year’s championship before eventually
losing in the final to Chris Simpson (Hampshire).
With Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) out through injury Welsh No1
and current World No60 Deon Saffery takes top billing in the
Women’s draw. It was Saffery who ended Lust’s challenge for this
title at the semi final stage last year before eventually losing
out to Fiona Moverley (Yorkshire) in the final. Saffery, based
at Pontefract will be looking to go one better this time and
claim the Under 23 title to add to the British Under 17 crown
she won back in 2004.
Emma Chorley (Somerset) is the No2 seed with former European
Under 19 champion Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwickshire) at No3 and
Derbyshire’s Millie Tomlinson No4. 18 year old Carrie Ramsey
(Yorkshire) who sensationally claimed the European Under 19
title a few weeks ago is playing the squash of her life and will
have her sights set on gate-crashing the semi finals and
continue her fantastic run of form.
The standard of entries has once again been fantastic with no
fewer than 15 current and former British Junior Champions on
show. The event gives the very best junior players in the
country the opportunity to fight it out with full time
professionals who are already rising up the world rankings.
The British Under 23 Championship was re-launched last year as a
joint venture between England Squash & Racketball, the British
Squash Professionals Association and The Sports Academy at Hunts
County Squash Club. This year’s event has a prize fund of £3450
and promises to build on the success of last year and further
establish the championships as one of the country’s blue ribbon
tournaments.
Men’s Qualification takes place on Thursday 22 April with the
main draws kicking off on Friday 23 April.
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