Hallamshire Open | British U23 Champs | Essex Open | Sawyers Open

Hallamshire U23 Open,
18-20 April

Nick Matthew lived up to his top seed status, winning the final event of the inaugural BSPA U23 circuit at his home club of Hallamshire in Sheffield.

Matthew, the world number 26, enjoyed an easier passage to the final than his opponent, second seed Andy Whipp, and completed a 15/7, 15/4, 14/15, 15/7 victory in just 37 minutes.

Andy Whipp and Nick Matthew >>>

PETER BEATS BIG BROTHER
PHIL IN ESSEX UNDER-23 FINAL
Alan Thatcher reports
Congratulations to Paul Selby for organising an excellent Essex Under-23 Open tournament at Harlow Sports Centre, which was part of the rapidly expanding BSPA Grand Prix circuit. Paul was delighted with the response and the commitment shown by the players, with the younger competitors enjoying an excellent main final between the Barker brothers.

Paul writes: "The final turned out to be an all-Barker affair with Peter the younger beating the elder statesman Phil into second place 15-13, 15-8, 15-11. It was a great game between two players who know their games inside out. Peter's full-time career told as the game went on and the rallies became more intense. Pete was able to keep the rally going as Phil progressively looked to kill it off. Both players were a credit to the game, as were all the Under-23s who played. They all competed with a passion and were good role models for the young pretenders who had entered the Under 17s and Under 19s running alongside."

Essex
Under 23 Open
at Harlow Sports Club
17/19 January 2003

Total Prize Fund: £1,000

Poster & Form (pdf)

Essex U23 Open, 17-19 Jan 2003

Phil Barker

15/13 15/8 15/11 68 mins

* Peter Barker *

15/12, 17/14, 15/3

Peter Barker

For full tournament details contact
Paul Selby on Paul@Selbs.freeserve.co.uk 

First event:
Sawyers U23 Open
15/17 November 2002
Sawyers Health Club
Haywards Heath, Sussex
Total prize fund £1000

Malaysia's Azlan Iskander claimed the first title on the new BSPA Millfield Partnership U23 circuit, beating Andrew Whipp 15/11, 11/15, 15/11, 17/14 in the final of the Sawyers U23 Open.

The final looked to be heading for a fifth game when Whipp established an lead in the fourth, but Azlan recovered to gain match balls at 14-11 before eventually clinching the title with three unanswered points in the 'tie-break'.

James Willstrop