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Scotia Independent
West of Scotland Open
31-Oct to 02-Nov 2008, Newlands LT&SC, Glasgow |
Tournament Review from Iain Logan
Day 1
1st Round
Smooth progress for the seeds, with only Peter Billson dropping
a game to the up and coming Scottish youngster Lyall Patterson.
Undoubtedly the tie of the round was between the steady
Englishman Steve Siveter and American Tucker George. Tucker came
out of the blocks with all guns blazing and fired himself into a
2 - 0 lead, however Steve finally started to find his rhythm and
length and wrapped up the next 3 games in fairly rapid
succession to win the match in 5.
Elsewhere in the draw Eddie Charlton was given a very stern
examination by Scottish veteran Peter O’Hara, finally overcoming
‘Pistol’ Pete in 4 really tough sets.
2nd Round
No major surprises in the 2nd round with all 8 seeds progressing
to the quarter finals. Simon Parke, Andy Whipp and John Rooney
all looked ominously comfortable, although not everyone made it
through without a battle.
Rising Scottish star Alan Clyne was given a stern test of his
title credentials by young South African Rudi Willemse, and
although Clyne won 3 - 0, Rudi took both the 1st and 3rd games
to tie breaks, and should consider himself unfortunate not to
take at least a game.
David Barnett one of the 5/8 seeds was given a far tougher match
than most people would have predicted by talented Aberdonian,
Ali Gorrie. David finally prevailed in 5 games, but only after
Ali had displayed his full repertoire of talents before tiring
badly in the 5th.
For the 2nd time within a matter of a few hours Steve Siveter
found himself involved in the tie of the round, this time
against Newlands’ legend Hadrain Stiff. Hadrian, playing his
usual measured squash, moved comfortably into a 2 - 0 lead, only
for Steve to attempt his 2nd great escape of the day. Edging a
close 3rd and winning the 4th with ease, Steve finally ran out
of answers at the end of the 5th to lose it 11/8, with Hadrian
clearly relieved to have escaped from a match that he could have
lost, but also may have won in 3.
Ladies Preliminary Round
In the ladies draw, Katy Ramirez comfortably outplayed Italian,
Christina di Sacco, and in the other preliminary round match,
after saving 2 game balls in the 1st game, Alex Clark beat
Scottish international Caron Lawrie 3 - 0.
Day 2
Ladies Quarter Finals
Becky Botwright bt Katy Ramirez 3 - 1
At the top of the draw, Becky Botwright, the no.1 seed, began
with a$fairly comfortable 3 - 1 win over Katy Ramirez.
Ramirez deserved enormous credit for the effort that she put
into the match, and even although she managed to take a game, at
no point did Botwright look in danger of losing the match.
Senga MacFie bt Carrie Hastings 3 - 2
The second ladies match was easily the best of the round, with
ex-Scottish international Senga MacFie defeating Englishwoman
Carrie Hastings in 5 tough sets.
Controversially overlooked for the Scotland team which went to
the recent European Team Championships, despite being Scotland’s
no.1 female player, Senga displayed all the attributes which
made her a genuine world class performer in her prime, and which
still make her a force to be reckoned with at this level.
After taking a 2 - 0 lead, Senga allowed a very determined
Carrie back into the match, only to rediscover her focus again
in the 5th set, and close out what was a wonderfully exciting
match.
Frania Gillen-Buchert w/o Jeannine Cowie
An extremely late call-off resulted in Frania receiving a bye
straight to the semi finals.
Emma Beddoes bt Alex Clark 3 - 0
Despite a valiant effort from Clark, the no.2 seed always looked
to be playing well within herself, and she quickly closed out a
3 - 0 victory to move smoothly through to her semi final meeting
with Scottish hope, Frania Gillen-Buchert.
Men’s Quarter Finals
Simon Parke bt David Barnett 3 - 0 (11/3, 11/6, 11/9)
Parke, resplendent in his Aberdeen Squash Club t-shirt, started
strongly, and it looked as though the previous days 5 setter had
taken its toll on Barnett. However, as the match progressed,
Barnett slowly but surely adapted to the tempo, and he pushed
him all the way in a long and tough 3rd set, before Parke closed
out the match 3 - 0.
John Rooney bt Hadrian Stiff 3 - 1 (6/11, 11/8, 11/6, 11/6)
On paper this had the appearance of a close match, and so it
proved, being the only tie in the quarter finals to extend
beyond 3 sets.
Stiff started by far the better of the 2 players, and
comfortably took the first set. The 2nd was an altogether
different affair, with both players covering all 4 corners of
the court as they began to fully test each other out. An early
lead for Stiff soon evaporated, and Rooney eventually closed out
a very tough game 11/8. The loss of the 2nd game seemed to
deflate Stiff’s confidence, and Rooney soon assumed command of
the match, controlling the T, and working Stiff with his
backhand drop shot. He wrapped the next 2 games with relative
ease, to knock out the higher seeded player.
Alan Clyne bt Alex Stait 3 - 0 (11/8, 11/6, 11/5)
This was another match which many people predicted would be
close, but it proved to be a surprisingly quick victory for the
dynamic young Scot, who upset the seedings with a comprehensive
3 - 0 victory.
Always sharp to the front of the court, Clyne’s drops and
counter drops, soon had Stait in serious trouble. The Englishman
could find no answer to ‘Big Al’s’ movement, and the match was
finished far quicker than most people expected.
Could a Scot win the inaugural West of Scotland event?
Andy Whipp bt Peter Billson 3 - 0 (11/8, 11/6, 11/5)
Up until this weekend, Andy Whipp’s competitive outings in
Glasgow, had been limited to a West League match approximately 3
years ago, when he played for Whitecraigs LTC, against this
weekends hosts, Newlands LTC.
Fortunately for those of us who enjoy watching all action
attacking squash, he’s back!
Playing against an opponent who himself is no stranger to the
odd nick or two, Stiff made relatively short work of Billson. At
no stage did he look unduly worried or pressurised, and he
closed out the match in emphatic style 3 - 0.
Most thoughts were now turning to the Clyne vs. Whipp semi
final. Could Clyne’s movement negate the shot making prowess of
Whipp?
Ladies semi finals
Becky Botwright bt Senga MacFie 3 - 0 (11/7, 13/11, 11/3)
From the start of the 1st game it appeared that MacFie would
have her work cut out against the top seed, as Botwright kept
the pace high, and opted to extend the rallies to tire out her
older opponent.
After Botwright secured the first game fairly comfortably, a
fired up MacFie began to ask her some serious questions with
some superb squash at the start of the 2nd. Floating lobs and
some superb anticipation kept Senga ahead throughout the game,
only to see Becky save 2 game balls before finally winning a
game that she could consider herself fortunate not to lose.
The 3rd game was a procession as Becky took advantage of a
despondent Senga, to win the match 3 - 0.
Emma Beddoes bt Frania Gillen-Buchert 3 - 0 (11/8, 11/6,
11/9)
From the start of the first game, this was a high paced and
dynamic match, with both girls volleying and attacking at every
available opportunity.
The first 2 games had Beddoes on top, albeit just marginally,
and she moved into a 2 - 0 lead.
However, the 3rd was a very even affair. With never more than 2
points between them, the game and match reached its critical
point at 9 all. Any easy opportunity for a forehand drop winner,
and Frania clipped the top of the tin. There proved to be no way
back, as Emma closed out an entertaining match 3 - 0.
Mens semi finals
Andy Whipp bt Alan Clyne 3 - 1 (9/11, 11/4, 11/3, 11/3)
Could the young Scot upset the seedings for the 2nd time in a
day, or would Whipp have more ammunition than Clyne’s previous
victim Alex Stait?
The first game gave Clyne supporters some serious cause for
optimism. Moving beautifully, and slotting in his trademark
backhand drop shots, Clyne won a long first game, albeit aided
by 4 unforced errors from the racket of Whipp.
Were we on our way towards another shock? Categorically, no!!
The next 3 games witnessed a fired up Whipp dismantle the
Scottish hope with some spectacular and clinical squash.
Anticipating his every move, Whipp volleyed young Alan into
submission in double quick time, to deservedly secure his place
in the final.
John Rooney bt Simon Parke 3 - 0 (11/7, 11/8, 11/4)
Untroubled in reaching the semi finals, Parke, the new Irish
national coach, rapidly found himself in all sorts of trouble
against one of his national charges, Rooney.
Hitting a better length and width, Rooney repeatedly held Parke,
consistently wrong footing him, and sending him scurrying about
the back of the court.
The constant twisting and turning was clearly taking its toll on
Parke, who visibly tired towards the end of each of the first 2
games, to allow Rooney to take a comfortable 2 - 0 lead.
The 3rd game witnessed a dominant Rooney slam the door shut on
an increasingly weary Parke, and he won the game impressively to
move into the final, to meet his friend and travelling companion
Whipp.
Day Three
Ladies Final
Emma Beddoes bt Becky Botwright 3 - 0 (11/9, 11/8, 12/10)
A match of contrasting styles, with Botwright playing the more
conservative squash, line and length, and Beddoes attacking,
taking the ball early, and playing to the front at every
available opportunity.
In the first 2 games, fortune favoured the brave, with Beddoes
deservedly winning both games by a narrow margin. Her attacking
style was causing the top seeds all sorts of problems, and time
was rapidly running out for Botwright.
The 3rd game continued in the same vein as the first 2, as
Beddoes established an early lead, which she maintained
throughout the game until she secured 2 championship points at
10/8 up. 2 titanic rallies followed, both won by the determined
Botwright, who now had the bit between her teeth. Yet another
assault to the front of the court secured Emma’s 3rd match
point, and this time she made no mistake, to win the title in
emphatic style.
Mens final
Andy Whipp bt John Rooney 3 - 1 (11/8, 10/12, 13/11, 11/7)
Throughout the tournament these 2 men had been responsible for
playing the best squash on view.
Whipp with his all action style, and Rooney more measured and
patient.
It promised to be a cracker, and so it proved.
A frenetic 1st game saw Whipp just edge out Rooney to take a 1 -
0 lead.
The 2nd saw Rooney scorch into a 6 - 0 lead. Whipp gradually
chipped away at the lead, saving 2 game balls from 8/10 in the
process, to take the game to a tie break. A couple of dying
lengths from Rooney swung the momentum back his way, and parity
was restored at 1 game all.
The 3rd game proved to be the key to the match. Like he did to
Parke in the semi, Rooney began to stretch and turn Whipp with
his accurate length and width. He managed to establish leads of
7/4 and 9/7, and looked to be on course to securing the game,
until e couple of contested refereeing decisions seemed to
disrupt his momentum. Whipp seized his opportunity to win 3
streight points, which handed him game point, only for Rooney to
fight back and go 11/10 ahead. Credit again to Whipp, who saved
the game point and then managed to secure the game for himself
at the 2nd time of asking to establish a 2 - 1 lead.
In the 4th game Whipp was always in the ascendancy, and he
maintained a lead of at least 2 points tlroughout the game,
despite the crowd urging Rooney to take the match to the 5th set
that they all wanted to see.
A superb final and two deserving champions in Beddoes and Whipp,
to end what was a successful and enjoyable event.
We hope to be back even bigger and better next year.
Cheers
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Finals:
Andy Whipp beat John Rooney
3 - 1 (11/8, 10/12, 13/11, 11/7)
Emma Beddoes Beat Becky Botwright
3 - 0 (11/9, 11/8, 12/10)
Semi finals:
John Rooney beat Simon Parke
3 - 0 (11/7, 11/8, 11/4)
Andy Whipp beat Alan Clyne
3 - 1 (9/11, 11/4, 11/3, 11/3)
Becky Botwright beat Senga MacFie
3 - 0 (11/7, 13/11, 11/3)
Emma Beddoes beat Frania Gillen-Buchert
3 - 0 (11/8, 11/6, 11/9)
01-Nov, Quarter-Finals:
Simon Parke beat David Barnett
3 - 0 (11/3, 11/6, 11/9)
John Rooney beat Hadrian Stiff
3 - 1 (6/11, 11/8, 11/6, 11/6)
Alan Clyne beat Alex Stait
3 - 0 (11/8, 11/6, 11/5)
Andy Whipp beat Peter Billson
3 - 0 (11/8, 11/6, 11/5)
31-Oct, Second Round Results:
Simon Parke beat Paul Frank
3 - 0 (11/4, 11/7, 11/7)
David Barnett beat Ali Gorrie
3 - 2 (11/8, 11/13, 11/5, 8/11, 11/4)
John Rooney beat Eddie Charlton
3 - 0 (11/5, 11/9, 11/8)
Hadrian Stiff beat Steve Siveter
3 - 2 (11/7, 11/3, 9/11, 1/11, 11/8)
Alex Stait beat Stuart Crawford
3 - 0 (11/7, 11/9, 11/7)
Alan Clyne beat Rudi Willemse
3 - 0 (12/10, 11/4, 13/11)
Peter Billson beat Sean Hunter
3 - 0 (11/0, 11/6, 11/9)
Andy Whipp beat Jaymie Haycocks
3 - 0 (11/7, 11/5, 11/6)
31-Oct, First Round Results:
Simon Parke beat Owen Hadden
3 - 0 (11/9, 11/0, 11/0)
Paul Frank beat Andrew Birks
3 - 0 (11/5, 11/8, 11/6)
Ali Gorrie beat Iain Logan
3 - 0 (14/12, 11/1, 11/2)
David Barnett beat Kelvin Jayawardhana
3 - 0 (11/6, 11/6, 11/1)
John Rooney beat Jamie Jacobsen
3 - 0 (11/6, 11/9, 11/7)
Eddie Charlton beat Peter O'Hara
3 - 1 (11/6, 11/13, 11/4, 11/8)
Steve Siveter beat Tucker George
3 - 2 (7/11, 9/11, 11/3, 11/1, 11/2)
Hadrian Stiff beat Jamie MacAuley
3 - 0 (11/6, 11/4, 11/3)
Alex Stait beat Colin Stirrat
3 - 0 (11/6, 11/4, 11/8)
Stuart Crawford beat Jamie Matthews
3 - 0 (11/6, 11/3, 11/6)
Rudi Willemse beat Paul Bell
3 - 1 (8/11, 11/7, 11/8, 12/10)
Alan Clyne beat Neil Rossin
3 - 0 (11/4, 11/1, 11/1)
Peter Billson beat Lyall Patterson
3 - 1 (11/5, 11/7, 11/13, 11/8)
Sean Hunter beat Sam Hodgkins
3 - 0 (11/5, 11/4, 11/1)
Jaymie Haycocks beat Richard Birks
3 - 0 (11/6, 11/7, 11/8)
Andy Whipp beat Simon White
3 - 0 (11/3, 11/3, 11/5)
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Scotia Independent
West of Scotland Open
31-Oct to 02-Nov 2008, Newlands LT&SC, Glasgow
Preview from Iain Logan
All the final preparations are now taking place for the
inaugural Scotia Independent West of Scotland Open, which is
being held from 31 October - 2 November at Newlands LTC in
Glasgow.
The flagship event in the West of Scotland Squash Associations
tournament calendar, the West Open features on the BSPA
PeterNicolSquash.com Grand Prix circuit for the first time in
its history.
Consequently we have the strongest draw ever assembled for the
tournament, and we expect a weekend full of high quality matches
and exciting squash.
In the men's draw we have 6 out of the top 20 players in
England, as well as all of the top home based Scottish players.
Most of the focus will undoubtedly fall on established
favourites like Simon Parke and Andy
Whipp. However, as a player with a long standing connection
to Newlands LTC through his exploits for the club in the
Scottish National League and the European Club Championships,
Hadrian Stiff is likely be able to count on the strongest
local support over the weekend.
From a Scottish perspective, most people will be closely
following the progress of Alan Clyne.
Fresh from his first win on the PSA tour in the USA, Alan will
be considered by many people to be a live outsider for the
overall title, particularly given some of his outstanding
results within the past year against players of the calibre of
Simon Parke, Derek Ryan and Daryl Selby. His prospective second
round match against Hadrian looks to be one of the ties of the
round, and not one to be missed.
The ladies draw also features a strong English contingent, with
Becky Botwright and Emma Beddoes seeded to meet in
what should be a very closely contested final. Senga MacFie
and Frania Gillen-Buchert are the main Scottish hopes,
with Senga in particular having the playing pedigree to cause
the top seeds some major problems.
In conjunction with the BSPA event, we are also running graded
draws. These will provide players of all standards the
opportunity to enjoy competitive games of their own, whilst
getting to watch some of the UK’s finest players at close
quarters.
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Finally, if you
aren't playing in any of the draws, but would like to come along
and watch, then just make your way down to Newlands at any point
over the weekend. We start at 12:45pm on the Friday afternoon,
and continue right through to the finals on Sunday (2pm for the
ladies and 3pm for the men).
Food and drinks will be available all weekend, and on the
Saturday night Newlands are hosting a party featuring live band
and buffet. Entry to the party is free for competitors and £10
for all others.
Hope to see you next weekend.
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