Nicol squeezes past Parky
in Ipswich Legends final
Ali Livingstone reports

Ipswich Legends of Squash ends with a cliff-hanger!

This weekend saw the first ever Ipswich Legends of Squash Championships and with a star-studded line up it didn’t fail to deliver. The event featured Peter Nicol, Simon Parke, Tim Garner and Alex Gough as a late replacement for the injured David Evans.

The weekend combined the Legends Event itself, alongside various coaching clinics for both adults and juniors giving them a chance to get on court and meet the players.

Semi-Final Friday

The weekend started with a bang as Peter Nicol took on his long-time friend Tim Garner. Tim took a hard fought lead having edged the first game 12-10, however Peter fought back in front of a capacity crowd to level it up at 1-all.Tim wasn’t finished though and led 2-1 and had a match ball in the 4th before the ever tenacious Nicol took the game 12-10 and then edged the decider 13-11. The match was an epic and set the weekend up to be a roaring success!

Next on court in the second semi-final was Simon Parke taking on Alex Gough. Simon looked sharp from the off and with some great shot making he blew Alex away 11-3 in the first. The second was a lot tighter as Alex began to find his range, however Simon prevailed and took the game 11-9. Gough fought back in the 3rd and took the game after Simon began to look a little jaded as the game continued at a pace, however Parke then pushed on in the 4th and took the final game comfortably to progress to the final.

Super Saturday

Saturday saw an entertaining exhibition between the Ipswich Head Pro and Irish Number 1 Arthur Gaskin who took on the  British National Champion and current World Number 11 Daryl Selby.

Both players were just back from the World Team Championships and looked in great form as they started at a frenetic pace. The first two games were nip and tuck with Daryl taking the first 11-8 before Arthur, in front of a packed home crowd urging him on levelled the contest taking the game 11-5. After that Daryl showed his outstanding class and his court coverage and shot making took it’s toll with Arthur becoming increasingly tired on a blistering hot court! Daryl ran out the comfortable victor in the last two games to take the match 3-1.

Next up was the 3rd place play-off, Tim Garner v Alex Gough. From the off Alex looked in good form and clearly had benefited from a tough game the day before, taking the game 11-9, before Tim began to establish some more control of the rallies to the take the second game by the same score line. After this Tim began to look more and more unstoppable and despite some breathtaking shot play from Alex he was unable to turn the tide, losing out in 4 tough games.

The Final

The final match on would decide who would be the first ever Ipswich Legends of Squash Champion. It’s fair to say it was simply breathtaking and worthy of any tournament. Both Peter Nicol and Simon Parke played at an amazing pace and the first game was nip and tuck throughout but Peter just edged it 11-9 before Simon came back with some outstanding retrieving to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth game was tight throughout with Peter taking it 11-9 to then set up a grandstand finish. The 5th game didn’t disappoint with a sell-out crowd watching the game ebb and flow, taking it to 10-all. Both players looked out on their feet having given absolutely everything but it was Peter who was able to string two rallies together to take the game and the title 12-10.

The players received a standing ovation having put on an exhilarating display of shot making and determination.

This was the first time that Ipswich Sports Club have hosted a Legends of Squash Event and the tournament was well supported by squash enthusiasts throughout the region.

If Carlsberg did squash matches .... Parke v Nicol tonight, probably the best match I've ever seen ...  #unbelievable !"

"An hour and ten minutes but seriously high intensity and ridiculous shot making and of course retrieving!"

Ipswich Sports Club