24/05/2005
Freshness a Factor
Malcolm Willstrop looks at the prospects for the final ...
Northern teams
are invariable stronger than their Southern counterparts in the
National League, though why this is so is not quite clear. So it is no
surprise that the final concerns Pontefract/Manchester
and Wolverhampton.
The outcome is by no means certain since the top order players are
definitely in need of a rest.
Lee Beachill against Anthony Ricketts is a fitting top
string match and it may depend on who is the freshest, or who can raise
the extra, since they have both had heavy recent commitments.
James Willstrop has also been
heavily committed and Alex Gough
may have an advantage in freshness, though not in the age stakes. The
younger player maintains he has a problem not laughing at the Welshman,
and I know what he means.
Marcus Berrett, who because of
his non-involvement on the world tour has been the most significant
league player anywhere, bids farewell to his team, since he takes up a
post in Italy in August. He will be anxious to go out with a win for
his team as well as for himself, especially as his club, Halifax, are
Super League champions and it would be a notable double to end on,
should it happen. Berrett is up against the competent and reliable Scott Handley.
Nick Taylor, now a full time
coach, may be vulnerable against Mark
Cairns, who will not go down without a fight, he never does, and
their match is up for grabs.
The girls match, Jenny Duncalf
against Shelley Kitchen, is
also open.though perhaps Jenny is a marginal favourite.
So the stage is set for a match where the players' freshness may be a
factor, though top squash players are good at fronting up, and where
the bouncy, hot, Nottingham court, which do not reward racket players
sufficiently, may well also have an effect.
Malcolm Willstrop
Contributor:
Club: NO CLUB
Link: http://
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