04-Sep, Final:

Chris Simpson bt Karim Ali Fathi 11/9, 11/9, 11/9

Chris Simpson secured his first Andy Gill title following his runners up finish in last years event with a resounding 3-0 defeat of Egyptian Karim Ali Fathi.

Although Ali Fathi competed for every point it was the more experienced Simpson who came out on top with equality display of controlled squash to win 11-9 11-9 11-9.

03-Sep, Semi-Finals:

Chris Simpson bt Laurence Delasaux
             11/7, 11/8, 11/6
Karim Ali Fathi bt Andy Whipp
              8/11, 12/10, 11/5, 10/12, 11/5

Simpson was clinical in the first semi-fnal, although the scores don't tell the whole story. The 50-minute match was as close a 3-0 as can be imagined.

In the second semi-final the young Egyptian Ali Fathi again thrilled the crowd with his tenacity to get past two-time Andy Gill champion Whipp in five games. Coming from a game down the youngster raced to a 9-1 lead in the second before Whipp made a dramatic comeback to tie the game at 10-10 only to lose 12-10.

The Egyptian then took a close fought third before the never say die Cheshire man tied the match taking the fourth. The scene was set for the final game and although Whipp put in a serious effort in retrieving what seemed like lost causes in many rallies Ali Fathi was the one who progressed to tomorrow's final.

02-Sep, Quarters:
Egyptian sensation
takes out second seed
Rob Slater reports

64 minutes of pulsating squash with the 17-year-old Karim Ali Fathi going the distance with Joel Hinds to win a quality match.

Probably the best quarter-final in the event's 28 year history - a joy to watch and a credit to both players with the impetus swaying one way and then the other!

The Andy Gill Memorial Squash Championships are unique in a sporting world where commemorative matches or events for sportsmen tragically lost in their prime are quite common, sometimes a second event is staged, but how often does one carry on for 28 years without any sign of waning.

Andy Gill died of cancer at the tragic early age of 23, at a time when he was well known in the North West as a young man who combined entertaining squash and a cheeky smile with the maturity to be Lancashire Team Captain.

The man behind the championships is Tournament Promoter Barry King, who was Lancashire Team Manager at the times of Andy's death. Barry has encouraged and cajoled sponsors to support the event throughout its 28 years, and many sponsors have like Barry been around since day one.

Perhaps fittingly the first title went to Lancashire team mate, David Pearson, who went on to win the next four. Other early winners were Martin Bodimeade and Neil Harvey, followed by Paul Lord (twice), Simon Parke, Gary Thwaite and Derek Ryan.

Nick Taylor won his first in 1995 and then collected five titles in seven years. Marcus Berrett won in 2000, 2002 and 2004. James Willstrop won in 2003 following runners-up medals in the previous two. Australian Stewart Boswell lifted the trophy in 2005, followed by back to back wins by Cheshire’s Andy Whipp in 2006 & 2007. Daryl Selby of Essex was champion in 2008, with Yorkshire players Shaun Le Roux winning in 2009 and Laurence Delasaux in 2010 event.

Christies Hospital Manchester, a leading Cancer Research Centre, is the beneficiary from the event that has grown over the years to be regarded as the North's premier early season, catering for all standards of play from the local league player to some of the games top professionals.

Maple Squash Club, Oldham was the tournament's original home, but following closure the event was transferred to its adopted home at Rochdale Cricket, Lacrosse and Squash Club in 1996.

Tony Parker ran the event for the first ten years, before passing the reigns to Rob Slater in 1994. Tony retains the role of Tournament Referee.


Contact: Tournament Director - Rob Slater 07768 024300 for more information
 

Friday, 'A' Quarters

Chris Simpson bt Peter Billson
   11/3, 11/5, 11/8
Laurence Delasaux bt Danny Massaro
    11/7, 11/1, 11/3
Andy Whipp bt Tom Dwyer
    11/6, 11/7, 11/7
Karim Ali Fathy bt Joel Hinds
    11/6, 11/9, 5/11, 8/11, 11/6
 

The 'A' Draw
Thursday results

Chris Simpson bt Robert Taylor
      11/6, 11/8, 11/0
Peter Billson bt Yawar Abbas
      10/12, 11/5, 11/3, 11/9

Danny Massaro bt Mike Pearson
      11/2, 11/4, 11/6
Laurence Delasaux v M Hibberd


Andy Whipp bt Bradley Smith
      11/3, 11/2, 11/6
Tom Dwyer bt Nathan Lake
      w/o injured

Karim Ali Fathy bt Matt Sidaway
      11/4, 11/6, 11/2
Joel Hinds bt Sean Hunter~
       w/o