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Cleethorpes
Invitation 2007
3rd/4th August |
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Willstrop's Cleethorpes
Hat-Trick
Alan Hannath
reports
James Willstrop, seeded at No 1 and ranked No 7 in the World
at only 23 years, took his third consecutive Cleethorpes Squash
Invitation Title at Cleethorpes Cricket Club on Saturday Evening in
an enthralling four game final.
James was delighted to beat the 2 consecutive title record held by
Nick Taylor for the first two tournaments in 1998 & 1999. He now
holds four titles in total if the 2003 title is included, a great
achievement for both James and Squash at Cleethorpes Cricket Club
which continues to attract world-class squash players year on year.
Willstrop was challenged in the final by Daryl Selby, on his first
visit to Cleethorpes. World ranked No 36, Daryl was a surprise
finalist as he was seeded 5/8 at the start of the tournament. He had
taken out No 2 seed and world No 16 Adrian Grant, last year’s losing
finalist, in an exciting 5-game semi-final.
This Cleethorpes title, in its tenth year and benefiting from a new
sponsor, Technical Absorbents Limited (TAL), continues to be a
popular & prestigious event amongst the Professional squash playing
fraternity. Evidence of this was clear as the international
“Squashsite” gave full and continuous coverage as the Tournament
progressed though Friday evening and Saturday placing Cleethorpes
well on the worldwide squash map. Each year it is felt that the
standard of squash and the entertainment value cannot improve, yet
again both bettered the previous year’s performances.
Always wishing to introduce new blood to the Event, in addition to
Daryl Selby the centre court was also graced by Jonathan Kemp, world
No 31 and seeded at 3. Joey Barrington, last year’s popular
semi-finalist had to pull out of the tournament with 24 hours notice
but was replaced at the 11th hour by another newcomer, Aaron
Frankcomb, the young Australian, who added an international flavour
to the event.
In addition to Willstrop and Grant, the 2007 line-up also saw the
return of 3 players: Bradley Ball, who last played the tournament in
2004, at World No 33; Scott Handley at World No 49, and yet again
the irrepressible Nick Taylor, twice champion, who recently became
British over-35 Champion. Nick, still serving squash as a National
Coach at Manchester, adds huge value to the tournament. So let’s
review how the Tournament, which unlike last year did not go with
the seedings, progressed.
The centre court saw four exciting, but diverse, first round matches
take place on the Friday Evening.
First on court, with all spectator seats taken, were the blast from
the past, Bradley Ball in a welcome return to Cleethorpes and the
new face, Daryl Selby. This was a strange match which started with a
lively first game which Bradley took 11-8 after 15 minutes of hard
work. Ball took the second game 11-3 in a match in which Selby was
becoming more and more irritable as calls were not going his way. He
seemed to gain the advantage only to disappointingly throw the point
away. Ball conceded at 10-6 in the 3rd game, in which Selby was
frequently at odds with the referee, as a misunderstanding over his
flight times to the US meant he would not be available on the
Saturday. Daryl Selby, then, fortunately went through to the semi
finals 8-11, 3-11, 6-10 (Ball retired).
Next up were the 22 year old new face, Aaron Frankcomb, and No 1
seed and reigning Champion James Willstrop. Aaron was delighted to
take the trip from his club in Leeds at short notice to have a go at
the world No7. Frankcomb made a great effort but did not really find
any kind of rhythm until the 3rd game having lost the first two
5-11, 1-11. The combination of Frankcomb finding his feet and
Willstrop losing concentration made for a great 3rd game in which
Frankcomb pushed Willstrop, almost taking the game which he lost
10-12, after 16 minutes of play. Willstrop, as expected was in the
semi-finals, 11-5, 11-1, 12-10.
Last years losing finalist and No 2 seed, Adrian Grant and the
original old favourite Nick Taylor received great applause for the
next quarter-final. Always having had a reputation for his swift
movement on court Nick, a very sharp looking Taylor shocked the
spectators by taking a 2 games to nil lead in the first 26 minutes.
The first game was tight with Nick winning 11-9, Adrian seemingly
not able to concentrate, maybe due to Nick’s typical humorous
antics. This continued into a second game which Taylor took 11-7.
Maybe it was because Taylor was had expended an excess of energy in
the first two games or maybe Grant just excelled, but Adrian fought
back in the next two games to draw the match even with a relatively
straightforward 11-1, 11-4 score line. The final game was a cracker;
with Adrian becoming so frustrated he smashed his racquet and
received a warning. Who knows where Taylor got is energy from. Grant
came through to keep his seeding on track with a 9-11, 7-11, 11-1,
11-4, 11-8 victory.
The final Friday match created a really tight 5 game slog. Scott
Handley, ranked at world 49, who went out in the first round in 2006
was really up for beating newcomer and world No 31 Jonathan Kemp.
The scene was set in a well matched contest with Kemp taking the
first game 11-9. An exciting tie-break resulted in Handley being
rewarded for his work rate with a 13-11 win. Another fast and
furious exchange saw Kemp reverse his fortunes in the third game
tiebreak winning 13-11. The fourth game saw Scott play out of his
skin to take the game 11-3 in only 4 minutes. Now there was a
contest! Kemp’s superior range of shots and accuracy enabled him to
finish the 5th game and take the match 11-9, 11-13, 13-11, 3-11,
11-5.
Over lunch on Saturday two great semi-finals were in prospect.
Jonathan Kemp was looking forward to taking on James Willstrop, the
No 1 seed, with the No 2 seed, Adrian Grant taking on the surprise
semi-finalist Daryl Selby. It would be interesting to see if the
five game matches of Adrian and Jonathan on the Friday evening would
make a difference in what were to be two very contrasting matches.
First up were Kemp and Willstrop in an extremely entertaining match
which was played in a great spirit. Willstrop took the first game
11-5 in a game of punch & counterpunch and extremes of pace. James
raced ahead in the second game to 7-1 using great disguise and a
spirited fight back by Jonathan could not prevent James taking it
11-7. The third game was a game of errors by both players, Kemp
taking this game 11-7. In the end Willstrop’s class shone through as
he took the match 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3 in just 30 minutes.
The second semi-final was a complete contrast taking 1 hour and 5
minutes, being controversial and providing a shock result. Daryl
Selby, who perhaps had not expected to be taking part in the
semi-final, played a very honest match against an increasingly
frustrated Adrian Grant who perhaps had a little taken out of him in
his late Friday quarter final.
Selby took the first game 13-11 in which Grant had to fight back
hard to be in contention. A great galloping early start to the
second game by Adrian saw Daryl fight back to take this 12-10. Grant
was able to focus in the next two games playing some great shots to
take them 11-6 and 11-1 as Selby’s concentration lapsed into some
poor errors. Selby led for the whole of the 5th game with Grant
fighting back to no avail, receiving yet another warning for racquet
abuse. Adrian’s frustration increased as Daryl grew in confidence to
earn his place in the final, a shock result at 13-11, 12-10, 6-11,
1-11, 11-8.
So the scene was set for the Saturday Evening Final with the
spectators buzzing with expectation, the No2 seed had gone, would
there be yet another shock as the world No 36 took on the world No
7? One hour and 3 minutes later the pair received rapturous
applause.
James Willstrop, always a joy to watch, had to make the best use of
his subtle shots and unlikely disguise to take a hard won first game
14-12. Daryl Selby really wanted to make a difference at
Cleethorpes. Both players demonstrated some great length and width
in this game. Selby fought back well in the second to take the game
11-7. A tightly contested game followed in which Willstrop chased
the lead until his superiority shone through to pip Selby 11-9. The
writing was now on the wall as despite Selby’s best efforts
Willstrop took the match 14-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5 to set a record of
3 consecutive championships and four in total.
Well done James!!
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Ten and Counting ...
This continuously improving Tournament, in terms of standard of
squash and presentation, first staged 10 years ago, is set to
continue, with James Willstrop determined to defend his title in
2008.
A queue of players wish to participate next year to take a pop at
Willstrop.
Well done all ...
Credit has to go organisers Mike and Kim Hallam for their sheer hard
work, their band of helpers, national referee John Massarella of
Doncaster supported by Dave Walker and Clive Smith, who took some
stick from the players at times.
Rick Havercroft, of Wrawby for again supporting as M.C. and last,
but not least, the players themselves, who are a credit to their
sport.
Great Support ...
We should not forget the spectators.
They love the tournament, and the players love their support, and
the manner in which they are made to feel welcome, this is why they
keep coming back.
Cleethorpes expansion ...
Squash at Cleethorpes continues to grow, in standard, variety, and
youth development, together with a hospitality suite for Cricket
viewing and functions.
New cricket changing facilities and enhanced social facilities open
up all sorts of progressive possibilities for the Club as a whole.
Superb Sponsors ...
The Squash Section at Cleethorpes Cricket Club is enormously
grateful to Technical Absorbents Limited (TAL) for their
sponsorship, enabling truly top class players to participate.
Prizes were presented to James Willstrop and Daryl Selby by David
Service of Technical Absorbents Limited.
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Fourth title for Willstrop
James Willstrop successfully
defended his Cleethorpes Invitational title, his fourth victory in
the event, as he beat Daryl Selby in four games in the final.
Ten up for 2007
Malcolm Willstrop reports on the quarters
Cleethorpes will always cause a laugh in the Music Halls, but its
well-established eight man invitation tournament is no joke and is a
credit to Mike Hallam and his team at their attractive and
hospitable club.
2007 being its tenth year, it appropriately attracted a new sponsor
Technical Absorbents, to whom everyone is indebted.
Past winners include John White, Mark Chaloner and Nick Taylor, and
current champion James Willstrop is a three-time winner.
Bradley Ball and Daryl Selby kicked things off on Friday
night with not a seat available, and the admirable and professional
Ball was always in control against a disappointing Selby, who spent
more time arguing with Dave Walker and John Massarella than playing.
Ball sadly had misread his flights to America by a day and so had to
concede on match ball to send a very fortunate Selby through to the
semi-finals.
 Willstrop
faced Aaron Franckcomb, the young Australian who had replaced
Joey Barrington in the draw, and the champion, playing for the first
time under the Prince banner, was impressive in taking a 2-0 lead.
However the game levelled out in the third and to Frankcomb's credit
he battled hard and well, leading 9/7 and threatening to win the
game But Willstrop was having none of it, and refocused to win the
third
He will be happy to be acquiring such matchplay before next week's
heavyweight clashes in the eagerly-anticipated Super Series Finals
in Manchester.
In the semi-finals Willstrop meets Jonathan Kemp, who won a
fierce five-game tussle with Scott Handley, while Selby faces
Adrian Grant, who came from two games down to beat Nick Taylor.
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Sat 5th, Final:
James Willstrop bt Daryl
Selby
14/12, 7/11, 11/9, 11/5
Sat 4th, Semis:
James Willstrop bt Jonathan
Kemp
11/5, 11/7, 7/11, 11/3
Daryl Selby bt Adrian Grant
13/11, 12/10, 6/11, 1/11, 11/8
Fri 3rd,
Quarter-Finals:
James Willstrop bt Aaron Frankcomb
11/5, 11/1, 12/10
Jonathan Kemp bt Scott Handley
11/9, 11/13, 13/11, 3/11, 11/5
Daryl Selby bt Bradley Ball
8/11, 3/11, 6/10 rtd
Adrian Grant bt Nick Taylor
9/11, 7/11, 11/1, 11/4, 11/8
Post Code Map:
DN35 0HZ
Club
Tel: 01472
691271
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Cleethorpes
Invitation 2006
11/12 August |
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Final, Sat
12th:
James Willstrop bt Adrian Grant
11/9, 6/11, 11/6, 10/12, 11/9 |
Willstrop claims
Cleethorpes hat-trick
James Willstrop retained his Cleethorpes Crown with a
hard-won victory over Adrian Grant in this evening's final.
Both played five-game semi-finals earlier in the day, and this was
to be no different as Grant, runner-up last year, twice pegged back
the world number four to set up a decider.
At 9/6 in the fifth Grant was on the verge of reversing last year's
verdict, but Willstrop fought back with five unanswered points to
take the title for a third time.
Semi-finals, Sat
12th:
James Willstrop bt Joey Barrington
12/10, 9/11, 11/8, 7/11, 11/9
Adrian Grant bt Stacey Ross
8/11, 8/11, 11/2, 11/3, 11/6 |
2003 & 2005 Champion James Willstrop
started his quest for a third Cleethorpes Challenge title with a
straight-games victory over Nick Taylor in an entertaining match
between two of the Cleethorpe crowd's favourites.
Willstrop meets Joey Barrington in Saturday's semi-finals,
while last year's runner-up Adrian Grant faces Stacey Ross.
Willstrop and Ross will be hoping to fine tune their games ready for
next week's Mamut English
Open where James is fourth seed and Stacey just received a
last-minute call into the qualifiers.
First round, Fri 11th:
James Willstrop bt Nick Taylor
11/7, 12/10, 11/4
Joey Barrington bt Scott Handley 12/10,
11/5, 11/6
Stacey Ross bt Alex Stait
11/4, 11/7, 11/8
Adrian Grant bt Chris Simpson
9/11, 11/3, 11/8, 11/7 |
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www.cccsquash.com
Post Code Map:
DN35 0HZ
Club
Tel: 01472
691271
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Novartis Cleethorpes Invitation
27-28 May 2005
Final:
[1] James Willstrop bt [2] Adrian Grant
11/8, 1/11, 11/6, 13/11
Willstrop Regains
Cleethorpes Title
The eighth renewal of this popular eight-man tournament saw the
young England players seeded one and two. James Willstrop,
winner in 2003 but unable to defend in 2004, was back again and
Adrian Grant, making his first visit to Cleethorpes, was seeded
two.
There were no upsets on the first evening, as Rodney Durbach and
Joey Barrington joined the top seeds in the semi-finals. Durbach
pushed Willstrop to 3/2, while Grant overcame Barrington 3/0 in a
match that was harder than the scoreline suggested.
The final, played five hours after the semis, entertained a packed
gallery with some outstanding rallies, Willstrop reclaiming the
title on a fourth-game tie-break.
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www.cccsquash.com
Post Code Map:
DN35 0HZ
Club
Tel: 01472
691271
Main sponsors:
Novartis
Grimsby Limited
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| 2004 Event
Sat
12th, Final:
John White bt Bradley Ball 10/12, 11/3, 11/8, 12/10
 White
takes
Cleethorpes Crown
Scotland's world number five John White claimed the top prize
in the Novartis Cleethorpes Invitation, beating Bradley Ball in a
thrilling final in front of a packed house at Cleethorpes.
Played under the new PSA scoring system, top seed White lost out
in a first game tie-break, but stormed back to take a 2-1 lead, and
clinched the title in another tie-break in the fourth.
The final was preceded by an exhibition match between world number
one Cassie Jackman, who was today awarded an MBE in the Queen's
birthday honours, and Tania Bailey, Lincolnshire's world number
eighteen.
Semis:
John White bt Scott Handley 11/13, 11/4, 11/9, 11/7
Bradley Ball bt Lee Drew 11/3, 11/2, 9/11, 11/7
Fri 11th:
Seeds clattered in Cleethorpes
The popular Cleethorpes
Invitation, again sponsored by Novartis, is under way at Cleethorpes
Cricket Club, with Friday night's action seeing the departure of
three seeds.
 Playing
the new PSA to eleven scoring, top seed John White cruised
past Philip Barker 11/8, 11/5, 11/9, but elsewhere it was a good
night for the underdog.
Scott Handley beat Rodney Durbach 7/11, 11/8, 11/7, 6/11
11/4, Bradley Ball bettered Nick Taylor 11/8, 11/3, 12/10, and Lee Drew beat second seed Mark Chaloner 11/7,
11/13, 11/5, 8/11, 11/9.
Club
Tel: 01472
691271
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