The Finalists

09-Nov-06:
Pontefract hails its
Euro Champs ...

Last Friday night was when Pontefract Squash Club came out in force to celebrate the European Team success of their young women's team. Becky Botwright, adopted Lancastrian, Lauren Siddall, Kirsty McPhee, Deon Saffery and Sarah Bowles, all under 19 English Internationals, make up a talented team whose other talents will be displayed in the calendar about to go on sale.

The night began with a doubles challenge between Kirsty and Lauren and Mick Todd, Pontefract's owner, and Gary Siddall, ex Rugby League star and father of Lauren. It was hardly a challenge, since the girls outclassed the 'boys' in every department – squash, looks and attire. Dressed as pussy cats the two professional girls stole a march before the start and then cleaned out the opposition whose size and blocking abilities counted for nothing.

The frequent, tiresome appeals to the referee by the defeated pair fell on deaf ears – mine! - and the girls cruised to a 3-0 win, much to the delight of the crowd, who enjoyed witnessing the demise of Mick and Gary. Gary is affable off court, has a darker side on it, and much belongs to the Pontefract school of 'the more noise you make the tougher you are'.

Tribute was paid not just to the girls for their achievements, but to the long-standing managerial skill of Terry Dudley, who has guided Pontefract's women in Europe eight times, appearing in the last five finals, with a ninth appearance to come next year as holders.

Sylvan Richardson, director of the band 'Lost for Words', brought several of his musicians to the celebration for some impromptu music. Stafford Murray, Joni Tuson, Lee Beachill, James Willstrop and Andy Procter provided the entertainment and the full band will appear on New Year's Eve at the club.

Anthony Ricketts, Shelley Kitchen and Madeline Perry were among the squash notables helping to celebrate and it goes without saying that a good time was had by all.

the Ponte Girls 2007 Calendar

FULL WORLD OPEN COVERAGE

Malcolm will be in Cairo, providing his reports and insight

FULL WORLD OPEN COVERAGE

LAST CHANCE TO SEE THE GREAT ONE ...

The Mamut English Open will be the final world tour appearance of the great Peter Nicol in this country, his swansong being the World Championship in Cairo in the first week of September.

My personal opinion is that his achievements in the most competitive era of the sport make him the greatest player of all time.

He must have an army of fans and admirers and it would be fitting if the Crucible were to be packed for his final appearance at whatever stage it occurs, And after what he did in Melbourne, that may well be Saturday's final!

Be there, don't miss the opportunity to say farewell to a player who has given the game so much.

Malcolm Willstrop

Full English Open coverage

Quality Assured at The Crucible
Mamut English Open preview

Although 2005/06 was arduous to say the least, I have no doubt the world's best players are now sufficiently rested to be looking forward to the new season.

What makes everything more crucial is that the World Championships are early this year – at the end of August in Cairo. So how well sited is the Mamut English Open this year and how important, as the players look for appropriate match play to back up their summer training.

Mamut and Eventis have therefore been suitably rewarded by the entry at The Crucible, which included eight of the world's top ten.

Squash watchers have been spoiled in recent times by the fare offered by the world's leading professionals, since matches good enough to be finals have been seen in the last sixteen.

In Sheffield there is such an example, with Thierry Lincou facing John White in the first round.

Should seedings work out the quarter-finals would look like this:

    David Palmer v Peter Nicol
    Anthony Ricketts v Gregory Gaultier
    James Willstrop v Lee Beachill
    Thierry Lincou v Nick Matthew

It doesn't really matter what combination the quarters throw up, matches of the highest quality are guaranteed and the English Open draw is no exception.

Palmer and Nicol replay the Commonwealth final, when Nicol was so mentally strong. He has plenty of motivation here, the holder, member of the Eventis team and his second-last PSA championship ever.

Ricketts and Gaultier offer a match of physical properties, but that is by no meant to underrate their squash. They are without doubt more skilful than first appearances might suggest and Ricketts is a proven winner.

Willstrop and Beachill will offer a different sort of match where precision will be a dominant factor. Willstrop hasn't beaten Beachill, but their matches usually satisfy the purist.

Newly-wed Lincou will do battle with British Champion Matthew, local boy, who reached the final last year. This is another heavyweight contest, where home advantage may play a part.

However these potential matches are viewed it would be hard to name a favourite in any of them. All the players will be freshened up, raring to go and none of them will lack motivation. The crucial factor may be their state of preparedness.

With the worlds to follow and the Gerrard and British Open soon after, they will all be hoping to be well forward with so much at stake immediately.

Although August may not be the best of months with people away on holiday, my hope is that Northern squash enthusiasts will respond and fill The Crucible to create an atmosphere suitable for the cream of the world's players.

July 2006
A player with a future

In January James went to the finals of the British Junior Open in Sheffield and when he returned home he could not wait to tell me about a young Malaysian girl who he thought was sensational.

Her name was Low Wee Wern, who, happily for me, turned up at Pontefract with a 20-strong team – a combination of mostly Americans and some Malaysians – brought to the club by Jamie Hickox, now restored to Malaysian Squash as National Coach.

Reminded that this was the girl, I eagerly anticipated her match with Kirsty McPhee, a former England U19 international, now on the WISPA tour and an excellent racket player herself.

Nor was I to be disappointed: Wee Wern, still short of her sixteenth birthday, is truly exceptional. I cannot recall when a player so excited me. Her easy movement and remarkable control of the racket, allied to her mature instinct of the game, make her someone to watch out for. The match was skilful and of a high order, with Kirsty prevailing, but not by much.

Wee Wern's temperament is not in doubt; her ability certainly is not and if, and I am assured they are, all the other necessary parts are in place, then she is destined for great things.

With the visitors was another exceptional Malaysian youngster, Tan Yin Xin, already a British Junior Open champion, and these two girls will follow with ease in the footsteps of Nicol David. Lucky Malaysia to have two such jewels.

Also on show was England's best young hope James Earles, British U13 and U15 champion concurrently. He is a fine athlete, a gifted racket player and is blessed with the best of dispositions and temperament.

Pontefract Squash Club was no bad place to be this early July, with such world class potential on show and James was certainly right about Wee Wern.

When I told him later how impressed I was he said, “I knew you'd like her.”

 
Wee Wern left Pontefract for Cologne, and went on
to win the U19 title in the Pioneer Junior Cup ...

BJO U17 final 2006

Malaysia's European Tour - Reports & Photos

Pioneer Cup - U19 Champion

Lost for Words go
South West ...

My dealings with musicians more recently and with squash players over a lifetime, tells me that punctuality may not be a priority. So to leave Manchester 10 strong – we were picking Stafford Murray up en route – only an hour after the projected time was a good effort. Nine of us were ensconced on the tour bus while the industrious Brad, our star sound man, followed solo.

Sylvan took on driving duties, dominating lane three to such an extent that many drivers waved at him as they passed on the inside – one finger, two fingers and clenched firsts is waving, isn't it? The director of music explained himself by saying he thought he was abroad.

Messrs Beachill, Proctor and Kingslow were making noises about watching a football match in which England were playing. So Stafford was given the task of establishing a suitable meeting point, which catered for such misguided activities.

This he did near Bristol and whilst the football wasn't worth watching, the fish and chips were excellent.

So, at full strength, we arrived at Falmouth at 9.45pm to be greeted by chief organiser Peter Lochrie and Grant Brickell, who instigated the affair and our hosts.

After a full rehearsal on Friday, we managed an hour or so at Peter's beach before returning for the squash exhibition. Lee and James worked hard to entertain with local help and half an hour later the band were in full swing. There was little doubt the packed house enjoyed themselves; they danced, joined in and bayed for more. Few bands, I suppose, offer four singers and Andy, Martin, James and Stafford were all in great form.

The next morning was spent on the beach; the weather was beautiful, matching Falmouth itself. Several ventures out to sea in Kayaks ended in capsizing, as you would expect.

At mid-day we were heading for Bristol LT and Squash Club at Redland, driven by the hard-working Lee, who gets little respect and had hayfever to boot. The squash was to be at the Welshback, the music at Redland, where Hadrian Stiff is the coach.

Arriving at 4pm, Lee, James and myself leaded for the Welshback for a 5pm start. Another packed crowd enjoyed Lee's and James's efforts and we were soon back at Redland for the music.

It seemed quiet to begin with, but a crowd appeared from nowhere, it seemed. Rumour had it that Sylvan's better half, the mischievous Janet, and Stafford's bride to be, the lovely Sarah, had rounded the audience up locally!

The band, relieved not to be playing for themselves, gave great value and were rapturously received for the second night running. The Falmouth Club reported to me that they had had record bar takings, which can't be bad, and both clubs were quick to invite us back.

I have no doubt that squash and music is the right formula for entertaining people, especially when the quality is there. Most squash lovers would accept that Lee and James are likely to offer quality, but Lost for Words, with its blend of professional and semi-professional members, is just as good.

Thanks go to all those at Falmouth and Bristol for making us so welcome and my thanks go to the band and Lee and James for all their professionalism throughout the weekend.

Lost for Words will be helping the famous Edinburgh Sports Club to celebrate its 70^th anniversary in September and happily, at Tim Garner's invitation, will be playing at The Crucible on semi-final night of the Mamut English Open. There will also be a night at Pontefract and a charity night at Duffield, dates yet to be set.
 

Falmouth

A Willstrop Evening
If your club would like an evening's entertainment with Lee Beachill,
James Willstrop and Nick Taylor, directed by Malcolm Willstrop.

Ring Malcolm on
+44 (0) 1977 793333
+44 (0) 7986 262278

LIVE MUSIC
If any squash club with suitable facilities
requires a live musical evening of the highest quality, I can supply the band and singers.

They will, I promise, make your annual Club Dinner a great success. The musicians and singer are all all from the world of squash.

22 Jun 2006
Lost for Words ... on the road

The band 'Lost for Words', put together by Manchester musician Sylvan Richardson, has played at the Crucible at the English Open, in Manchester at the British Nationals, and in St George's Hall at the Liverpool Open, besides many squash clubs.

This weekend the band heads off for Falmouth and Bristol for two nights of squash and music. Lee Beachill and James Willstrop will provide the squash action before joining the band, Lee to play guitar, James to sing.

The object of the exercise is to give members of Falmouth Squash Club and Redlands Squash and Lawn Tennis Club an evening of high class entertainment.

The venture far South follows an approach from Grant, a member at Falmouth who heard the band in Manchester and asked would they consider going to Cornwall. Well they idi, and it's about to happen.

Peter Lochrie has been the man on the spot in Falmouth and very helpful and efficient he has been.

I contacted Hadrian Stiff, who coaches at Redlands in Bristol, to see if they would like an evening and happily after Falmouth on Friday, we will all be performing in Bristol on Saturday. David Gilroy has been the man there and the squash will be at the Welshback Club with the music at Redlands.

The keyboard maestro, Andy Kingslow, is happily available and Stafford Murray, on the verge of conjugal bliss to the delightful Sarah – how did he strike so lucky? - will add his various talents.

The gifted semi-professional singer Andy Proctor, James and Martin Sunderland, who recently sang in Milan at the Polisquash event will provide vocals together with Stafford.

We will be travelling together from Manchester and there is little doubt a good time will be had by all, since the Band is a happy and gifted group of people.

All this stemmed from a conversation between Sylvan and myself and we are both proud of what it has produced. If it has made the squash world aware of the need to entertain its audiences, all the better. Squash at world level is as entertaining as it has ever been, so adding music, which appeals to people more than any other single thing, has to be of benefit.

As I write I am happy to say that through Simon Boughton, the professional at Edinburgh Sports Club, we will be going there in September to help celebrate that famous club's 70^th anniversary. There will also be a charity night at Duffield on a date to be arranged, when Peter Nicol will be involved.

09 Jun 2006
The Professional Scene

Never in the history of the professional game has the professional been so severely tested as were the world's best players in 2005-2006. For many of them, notably those involved in the Commonwealth Games, there were two long stays away from home: five weeks before Christmas involving Qatar, Hong Kong, Islamabad and Saudi Arabia, and seven weeks in 2006 taking in Canary Wharf, New York, Melbourne and Bermuda, quickly followed on return by Liverpool and Broadgate.

To the backpackers this would sound like some form of heaven, to the squash player an exciting, but exhausting prospect – a daunting combination of travelling and match play, with no time to attend to ailing bodies or to wayward technique.

I cannot think of many professional sportsmen who would take such a physical battering in such an uncomplaining manner. Although there must have been many occasions when the world's best were unable to do their best, nowhere in the world did they fail to provide high class entertainment and value.

An Epic Era

Let no-one doubt that the game is more demanding and competitive than it has ever been; nor that it is more attacking and entertaining than it has ever been. I am old enough to have watched through several eras and I state unequivocally that this is the best era, and by some distance.

This is not to undermine Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Geoff Hunt, Jonah Barrington, to whom the game owes more than to anyone, for it was he that brought it to the people and made it classless, happily, or any of the other great players of the past. But it would be foolish to argue that the game then was as competitive and watchable as it is now.

I can remember frequent visits to Wembley for the Hi-Tec British Open on quarter-finals day hoping there would be an outstanding match. Now at any quarter final of top PSA events you are almost guaranteed four matches of final quality. Indeed with the depth of players there will be a a couple of finals in all but name in the last sixteen.

Eleven scoring has been a great success and those who thought short matches would be the norm have been much mistaken. It has also produced attacking squash – no player of defensive inclination will succeed at top world level these days - and entertainment of a high level, nearly every top PSA event nowadays sells out.

Currently these players can win or have won major titles: Amr Shabana, Peter Nicol, David Palmer, Thierry Lincou, James Willstrop, Anthony Ricketts, Lee Beachill, Nick Matthew, Karim Darwish, Gregory Gaultier and John White. So the strength of quarter-finals and last 16's is there for all to see. As things are, only the great Peter Nicol may be easing out of the world scene and if the preferred way is going out at the top, then what he achieved at the Commonwealth Games will meet that requirement. So 2006-07 promises no less than the season past.

Looking forward to 06-07 ...

The Mamut English Open, run by the Eventis team, kicks off the new season at The Crucible in mid August and will provide an excellent lead into the World Championships in Cairo at the end of the month, without understating its own importance.

Anyway, hats off to the world's top players, who provided squash watchers with such value in 2005-2006.

In praise of Peter Nicol

I watched the Commonwealth Games Singles final at Pontefract Squash Club in the company of several members and it is a long time since I have wanted someone to win so much, outside Lee and James.

Peter played very well against Gregory Gaultier in New York and nearing in mind all the circumstances in Melbourne, there was little doubt that the great man would make a gargantuan effort to win a title he has held before.

He would have been happy to have seen off Graham Ryding quickly in the quarters and once past that most durable of players, Nick Matthew, in the semis he would know that one final push would see him champion.

He started well and I was happy to see how easily he was moving, since I know how important to him that is, especially these days.

Doggedness and persistence , his trademarks, saw him through a tough second game when he led 8/5 but was taken all the way. Then came Palmer's fightback, assisted by the crowd, though Peter had his own support, a lot of it from the many Pontefract members in the crowd. We could hear them on television, so I am sure he was aware of them.

So a less than fluent third game, disrupted by a blood break for Peter's finger, and when the game resumed it was the Australian who got away and won it quite quickly.

Resolve restored, Peter quelled Australian hopes by going clear in the fourth and although Palmer fought, as he would, it was the Englishman who prevailed in style. How he enjoyed his victory, and those close to him there and here in England enjoyed it too.

What is there to be said about this great player and splendid man? For years he has been the best player in the world, challenged all the way by a genius called Jonathon Power, winning and losing with equal grace, though it has to be said winning much more than losing.

Modest, articulate, gracious and honest, he is a model for all players, young and old. Those around him will testify to his balances influence and fine example.

He would never claim it, and because of his understated way he may never be accorded it, so I claim it for him and say that I think he is the best player the world has ever seen.

Tournament of Champions ... a retrospect

To be at the Tournament of Champions 2006 was to be part of the history of the sport.

The two great players of the last eight years announced, in the case of Jonathon Power, his total retirement, and in the case of Peter Nicol his final appearance at Grand Central. Fittingly both were presented with mementos to match the occasion and since they have achieved so much in New York, it seemed sad but appropriate.

On a lesser scale I was privileged to see the rally which Peter Nicol and Gregory Gaultier played in their quarter-final. Peter said it was the best rally he had ever played; it was certainly the best I have ever seen. The crowd rose as one and gave the players a prolonged and deserved standing ovation.

It is hard to imagine a more glamorous and vibrant setting for world class squash than New York's Grand Central Station and with sell-out, enthusiastic crowds all week, the tournament was a massive success, especially as the men responded with several superb matches.

Jonathon Power

I feel I should not let pass such a symbolic event as the retirement from competitive squash of Jonathon Power without paying tribute.

There are many others who know him better than I do, but over the years I have watched him, admired his prolific talent, gasped in amazement at some of his antics, been wonderfully amused by his wit and one-liners and enjoyed conversation with him.

There is no doubt that at times he has been outrageous, made full use of injury breaks, shouted at officials and displayed all the McEnroe symptoms of the spoiled brat, which I am not suggesting for a moment he is.

But in recent years Jonathon has matured and I must say he has caused me much more admiration than outrage and he is a natural born entertainer and comic.



Jonathon's rivalry with Peter Nicol lit up the game for many years: the contrasting styles, the contrasting personalities; the closeness of the struggle.

It is fitting that he leaves the sport at the top of the game where he belongs – not for him the gradual decline – he would have struggled with that.

It was fitting that he departed at Grand Central Station, New York, at the Tournament of Champions where he has been so successful and where a presentation was made to him by John Nimick, the tournament promoter.



It is always a pleasure to be present when history is being made and I was glad I was there.

The good news is that Jonathon will continue to be involved in the sport and I am sure his impact in Canada and America, and elsewhere for that matter, will be significant.

My abiding memory of him, apart from the magic of his racket, will be those wonderfully comic facial expressions and quick-witted remarks.