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Finals

MO35: Ben Ford beat Darren Lewis 11-6, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 (76m)
MO40: Nick Taylor beat Danny Massaro 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 (45m)
MO45: Lee Scott beat Nick Brown 11-4, 11-4, 16-14 (36m)
MO50: Peter Gunter beat Marc Aldridge 11-6, 13-15, 11-3, 11-5 (42m)
MO55: Mark Woodliffe beat Dermot Hurford 9-2, 9-0, 9-5 (27m)
MO60: Mark Cowley beat Duleep Adhihetty 9-6, 9-3, 9-0 (20m)
MO65: Peter Smith beat Jim Dougall 9-2, 9-5, 9-7 (28m)
MO70: Adrian Wright beat Mike Clemson 9-2, 9-4, 9-5 (35m)
MO75: Pat Kirton beat Andrew Beeston 5-9, 9-2, 9-3, 10-9 (36m)

WO35: Lauren Briggs beat Hannah Wright-Davies 9-2, 9-0, 9-6 (24m)
WO40: Laura Mylotte beat Rachel Pullan 9-4, 9-1, 9-6 (20m)
WO45: Isabelle Tweedle beat Claire Roscoe 9-4, 9-2, 9-4 (24m)
WO55: Jill Campion beat Julie Field 10-8, 9-7, 9-3 (31m)
WO60: Pauline Douglas beat Jane Law 10-8, 9-1, 9-3 (27m)
WO60: Bett Dryhurst beat Ann Manley 9-2, 4-9, 9-7, 8-10, 9-2 (43m)

On Sunday 16 National Masters Champions were decided in Manchester at the National Squash Centre.

Men
It was fourth time lucky for Ben Ford (Kent) who had to come from 2-1 down against Darren Lewis (Leic) to claim his maiden Men’s O35s title. Ford had featured in three of the last four O35 National Champs finals. It was a repeat of the 2015 final.

Nick Taylor won his third Men’s O40s National title, defeating fellow Lancastrian Danny Massaro in four games. It’s his seventh National title, adding to his four Men’s O35s National titles.

Lee Scot (Yorks) captured his first Men’s O45s title as he defeated Nick Brown (Cambs) in straight games. Scott had defeated 3/4 David Youngs (Norfolk) in the semi final having earlier dumped out the top seed, Yawar Abbas.

After finishing as a runner up in 2006 and 2011, Peter Gunter (Midd) finally claimed a National title in the Men’s O50s, defeating Marc Aldridge (Surrey) in four games.

Mark Woodliffe (Glouc) claimed a third National title, adding the Men’s O55s to his two MO50s titles, defeating Dermot Hurford in straight games. Hurford has been denied at the final hurdle in consecutive years.

Mark Cowley (Midd) added the Men’s O60s title to his O50s and O55s titles. After finishing runner up in 2015, Cowley proved too much for Duleep Adhihetty (Midd) as he claimed the title in straight games.

In the surprise Men’s O65s final, Peter Smith (Bucks) continued his incredible tournament by toppling Jim Dougal (Scot) in straight games. Smith had earlier upset the seedings by beating the 3/4 and 1 seed.

It was a repeat of the 2015 Men’s O75s final as the two Yorkshiremen, Adrian Wright and Mike Clemson squared off again. It was a different outcome this year, however, as Wright defeated Clemson in straight games to capture his third 070s British National title.

The Men’s O75s was a repeat of the 2011 Men’s O70s final. This time, however, Pat Kirton (Surrey) prevailed against Andrew Beeston (Merseyside) in four games to claim his fourth Men’s O75s title. It was Kirton’s 16th National masters title.

Women
In the Women’s O35s, Lauren Briggs continued her incredible year, adding the National title to the British Open and European Masters titles she won. Briggs proved too much for Hannah Wright-Davies, finishing the match in straight games to claim her second O35s National title.

Laura Mylotte (Chesh) claimed her fifth National title, adding the Women’s O40s crown to her four O35s titles. Mylotte needed just three games to defeat Rachel Pullan (Notts) and claim the victory.

Isabelle Tweedle (Surrey) doubled her National title tally with a straight games victory over Claire Roscoe (Chesh) in the Women’s O45s. She added to the O40s title she won in 2013.

In the surprise of the day, Rose Bamber upset proceedings by defeating three time Women’s O50s champion, Mandy Akin in straight games to claim her maiden National title.

Jill Campion (Midd) added a second Women’s O55s National title to her collection, defeating two time champion, Julie Field (Yorks) in straight games. Campion rounded off an incredibly successful year as she captured the British Open O55 and European Masters O55 titles too!

Pauline Douglas (Scot) won her second Women’s O60s title, defeating Jane Law in straight games. Douglas adds this to the British Open Women’s O60s title she claimed in 2015.

Bett Dryhurst (Worc) added to the British O55s National title she won in 2007 by winning the Women’s O65s title. It was a close run thing though as Dryhurst needed all five games to defeat Ann Manley (Avon), the 2015 British Open WO65s winner.

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Semi-Finals:

It was semi finals day in the Masters event as an amazing thirty finalists were decided.
Ben Ford (Kent) and Darren Lewis (Leic) set up a tie of the top seeds in the Men’s O35s. Ford had to fight for his place in the final on Sunday, needing all five games to defeat Peter Bilson. Lewis overcame Dominic Hamilton in four games and will be looking to retain the title he won in 2015.

Nick Taylor (Lancs) is looking to make it a third straight Men’s O40s National title as he defeated Peter O’Hara (Scotland) in four games. He faces fellow Lancastrian, Danny Massaro who defeated former world no.3, Simon Parke who retired injured in their semi final.

Lee Scott (Yorks) continued his fine run of form in the Men’s O45s as he defeated 3/4 David Youngs (Norfolk) in the semi final having earlier dumped out the top seed, Yawar Abbas. He faces Nick Brown (Cambs) who saw off the conqueror of the second seed, Stuart Summers (Hamps) in four games to book his place in Sunday’s final.

The top seeds in the Men’s O50s inked their names into Sunday’s final after brushing aside their opponents in the semis. The second seed, Peter Gunter was untroubled by Eamonn Price (Herts) as he progressed through in straight games. The top seed, Marc Aldridge (Surrey) had more difficulty, but was able to ease past Darren Withey (Bucks) in four.

The top seeds are on course to fight for the Men’s O55s title. The no.1, Marc Woodliffe (Glouc), dismissed Jon Evans (Wales) in straight games to book his place in the final. Dermot Hurford, the runner up in 2015, produced a dominant display to set up a second O55s final in two years.

Mark Cowley (Midd), the 2015 Men’s O60s runner up, earned himself another shot at the title, notching a comprehensive straight games victory over Simon Evenden (Northants). He’ll face a surprise finalist, Duleep Adhihetty (Midd), who held off 9/16 Rob Ballingall to book his place in the final.

The Men’s O65s served up another pair of surprises. Scotland’s Jim Dougal booked his place in Sunday’s final after seeing off Howard Cherlin (Midd) in four games. Cherlin had defeated the no.2 seed, Derek Collins, in the quarter finals to set up the tie. Dougal will be joined by Peter Smith (Bucks) who upset the seedings by defeating the 3/4 Barry Featherstone (Hamps) in four after earlier dumping out the top seed, Ian Graham.

In the Men’s O70s Adrian Wright (Yorks), the 2015 runner up, booked his place in another final after defeating Geoffrey Trenchard (Wales) in four games. Trenchard had earlier defeated the number one seed to set up the semi final tie. He faces the number two seed, Mike Clemson (Yorks) who battled back from 2-1 down to defeat Chris Ansell (Berks).

In the Men’s Over 75s event the top two seeds set up a final decider. No.1 seed, Pat Kirton (Surrey), will attempt to make it four Over 75 titles on the bounce on Sunday after he saw off John Shaw (D&C) in straight games. He will be joined in the final by the second seed, Andrew Beeston (Merseyside), who needed the deciding game to defeat John Woodcliffe (Surrey). Beeston will be hoping for a repeat of the 2011 Men’s Over 70s final, where he beat Kirton in four games.

Lauren Briggs (Essex) is looking to repeat as Women’s O35 National champion and got to the final in emphatic style, crushing Natalie Townsend (Warks) in straight games. Hannah Wright-Davies (Wales), the number two seed, stands in Briggs’ way after comfortably defeating Kate Bradshaw (Cambs) in three.

The Women’s O40s went to seed as Laura Mylotte (Cheshire) and Rachel Pullan (Notts) overcame the challenges of Rachel Calver (Leic) and Shayne Baillie (Surrey) to set up a showdown on Sunday.

Claire Roscoe (Cheshire) continued her giant killing ways in the Women’s O40s, adding the scalp of the second seed, Amanda Warren (Lancs) to the 3/4 and 5/8 seeds she claimed earlier in the event in four games. She sets up a tie with the number one seed, Isabelle Tweedle (Surrey). Tweedle needed four games to see off Nikki Fowler (Northants).

Mandy Akin (Kent) remained on course for a fourth Women’s O50s title after dispatching Hilary Kenyon (Cheshire). She will play Rose Bamber (Avon) who shocked the second seed, Fiona McLean (Scotland) in straight games.

The Women’s Over 55s final is a repeat of 2015. Last year’s winner, Jill Campion (Midd) saw off the 3/4 seed Karen Hume (Kent) in straight games to book her place in the final. Meanwhile no.2 seed, Julie Field (Yorks), had a much tougher task, needing a deciding game to defeat surprise semi finalist, Lesley Sturgess (Derbs).

The Women’s O60s also went to seed as Pauline Douglas (Scot) and Jane Law (Chesh) saw off the challenges of Ann Manley and Bett Dryhurst (Worc) in straight games. Douglas will be looking to add to the title she captures in 2014.


MO45
Lee Scott beat David Youngs 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (24m)
Nick Brown beat Stuart Summers 17-15, 10-12, 11-2, 11-5 (41m)

MO35
Ben Ford beat Peter Billson 4-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 11-8 (57m)
Darren Lewis beat Dominic Hamilton 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 11-0 (28m)

WO60
Pauline Douglas beat Ann Manley 9-1,9-5, 10-9 (22m)
Jane Law beat Bett Dryhurst 10-8, 9-3, 9-4 (20m)

WO40
Laura Mylotte beat Rachel Calver 9-3, 9-7,9-0 (23m)
Rachel Pullan beat Shayne Baillie 2-9, 9-7, 9-4, 9-7 (40m)

MO40
Nick Taylor beat Peter O’Hara 12-14, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 (50m)
Danny Massaro beat Simon Parke 11-5, 3-0 Rtd (18m)

MO60
Mark Cowley beat Simon Evenden 9-5, 9-1, 9-4 (21m)
Duleep Adhihetty beat Rob Ballingall 9-3, 3-9, 9-2, 9-0 (24m)

MO70
Adrian Wright beat Geoffrey Trenchard 9-2, 7-9, 10-8, 9-4 (30m)
Mike Clemson beat Chris Ansell 7-9, 9-4, 8-10, 10-8, 9-4 (50m)

WO45
Claire Roscoe beat Amanda Warren 9-6, 6-9, 9-5, 9-4 (37m)
Isabelle Tweedle beat Nikki Fowler 2-9, 9-6, 10-9, 9-6 (55m)

WO35
Lauren Briggs beat Natalie Townsend 9-1, 9-4, 9-1 (23m)
Hannah Wright-Davies beat Kate Bradshaw 9-5, 9-3, 9-2 (20m)

WO50
Mandy Aitken beat Hilary Kenyon 7-9, 9-4, 9-1, 9-1 (28m)
Rose Bamber beat Fiona McLean 9-6, 10-8, 10-9 (37m)

MO65
Jim Dougal beat Howard Cherlin 4-9, 9-2, 9-5, 9-4 (32m)
Peter Smith beat Barry Featherstone 9-10, 9-3, 9-4, 9-7 (50m)

MO75
Pat Kirton beat John Shaw 9-6, 9-4, 9-3 (29m)
Andrew Beeston beat John Woodliffe 9-4, 5-9, 9-5, 7-9, 9-7 (53m)

WO55
Julie Field beat Lesley Sturgess 9-4, 9-1, 6-9, 6-9, 9-4 (46m)
Jill Campion beat Karen Hume 9-1, 10-8, 9-7 (36m)

MO55
Mark Woodliffe beat Jon Evans 9-2, 9-2, 9-3 (20m)
Dermot Hurford beat Alan Thomson 9-5, 9-2, 9-4 (34m)

MO50
Peter Gunter beat Eamonn Price 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 (31m)
Marc Aldridge beat Darren Withey 11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 11-1 (29m)Men’s Over 35
 

Quarter-Finals

The over 35’s all went to seed to set up a couple of great looking semi-finals. No1 seed Ben Ford (Kent) will face 3/4 seed Pete Billson (Lancashire) after they both enjoyed straight game victories. Second seed Darren Lewis (Leicestershire) was given a real test by Marcus Hayes and had to fight back after losing the first but was lucky to win in 4 and avoid a decider. Lewis will now face Yorkshire’s Dominic Hamilton who overcame Chris Gillespie (D&C), again in 4 games.

1* Ben Ford {Kent} beat 9/16* Nick Hargreaves {Nottinghamshire} 11-2, 11-1, 11-4 {18m} 3/4* Peter Billson {Lancashire} beat 9/16* Peter Knowles {Warwickshire} 11-8, 11-2, 11-6 {24m} 3/4* Dominic Hamilton {Yorkshire} beat 5/8* Chris Gillespie {Durham & Cleveland} 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 {30m} 2* Darren Lewis {Leicestershire} beat 5/8* Marcus Hayes 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 13-11 {39m}

Men’s Over 40
Top seed Nick Taylor (Lancashire) was back on the Manchester court he has graced so many times before and put in an impressive performance as he defeated Jamie Goodrich (Norfolk) to set up a semi-final against Scot Peter O’Hara. In the bottom half of the draw former senior National Champion Simon Parke (Yorkshire) will face Danny Massaro after they came through quarters against Ashley Bowling (Oxfordshire) & Jonathan Gliddon (Devon) respectively. Massaro had to battle hard to join his wife in the semi-finals line up as Gliddon pushed hard and was right in it until the fourth when Massaro pulled away.

1* Nick Taylor {Lancashire} beat 5/8* Jamie Goodrich {Norfolk} 11-3, 11-9, 11-9 {26m} 3/4* Peter O'Hara {Scotland} beat 5/8* Joss Hargrave {Surrey} Walkover
3/4* Danny Massaro {Lancashire} beat 5/8* Jonathan Gliddon {Devon} 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-4 {48m} 2* Simon Parke {Yorkshire} beat 5/8* Ashley Bowling {Oxfordshire} 11-1, 8-11, 11-1, 11-1 {25m}

Men’s Over 45
Yorkshire’s Lee Scott continued his great run with a comfortable victory over 5/8 seed Andy Normile (Surrey) proving that yesterday’s victory over favourite Yawar Abbas was no fluke. Next up for Scott will be David Youngs (Norfolk) who eased past Galen Le Cheminant of Cambridgeshire. Unfortunately it was disaster for second seed Andrew Cross (D&C) as was forced to retire in his game against Stuart Summers (Hampshire) who will now meet Nick Brown (Cambridgeshire) in the semi’s.

9/16* Lee Scott {Yorkshire} beat 5/8* Andy Normile {Surrey} 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 {24m}
3/4* David Youngs {Norfolk} beat 5/8* Galen Le Cheminant {Cambridgeshire} 11-8, 13-11, 11-4 {19m} 3/4* Nick Brown {Cambridgeshire} beat 5/8* Steve Dodridge {Berkshire} 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 {22m} 5/8* Stuart Summers {Hampshire} beat 2* Andrew Cross {Durham & Cleveland} 11-5, 11-2, 3-0 {Retired} {18m}

Men’s Over 50
The Over 50’s had 2 rounds to play today, a tough ask at this level and it took its toll as the players had to dig deep to keep progressing. No1 seed Marc Aldridge (Surrey) reached the semi-finals but it wasn’t easy as he had to come back after dropping the 1st game to 9/16 seed David Gray of Cumbria.

Aldridge now faces Darren Withey (Buckinghamshire) who himself had to twice battle back after falling behind to Simon Spencer of Nottinghamshire. 3/4 seed Eamonn Price survived a great performance from 9/16 seed Martin Geear of Leicestershire. After taking the opener Geear came back to take a 2-1 lead but ultimately fell a point or 2 short as he lost the 5th to Price 12-10. For Price its No2 seed Peter Gunter next as Gunter saw of a spirited challenge from D&C’s Peter Lonsdale.

1* Marc Aldridge {Surrey} beat 9/16* David Gray {Cumbria} 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9 {36m} 3/4* Darren Withey {Buckinghamshire} beat 5/8*Simon Spencer {Nottinghamshire} 6-11, 11-5,3-11, 11-8, 13-11 {45m}3/4* Eamonn Price {Hertfordshire} beat 9/16* Martin Geear {Leicestershire} 11-8, 10-12, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10 {60m} 2* Peter Gunter beat 5/8* Peter Lonsdale {D&C} 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11 {52m}

Men’s Over 55
The top 4 seeds all progressed into the semi-finals with solid wins, only Jon Evans of Wales dropping a game in his quarter against Surrey’s 5/8 seed Grant Miller.

1* Mark Woodliffe {Gloucestershire} beat 5/8* Charles Fuente {Sussex} 9-4, 9-1, 9-1 {21m} 3/4* Jon Evans {Wales} beat 5/8* Grant Miller {Surrey} 2-9, 9-0, 9-3, 9-2 {29m} 3/4* Alan Thomson {Middlesex} beat 5/8* Neil Harrison {Durham & Cleveland} 9-6, 9-7, 9-2 {28m} 2* Dermot Hurford beat 5/8* Mark Taylor {Avon} 9-3, 9-1, 9-4 {30m}

Men’s Over 60
No1 seed Mark Cowley showed no mercy as he brushed aside Terry Belshaw (Cumbria) for the loss of only 3 points – next up for Crowley is Simon Evenden (Northants) who came through a good 4 setter against Bedfordshire’s Tony Blott. In the other semi it will be Duleep Adhihetty (Middlesex) and Rob Ballinghall who overcame Ian Holmes (Northants) and Mark Thompson (Yorkshire) in straight games.

1* Mark Cowley {Middlesex} beat 5/8* Terry Belshaw {Cumbria} 9-0, 9-3, 9-0 {17m}
5/8* Simon Evenden {Northants} beat 9/16* Tony Blott {Bedfordshire} 9-7, 9-2, 7-9, 9-7 {45m} 3/4* Duleep Adhihetty {Middlesex} beat 5/8* Ian Holmes {Northants} 9-6, 9-4, 9-6 {21m} 9/16* Rob Ballingall beat 9/16* Mark Thompson {Yorkshire} 10-8, 10-9, 9-3 {35m}

Men’s Over 65
The men’s over 65 draw was blown wide open as both the top seed were defeated. Ian Graham (Sussex) fought back from 2 down to level the match before losing out to 5/8 seed Peter Smith of Buckinghamshire while Howard Cherlin (Middlesex) was on fire as he took out Northumbria’s Derek Collins in 4. The 3/4 seeds fared better but both Barry Featherstone (Hampshire) & Jim Dougal (Scotland) were made to work hard to overcome John Rae (Scotland) & Larry Grover (Hampshire) respectively.

5/8* Peter Smith {Buckinghamshire} beat 1* Ian Graham {Sussex} 9-1, 9-7, 1-9, 8-9, 9-7 {55m} 3/4* Barry Featherstone {Hampshire} beat 5/8* John Rae {Scotland} 9-6, 4-9, 9-6, 9-5 {48m} 3/4* Jim Dougal {Scotland} beat 5/8* Larry Grover {Hampshire} 4-9, 9-4, 9-1, 7-9, 9-3 {34m} 5/8* Howard Cherlin {Middlesex} beat 2* Derek Collins {Northumbria} 8-10, 9-7, 9-3, 9-2 {40m}

Men’s Over 70
Favourite Rodney Boswell (Cheshire) looked to be cruising into the last 4 but things started to change in the 3rd game as Geoffrey Trenchard of Wales took a foot hold and gradually started to wear Boswell down. After taking the 3rd Trenchard started to control the game and with it claimed the top seeds scalp 3-2. Trenchard now meets Yorkshire’s Adrian Wright while the second semi will be between Yorkshire’s Mike Clemson & Chris Ansell of Berkshire.

Geoffrey Trenchard {Wales} beat 1* Rodney Boswell {Cheshire} 0-9, 4-9, 9-7, 9-2, 9-6 {57m} 3/4* Adrian Wright {Yorkshire} beat 5/8* David Scurlock {Lancashire} 4-9, 9-3, 9-2, 9-4 {32m} 3/4* Chris Ansell {Berkshire} beat 5/8* Brian Hardcastle {Essex} 9-6, 9-3, 9-2 {26m} 2* Mike Clemson {Yorkshire} beat 5/8* William Wilson {Cheshire} 9-1, 9-5, 9-3 {19m}

Men’s Over 75
The match of the day in the over 75’s was Andrew Beeston (Merseyside) against John Blurton of Staffordshire. After a 49 minute battle it was Beeston who just seemed to be able to win the important points and sneaked it 10-8, 8-10, 9-3, 10-9 to set up a semi-final against Surrey’s John Woodliffe. No1 seed Pat Kirton (Surrey) continued his dominance over Hampshire’s 80 year old former champion Lance Kinder and now moves on to face John Shaw (D&C) in the other semi.

1* Pat Kirton {Surrey} beat Lance Kinder 9-4, 9-0, 9-7 {25m}
John Woodliffe {Surrey} beat Dudley Bostock {Cheshire} 9-7, 9-1, 9-1 {24m}
2* Andrew Beeston {Merseyside} beat John Blurton 10-8, 8-10, 9-3, 10-9 {49m}

Women’s Over 35
In the only game of the day Cambridgeshire’s Kate Bradshaw defeated Rachel Cooper of Wales in 4 games.

Kate Bradshaw {Cambridgeshire} beat Rachel Cooper {Wales} 6-9, 10-9, 9-1, 9-1 {31m}

Women’s Over 40
No surprises here as the top 4 seeds eased through without any scares.

1* Laura Mylotte {Cheshire} beat Sue Dalrymple {Scotland} 9-4, 9-1, 9-2 {22m}
3/4* Rachel Calver beat Zoe Shardlow {Sussex} 9-4, 9-7, 9-2 {25m}
3/4* Shayne Bailie {Surrey} beat Kirsty Burkin {Durham & Cleveland} 9-3, 9-3, 9-1 {42m}

Women’s Over 45
Top seeds Isabelle Tweedle (Surrey) & Amanda Warren (Lancashire) made short work of their quarter finals but both the 3/4 seeds Andrea Santamaria (Yorkshire) & Isabelle Tyrrell (Nottinghamshire) fell unexpectedly. Santamaria lost in 4 to Nikki Fowler (Northants) while Tyrrell was crushed by the impressive Claire Roscoe (Cheshire) for only 4 points.

5/8* Nikki Fowler {Northants} beat Helen Barnard {Wales} 2-9, 4-9, 9-3, 9-2, 9-3 {41m} Claire Roscoe {Cheshire} beat 5/8* Alison Goy {Nottinghamshire} 9-2, 9-3, 10-8 {25m} 5/8* Sue Smith {Derbyshire} beat Bev Vatcher {Dorset} 9-1, 9-5, 9-0 {18m}

Women’s Over 50
Hilary Kenyon (Cheshire) caused the only upset in the over 50’s as she fought back after a slow start to defeat Rachel Woolford (Warwickshire) 3-1 to set up a semi-final against multiple Nationals Champion Mandy Akin (Kent). The bottom half of the draw went to seed leaving No2 seed Fiona McLean to face 3/4 seed Rose Bamber (Avon) in the other semi.

1* Mandy Akin {Kent} beat 5/8* Isobel Smith {Hertfordshire} 9-1, 9-3, 8-10, 10-8 {27m} 5/8* Hilary Kenyon {Cheshire} beat 3/4* Rachel Woolford {Warwickshire} 3-9, 10-8, 9-2, 9-6 {31m} 3/4* Rose Bamber {Avon} beat 5/8* Shelly Walsh {Lancashire} 9-0, 9-1, 9-0 {17m}
2* Fiona McLean {Scotland} beat 5/8* Sheila Blake {Hertfordshire} 9-1, 9-3, 9-1 {15m}

Women’s Over 55
Leslie Sturgess (Derbyshire) prevented a top 4 semi-final line up with a great win over 3/4 seed Sarah Howlett (Cambridgeshire). After losing the 1st Sturgess never looked in any danger and ran out a 3-1 winner to set up a semi against No2 seed Julie Field of Yorkshire.

1* Jill Campion {Middlesex} beat Lynne Davies {Wales} 2-9, 9-1, 9-1, 9-0 {22m}
3/4* Karen Hume beat Rebecca Moore {Cambridgeshire} 9-3, 9-1, 9-3 {18m}
Lesley Sturgess {Derbyshire} beat 3/4* Sarah Howlett {Cambridgeshire} 4-9, 9-6, 9-0, 9-6 {26m} 2* Julie Field {Yorkshire} beat Tamsin Bennett {Surrey} 9-4, 9-3, 9-4 {20m}

Women’s Over 60
In the solitary over 60’s match Bett Dryhurst (Worcestershire) feated Celia Toogood in 4 games.

Bett Dryhurst {Worcestershire} beat Celia Toogood 9-1, 9-1, 5-9, 9-4 {23m}


Thursday - Afternoon roundup

The Men’s Over 40 top seeds Nick Taylor (Lancashire) & Simon Parke (Yorkshire) began their campaigns with tough matches against Philip Bowker (Yorkshire) and Spencer Beresford (Leicestershire) respectively. Taylor claimed victory in 3 hard games while Parke had to pick himself up after losing the first before easing away to a 3-1 win.

The draw is now shaping up nicely with all top 8 seeds through to Friday’s quarters, but 5/8 Joss Hargrave (Surrey) had to survive a real scare against Chris Matthew (Cheshire) who had already dumped a 9/16 seed in R1. Matthews lead 2-1 before succumbing to Hargrave in 5.

It’s a similar story in the Men’s Over 55s with all R2 matches going to seed with a minimum of upset. 3/4 seed Alan Thomson (Middlesex) did have to fight back after losing the opening game to Scot David McAleese but after levelling things at 1all McAleese had to retire at the start of the 3rd with an injury.

A tough day for the Over 60s with 2 rounds to contend with today! Northumbrian Colin McNestrie had a great start to his week with a comfortable 3-0 win over 9/16 seed Geoff Walton of Cheshire and now moves on to face 5/8 seed Terry Belshaw (Cumbria) in tonight’s R2.

The remaining R1 ties went to seed but only after Robert Hickman (Cheshire) had fought back courageously from 2 down in his match against David Matthew of Cornwall. Hickman sneaked the 3rd 12-10 and then stepped up the pace to take it in the decider.

The Men’s Over 65s threw up some great encounters with 2 going to five and 2 others ending in 4. No1 seed Ian Graham (Sussex) looked to be coasting through to the quarters with a 2-0 lead but Alan Hendry of Merseyside had other ideas and found a way in to level the match but eventually lost out in the 5th to the favourite. Mick Broomhall of Cheshire gave the higher seeded Larry Grover (Hampshire) a run for his money before running out of steam and going down 3-2.

Nottinghamshire’s Dave Hardern was the one casualty in the Men’s Over 70s as he lost out to the uneeded Welshman Geoffrey Trenchard. Hardern twice dug deep to level the games up but had little to give in the decider and lost out 9-4 8-10 9-6 7-9 9-3.

In the Men’s Over 35 draw there were a couple of minor upset including Peter Knowles (Warwickshire) battling 11-9 12-10 11-4 victory over Berkshire’s 5/8 seed Tim Burrell. Friday now sees Knowles tackle local coach and 3/4 seed Peter Billson (Lancashire).

Nottingham SRC Manager Nick Hargreaves joins Knowles in the quarter finals after a titantic 68 minute culling of another 5/8 seed in Tom May (Kent). Hargreaves took the first before extending his lead eventually with a 17-15 2nd game. However May refused to give in and came back fighting to pull things level before losing out in the 5th – a great encounter finishing 11-6, 17-15, 9-11, 10-12, 11-6 in Hargreaves favour.

Yorkshire’s Lee Scott pulled off the masters shock of the day when he downed hot favourite and former champion Yawar Abbas of Durham & Cleveland and hosts Manchester City Council. It was a great performance from Scott who seemed to take control early on and ran out with a well-deserved 11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5 score line. Scott will now fancy his chances of progressing further with 5/8 seed Andy Normile of Surrey lying in wait in the quarter final.

The Men’s Over 50s is looking extremely strong and competitive with few matches getting resolved in straight games. 9/16 seeds John Parkes, Steve Martin & Marvin Rust all fell to the unfancied Howard Nuttall (Merseyside), Allen Day (Lancashire) & Nigel Bacon (Essex) respectively. Nuttall just sneaked it in his match to set up a clash with top seed Marc Aldridge only to then discover he couldn’t make tomorrows match and duly withdrew – a real shame.

There were a couple of women’s matches as their championships kicked off. In the Over 40s Kirsty Burkin of Durham & Cleveland dispatched Rhian Penikett of Wales to earn a quarter final spot against 3/4 seed and reigning champion Shayne Baillie of Surrey. In the 45’s Nicki Fowler (Northants) defeated Helen Barnard (Wales) and in the Over 50 category there were victories for seeded players Isobel Smith and Sheila Blake from Hertfordshire and Shelly Walsh (Lancashire).


Masters Chairman Report, Day Two

Day 2 of the masters was last 16 day, and the 65’s started the ball rolling. Ian Graham seeded 1 narrowly edged Alan Hendry 3/2, and both Barry Featherstone & Peter Smith sneaked through. John Rae (Scotland) beat Terry Norman 3/0 and Larry Grover& Jim Dougal also progressed. Howard Cherlin and Ed Winter kept their supporters amused with their facial expressions.

Jamie Goodrich showed the value of wearing an I mask as Paul Boyle ran into his racket and lost nearly a noseful of the red stuff. Goodrich won 3/0 as did favourite Nick Taylor in the 40’s. Peter O’Hara and Joss Hargrave also went through, as did Jon Gliddon over James Powley.

In the 70’s Mike Clemson (little) beat Nigel Belle (large) as the formers scurrying was too much for the talented racketeer from Kent, and Adrian Wright had his work cut out in the one shot rallies from local professional Badral Khan. Welsh No1 Geoff Trenchard played well to upset the seedings beating Dave Hardern 9/0 in the fifth, and also through were dark horse David Scurlock, Brian Hardcastle, Chris Ansell & Willie Wilson.

In the M60’s, Terry Belshaw meets Colin McNestrie in the second match today, whilst Mark Thompson moved into the last 16 to meet a patently unwell Stuart Hardy. Duleep Adihetty (3/4) plays Cheshire player Robert Hickson who has yet to take his tracksuit bottoms off – we will see if he needs to later!

M55’s. Mark Woodliffe displayed his silky skills after a long injury lay off, overturning the brave Ian Bradburn, totally immobile after two ankle operations, but still good enough to be in the top echelon in England. Charles Fuente took out Tom Burton 3/0 and John Evans & Grant Miller had comfortable wins. Neil Harrison overcame Rustom Bativala 3/1 and Alan Thomson, Mark Taylor and No2 Dermot Hurford all progressed to the Quarters.


Wednesday - Masters begin

The Masters Championships kicked off on Wednesday boosting a strong draw throughout the 16 differing categories.

The top seeds in the Men’s Over 40’s, including former local favourite Nick Taylor (Lancashire) now of Jersey and ex-senior champion Simon Parke (Yorkshire), were given the day off with their campaigns starting on Thursday. Round One threw up the first masters upset of the week with Chris Matthews of Cheshire battling through against 9/16 seed Darren Gray (Berkshire) in a close fought 3-2 victory.

Fellow Cheshire player Tom Raftery kept the county flag flying in the Men’s Over 45’s as he took out 9/16 seed Karl Brummer of Shropshire, again having to do it the hard way and clinch it 12-10 in the fifth. Raftery’s reward is a place in Round Two where he joins the seeds and now faces 3/4 seed David Youngs of Norfolk.

In the Over 50’s, all the top 16 seeds received byes leaving it to the unseeded players to fight for the right to challenge them in Round Two. In the pick of the matches, Jonathan Wills made sure his long trip up to Manchester from Cornwall was justified with a victory over Tony Hedley. Wills twice led only to be pegged back by Hedley (Northumbria) before eventually sneaking it 11-9 in the decider. Next up for Wills is top seed Marc Aldridge of Surrey.

The Men’s Over 55’s all went to seed with only Charles Fuente (Sussex) and Mark Taylor (Avon) dropping a game to Stephen Edmondson (Cumbria) and Keith Murray (Lancashire) respectively. Similarly in the Over 65’s, the games progressed without major scare as the seeds all eased through to Round Two.

Thursday sees the top seeds in most categories enter the fray and the start of the Women’s masters categories.