• National Championships 2000

Men's Final:                   
Peter Marshall bt David Evans   15/9 15/6 15/11   56 min

Peter Marshall returned to the top of British squash, winning the National title after a gap of six years. Marshall was not to be denied tonight, and right from the start put Evans under constant pressure. A few untypical unforced errors from the Welshman didn't help his cause, but Marshall was irresistible in going to a 2-0 lead, and an early 6-2 lead in the third. Probably due to his exertions in unseating holder Paul Johnson in the semis, Marshall started to tire and Evans took the opportunity to recover to 11-9 ahead. Marshall found yet more depths though, and drove himself on to victory. In his speech afterwards, commenting on his troubles over recent years, the new champion was close to tears.

Women's Final               
Cassie Campion bt Sue Wright   9/1 2/9 9/2 2/9 9/3   57 mins

Campion hits hat-trick - by Ian McKenzie

Campion started the path to her third National title with two nervous errors while Wright hit out of court twice and then continued in erratic fashion for the World Champion to dominate with drives to take the first 9-1. That total ascendancy however strangely reversed in the second as Campion lost her length and tinned eight times, four in a row from 6-2 while Wright scrambled and broke up her opponents rhythm to level the match, taking the second 9-2.

In essence all Campion had to do was keep driving it deep, for when she did so she was clearly dominant but her ability to maintain this was fragile. The third went the same way as the first, Campion’s drives dominating, 9-2 again, but again it fell apart in erratic play in the fourth - another 9-2 to Wright ... and again at 2 all it was anyone’s game.

In the fifth Campion hit length, and although it was all deliberate rather than flowing it put her opponent in the back and allowed her to dominate the T and slot in volleys for winners, 13 in all, to take the match 9-3.

"I wasn’t consistent," said Campion on taking the title. "Length was the key. I volleyed well in the end and it put her under pressure. Give her time and she is very tricky with her little boasts."