What a Night
The Edgbaston view

Maybe Next Time
Phil Songhurst reports

Edgbaston Priory Cruise to
Second National League Title
Howard Harding reports from Abbeydale (& takes the photos)

Birmingham's Edgbaston Priory romped to a 4-1 win over 1999 champions FPD Savills Nottingham in the National Squash League final at Abbeydale Park in Sheffield to claim the title for the second time in three years.

A close encounter was predicted after the teams shared 3/2 wins in their two previous meetings in the season. However, the packed gallery around the famous glass-backed Abbeydale showcourt which had staged countless historic British Open and National Championships' battles in the past was treated to a relatively one-sided affair.

The invincible Sarah Fitz-Gerald quickly put Priory into the driving seat. The record five-times world champion from Australia faced Nottingham's stand-in woman player Jane Fletcher, replacing the world No4 Tania Bailey who is now known to be suffering from the Epstein Barrs virus. Fletcher, the 29-year-old club champion who is a builder by trade, put up brave resistance - but after 16 minutes went down 9-2 9-0 9-0 to give Priory the lead.

"It was good fun, but she attacks the ball so well," said the part-timer from Nottingham who returns to a more conventional role later this month when she captains the club's women's team in the semi-finals of the National Club Championships.

Adrian Grant opened up a 2-0 lead for Edgbaston when he made amends for two losses against Nottingham earlier in the season to overpower Frenchman Renan Lavigne in the third string clash. Paris-based Lavigne has just slipped to 25 in the world rankings from a position inside the top twenty while Grant, the 22-year-old Londoner now based in Halifax, has just risen to a career-high 27. Roared on by the Priory supporters, Grant demonstrated grit and determination as he clinched a notable 9-5 9-4 11-9 victory in 39 minutes to claim his seventh successive win for the team.

All eyes now focused on the fourth string encounter between 'veterans' Paul Lord and Jason Nicolle - both of whom had lost as many matches as they had won throughout the season. There were never more than three points between the pair as they toiled in this crucial clash for 36 minutes. Priory's Lord, the 33-year-old from Cheshire, kept his focus and ultimately secured a 10-8 9-6 9-7 victory over the Nottingham 37-year-old to seal the title for the Birmingham club.

By this time the second string battle was well underway - with club regular Simon Parke fighting for Nottingham pride against Priory's long-time Essex import Del Harris in what was thought to be at least the thirtieth career encounter between the two former British National champions. While world No17 Parke was on song, the former world No5 Harris - now languishing 23 places lower than his opponent - seemed unable to repeat the finesse which has made him a crowd favourite. Parke, who in the 2002 final helped Essex club Lexden to the National League title, finished his Nottingham season in grand style by beating Harris 9-4 9-4 9-0 in 29 minutes to claim his 11th win in 12 matches.

The final match could have been thrown away - but Edgbaston's Australian world No4 Stewart Boswell and Nottingham's Scottish world No5 John White fought it out for five games in a fitting finale for both the season and the night. White led 2/1, but Boswell was determined to stretch Edgbaston's tie score to 4-1 and did so with a 9-7 8-10 2-9 9-3 9-7 victory in 49 minutes.

"This was a great win for us," said Edgbaston Priory manager Matt Suckling afterwards. "We expected it to be close and felt sure that Stewart and John's match would be the decider - but after great wins by Sarah and Adrian, Paul Lord kept his composure well and came through on the big points for us to settle the tie earlier than we dared to expect. We became National League champions for the first time in 2001 - and we will be back to defend our title next year."

Semi-Final details

What a Night!
The Edgbaston view from Matt Suckling & Nick Hynes

What a night and what a way for Edgbaston Priory to finish the season as National Champions! I was asked to predict the score, to which I answered 3-2 either way which is the same prediction as many others had said but I was not expecting as others, that the players would perform to such a high level. They were superb! The crowd was making some serious noise especially the Nottingham crowd but that was soon to change.

Sarah Fitz-Gerald v Jane Fletcher 9/2, 9/0, 9/0 (16 minutes)
Jane was up against probably the finest women’s squash player ever! Jane started well with a few good shots to take a couple of early points, but it wasn’t long before Sarah stepped up the pace and was on to everything Jane threw at her. A brave performance, against a first class opponent. Sarah has now won 22 matches for Edgbaston Priory on the trot and amazingly she has only dropped 3 games!! Sarah will be back for the next season.

Adrian Grant v Renan Lavigne 9/5, 9/4, 11/9 (39 minutes)
This being one of the crucial matches. We needed Adrian to reverse the last 3 results he had against Renan and take control of the match. Adrian was looking dangerous as he dominated Renan early on when he took control of the T and used his “death” touches to manoeuvre Renan out of position and either force a mistake or create an opening to finish the rally off. Adrain did this brilliantly taking the first 2 games but as we know Renan is not one for sitting back as he fought hard in the third. This just wasn’t enough as Adrian was looking confident which put him in control to finish off the match 11- 9 in the third. Adrian's form at the moment is superb a lot of supporters stated “that it’s the best match he has played for Priory”, I replied that he is only going to get stronger and stronger, who knows what is in store for him next season? Great things!!

Paul Lord v Jason Nicolle 10/8, 9/6, 9/7 (36 minutes)
As the players knew this could be the match that could determine who won the national title the pressure grew on both players. With some very structured squash, both players waited for their openings to take the ball in short. It was no surprise that the first went 8-8 all. A loose ball gave ‘Lordy’ the opening as the referee gave a stroke his way to clinch the first 10-8. A few deep breaths to steady the nerves and a slight change of game plan put Paul up in the second, he twisted and turned Jason and with a few flick shots at the front of the court he found himself two up.

Jason is a very gritty player, he always has been as he took an early lead there was a slight chance of a comeback on the cards. Paul had other ideas he stayed strong and took himself to Championship ball, Jason got back to 7-8 as a couple of let balls came in. Deep breath again, as Jason served as Paul steadied himself and went all out on a forehand kill which Jason missed! Paul Lord had won the match and made the Edgbaston Priory champions. A brave performance from both players under great pressure. ‘Lordy the Ledgend’ will be back!!

Del Harris v Simon Parke 4/9, 4/9, 0/9 (29 minutes)
With the match already won you would think that the players would ease off somewhat but this was not the case for Simon. Simon happens to be experiencing some great form and will be pushing the top, top players in the game again very shortly. There is only one word for his speed, lightning! Del couldn’t get on a firing song as Simon was onto everything. Simon won player of the year for Nottingham simply because he has won every match this season and with his form. Del was finding this hard work but he has played a big role this year as Captain. Del will definitely be back to entertain the crowds with his outrageous play next season.


Stewart Boswell v John White 9/7, 8/10, 2/9, 9/3, 9/7 (49 minutes)
As this could have been the deciding rubber the world number 4 and 5 were to put on a class display of squash with some comedy moments. The first saw both players hitting at a ridiculous pace with trick shot after trick shot. ‘Bozza’ sneaked the first 9-7. White then changed tactics to the exhibition style. He made the crowd laugh the referee and even ‘Bozza’ with his one liners and then his tactic of taking as much time as possible between rally’s. This worked to take White 2-1 up but ‘Bozza’ clawed his way back as White started to tire. Nip and tuck to 7-7 in the fifth as ‘Bozza’ hit a nick and White makes a mistake which gave ‘Bozza’ his win and gave Edgbaston Priory an amazing 4-1 win!! A superb display of racket ability from both players.

We wouldn’t be able to field a World Class side if it wasn’t for our sponsors:

• Gary Davison - Davisons Solicitors

• Alan Purnell - Harben and Barker

• John Miller - Stewart Miller McCulloch

• John Gannon - Terraquest

We thank you and look forward to another successful year for the Edgbaston Priory Club and your companies.

It’s been a tough season and could not have been possible without many people behind the scenes at Edgbaston Priory our thanks go to:

Nathan Graham and Mac, Simon Delves all the girls on reception, the restaurant and the bar staff. Phil Templar, our General Manager and Bob Malden, Press Officer.

And last of all from myself, Nick Hynes and the team we would like to say a special thanks to the fans at EPC plus Bob Keeling and his merry men who cheer and shout for us at every opportunity. Many thanks and let’s have a great 2003/2004!!

Maybe Next Time ....
Phil Songhurst reports for Nottingham

After a season of thrills, spills and captivating squash, the English National League came down to a showdown between two of the Midland’s greatest clubs.

Both former champions, the match between Nottingham and Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory looked to have the makings of a classic encounter and the potential to go to the wire and thus keep the expectant crowd on the edges of their seat to the bitter end.

However, in reality, it wasn’t to be – and indeed the outcome was determined in a little over the hour.

The simple fact is that Nottingham’s lower order, since Tania Bailey has been unavailable through illness, has been vulnerable, except for fleeting glimpses of Jason Nicolle’s old self in a couple of matches.

Jane Fletcher, deputising in the ladies position, managed to salvage a couple of points from World Champion Sarah Fitzgerald – but was off court in 16 minutes.

On the packed show court, Frenchman Renan Lavigne didn’t get into his stride until late in the third game and was comprehensively beaten in three by Adrain Grant. Lavigne saved several match points in the third and could have taken this game, but generally loose play let his young opponent dominate the court and the pace of the rallies to run out a 9/5 9/4 11/9 winner in under 40 minutes.

Team captain, Jason Nicolle, possibly playing his final regular match for the team, was up against old adversary, Paul Lord. Lord has always been a tenacious player and he, again, controlled the pace of the game. The first was always going to be crucial, Lord taking it on a stroke, much to Nicolle’s annoyance – but the call was correct. The second and third were both tight also but Lord always managed to keep ahead and rode out a 10-8, 9-6, 9-7 winner in 36 minutes.

With the vast majority of the crowd already packed onto the show court for the No. 2 string game, little did they know that the decisive win of the evening had been gained by Lord and thus the cup was going back to the West Midlands.

News soon filtered through, not only to the crowd but also to Del Harris who failed to put up and real defence against the awesome Simon Parke. It may have been a dead rubber but Parke still showed resolve and determination to blast his opponent off court in under 30 minutes to run out a 9/4 9/4 9/0 winner.

The Edgbaston team support ran off to put on their pre-prepared champions tee-shirts to display for the final encounter of the season – a showdown between World 4, Stuart Boswell and World 5, John White.

As it meant little, White put on a great exhibition for the disappointed Nottingham support, mesmerising all with his stunning array of audacious winners and retrieving that defied belief.

The clowning around totally confused Boswell and the officials, but was maybe just the thing to lift the evening to a fitting climax of what has been a magnificent National League Season.

Boswell won 9/7 in the fifth!

Due congratulations were given sent to the champions, presentations made and, as always, plenty of chat in the bar afterwards.

The Nottingham support has been its best ever this season and we all now look forward to rebuilding a stronger team for next season and hopefully going just that one little step further ……