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01/05/2004
INSIDE the Final
With a week to go, Brian Hargrave previews the final ...
National League Final 2004
Manchester-Pontefract v Edgbaston Priory
2.00pm Sunday 9th May 2004, Abbeydale Sports Club, Sheffield
PREVIEW from Brian Hargrave
Manchester
Pontefract v Edgbaston Priory
Lee Beachill (World no. 4) v David Palmer (World no.5)
James Willstrop (World no.13) v Adrian Grant (World no.18)
Nick Taylor (World no.25) v Del Harris (England no.7)
Marcus Berrett (England no.11) v Peter Barker (World no.38)
Madeline Perry (World no .16) v Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Ex World Champion)
With just over a week to go to the National League final, it is
understood that probable line ups will be :
Madeline Perry v Sarah Fitz-Gerald
Irish Champion, Madeline Perry will play the now retired Sarah
Fitz-Gerald. Perry will be hoping that Fitzgerald will be a little ring
rusty but the former world No 1 must start as favourite in this rubber.
Marcus Berrett v Peter Barker
Berrett would justify the number one slot in most teams and although no
longer on the PSA world circuit he won two BSPA events and
claimed the BSPA Grand Prix overall. A weary Berrett suffered his
only defeat in the semi- final second leg. Berrett will face the young
and rapidly improving Peter Barker who won his first PSA event and
reached the top 40 in the world. Berrett’s greater experience might
just be enough to give him a slight edge.
Nick Taylor v Del Harris
The recently retired Manchester’s favourite son is still one of the
quickest players around the court but his lack of competition at the
highest level has taken a little edge off his game. Harris, also
recently retired, always seems to be able to roll back the years when
the big occasion demands. The Priory captain’s attacking flair might just be enough to
see him home but it will interesting to see who is in the better
shape on the day. This is just too close to call but the outcome of
this rubber could well decide the title.
James Willstrop v Adrian Grant
The clash of the two young players both currently representing England
in the European Championships should be worth the admission money on
its own. The world rankings suggest that Willstrop’s
deception might just be too much for Grant’s athleticism
and produce the win to take the final down to the wire.
Lee Beachill v David Palmer
World No 4 to play World No 5 to decide the NL final.
Beachill has won two major PSA titles and is on course for the world No
1 slot. Palmer’s injuries have hampered his progress but his racket
skills at Duffield was a joy to watch even though it probably
cost my own team a place in the play offs. In the recent Bermuda
Open Palmer beat Peter Nicol and Jonathan Power but lost to Lee
Beachill.
Hopefully for the neutral’s the final will still be ‘alive’ when the
number ones step on court. England v Australia and it could well be a
repeat of the outcome of the Rugby World Cup Final.
MY PREDICTION - I have been
asked to make a prediction sitting on the fence. I would be personally
delighted if Manchester- Pontefract Manager Yawar Abbas, one of the
most sporting guy’s in squash, gets the reward for his efforts over
many years. Edgbaston won last year and perhaps it is the turn for
another name to be engraved on the cup.
As a manager of one of the participating teams our supporters and
supporters elsewhere have witnessed some great squash from the world’s
top players. The season main controversy has been the clash of NL
fixtures with PSA/WISPA events. Hopefully, a solution will be found in
time for next season.
For the teams who did not make it beyond the group stage they should
derive some satisfaction from taking part in the world’s best supported
National League with several playing to full houses
The two strongest teams on paper have reached the final and this should
guarantee a sell out and a fitting climax to the season. The other
teams should not be forgotten. For some who just missed out on the play
offs and the final it was a case of “so near and yet so far”. For
others without their participation and the efforts of the managers plus
the considerable contribution from sponsors there would be no National
League. May the best team on the day win.
Brian Hargrave
Contributor: Brian Hargrave
Club: Duffield
Link:
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