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10/05/2004
INSIDE the final
Brian Hargrave goes inside one last time in Sheffield ...


INSIDE” the National Squash League Final 2004,
Abbeydale Squash Club, Sheffield

Manchester-Pontefract 4 Edgbaston Priory 1

The eagerly awaited clash of the NL giants provided a rich feast of squash before a full house at Abbeydale.

Madeline Perry lost to Sarah Fitz-Gerald 0-9, 4-9, 0-9
Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the former world No1, set off as though she had a train to catch to Birmingham with the aim of being on and off court in record time. Fitz-Gerald looked in excellent shape covering the court and blitzing the first game 9-0. The Irish Champion, Madeline Perry, must have wondered whether Fitz-Gerald had really retired from full-time squash 15 months ago. Fitz-Gerald was taking the ball so early and her opponent was never allowed to settle. Perry’s meagre reward for her brave effort was just 4 points in the second game. The third game following the same pace and pattern as the first and in just 22 minutes it was all over and Priory, the defending champions, had the first point on the board.

Marcus Berrett beat Peter Barker 9-4 7-9 9-2 9-3
On the outside court, the reliable Marcus Berrett, levelled the tie when, in just over half – hour he beat Peter Barker, one of England’s best young players who has reached the top 40 in the world. Berrett’s was always calmly in control despite letting the second game slip 9-7. The Manchester-Pontefract No 4’s greater experience stood him in good stead and he comfortably took the third and fourth games in a rubber which was expected to be much closer.

Nick Taylor beat Del Harris 7-9, 9-4, 12-10, 7-9, 9-3
The two recently “retired” stalwarts produced a quality match with Harris rolling back the years pushing himself to the limit diving all over the court and hitting some magnificent winners from every angle Harris came back from well down the take the first game 9-7 and the Priory captain made light of a conduct stroke in the second awarded for what some might regard as a fairly mild expletive. The crucial third game could have gone either way as the players both realized the importance of this crucial rubber. Harris ran himself into the ground fighting back to take the fourth when the rubber looked all over. It was later revealed that Harris had sustained a bruised thigh in the fourth which slowed him down. This allowed to Taylor race into a 5-0 lead in the fifth to quieten the noisy Priory supporters and there was no way back for Harris. The hour long rubber was played in very good and competitive sprit. I came away wondering just how Taylor had managed to win but Manchester’s favourite son had also hit some great winners and his court coverage suggested that he had trained hard for the final.

James Willstrop beat Adrian Grant 11-9, 7-9, 9-2, 9-6
The clash of the two young players who had both representing England in the European Championships was expected to be worth the admission money on its own. The supporters were not disappointed. The world rankings suggested
that Willstrop’s deception might just be too much for Grant’s amazing athleticism and this proved to be the case. Willstrop looked at times as though he might be feeling the effects of a hard season which has seen him make a significant move and several giant strides towards the top of the world rankings. However, he also gave the impression that he could still have stepped up another gear and the talented youngster clinched victory in the second string match in just 45 enjoyable minutes.

Lee Beachill beat David Palmer 8-10, 9-3, 10-8
The neutrals hoped that World No 4 playing World No 5 would decide the NL final. The final top string clash between England's Lee Beachill and Australia's British Open champion David Palmer certainly entertained the spectators. Beachill won the best of three dead rubber give his team a deserved 4-1 win as Manchester-Pontefract consortium won the National League Title for the first time in addition to completing the season undefeated.


In Conclusion, the best team on the day and over the season had won and few would begrudge manager Yawar Abbas the success he deserved after many years of trying. Priory contributed to a most entertaining and competitive final.

Six of the players on view have at one stage or another played with distinction for my own small Duffield Club. Beachill, Willstrop and Grant were all signed as promising juniors to help with their development and Duffield members and supporters are delighted with their subsequent success and the fact that, together with Nick Matthew, they were all members of the current England team which won the European Championships. Marcus Berrett would also surely still have been in the England frame if he had continued on the PSA circuit.

These talented players have all moved on for various reasons demonstrating the need to retain the right balance in the NL regulations to ensure that the top players are evenly spread around all the NL teams. It is only in this way that the smaller clubs such as Chichester, Guildford, Lee on Solent and us can remain competitive keeping within a sensible budget and playing a full part in the development of promising players.

To quote from a buzz phrase of Iain Dowie the innovative Crystal Palace manager:

"You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give" .

Provided the players give it their best shot the managers cannot ask for more.

Brian Hargrave

 Contributor: Brian Hargrave
Club: Trivia Link:  

Latest NSL News:
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE SITE HAS MOVED

 

 

THE LOCAL DERBY

INSIDE ROUND ONE

GUILDFORD SUFFER IN WEEK ONE

DEPLETED NOTTINGHAM TAKE ON THE CHAMPIONS

WOLVERHAMPTON WIN 4-1

RESULTS FROM WEEK ONE

CHI CRUISE LOCAL DARBY (AND JOAN!)

CHAMPIONS STORM TO SUCCESSFUL OPENER

INSIDE ROUND ONE

THE SEASON STARTS HERE

INSIDE THE 2004/05 SEASON

NATIONAL LEAGUE OFF TO ANTIPODEAN START

 


 

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