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25/05/2005
ENGLAND LOSS GREATEST IN 25 YEARS
Home Internationals 2005
The Masters Home Internationals ( Mens over 45 and over 50, Ladies over 40 and over 45) were played at Cardiff on 13/14th. May. Until this weekend, an England Men's Masters team had never lost in the Home Internationals. They have now. Although England swept all before them in the Mens over 50s and both Ladies teams, the Men's over 45 team were beaten 3 ties to 2 by a vibrant Wales team. This ended a 25yr. run of Home International wins by the Mens over 45 England teams, and the complete dominance by England's Mens' teams. The first loss by an England age group team in the Home Internationals was in fact the Ladies over 50 side in 2004 when they lost to Scotland.
England were beaten by an incredibly motivated Wales team. England fielded a very strong side but were given an early warning when at no. 5 Dulip ADIHETTY had to save match points in the fourth game before edging home in the fifth against Peter RICE. Team captain Ian BRADBURN at no. 3, a former Open and National Champion struggled to find top form against Mike PHILLIPS and he too saved match points in the fourth game. Another escape act in the fifth game was beyond him, however, as PHILLIPS coolly kept his nerve to take the fifth game to level the match. The match of the weekend was the top string clash between Open Champion Tom POLLARD for Wales and National Champion Nick GATWARD. The Englishman went two games up before POLLARD's incredible court coverage began to tell and he levelled at two games all. The fifth was a point for point affair with some nervous squash and some marvellous shot-making. With the tension almost leaping from the court through the final rallies, POLLARD was awarded a penalty point at 9 all and the match went to Wales with incredible scenes on the gallery.
At fourth string, Steve BARLOW put England back on level terms with a straight game demolition of Stuart ANDERSON. This left the no.2s to decide both the match and the Championship. At no. 2 for England, Neil HARRISON had earlier come through a tough five game match against Scotland, but a few hours later had all to play for. Mike WORKMAN for WALES always seemed to have the upper hand, and although HARRISON never stopped giving less one hundred percent - WORKMAN gave a flawless performance to take the match 3-0. Championship to Wales.
So the Masters Home Internationals are revitalised. First Scotland o-50 Ladies in 2004 and now Wales o-45 this year. England can be beaten and Age Group squash is certainly the winner if this event is going to be as open and exciting as it promises to be.
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