A Late But
Entertaining First Night Reports Courtesy of Mike Hallam, Tournament Organiser
The first night of year 17
Cleethorpes Invitation produced four competitive matches and an
11:00pm finish.
Daryl Selby, seeded 2 came closest to a defeat, as he had to remind
himself that he was playing singles, not doubles, beating Jaymie
Haycock 3/2.
James Willstrop had a more comfortable passage beating Ben
Coleman3/0 and Chris Simpson beat Charles Sharpes 3/1. Eddie
Charlton beat higher seeded Joe Lee to set up a semi final with
Selby.
The first semi final between James Willstrop and Chris Simpson lived
up to expectations, the pair often practicing together.They began
well and there was never much between them in an excellent first
game, both players managing to find winners in unrelenting
conditions. 3 all became 6 all and then 9 all before Willstrop edged
it 11/9.
Willstrop was working the ball well and although Simpson was having
to work hard he sustained his efforts. Willstrop had game ball at
10/9 but Simpson forced a tiebreak had game ball at 13/12 eventually
going down 15/13.
It seemed like the work Simpson had been doing must count at some
stage and Willstrop soon lead in the 3rd, as Simpson understandably
made errors. From 5/4 Willstrop went straight through to reach
another Cleethorpes final. 11/9, 15/13,11/4.
Daryl set up a final with his doubles partner, James Willstrop where
they won the bronze medal, with a convincing win over Eddie
Charlton.
Although Selby lead 10/6 in the first game, Charlton with a series
of delicate drops took the game to a tiebreak and stole it 12/10.
Selbys quality asserted 5/1 in the second and always ahead leveled
11/6.
He continued to control matters and although entertaining the
outcome was never in doubt from there on as Selby was to win both
games 11/6
The two Commonwealth games and double partners didn't disappoint the
crowd at Cleethorpes. The first game was over quite quickly with
Willstrop looking restricted with his movement and some clinical
finishing by Selby 11/3. The start of the second was as different
again, Willstrop taking a lead with Selbys concentration elsewhere
after winning the first so easily. 11/5. The Third game had both
players in the zone resulting in the longest game of the match with
some fantastic retrieving and winners from both players.11/9
Willstrop.
Selby was looking the more dominant now taking an early lead and
Willstrop was not able to pull it back 11/5 Selby. It appeared Selby
had the upper hand as Willstrop looked a little tired.
How wrong can you be,the start of game five was a replica of the
third Willstrop into a 7-0 lead with Selby making unforced errors, a
mini revival by Selby to 7-3 but Willstrop closed out the match
11-3.
Great entertainment as always for the large crowd and both players
giving their all, two matches in one day and to be able to perform
like they did is amazing they cannot be rewarded enough.
Mike Hallam expressed his appreciation to all the sponsors and hoped
for continued support for next year,the 18th. A special mention for
the marker and referee over the weekend in John Massarella and Eddie
Docherty. A massive credit to John Massarella, as he pointed out
that he had never attended at tournament in its entirety, 17 years
and didnt ever want to miss one.
Daryl Selby 3-2
Jaymie Haycocks 11/8, 11/9, 9/11, 6/11, 11/4 (69m)
Probably the best first round match ever seen at Cleethorpes, Jaymie
should perhaps have sneaked the second, wins the third with both
players playing some fabulous squash but was always in control in
the fourth. Early mistakes from Jaymie in the 5th and Daryl got a
8-3 lead and held control, great for the spectators.
James Willstrop
3-0 Ben Coleman 11/9, 11/6, 11/5 (32m)
The score line dose not really suggest how well Ben did, certainly
one to watch in the future and the cleethorpes crowd took a shine to
him on his first visit. James closed the match out with some
clinical finishing.
Chris Simpson 3-1 Charles Sharpes
11/5, 11/8, 9/11, 11/7 (57m)
A close game after the first as the score suggests, long searching
rallies with Chris pleased to get off in 4, Charles will not be too
disappointed with his performance.
Eddie Charlton 3-1
Joe Lee
10/12, 11/7, 11/9, 11/5 (62m)
A very even pairing as the score suggests and there where plenty of
long punishing rallies but Eddie took a 7-0 lead, with a few
mistakes from Joe and never looked back.
Games Medalists Will Be On Show In
Cleethorpes
Reports Courtesy of Mike Hallam, Tournament Organiser
Commonwealth games medallists will be
on show at the Cleethorpes Professional Squash Tournament as it goes
into its 17th year and takes place on 15th & 16th August 2014 at the
Chichester Road club.
It will again feature world class players who are in the top 100 in
the world, including the world No6 James Willstrop and
Daryl Selby world No10 after their success at the Commonwealth
games for England, along with some of the best talent in the country
to make up the eight players.
The tournament gives the opportunity for the Cleethorpes Junior
section, which has continued to grow in numbers, to see top class
players in action. The junior section has a good mix of girls and
boys of all ages, who have vastly improved, resulting in many
successes at the junior counties and other tournaments. With the
addition of a large increase in lady member players, from our
recently open ladies sessions, we have started ladies leagues so
that they can progress into the main internal leagues. All in all
the squash at Cleethorpes is the best it has ever been.
Without a main sponsor this year local companies have come to the
rescue to enable us to keep the event going including Bring
Logistics, Edmundson Electrical, Cleethorpes Bowling, Centrica,
Cristal Pigments,Total Lindsey Oil Refinery Ltd, Rudd Solicitors,
Broadburns Chemists, A.P.Robinson Accountants and Oceanblue
Logistics. It would not be possible to hold such an event
without their support.
Together with England’s world referee John Massarella it will
again be a weekend of top quality squash.
For those who have never seen some of the best squash players in the
world this is an opportunity not to miss, enquires should be made to
Mike Hallam on 07729079180.
