Andy Gill Memorial


The World of Squash
at Your Fingertips

HOME
NEWS
RESULTS 
CALENDAR
EVENTS
PLAYERS
CLUBS
RULES
LINKS
MAGAZINE
FEATURES
GEAR
DIRECTORY
WORKSHOP
PROMOTIONS
COLUMNS
ARCHIVE
About SP
Squash on TV
Search
UK Counties
World Links

Online Store
Books, Subs, Videos

Squash Directory
Where to get it all

Classified Section
Job, Jobs, Jobs Something to sell ...

 

 
Andy Gill Memorial 2004
03-05 Sep,
Rochdale, Lancashire
Andrew Gill
Memorial 2004

 
  
Andrew Nickeas reports on one of the UK's longest standing and
best-loved tournaments ...


Sun 05 Sep:
Berrett's Hat-Trick

In front of a capacity and appreciative crowd, Marcus Berrett, took his third title, in the 21st Andrew Gill Memorial Championships with a 3-0 win over the number one seed Nick Taylor.

The professional from Queen’s Halifax upset the form book with an outstanding display of controlled and disciplined squash. Taylor was below par and it wasn’t the usual attacking performance we have come to expect from the Lancashire player, but this did not detract from the Yorkshireman’s dominance of the match. With delicate drops and perfect controlled lobs, Taylor was always under pressure. Each time Taylor tried to impose himself Berrett again took control of the rally to either produce the winner or force the error.

The largely Lancashire based crowd were stunned into silence as Taylor lost the first game 9-1, their expectancy being that the local hero would prevail. Berrett was also prepared for more pressure in the second, but stuck to his game constantly moving Taylor around the court to win 9-0. At 2-2, in the third it looked that there was going to a be response from Taylor at again Berrett started to control the rallies and at match ball in the third finished with a delicate cross court drop to take the game 9-2, the match 3-0 and his third Andrew Gill Championship.

The ovation and reception he received from the crowd was well deserved, and his comments in his acceptance speech as the champion were gracious to his opponent, and on tonight’s performance he deserved his hat trick.

The final of the ‘B’ Event was as expected, dominated by David Barnett the number one seed. His opponent, the ever-popular Glen Ragou, fought every inch of the way and ran down every ball. He was rewarded with a 6-2 lead in the first, but then Barnett gained control and took the game 9-5. Ragou’s retrieving in some parts of the match was breath-taking, but Barnett’s all round game proved he was a worthy 3-0 winner.

The ‘C’ event final saw a match of youth against experience and experience nearly took the title. England Over 50’s international Alan Denholm had a 2-0 love lead against 16-year-old Daniel Turner and looked the likely winner. However Turner put on the pressure and a 9-0 game levelled the match at 2-2. Fitness was then a major factor and the youngster in his first year the tournament took the match 9-4 in the fifth

The tournament was as ever, organised superbly by the tournament director Rob Slater, and the driving force behind the scenes, Barry King ensured that after 21 years it still remains the event to start the season in the North West.

Bernie and Cindy Gill, Andrew’s parents, are always present at the event and the loyalty of the players and supporters is a fitting testimony to the affection in which their son, was, and is still held.
 



Marcus Berrett

Andy Gill Memorial 2004
1st Round Quarters Semis Final
[1] Nick Taylor bt Chris Truswell  3-0 Nick Taylor
3-0
Patrick Foster
Nick Taylor
9/7, 9/2, 9/0
Andrew Whipp
Nick Taylor

9-1, 9-0, 9-2

Marcus Berrett
Patrick Foster bt Yawar Abbass  3-0
Andrew Whipp bt Harry Leach  3-0 Andrew Whipp
3-0
Derek Ryan
Derek Ryan bt Simon Pickering  3-1
Alex Stait bt Glen Ragou  3-0 Alex Stait
3-2
Paul Lord
Alex Stait
9/3, 9/0, 9/3
Marcus Berrett
Paul Lord bt Steve Siviter  3-0
Peter Billson bt Ashley Flathers 3-1 Peter Billson
3-0
Marcus Berrett
[2] Marcus Berrett bt David Barnett  3-1


Finals:
‘B’ Event David Barnett beat Glen Ragou 9-6, 9-2, 9-2
‘C’ Event Daniel Turner beat Alan Denholm 6-9, 7-9, 9-5,9-0, 9-4
Plate event Mike McDonald beat Richard Mills 9-5, 9-2, 9-0

B Event Semis:

David Barnett beat Simon Pickering   9/4 9/2 9/3
Glen Ragou beat Chris Truswell   4/9 9/7 9/1 9/1

 
Reports

Sat 04-Sep:
Taylor aims for six, but
Berrett wants a hat-trick


The top two seeds, Lancashire’s Nick Taylor and Yorkshire's Marcus Berrett cruised through to the finals of the Andrew Gill Memorial Championship today at Rochdale

In the first semi of the afternoon Berrett was an easy 3-0 winner against his younger opponent Alex Stait. Stait was slightly jaded from his punishing quarterfinal match against Paul Lord last night, but again Berrett’s experience and consistency showed from the first game that there would only be one winner.

The second semi provided what on paper would be an interesting match, with a much improved Andy Whipp against the local hero Nick Taylor. The match, as expected, started at a furious pace. Taylor looked slightly nervous in the early part of the first game with Whipp moving and striking the ball well, but again experience told and after winning a close first game 9-7 Taylor made his mark and ran out a worthy winner, 9-0 in the third.

In the ‘B’event, the number one seed Dave Barnett impressed again with a comfortable 3-0 over Simon Pickering and in the opposite half of the draw the ‘old campaigner’ Glen Ragou upset the seeding with a 3-1 over his younger opponent Staffordshire’s Chris Truswell. With his performances this week Barnett has justified his number one seeding and it is questionable whether or not on current form that he should have be in the starting line up of the ‘A’ Event. Lancashire’s Ragou will have his work cut out tomorrow against the man from the North East.

In the main final we will have the teammates from the Manchester Pontefract National League side battling out for the honours. Twice a winner Berrett going for his hat-trick and Taylor the local favourite going for a record sixth title . . . It will be interesting !

Fri 03-Sep:
TOP TWO CRUISE
INTO SEMIS

The top two seeds, Nick Taylor and Marcus Berrett, cruised into the semi-finals of the Andrew Gill Memorial Championships tonight with Taylor taking a 3-0 over former Irish International Patrick Foster. Patrick as ever moved well and struck the ball cleanly and effectively, but the number one seed and five times champion was too sharp on the ball and had too much on the night.

The Queen’s Halifax professional Marcus Berrett took his match
3-0 against Peter Billson with a typically controlled game, consistently putting Billson under pressure. Billson responded well and is a much improved player and but Berrett’s consistency was the deciding factor.

In a match that finished 9-7 in the fifth, Alex Stait beat Paul Lord in the longest match of the night. In a match that lasted over an hour, the experience of Lord nearly saw him causing an upset after levelling the match at 2-2. Stait was under pressure all the way until the final point and he will be pleased to win that one, with the crowd showing the players deserved appreciation at the end of the match

Experience was not enough for Derek Ryan, who after beating Simon Pickering last night, came up against a strong opponent in Andy Whipp. The work that ‘Whippy’ has put in during summer is paying off has he looked sharp upsetting the seeding in his 3-0 win over the Irish International.

The semi-final line up is Nick Taylor against Andy Whipp and Marcus Berrett against Alex Stait. The younger players will be eager to make their mark, but the experience of the number one and number two seeds should pay off in Saturday's matches.

TAYLOR EASES INTO QUARTERS

Nick Taylor,
the number one seed for the 21st Andrew Gill event, eased his way into the quarter finals with a 3-0 win over qualifier Chris Truscott. Taylor played well within himself, but the Staffordshire youngster competed well and he will learn from his experience.

The number two seed Marcus Berrett lost the opening game against Northumbia's Dave Barnett, but soon got back into his rhythm and ended up a comfortable 3-1 winner.

The number two seed for the B Event and qualifier for the A event, newly positioned resident coach at Manchester Northern Peter Billson, upset the England Junior International Ashley Flathers with a hard fought 3-1 win over the Yorkshireman

Former Irish International Patrick Foster came through 3-0 against his Grove Park team-mate Yawar Abbas and with all the other seeds safely through we can look forward to some exciting and tough matches on Friday evening

Tournament Preview:

The 21st Andrew Gill Memorial Tournament gets underway this week at Rochdale Squash Club with its traditional format of A, B and C events up for grabs. The number one seed, local Manchester hero Nick Taylor will be going for a record sixth title and is scheduled to meet Yorkshireman and National League Team-mate Marcus Berrett in the final on Sunday

In 1983, the members of the Maple Squash Club organised a squash tournament in memory of one of the country’s most talented young squash players tragically taken from them when he was on the verge of fulfilling his potential in the game. Twenty one years later the Andy Gill, as it referred to in local circles, is as strong as ever, with Tournament Director Rob Slater sure of a top class field.

The roll of honour features players such as Marcus Berrett, Gary Thwaite, Derek Ryan, and 5-times Andrew Gill Champion, National Coach David Pearson - who was a little younger and perhaps a little lighter then, but a great talent in the game. Paul Lord won in 1991 against a player who had entered the B Tournament and ended up the losing finalist in the A Event . . . a talented young man, destined for greater things . . . Peter Nicol !

Last year's winner, the player who has taken squash by storm over the past twelve months, world junior champion, and world number 13, James Willstrop, is on PSA duty in Cathy Pacific Hong Kong Open so unavailable to defend his title, much to Nick Taylor’s relief, as James beat Nick 3/0 in last year's final!

On the eve of the event, going for his sixth title, the last word from Nick Taylor:

"It doesn’t matter where I’ve played in the fantastic events and settings on the PSA Tour, the Andy Gill is a special tournament for me. When I was a 12 year old junior at Maple, I looked up to Andrew, so I want win it one more time for the record ! "

 alanbrz@yahoo.com