Fri 16th May, 2003: POWER CLAIMS SUPER Jonathon Power claimed his first Super Series Finals title, beating three-time winner Peter Nicol on the final, sudden-death, point of a great squash match that spanned 107 minutes and had everything. EARLY HONOURS EVEN It looked like Nicol was going to have his work cut out to maintain his unbeaten record in 2003, but just when Power was in a position to press home his advantage he let Nicol off the hook. Two unforced errors early in the second gave Nicol a slender lead, and Power's shots loosened up just a little. In the first game the ball had rolled down the walls, now it drifted out, and Power was marginally slack in covering some of his shots. Nicol now had balls to work with, and he took advantage, establishing a 10-4 lead. In PARS scoring it's normally suicidal to fall this far behind, but suddenly Power was slotting in winners again. "Back to work Peter," came a cry from the crowd (from Nicol's coach, in fact), but Power continued to edge back and came to 9-10. THE REF GETS
INVOLVED Nicol closed out the second, to his, and his coach's relief. The third game could be awarded to the referee. His policy of "no let" on "minimal interference" was severe, and he appeared to be on a mission in this game. Firstly Power fell victim to several harsh decisions and it disrupted his play. Then Nicol - perhaps the player who plays the ball most of all - was penalised as the referee received much advice from the crowd. In the play, Power had found his length again and at times forced the easy ball from Nicol which he used to send his opponent scurrying all over the court. Nicol was in trouble, and the momentum was with Power again, but then some errors let Nicol back in. At the end Power was to say "I didn't play the big points well, except the last one" – but we will come to that. Power had the chance to dominate, but squandered it as Nicol stayed ahead to take the third 15/13 and go 2/1 up. The fourth was tight for a few rallies, but all the work Nicol had done, earlier in the week and earlier in the match, began to tell. Once Power established a few points lead Nicol stopped running and lost it 15-4. Was he finished, or was he saving himself for the fifth. We would soon know. THE FINAL GAME Power contrived an injury break, twisting for a ball that was beyond him and falling spectacularly. "No let, self-inflicted injury" intoned the referee as Power walked off his apparent cramp. "No, no, no," cried Power. "Someone in the crowd shot me with a pellet gun!". The roars of laughter grew louder when Nicol chipped in with "Good shot!". It looked like a match Power should have won was drifting away from him. Then there came the drama that has made this such a brilliant event. Power came back to level, and in dramatic scenes they levelled at 12 all, 13 all, and when Nicol saved match ball with a brilliant forehand volley drop on a crosscourt that Power did not put quite wide enough, at 14 all. THE FINAL POINT Those not watching knew when the referee called "14-all, match ball," and there was a murmur of anticipation as the players grinned at each other and then the crowd fell silent. It was not silent for long. Nicol served, and on the fourth shot of the rally the ball struck by Power disappeared down the forehand and died out of Nicol's reach. The crowd rose to their feet to hail the new champion, and a great match. The whole week, the whole tournament had
come down to the last point and Power took it 15-14. The standing ovation
was well deserved. Get the video.
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Conduct warning Power,
"No, I said JEEZ, that's
"No, no, no, someone in the crowd shot me with a pellet gun!" Nicol: "Good shot!"
"Minimal interference" "So you want me to do a
somersault ??"
'So are you looking forward to continuing the rivalry in Qatar?' "No, I'm ahead in the
series
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