The Karakal North of England Open Masters 2021 came to the splendid Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club. Refurbished and very welcoming, the Club were excellent hosts. A smattering of foreign players, as well as good support from Wales, Scotland and Ireland, greatly added to the tournament.
Any fears that the players would not turn out were quickly allayed as we had a record entry for a North of England of 197 players. Covid protocols were in place for the wellbeing of all and players were asked to show vaccination certificates or take a lateral flow test. This was accepted almost unanimously.
To the Squash…
Women's Over 60: This has become a very strong group with two World Champions taking their places in the final - Julie Field (YKS) and Karen Hume (KNT) who had a fine semi-final win over Wales No. 1 and top seed Sian Johnson and carried that form into a competitive final winning 3/1.
Women's Over 55: Kent’s Mandy Akin eased through to another final but Hilary Kenyon (CHS) and Fran Wallis (LCN) had a real battle before Hilary took her place with a five-game win. The final was another thriller as Akin, the European Champion went 2/1 down but eventually triumphed 12/10 in the fifth game.
Women's Over 50: Yorkshire’s Andrea Santamaria, the European Champion playing at her own club came through and met Izzy Bramhall (NOT) who edged a 17/15 third game against Sarah Parr (BRK). The final went 3/0 to Santamaria but it was the closest and most tightly fought of contests and straight games does not tell the story.
Women's Over 45: Rachel Calver (LEC) the top seed duly came to the final against second seed Linda Pritchard (SPE) both without too much trouble, but the final was a collector’s item! Calver had match points in the fourth but lost it 16/14 before reasserting herself to take the fifth.
Women's Over 35/40: There was a very good entry in this group and some high-quality matches. Top-seeded Polly Roylance-Smith overcame Scotland’s Lauren Gray in one semi-final while Joanne Elgood, formerly from Gloucestershire but now flying a Swedish flag came through a great match with Kate Bradshaw (CBE) in four before another high-quality match against Polly to take the title 3/1. And Joanne has a British passport so may yet be an England team contender!
To the Men…
Men's Over 75: The venerable over 75s was well supported and the ‘youngster’ in the group, Master’s founder Martin Pearse (NOR) was top-seeded and looking to make a mark. The top players were not ready to relinquish things easily however and four-time World Champion Adrian Wright (YKS) although now 80 went two games up before Pearse took three games to 9. Meanwhile, British Open Champion Mike Clemson (YKS) was easing through the draw to take his place in the final and after losing the first played a sharp front game to win 3/1.
Men's Over 70: The top four in the 70s were all in with a shout. They matched up in the semis and the new man in the group, Terry Belshaw (CBA) overcome many time champion Barry Featherstone (HPH) in four tightly contested games while National Champion Ian Graham ((SSX) squeezed through against Scotland No. 1 Ian Ross in five. The final was all Graham, however as after a close first, Belshaw fell away to defeat.
Men's Over 65: Stephen Johnson (LNH) is the dominant player in the over 65s being National, British Open and European Champion. But he was out of sorts here, edging home in his quarter and semi against Ripley Oyler (BRK) and John Guyatt (WOC) who had earlier upset higher-seeded Simon Evenden (NHM). Meanwhile, Masters Chairman Stuart Hardy (WLT) had progressed and beaten old rival Geoff Redfern (WKS) 3/0 but with two games going to extra time. In the final, it was cut and thrust all the way. Hardy almost had it at 10/9 in the fifth but a desperate dive from Johnson just getting under the ball for a dead drop saved the point and he ran out the winner 12/10.
Men's Over 60: Another new player in a group was John Parkes (WOC) in the 60s. He was expected to meet Richard Millman (USA) but he had to retire in a quarter-final with an injury. National Champion Neil Harrison (DCL) came through that half. In the top half Andrew Hood (NOT) surprised European Champion Allen Barwise (LNH) winning in five but Parkes was the man to beat and he came through with some close, but straight game wins.
Men's Over 55: Three men retired with injuries in the 55s. Possibly a result of the layoff. Yawar Abbas (DCL) always a top contender came through to the final against former National Champion Eamonn Price (HFD) who had a more problematic route with five games against the unorthodox Peter Lonsdale (DCL). The final produced another injury as Abbas pulled a hamstring and had to retire.
Men's Over 50: Ireland International David Ayerst was top seed in the Men’s 50s and justified his position with a storming performance which culminated in a 3/0 demolition of the multi-talented David Youngs (NOR). A real contender for the British Open in December although Yorkshire pair John Simpson and Stuart Hargreave competed hard, overcame higher-seeded opposition and may want another crack at him.
Men's Over 45: The Men’s 45s saw the seeding committee get it right with the top four all progressing. Nick Wall (YKS) the top seed overcame Norfolk’s David Gouldby in one semi-final while No. 2 Ashley Bowling (SSX) also had a tough test against Joss Hargrave (LEC). Wall prevailed in the final in four but it was contested to the death.
Men's Over 40: National Champion Darren Lewis was the star of this draw and expected to win through with some comfort. But Mick Briggs (MDX) is a powerful player and pushed Lewis to the limit. Another 12/10 in the fifth final - and it was Lewis who took the title in a superb match.
Men's Over 35: One of the finds of the weekend was Gbenga Adeyi (BED) who blitzed through his half of the draw with easy movement and powerful hitting. Unfortunately, top seed Jason Pike (WKS) suffered a twisted knee and had to retire. The ever-young Jamie Goodrich (NOR) was due to play the final after a thrilling 11/9 in the fifth win over Middlesex Scot Callum Reid, but withdrew with injury depriving the tournament of its blue riband Final much to the disappointment of all.
At the Presentation, thanks were made to Steve Ridge and all the Staff of Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club for their superb hospitality, the England Squash Referees who officiated a majority of the matches and the Master’s Committee and helpers who with Event Manager Brian Brock made the event possible.
And a special thanks to the circuit sponsors, Karakal for the prizes and support.
Stuart Hardy
Chairman