Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club is rightly regarded as one of the great clubs in England. The home of two World number ones in Lee Beechill and James Willstrop it displays all the positive attributes of a successful Squash Club. England Squash Masters were well looked after and replied with some top-class Masters Squash.
Women's Over 55/60. A mixed age group played in round robin groups saw the top two seeds emerge to the final. National over 60 Champion Heather Tweedle (MSY) proved to be too good for the others and beat Yorkshire's Sarah Percy, playing in her second Regional final, in straight games.
Women's Over 50. A competitive group sprinkled with Major event winners. Libby Montgomery (HFD) recovered from 2/0 down to beat Scotland star Donna Cruickshank in five and Sarah Parr (BRK) overcame Jane Armstrong (WKS) by the same margin. But both lost to the top two seeds, Chrissie McMullen (CHS) and Louisa Dalwood (HFD) respectively. Unfortunately, Dalwood sustained an injury in her win and was unable to make the final, so a 7th. Regional to McMullen.
Women's Over 35/40. This has been a really exciting group this season with new players and the standard just getting better and better. Selina Harper (CBA) had a tremendous match Rebecca Wright (YKS) recovering from 2/1 down to win 12/10. 15/13. Her next match saw her nearly beat top seed Kirsty West (CHS) but she fell in the fifth. Meanwhile, Emmeline Gale (SRY) the second seed had a real contest with Scotland's Lauren Gray and came back from 2/1 down to win in five. The final was a great match, full of strong hitting and athleticism, but it was Gale who persevered taking her first Regional Championship in five games.
Men's Over 80. And so to the game's Elder Statesmen! Former World Masters Champion Chris Ansell (BRK) has been off form of late and former National Champion Allan Whittow (BUX) has taken advantage. Whittow had a severe test against Leo Kingston (LNH) coming through in five but in the final had no answer to Ansell's court craft and shot making. An 11th Regional to him.
Men's Over 75. Another event played in a round robin group almost saw a major upset. Former Open and National Champion Barry Featherstone (HPH) struggled against the lively Paddy Butler (SSX) and had to recover from two down to edge home 12/10 in the fifth game. Butler showed it was no fluke as he then took out second seed Bryan Francis (MDX). Featherstone also had a stern challenge from Andrew Edmondson(LCN) but got through in four tight games and took the title for a remarkable 40th. Regional Championship. An all-time record.
Men's Over 70. Top seed and National Champion Stuart Hardy (WLT) looks to be recovering his form after a series of injuries and he removed England captain Robert Houldsworth (LNH) and South of England winner David Matthew (CNL) in straight games. But Scotland No.1 Peter Shivas was coming through the other half and demolished no.4 seed Alan Mackenzie (WKS) to reach the final. Hardy took the first but Shivas won a very close second. The impetus was with him and he took a well-contested third before closing the match in four.
Men's Over 65. Former World top 10 player Bryan Beeson (NLD) is understandably proving a real force in the Masters game. Four National titles, recently the European Masters and the man to beat. Neil Harrison (DCL) took a game but that was all. The action was in the other half where Alan Borrill (LCN) gained revenge over the talented Richard Millman (NOR) but he fell to Phil Wakefield (YKS) who is putting some good results together. Beeson was at another level in the final, however and the title went to him, only his second.
Men's Over 60. Simon Spencer (NOT) is having a great season. Two finals and one title already and playing very well. Eammon Price (HFD) is one of the most successful Masters players ever but is on the comeback trail after injury. Steve Martin (YKS) pushed him hard going down in four but it always looked like a Spencer / Price final. Some hard punishing rallies but Price was unable to impose himself and Spencer notched up his third Regional.
Men's Over 55. Some close contests throughout this draw. Top seed Stuart Hargreaves (YKS) at his home club and a former British Open Masters Champion was favourite. He had to deal with a very good Scottish International Peter Buchan but after dropping the first ran out a 3/1 winner. Meanwhile, Wiltshire star Nigel Rowe overcame a very good player in the form of Steve Jukes (SOM) 3/2 then removing the 3/4 seed Mark Steeden (KNT). He then went one better and removed the No. 2 seed Sam Hanbury (SSX) in five. Hargreaves was a match too many, however, and the Yorkshireman's class told. 3/0 and a second Regional for him.
Men's Over 50. A welcome return to the circuit by Nick Wall (YKS) a three-time National Champion with 12 Regionals behind him. Playing beautifully, he removed second seed Mark Davis (CBE) in five to reach the final. Top seed Alistair Coker (HFD) is on a roll this season. He had too much for England team mate Matt Stephenson (YKS) after he had removed the 3/4 seed Andy Marsh (SOM). The final was a hard-fought affair but Coker looked the livelier player against Wall and he clinched his third title of the year and fourth overall.
Men's Over 45. No. 1 seed Lee Jemmett (ESX) is having a fantastic debut season in the Masters. Two Regional titles in two outings for the former Junior International and World Team winner. In the other half was seven-time champion Mick Biggs (MDX) who had to battle past Grant Bryant (SFK) from 2/0 down and Norfolk's Neil Cross. The final was a match full of power hitting and long rallies. Biggs took the first 15/13 then the second but Jemmett struck back doggedly rallying his man and taking his chances to squeeze out the next three games. A third Regional title for him and three five game final wins.
Men's Over 40. Paul McDonald (LNH) is a powerful player who holds the centre of the court incredibly well. He had too much control for Surrey's Alex Mayle and Damian Burgess of Wales and reached the final where he met the winner of the last event, Dale Diment (AVN). He had advanced beating Ross Kneller (YKS) in one semi-final. The final was long and hard with both men being pushed around every inch of the court. Only a few points in it but a second Regional title for McDonald in four games.
Men's Over 35. England International David Allman (AVN) was top seed here and is a terrific athlete. He had to cope with the ever-entertaining skills of Ryan Atherton (LNH) before overcoming Oliver Dixon (HFD). In the other half, Mark McEwen (ESX) removed the dangerous Gurbhaj Kahlon (BRK) in five games - the three he won all being 11/9. He lost out to second seed Oliver Hudson (CHS) who won the right to take on Allman. Allman really wanted this one! With absolute commitment he went flat out and took the final in four games in 45 minutes. A first Regional Championship for him.
Thanks were made to our Circuit Sponsors Karakal for their continued support and also to Mick Todd of Pontefract Squash & Leisure Club along with his General Manager Paddy. Also the bar, catering and reception staff who were all kept very busy all weekend.
Further thanks were made to the England Squash Referees, Admin Support Ros Featherstone and a special thanks to Polly Woodward. Of course, no event would be so successful without our Event Manager, Badger Brock. A tremendous job as always.
Stuart Hardy
Chairman