• Check BSPA LIVE for the latest, direct from Aberdeen ...

FOUR UP FOR NICOL
World no.1 Peter Nicol maintained his unbeaten record in the H & R Insurance Open played at his club in Westhill, Aberdeen, is four game victory over second seed Tim Garner being a repeat of the inaugural tournament three years ago.

Nicol edged the first game 17/15 but Garner was the one to hold his nerve in a tight second. Calling 'Set one' Garner allowed Nicol's serve to bounce off the ball wall before nailing a backhand cross-court nick to level things up. Nicol built up a lead in the the third before Garner pegged him back but this time it was Nicol who held on to take the game 15/13. The fourth was always going to be one by Nicol after he raced to an 8-3 lead with a great combination of volleys and drops.

 In taking the last 15/6 Nicol picked up his fourth successive title at his home club.

---

2001 Event

Nicol and White in Aberdeen thriller

[1] Peter Nicol bt [2] John White  15/12 14/17 15/13 12/15 17/16  80m

Peter Nicol picked up his hat-trick of Hanson & Robertson Squash Challenges at the club that bears his name. However, the margin of victory was the narrowest possible ... about the width of John White's racket frame! Nicol's victory in the fifth, helped maintain his unbeaten record at his home club in both tournament and league play.

Earlier in the tournament local lad Alistair gorrie gave taste of what may be to come as he despatched experienced Andy Taylor to ease into the last 16. Gorrie is now based at Connaught in London where Nicol trains under the tutelage of Neil Harvey, and he looked to have learnt a thing or two already! In fact, the tournament provided an excellent opportunity for the lads from the Westhill Squash Academy, to get on court with some nationally ranked players.

Elsewhere in the draw, Scot Stuart Cowie was looking far from in control against Andrew Learoyd but managed to edge through before coming up against Joey Barrington. Another to have made the move to Connaught to sharpen his game, Barrington did not let the loss of the first game or his opponent's antics affect him and moved into the semi-finals. He was joined by Nicol, Tim Garner & White. Dutchman Laurens Anjema stole the first from White in the quarters and garner was to do the same in the Semis. Neither, were able to capitalise and White eased his big frame into final to set up a much anticipated England v Scotland clash (though a couple of years ago it would have been down as Scotland v Australia!).

In the end, it was the Englishman 'in waiting' who came out on top but not before White displayed many of the skills that have taken him to 3 in the World. Nicol saved a couple of match-balls and then at the end a despairing White could only dive after the as it raced into the back corner and the three generations of Nicol's that had turned up to watch could go home happy.
 

White and Nicol meet in July's Scottish Open - rematch due in Westhill

---

2000 Event

Nicol starts off season with home win

This year's Prince Grand Prix kicked off with the H & R Professional Challenge held at the Peter Nicol Squash & Fitness Centre in Aberdeen. This season's tournaments have added value through their challenger event status, allowing young players beginning their PSA careers to earn small but invaluable world ranking points.

All the players were warmly welcomed, with great local interest in the event,  creating a friendly background to some highly competitive squash. This was one tournament where the seeding committee got it right, with just one match going against the seedings in the whole event. The anomaly was the Last 16 when Dorset no.1 Clive Ewins defeated 5/8 seed Peter Gunter in straight games. Ewins maintained his fine form, severely testing  John Dale in the quarter finals before losing 3-1.

The top four seeds all progressed to the semi-finals,  with Dale joined in the bottom half by Paul Lord, who came through a close  four-setter with Eric McAlpine. In the top half Peter Nicol and Ben Garner progressed with 3-0 victories over Andy Whipp and Nick Wall, respectively.

World no.1 Nicol was made to work hard in front of his home crowd by the former England junior international, being kept on court for just over an hour. Garner saved one match ball in the third, but Nicol proved too strong as he came through in four tough games, 17-15, 17-14, 16-17, 15-1l. He was joined in the final by second seed Lord, who put out Dale in straight games. 

Lord won the first 2 games comfortably against an opponent who was visibly tired from  two tough four set matches in the previous 24 hours, however, Dale made a spirited fight-back in the third before succumbing 17-14.

In a repeat of last year's semi-final clash, Nicol faced last year's Prince Grand Prix winner Lord. Over three closely fought games, the match ebbed and flowed, however, it was always Nicol who was able to apply the finishing touches to each game. After just under an hour of pulsating squash, it was Nicol who was to add the H & R Insurance Challenge title to his early season collection of Al Ahram International and Hong Kong Open by the 15-12, 15-13, 15-11 scoreline.