| Ilkley Open 2007,
01/04 February
2006 Event Men & Women | Ilkley Squash Club | Robbie Burnett | Club Tel: 01943 607182 |
 Sun 4th Feb, FINALS ... Dave Taylor reports
[1] Ong Beng Hee bt Scott Handley
11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5 (45m) |
|
|
Vicky
on form in final The anticipation for the women's final could not have been higher. Two of the worlds top ten players were about to battle it out, and neither would give up without a fight. The match in question however, was all about one lady, Vicky Botwright. The world number 6 came on to the court today with focusand gritted determination. Botwright took the first game 11-5, and showed no signs of letting up. A number of unforced errors from Perry allowed her to gain an 8-4 lead in the second which she eventually went on to take 11-7. The final game was mostly one sided, and though the rallies were long and hard fought, Botwright won 11-2.
|
Bengy pulls through |
| Sat 3rd Feb, Day THREE ... Dave Taylor reports | |
 Ilkley Ladies BSPA Open 2007: Quarter Finals A fine sunny day, clear blue sky, pity we have to be inside but a great way to start the day. The women's quarter finals are first on. It's great having world class ladies playing at Ilkley. Vicky Botwright proved far too strong for Sarah Bowles, winning easily 3-0. To her credit Bowles never stopped running, but Botwright, always looked in control.  Madeline Perry looked just as impressive against Leonie Holt. She moved well around the court and was always in control. A much closer tussle was had between Fiona Moverley and Lauren Selby. Selby won the first well and had a game ball in the second only to lose it. The third set could have gone either way, but Moverley made fewer mistakes at the crucial times and won the fourth well. Dominique Lloyd-Walter also looked in good form as she moved her opponent Victoria Lust all round the court and controlled the rallies well.  MENS QUARTER FINALS. Top seed Ong Beng Hee was taken the full distance by Ben Ford. After winning the first 2 sets,which were very close, it looked like he would win in 3, but then missing 2 match points and Ford taking out the set, it was game on, with Ford winning the 4th and then leading 6-3 in the 5th set, it looked like a upset. But Beng Hee didn't panic and won a couple of hard rallies and Ford made 2 unforced errors, and Beng Hee sneaked in.  While this match was going on another battle was taking place between Andy Whipp and Simon Parke. It was a match of the highest quality and worthy of a final, but some one has to win and Simon came through after an hour of thrilling squash. Whipp looked odds on to win after taking the 2nd set easily, but Parke does not know when to give up and dug deep in to his reserves and won a tough 3rd set and from then on took control. Scott Handley faced up to the young Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy. Both players had looked good in their previous match and a close game looked on. But it was Handley who took a quick 2-0 lead and during the 3rd the El Shorbagy had to stop due to an injury. Last on was the no 2 seed Stacy Ross facing rising junior Joel Hinds. After a close 1st set with Ross winning 12-10, he took control of the game taking the next 2 sets comfortably to set up a semi final match against Scott Handley. It's a quick bite and then start again at 4pm with the ladies semi- finals and another round of excellent squash looks likely. It's sponsor's night tonight with free drinks and nibbles so guess who will be the loud ones, I can't wait. |
Semi
Finals As expected the top two seeds will meet in the ladies final, but there were 2 different ways to winning. Vicky Botwright was far too strong for Fiona Moverley winning easily 3-0. Right from the start Botwright had Moverley running to all parts of the court and was always in total control.  Madeline Perry however had a far harder match against 3rd seed Dominique Lloyd - Walter, winning in 3, but the last 2 sets both went to tie break. Lloyd- Walter had her chances to take both these sets. Both players moved well around the court and there were many long hard rallies.  Tomorrow's final we all await, it should be a great match between 2 of the world's best ladies players. MENS SEMI FINALS Unfortunately our second seed Stacy Ross was forced to withdraw through injury shortly before his semi-final match. His opponent Scoot Handley was therefore given a bye into the final. 
Top seed Ong Beng Hee faced 3/4 seed Simon
Parke in this years men's semi-finals. On a packed court three, two of
the world greatest squash players were to play off for a place in the
final against 3/4 seed Scott Handley. |
 |
| Fri 2nd Feb, Day TWO ... Dave Taylor reports |
|
Having been whittled down to the last 16
players in the morning, the draw now included only the best of the
best. The remaining competition is a combination of outstanding junior
talent, and seasoned veteran ability. First on court was rising English star, 17 year old Joe Lee. Facing former world number 2, and last year's winner, Simon Parke. With rallies lasting minutes, and an enthralled crowd, this match proved to be one of the best so far. Although Simon managed to use his experience to secure a 3-0 win, the match was far closer than the score line suggests. Andy Whip then finished off John Tate, 3-0 (14-12, 11-6, 11-6) in 30 minutes. This was quickly followed by Ben Ford beating David Barnet 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-9). 30 minutes. Once he had managed to find his way to the club, our top seed Malaysian Ong Beng Hee beat Stuart Crawford in four Games. 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2).31 minutes Joel Hinds and Pete Billson were enjoying an incredibly close match, when an injury forced Pete to concede the game (much to the disappointment of the spectators.) Joel Hinds bt Pete Billson (12-10, 6-11, 11-6, retired..) In an encapsulating display of junior Egyptian talent, Mohamed El Shorbagy progressed to the quarter finals. Mohamed El Shorbagy bt Andrew Birks 3-0, (12-10, 11-7, 11-9). 22 minutes. The number two seed Stacy Ross has also made his way to the quarter finals along with 3/4 seed Sc ott Handley. Stacy Ross bt Shahid Khan 3-1, (11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4). 40 minutes Scott Handley bt Robbie Temple 3-0, (12-10, 11-4, 11-4). 30 minutes All of our top seeds have made it unscathed into the quarter-finals, but hopefully tomorrow's matches will be as tense and exciting as those we have seen today.  |
| Thu 1st Feb, Day ONE ... Dave Taylor reports |
|
So it begins. The opening evening of the 2007 Ilkley BSPA Open was crammed with gripping matches and fascinating results. The 60 qualifiers to the event were battling to secure a place in the main draw alongside our top four seeds. The evening kicked off with a number of very talented junior players fighting to beat some of the more experienced campaigners.
Stuart Crawford bt Alex Ingham
11/2, 13/11, 13/11 With such a large and talented array of players, all the squash was at a standard unbelievable to the average player. Plenty of highly athletic matches kept the growing crowds excited and impressed. Mick Biggs bt John Fullham
11/7, 11/5, 6/11, 11/7 A selection of local players were competing in this years event, with varied success. Sean Thornton bt Robbie
Temple 4/11, 4/11, 11/6 As the evening drew to a close the quality of the squash increased even more. Marwen El Shorbagy bt
Chris Truswell 14/12, 11/7 11/6 It is entirely possible that the
incredible squash tonight might not be |
|
