Archive for 2002

As the people arrived at The Crown Hotel it was clear that the evening would be an enjoyable affair. Friendly banter was going on between the players and there partners. Occasionally, the partners had to endure talk about squash – but most were entertained by the latest gossip in the squash club that Richard Barker failed to get a point from Michael Ferreira Jnr a couple of days before, yes 27-0.
Not only that but brother Simon Barker had his first ever defeat by Simon Richardson 3-2!

From the bar we moved to our seats at the table and the ladies received there chocs and the gents received squash balls.

After the fine meal, the Chairman, Ferlin Barnard gave a speech commenting on the success of the club over the past year which included the great achievements of the two young stars at the club Tania Bailey – back playing well after her injury and Michael Ferreira in America.

Ferlin thanked his fellow committee members for their hard work in ensuring the continued success of the club these are Viv Orr, John Mitchell, Kim Cozens, Paul York and particular mention to Martin Brewin for creating the magnificent web site.

Having noted the worthy achievements of both teams particularly the Green Man for their cup and league double, Ferlin then handed over to the Team captains, Simon Barker and Kim Cozens, to talk about their respective seasons both of which were successful.

Simon opened, with stories of his teams excellent season winning the Peterborough leagues 1st division by a handsome margin and their success in the Cup.

Kim not to be out done told of the Daniel Lambert gaining 3rd spot in division 2 securing the eventual winners (Town II) only defeat along the way. They reached the final of the plate competition losing narrowly to yes you guessed it – Town II.

The 1st team were then presented with their shields for winning the 1st Division in the Peterborough League and they now hope to go up into the Cambridge league to further there lofty ambitions!

Ferlin and Kim, as is now traditional, nominated an individual who had performed remakably well for the 2nd team throughout the season. John Fields was the man. He took his award with much pride and said what could arguably be one the greatest speeches of the evening:

“I won’t let it change my life!”

Ferlin then shared his thoughts on why we all came along to the courts. Some people come along to just get a good sweat on but he felt it was more than that after meeting John Mitchell (that pillar of the community, fine player and gentleman on and off court) at the courts one night, when asked who he was playing he said:
“Malcolm Kearwell I want my revenge”
“Why is it a league match or Cup tie?”
“No”, he said, “a friendly!”

So there has to be more than just sweat involved.

It was that great phillosopher Tim Prior who said it was about passion as his drop shot smashed against the back wall!
But Tim has a point, where else for 2 x 50 pence pieces could you get 40 minutes of SWEAT AND PASSION!!!

After the speeches, it was back to the wine, beer and song….or should that be banter!

Australia’s world No1 and four-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald stamped her authority over Tania to win the E-Squash Welsh Open for the second successive year at the St Mellons Country Club in St Mellons, Wales.

A highly-focused Fitz-Gerald, unbeaten since August last year, cruised to a 9-0 9-0 9-2 victory over Bailey in 20 minutes after conceding only nine points on the way to her second Welsh Open final.

“It’s great to win the title here again in Wales – I was very pleased with the way I played,” said the in-form Australian. “Once again, the scoreline flatters the flavour of the match – Tania is one of the toughest opponents on the world circuit and always brings out the best in my game,” added Fitz-Gerald.

After beating the Australian Rachael Grinham 9-3, 9-5, 1-9, 9-3 in the first round Tania looked in good form.

However, the Quarter-Final proved a bit trickier. Having lost to Tania in there last two meetings Linda was determined to get her revenge. Tania took the first game but Linda came back out fighting and won the next three games. Final score 5-9, 9-5, 9-1, 9-1.

Richard Barker (pictured right, though this picture was taken before the crushing defeat – he hasn’t been seen smiling since!) is not the first person at Stamford Squash Club to be beaten convincingly by Michael and will, no doubt, not be the last. Michael didn’t let Rich get a point – yes, to you and me that’s 27-0! Annihilated indeed. A term described in the dictionary rather well:

a)To destroy completely
b)To reduce to nonexistence
c)To defeat decisively.

The question is, who will be next?

Sarah pulled through in a four game final against Tania who fought well. Tania pushed the World No.1 losing 9-1,7-9,9-1,9- 2 after 46 minutes.

Sarah used her power and length to pick up where they had left off in the British Open, to dominate the first game. Tania came back after the break determined and fired up. She rallied and played some excellent cross courts from the front which caught the World No.1 out of position a number of times.

Sarah stood 8-3 down in the second, but rallied back to catch up to 7-8 before making an error that gave Tania the game second game. At one-all Sarah increased her effort and returned to court and immediately regained control and dominance for the rest of the match, providing a convincing win.

Tania has now set up another match with the World No.1 against Sarah Fitzgerald after beating Steph in 4 games – 9/1 9/4 6/9 9/3.

She last played Sarah in the final of the British Open last month(click here to see the info on that match).

Having dropped just one point in her last match, Tania was playing Senga Macfie for a place in the semi finals. She won 3-0, with a close game in the second. 9-4, 10-9, 9-2. She will now meet Stephanie Brind in the semi final tomorrow.

Tania lost to Natalie Pohrer (World No.5) ) 9-3, 9-2, 9-0. “I played a lot in the front part of the court,” Pohrer said. “I was a little on edge because Tania has been playing so well and that feeling really never left me the whole match, though I calmed down a bit.”

Bailey tried to slow down Pohrer but Pohrer’s control of the match prevented that. “I like to power it more than she does,” said Pohrer. “She plays it more traditionally, keeping it up and down for a longer game. My goal is to up the pace and change direction of the ball a lot.”

“BAILEY’S DAY WILL COME WITHIN FOUR YEARS” from the report below on the British Open Final.