News

Good win for Pontefract

Monday 20th February by Malcolm Willstrop

Pontefract, strengthened by the James Willstrop's second National League appearance of the season, recorded their first win, 3-2 over Oxford. Vanessa Atkinson lost a well contested first game to World no.4 Madeline Perry on a tie break and although she continued to compete well, Perry always had an edge, winning the second and third 11-7. Meanwhile Lee Beachill was having to listen to the verbal offerings of Mark Cairns, who despite being in the veteran stage has lost none of his readiness to talk. Beachill, unimpressed, concentrated well and won 3-0, with glimpses of his delay much in evidence. Simon Parke, whose enthusiasm for playing is undiminished, saw off Andrew Birks 3-1 and Siddarth Suchde, making his first National League appearance for the club sealed the victory 3-0 over Scott Handley, who is another who retains his enthusiasm and competitiveness. Willstrop lost to Australian no.1 Cameron Pilley and it was soon apparent that the previous Sunday's fine British Closed final of over 80 minutes was still in his legs. He lost the first 11-7, took the second 11-9 and with The North American Open in Virginia looming large, decided enough was enough as Pilley eased away to win 3-1.  

Another big crowd had enjoyed watching some of the World's best, past and present, in action: three had reached World no 1, a World no 3, a World Champion, four, who had won British Championships and the current Indian no.2.  

Pontefract's second Premier league team took advantage of a below strength Heaton to score a 4-1 win. Because of a very late withdrawal Heaton fielded only four players and wins for Tamindar Gata-Aura, Adam Taylor and Mark Swift provided the team with a welcome success.  

The third team, who are enjoying a successful season, won thier fifth match in a row against  Barnsley 2nd team. James Thompson, captain Ben Hodgetts and two youngsters, Chris Emerson and Tom Bamford all won. 

Vanessa Atkinson and  Kirsty McPhee, both representing Leeds Met. Made it an all Pontefract and Leeds Met.final when they fought out the final of the British Universities Championship at Birmingham University. Atkinson won 3-0, McPhee having done well to win a tough semi-final against Julianne Courtice 3-2. 

Sam Todd won the Ilkley under 11 Junior Open, beating all his three opponents, 3-0 to complete a successful week for the club.

Willstrop, Saurav Ghosal and Suchde are all at the North American Open. Suchde has done well to qualify, having beaten Yasir Butt (Pakistan) 3-0 and Kamran Khan (Malaysia) 3-1 in the qualifying competition. He has been rewarded with a first round match with all time great, Amr Shabana. Willstrop plays Swiss no.1 Nicolas Mueller and Ghosal plays Canadian no.1 Shahier Razik.

Semi Finals day in Manchester

Saturday 11th February by Malcolm Willstrop

Well today was semi finals day at the British Championships at Manchester Sports City today and the line up, perhaps deprived of the injured pair, Jenny Duncalf and Peter Barker,was: 
James Willstrop v Adrian Grant   2p.m.   
Nick Matthew v Daryl Selby  7 p.m.   
Laura Massaro v Madeline Perry  1 p.m. 
Alison Waters v Lauren Briggs   6 p.m. 

Both holders, Massaro and Selby survive and how good it is to have Alison Waters back after a long and troublesome Achilles injury. She must be thrilled to have a chance to make the final and all the signs are that she is as good as everand that's very good!  

The Massaro-Perry match looks heavy: both girls are in fine form and have enjoyed much success in the past few years. Willstrop lost to Grant early in the season in Manchester at the British Grand Prix,so will be on his guard this afternoon, especially as he has been busy with television and radio appearances, promoting his book.

The Matthew/Selby match promises much, as Selby is not the sort to let go easily. All in all a day to look forward to in splendid surroundings.

Round up of all of today's matches to follow.

Anticipated final of Willstrop and Matthew excitment

Tuesday 7th february 2012 by Malcolm Willstrop

The British Closed Championship,which has always been one of the hardest national titles to win, with such as Jonah Barrington, Peter Nichol and Lee Beachill as past champions begins in Manchester tomorrow and will be harder to win that ever before.

The two top-seeded players Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, both Yorkshiremen, are ranked 1 and 2 in the world.The three/four seeds are Peter Barker, the world no.7 and holder Daryl Selby, who beat world no.4 Karim Darwish in New York. The winner will certainly come from one of the four and that's no disrespect to the other quality players in the draw.   

According to the seeding the quarter finals on Thursday and Friday would look like this: Willstrop v Chris Ryder 
Barker v Tom Richards 
Selby v Adrian Grant  
Matthew v Chris Simpson

Although it would be a major surprise were the top four not to advance, Richards and Grant are likely to offer strong challenges.  

A repeat of the many finals,including the World, Commonwealth and most recently the TOC, Willstrop and Matthew would look most likely and Matthew is on a long winning run, though several of the matches have been very close including the British Open final 2010 and most memorable of all, the Canary Wharf Classic semi final 2010, both of which ended in fifth set tiebreaks, Canary Wharf after two hours seven minutes of brutal squash. 

Despite Matthew's dominance another final between the two, if it happens, will have popular appeal and raise media and general interest. It will almost certainly guarantee a sell out crowd too.

Much anticipated excitement for the British Championships

Monday 6th Febraury by Malcolm Willstrop

The British Championship played at Manchester Sports City has been won by some of the world's greatest ever players, the legendary Jonah Barrington and Peter Nichol amongst them. Pontefract's Lee Beachill has a record second to none in the championship, having won it three times. James Willstrop is twice a winner and the 2012 edition is without doubt the strongest ever. Willstrop and Nick Matthew, having just played the final of the Tournament of Champions in New York, are ranked 1 and 2 in the world and they are therefore seeded to meet in Sunday's final. Not that their passage to the final will be easy: world no. 7 Peter Barker and holder Daryl Selby, who beat world no.4 Karim Darwish in New York, will provide serious opposition. They are likely to be the four semi-finalists on Saturday, with Willstrop scheduled to meet Barker and Selby to play Matthew.  

The Women's championship is almost as strong with World no.2 Jenny Duncalf and Lancashire's Laura Massaro, world no.3 probable finalists.  

Pontefract play Oxford in the National League at home next Tuesday and look as if they will be able to turn out a strong side for a change. Willstrop is a probable starter and Indian no.2 Siddarth Suchde makes his first appearance. Lee Beachill, Simon Parke and Vanessa Atkinson are all definites. The club's third team registered a convincing win over Chapel Allerton 3rd team 4-1, with wins from James Fender, James Thompson, Chris Emerson and Tom Bamford and the 4th team were on the verge of  a 3-2 win over Malton when Craig Smith, leading 2-0 and within two points of victory suffered an Achilles injury.  

Smith was making a comeback after a long absence and had been impressing in practice. Youngsters Jack Cooper and Brad Gallivan provided the wins.  

In the National Under 19 mixed championship Pontefract,who have a record second to none in the competition beat Northumbria Squash club 3-2 to progress to the next round. Emerson, Cooper and Gallivan seeing the team home after Pontefract's two girls had lost. 

The Men's National Club team play Brampton Manor Thursday for a place in the quarter finals with a powerful side: Suchde, Neil Cordell,Alex Hodgetts, Sam Wileman and Adam Taylor.  Emma Beddoes, the England International, who has recently become part of Pontefract's world class team ,won the Meadowood Pharmacy Open in Winnipeg Canada, coming from 2-0 down against Danish no.1 Line Hansen to win 11-7 in the fifth.   

The saddest aspect of the week was the funeral of one of the club's most popular players Bev Bartram, when many Pontefract members attended the service. Condolences go to Pat and Bev's family.

Shot and a Ghost - Pre-Order Now!

Tuesday 31st January by Mick Todd

For all of those who have been asking questions about James' book and when it will be released the date is 13th February and is available now on pre-order from James' website (www.willstrop.co.uk) or from Amazon priced at £9.99.

Be quick and for the first 100 people to pre-order their copy will be personally signed by James himself!

Acclaim for ‘A Shot and a Ghost’:

"There aren't many sports book that I read and feel the sportsman himself jumps off the pages. James' book shows the stresses of top level sport on and off the court. A great read."
Matt Pinsent, BBC Sport and four times Olympic gold medalist

"Willstrop is a very different sort of British sporting hero: a militant vegetarian, lover of musicals, obsessive-compulsive with a constant need to wash his hands and a man who had been coached from childhood by his father. Yet he is also one of
Britain's finest ever racket sports players and in this fascinating autobiography, he reveals his journey from the cold municipal courts of Pontefract, through crippling injury and personal despair to the world No 1 ranking in squash. A sportsman who deserves greater publicity than he gets"
Patrick Kidd, The Times

Near miss in New York but still a chance at the British Closed

Monday 30th January by Malcolm Willstrop

James Willstrop's unbeaten run In PSA World tour events came to an end on Grand Central Station, New York, but not before he reached the final. A series of impressive 3-0 wins over Zac Alexander (Australia) Mohammed Abbas (Egypt), Peter Barker and Daryl Selby, two Englishmen, Selby having put out the third seed, Karim Darwish (Egypt), took Willstrop to the final, where he faced fellow Yorkshireman and World no.2 Nick Matthew. He won the first game in the final and at 9-8 in the second, had a winning opportunity on a forehand drop, which clipped the tin. Two game balls would have ensued and 2-0 deficits are hard to reverse at world levels, but Matthew levelled at one all, won the third more comfortably and then saw off a renewed  challenge from Willstrop in the fourth, winning 3-1 after 85 minutes.  

The result means that Matthew will regain the World no.1 spot,w ith Willstrop back at two.   

The way things are the two of them are likely to be locked in battle at the top of the world rankings for a while. They are seeded to meet each other in the next PSA World Series event, the North American Open in Virginia later in February and before that seeded to meet in the final of the British Closed Championship at Manchester Sports cIty which begins this weekend. With World no.7 Peter Barker and holder Daryl Selby in the draw,the British title has world status.  

The club's Yorkshire league Premier sides both lost 4-1 last week. The 1st's to league leaders Dunnington, Saurav Ghosal, making his first appearance of the season, winning 3-1 against world tour player, Chris Simpson. Ghosal goes to Sweden this week for the Swedish Open and not for the first time this season has a tough draw, this time against top-seeded world no 3 Gregory Gaultier.  

The 2nd team lost to Hallamshire, Mark Swift winning 3-2 and Adam Taylor, looking the more likely winner, before losing 3-2. 

The Yorkshire Under 13 boys team, containing three Pontefract players, Eliot Ridge, Lewis Southward and Sam Todd, playing at Norton Squash club, Durham and Cleveland, beat Durham 3-2, Northumbria 4-1 and Warwickshire 5-0 to take their place in the finals on March 17th and 18th at Lillieshall.  

On Sunday The Under 19 Mixed team challenge for a national title they have won numerous times, at Pontefract. The probable team is Chris Emerson, Jack Cooper, Tom Bamford, Brad Galivan, Hannah Shipley and Ella Grayson.   

The next National league match is a home fixture against Oxford on February 14th.   

James Willstrop's book 'A Shot and a Ghost' is due to be released on Saturday, with a foreward from Olympic gold medal winning oarsmen Matthew Pinsent and reviews from the country's top Rugby League coach Tony Smith and the Times newspaper.

All eyes on Willstrop as Semis loom

Wednesday 25th January by Malcolm Willstrop

James plays British Champion, Daryl Selby, for a place in the 2012 TOC final, tonight. If he plays as well as he did against Peter Barker in the quarters, he has every chance of being successful. His record suggests he thrives in the big cities: he has always performed well in New York, winning in 2010 and has an outstanding record at Canary Wharf. He will certainly be happy to have won all his three matches 3-0, a feature of his successes at the end of 2011. His performance against Barker drew plaudits from all quarters and the New York Crown, a great crowd to play in front of, showed their appreciation of what bordered on a complete performance. Whether he maintains his newly acquired World No.1 ranking depends on the happenings in New York during the next two days. Whatever does happen, James has shown that he will not be easily dethroned.

A Ghost is due on February 4th and a foreword by Olympic oarsman and an endorsement from top Rugby League Coach, Tony Smith, will do its selling prospects no harm and there has already been much interest shown in the squash world. Unlike many publications James wrote the book himself - no ghosting there!

On to the semis #TOC #hopingforanothervictory

Wednesday 25th January by Malcolm Willstrop

James advanced to the semi finals of the Tournament of Champions in New York with a display that thrilled not only his supporters, but the enthusiastic  Grand Central crowd. He brushed aside the World no.7 Peter Barker in straight games, Barker,for all his athleticism, powerless from the word go. This is James's third 3-0 victory and there is no doubt that on the World tour at the highest levels the abilty to preserve energy duirng events is a major factor. Although his unbeaten run came to an end at the Queen's Club in the World Series, in PSA championships it remains intact: unbeaten, winning the Cathay Pacific Open, the Kuwait Cup and the Punj Lloyd World Masters in Delhi, he has carried that on in New York. In fact, remarkably, he has dropped only one game, that to Gregory Gaultier, the first in Delhi which lasted a record breaking 59 minutes.  He will play Daryl Selby in the semi finals on Wednesday, midnight our time. Meanwhile he and others will be very interested in the outcome of the two remaining semi finals: Nick Matthew v Mohammed el Shorbagy and the great Amr Shabana v Gaultier, the latter, a match good enough to grace any final. One of them is going home-that's how tough it is on the World tour these days!

Promising start in New York

Tuesday 24th January by Malcolm Willstrop

James Willstrop, playing in the Tournament of Champions on Grand Central Station, New York, is so far carrying on from where he left off in 2011. In the first round he beat Zac Alexander, a promising young Australian, 30 and progressed to the quarter finals with another 3-0 win over experienced Egyptian Mohammed Abbas, who had done well to beat Alister Walker, formerly from Chapel Allerton, in the first round. Willstrop now faces Peter Barker for a place in the semi finals and his performance in New York will determine whether he retains his World no. 1 ranking in February. On return from America Willstrop will prepare for the British Closed at Manchester Sports City, where the World's top two players will be seeded one and two, Nick Matthew being the current World no.2.The British Championship has never been easy to win and this year's event is top world class.

Pontefract's first Premier Yorkshire League team returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win over Queen's Halifax. Although two former Pontefract players, National Coach David Campion and James Earles won for Queen's, wins by club stalwarts, Simon Gittins and Peter Lonsdale and Alex Hodgetts clinched the match for Pontefract.    

The Seond team found a very strong Barnsley team too much and lost 5-0. The first team go this week to league leaders Dunnington, when Indian no.1 and Champion Saurav Ghosal will make his first appearance of the season for the club. He is currently preparing for the Swedish open  in Linkoping later this month. The second team take on Chapel Allerton at home.  

The Yorkshire Under 15 girls team, containing three Pontefract players, Megan Kaye, Jessica Beachill and Ellen Cooper won stage two of the Inter county Championships to qualify for the finals on March 10th. They beat Warwickshire 3-2, Lancashire 4-1 and Cambridgeshire 3-2 after some closely contested matches.

Tournament of Champions - Only 3 days to go

Wednesday 18th January by Malcolm Willstrop

James Willstrop plays his first PSA championship as World no.1, the Tournament of Champions on the famous Grand Central Station New York, beginning on Saturday. A previous winner in 2010 when he performed the unique feat of beating Amr Shabana, Karim Darwish and Ramy Ashour in succession, all three having held the World No. 1 ranking, he is seeded to meet fellow Yorkshireman and current World Champion Nick Matthew in the final. In form Shabana and Gregory Gaultier are in Matthew's half and since he is making a comeback from injury,they will provide tough opposition, though he does have the priceless advantage of being fresh. Willstrop has Darwish, Thierry Lincou and Peter Barker in his half.  

Should the seedings be borne out - and that is no certainty-the quarter final line up will be as follows;

Matthew v Mohammed El Shorbagy   
Gaultier v Shabana 
Darwish v Lincou 
Willstrop v Barker

Four fascinating matches, with the Gaultier-Shabana clash, a repeat of the recent World Super Series final, the standout.    

As is the norm these days the first round features several heavy matches, especially for those involved: Gaultier v Spanish no.1 Borja Golan, German no.1 Simon Rosner v Tarik Momen and perhaps heaviest of all Daryl Selby v Darwish. TOC is one of, if not the most glamorous event on the World tour and even without the regrettably absent Ramy Ashour through injury, there is little doubt that the 2012 edition will live up to expectations.

First and Second teams miss key players

Tuesday 17th January by Malcolm Willstrop

Pontefract's National League side, without the services of James Willstrop, Saurav Ghosal and Simon Parke lost 4-1 to Northern  Division leaders Duffield at home. 

World Champion Nick Matthew, playing 1 for Duffield, made a comeback from injury beating Lee Beachill 3-0, but Duffield's world no.2 Jenny Duncalf came off with a thigh injury at one all against Vanessa Atkinson. Promising 17 year old Tamindar Gata-Aura played well in a 3-1 loss to Austrian no.1 Aqeel Rehman and Neil Cordell lost 3-1 to World Universities champion Joel Hinds. Nor did the club's Yorkshire League Premier sides fare much better: the first team lost 5-0 to Phoenix, though Vanessa Atkinson and Simon Gittins both went down narrowly 3-2 and the second team lost 4-1 to Abbeydale, Adam Taylor providing the only win 3-0. 

Both teams will be stronger this week: George Wileman reurns for the first team against Queen's Halifax at home and England international Emma Beddoes, who had then best win of her career in the National League for Nottingham last week beating world no.3 Madeline Perry 3-0, returns for the second team at Barnsley. The club's 3rd and 4th teams, however,made winning starts to 2012. The third team won 4-1 at AF Squash and the young 4th team beat Rothwell 5-0, Daniel Siddall making a welcome return to action and Nathan Foster recovering from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

James Willstrop plays his first tournament as World no.1 when he heads for New York this week to play the glamorous Tournament of Champions on Grand Central Station. He is seeded to meet Egypt's Ramy Ashour in the semi-final and Nick Matthew in the final. Willstrop won the title in 2010 when he became the first player to beat the three top world class Egyptians, Amr Shabana, Ashour and Karim Darwish in  a row, a record that remains intact.

Jessica Beachill, one of the club's promising young players combines squash and show jumping and has been selected for an England trial in March, which would mean, if selected, that she would compete in the Pony Club Mounted Games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on her pony Inka.

Will television create opportunities for squash?

Saturday 14th January by Malcolm Willstrop

Without doubt the Sky Sports coverage of the recent World Series from Queen's club, London was the most significant happening in the modern era of the game of squash. The long battle to prove that squash is televisual is now over.  

Happily Tony Wrighton, not a squash person, though I understand he does play, proved to be an admirable choice as main presenter with his enthusiasm and easy manner. With Joey Barrington, first class commentator and Vanessa Atkinson and Lee Beachill providing expert summaries, the World Series could hardly have been better presented. 

To top it all the incomparable Amr Shabana, genius with the racket, sportsman of the highest calibre, produced squash of an unmatchable quality. Thriving on the early best of three formula he might have been considered vulnerable when it came to the best of five final. Not a bit of it. Maintaining his semi final form, he was far too skilled and stable for the increasingly volatile Gregory Gaultier, whose altercations with referees are so unproductive and increasingly boorish.  

If anyone concerned with the London Olympics was watching, I hope seeing top class athletes playing one of the most demanding games on earth, made them realise what the Games will be missing. From all quarters, squash interested and less interested people have said to me how impressed they were with the coverage. I understand that despite the counter attraction on Sunday of the dreaded game football, the viewing figures were well up and beyond expectations. I say a hearty well done to all concerned, most of all Ziad al Turki, without whose support, vision and love of the game none of what happened would have been possible.

Not so lucky in Queen's but onward to New York

Tuesday 10th January by Malcolm Willstrop

James Willstrop begins 2012 as the World's no.1 squash player, but his unbeaten run of 17 matches came to an end at the Queen's Club in London at the World Super Series.Having won his first two matches in style against Karim Darwish, World no 4,and Mohammed El Shorbagy, World no 6, both 2-0, thus qualifying for the semi finals, he lost the third of his group matches to Malaysian, Azlan Iskandar, 2-1. 

Having topped his group he faced the legendary Amr Shabana in the semi finals, a player with whom he has enjoyed many fine matches, the most recent being in the quarter finals of the World Championships in Rotterdam in November when Willstrop won 3-1. Well suited to the best of three formula of the World Series Shabana edged the crucial first game 13-11 on a tiebreak and fortified ,playing at his best, he took the second to reach the final. Willstrop will no doubt be disappointed not to have reached the final, but Shabana proved the value of the form by going on to beat Frenchman, Gregory Gaultier, 3-2,in a classic final, the only match to played best of five. Sky Sports televised the semi finals and final live, with Formula One presenter Tony Wrighton, assisted in commentary by Vanessa Atkinson and Lee Beachill. The man behind the World Series and much of squash's progress is PSA chairman Ziad al Turki, whose vision and expertise have secured televison interest.

Willstrop goes next to New York for the Tournament of Champions, played on the most most glamorous of stations, Grand Central, which he won in 2010 and in which he has enjoyed some classic encounters with Ramy Ashour. They could meet again in the semi finals, something the enthusiastic New York crowds would love to see again, but much will depend on Ashour's troublesome injury problems, which are blighting his career at the moment. 

Yorkshire and National League squash resumes this week after the holiday period. All four Yorkshire league teams are in action and the depleted National League side will play Duffield at home. Saurav Ghosal has been unable to secure a flight  back in time, Simon Parke is unwell and James Willstrop's appearance will be subject to the demands of New York. Siyoli Walters, the South African no.1 woman player, currently trainign at Pontefract, may make her debut for the team.

Pontefract Junior Open - Round up and results

Sunday 1st January by Malcolm Willstrop

This year's Pontefract Junior Open Under 13-Under 19 was completely dominated by Andrew Cross's malaysian contingent, who not only know how to play, but also know how to conduct themselves. 

Malaysians, who have as their heroine and role model, Nicole David, by far the World's outstanding woman player, currently World no.1 and many times World Champion, took 6 of the 8 titles, perhaps the most remarkable being the Girls' under 13 champion, 10 year old Nurul Izzah, who, it seems had come along for the ridesome ride! 

The capable Jadeleen Jinse Lee won the Under 17 Girls' title, only Alicia Mead causing her any trouble. Sanjay Singh, much to his delight, won the competitive Boys' Under 19 championship, perhaps a little fortunate to beat Tamindar Gata-Aura 12-10 in the fifth, Gata-Aura having served at 10 -8 in the final game for the match. Gata-Aura in the end finished 4th and Alex Hodgetts, who lost to him 3-2 in the quarters, also did well to finish 8th.
Pontefract's Katie Smith came closest to a local victory,losing 12-10 in the fifth to Canadian, Hollie Naughton, who has strong Barnsley connections. Ellen Cooper, 4th in the Under 13 girls, Eliot Ridge ,10th in the Under 13 Boys and 8 year old, Sam Todd, 15th in the same division, all performed with credit. 

Terry Dudley and his team of helpers ran the Championships with his usual affable efficiency and the winners had the good fortune to receive their prizes from new World no.1 James Willstrop and former World no.1 Vanessa Atkinson. 

Yorkshire League and National League resume next week: the 1st Premier League team play Phoenix away and the second team are at home to Abbeydale. The National League team is also back in action on Tuesday with a home fixture against Duffield.

Results

• Pontefract Junior Open - B13R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - B15R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - B17R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - B19R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - G13R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - G15R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - G17R
  
• Pontefract Junior Open - G19R
  

A father's pride and a new world No.1

Tuesday 27th December 2011 by Malcolm Willstrop

When James won the British Junior Under 13 Open many years ago he spoke at the club of the pleasure of winning being heightened by sharing it with others. When he won his third World Super Series title in  a row, the Punj Lloyd Masters in Delhi, following his wins in the Cathay Pacific Open in Hong Kong and the inauagural Kuwait Cup to become World no. 1, it was remarkable that long time girlfriend, Vanessa, David, his brother and coach, Mick, his manager and myself were all there, a rarity indeed. To become World no.1 with all four present was more than he could have hoped for and to share his monumental achievement with them no doubt gave him immense pleasure. Add to that the visa drama Mick and I played out for two days and it was even more remarkable that all four made it! By no means am I saying that James wouldn't have won without us: he had just won in Kuwait with no-one there-but our presence probably made the winning all the more enjoyable for him.  

In his winner's speech he was quick to acknowledge the contribution of others to his success: Alison Rose, his long time physio. Mark, his fitness trainer. Phil and Jade, England Squash's travelling physios, England Squash and Sport England. He is right to say none of it could have happened without all their help.    

The club apparently was packed to the rafters to see the final denouement, the final in Delhi with Gaultier, rival for over 15 years. Nor were James's supporters to be disappointed. The incredible almost hour long first game, breaking records ,was almost a match in itself. Gaultier won it, but the effort destroyed him and when I saw James after it clear eyed, oddly hardly breathing, I knew that Gaultier's number was up. Soon level, James's superior mental strength broke Gaultier down, not for the first time and at 2-1 and 6-1 down in the fourth the Frenchman surrendered, as much mentally as physically injured, I suspect. It was performance worthy of the World's new no.1. 

There was, I understand many a tear shed in Pontefract, just as there was in Delhi, by no means all feminine tears, no doubt by those who have watched the 3 year old who arrived in Pontefract many years ago,fulfil his dreams and their hopes with it. The occasion reflects everything that is good about Pontefract Squash Club-long may those good things endure.

For me personally it was the best day of my life.

Deserved success in Delhi

Tuesday 27th December by Malcolm Willstrop

James Willstrop became World no.1 when he won the Punj Lloyd World Masters Open in Delhi on December 18th, a ranking which becomes official when the next list is published on January 1st. Just as remarkable was the fact that in India he won his third successive World Series title in  a row, almost unthinkable in  these ultra competitive days, extending his winning run to 15 matches. 

Delhi continued Willstrop's love affair with India, which began in Chennai in 2002 when he became World Junior champion. It was from Chennai that Pontefract Squash club long assocaition with Indian players began. Willstrop's sensational end to the season means that he also tops the World Series standings for the World Super Series Championships at the famous Queen's Club, London,January 4th to January 8th, his next engagement. The two groups of four are: Willstrop, Ramy Ashour(Egypt),Karim Darwish (Egypt) and Azlan Iskandar (Malaysia) and Nick Matthew, Gregory Gaultier (France), Peter Barker and Amr Shabana (Egypt). After the round robin the top two players in each group proceed to the semi-finals, which, with the final will be televised live by Sky Sports. After Queen's Willstrop goes to New York for the glamorous and prestigious Tournament of Champions, played on Grand Central Station. He won the title in 2010, beating Ramy Ashour in the final. Their matches there have captivated the New York crowds in recent times and they could meet again in the semi finals.    

This week at the club the Pontefract Junior Open, master minded by Terry Dudley, will be the focus of attention. Former Pontefract player and now Malaysian National coach, Andrew Cross, has brought a group of Malaysian players and there will be heavy competition for the titles from under 13 to under 19, the finals to be played on Friday. Pontefract's trio of junior internationals, Katie Smith, Taminder Gata-Aura and Jack Cooper will be the best of the home challengers.

Willstrop is King of the World

Tuesday 21st December 2011 by Mick Todd

After a tiring but worthwhile trip to India at last James Willstrop has achieved the coveted position of World No.1. James will enter the rankings in January 2012 as World No.1 after taking the title from Nick Matthew who has held it for 2011.

It is a testament to James that he has achieved certainly what many believed he deserved as not only he won his 3rd tournament in a row but also had his chance to be known as the best in the world of squash.

It is also at this time that as well as recognising the talent, hard work and passion that James has for the game that I also (begrudgingly) make sure that respect and recognition is given to his father and coach, Malcolm Willstrop. Malcolm has an impressive string of elite players and high ranking success stories in both male and female players but never before was the pride and joy evident as Malcolm watched his son not only win the Punj Lloyd Masters but also the realisation that his son was World No.1.

I am sure that there will be lots of happiness in the Willstrop household at Christmas this year and deservedly so. From myself, the board and on behalf of the entire club I would like to congratulate James on his achievement, dedication to the club and the game and the massive respect I have for him not only as a manager but for the fact that he plays the game with integrity, respect and with honour.

Congratulations James - always our No.1 but now its official!

Mick Todd

CEO Pontefract Squash & Leisure Club

Dunlop Junior Pontefract Open - Draw is now released

Monday 19th December 2011 by Terry Dudley

With a week to go until the Dunlop Junior Pontefract Open the draws for all age categories are now below.

Don't forget to join us for what is sure to be 4 amazing days of Squash with some spectacular talent on show.

The tournament will run from 27th-30th December and if anyone needs any more information please contact reception on 01977 793333.

Dunlop Junior Pontefract Open - Draw

• Boys U13 Draw
  
• Boys U15 Draw
  
• Boys U17 Draw
  
• Boys U19 Draw
  
• Girls U13 Draw
  
• Girls U15 Draw
  
• Girls U17 Draw
  
• Girls U17 Draw
  

Strongest are back ready for National League

Monday 5th December by Malcolm Willstrop

Pontefract Courtcraft go to Nottingham this week for a National League match with a team close to the strongest it could turn out. The Indian pair, Saurav Ghosal and Siddarth Suchde are not available, since they are playing their National Championships in Chennai, but James Willstrop makes his first appearance of the season. With Lee Beachill, Simon Parke and Vanessa Atkinson all playing the match looks evenly balanced. Willstrop, his December World ranking of 2 confirmed and now joint leader in the World Series rankings, will then head for Delhi and the Punj Lloyd Masters with the World no.1 spot within his sights. Atkinson, after her well received performance as presenter in the recent World Championships in Rotterdam will be presenting in Delhi, which is the last PSA tournament of 2011. The World's leading players will soon be back in action though, when they go to Queen's Club in London on January 4th for the World Series, which features the top 8 players in the world based on Super Series events in 2011.  

This week the Pontefract 1st Premier League side take on the Premier League 2nd team which will provide plenty of local interest, especially as the two teams are split on ability. A young 4th Yorkshire League team did well to beat Wakefield 3-2, with wins from Jack Cooper, the British under 15 champion at 1, Matthew Haigh and Thomas Howell. Other young players making their mark include Lewis Southward, who, having lost in the final of the Under 13 North of England champioship, score his first tournament win in the Carlisle Under 13 open beating another Yorkshireman Ross Singleton 3-1 in the final the following weekend. 

Eliot Ridge continues to imprees and he won his first match in the Leeds Senior Metro league, adding to Sam Todd's previous win in the same league.

Roy Keane, who showed much promise on the squash court on his visit to Pontefract with Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith was quickly spotted having lunch in Pontefract, where the staff could not resist asking him for autographs and posed pictures. He good naturedly obliged, his main complaint about his visit being that he was so stiff after his squash exertions he could hardly walk the next day!

Draft minutes from July's AGM

Wednesday 10th August by Gill Choyce

Below is a link to the draft minutes from the AGM held at Pontefract, Squash & Leisure Club on July 18th 2011. Please note these are draft minutes and are subject to formal approval in July 2012.

Should there be any comments and/or ammendments please contact Gill Choyce, the club Secretary, no later than September 2nd 2011.

• PSLC AGM Minutes July 2011
  Draft minutes of AGM held at Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club on July 18th 2011.