JUNIOR SQUASH NIGHT IS BACK

• Starting from Friday 25th September
• JUST TURN UP AND PLAY
• COST £1
• TIME 6.00 - 7.00pm
• Squash is great fun and good for fitness, see you there

SQUASH JUNIORS SHINE
Ilkley squash juniors had some outstanding performances, in the first major squash tournament of the new season.
Playing in the North East Area tournament, Millie Pughe, u/15 girls, lost in the final in a hard fought 5 set match. Tilly Spence also playing in the u/15 girls, finished a creditable 3rd place. Younger sister Jemima Spence, played in the u/11 girls and finished in the top 8.
In the boys, Jack Bearpark was the star player, playing in the u/15 boys, he defeated the 3rd seed in the quarter finals and lost narrowly 3-1 to the top seed in a outstanding match. Tom Pughe, Ethan Thornton and Tom Bearpark, all won their first round matches in the u/17's, but then lost to seeded players in the 2nd round.
Stu MacGregor played in the u/13 boys, lost his first match, but won his next 2 and lost in the semi finals of the plate.
An encouraging start to the season,
WELL DONE TO ALL.

BSPA Elite Ilkley Finals
Barry Wilkinson's photos here

Squash Awards Evening
Photos

MORE WORLD CLASS SQUASH FOR ILKLEY
MAY 18/19
Following on from the successful Nidd Vale of Ilkley Squash Open, the Ilkley squash club has been asked to host a number of events, called BSPA Elite Series.
Ilkley will be one of only 3 clubs in England to host these events and it will bring to Ilkley many of the world’s top squash stars.

Barry Wilkinson's photos from the weekend here

The British Squash Professionals’ Association is delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new series of events. The BSPA Elite Series will see 12 Men’s and 4 Women’s events take place from May to September, culminating in the BSPA Elite Series Finals in October.
The events themselves will take place at select venues with the first one kicking off on the permanent all-glass court in the National Squash Centre in Manchester on Monday 11th May. Thereafter ILT&SC will share northern events with Manchester.
Tour Director Tim Garner explained the concept ‘The Elite Series will play an important role in the British players’ year as it will give them the opportunity to play competitive matches through out the quieter summer period and at the same time offering the chance to win some good prize money. The series prize fund, including the finals, will be worth nearly £60,000!’
Additionally, the 15.30 BST match each day will also be streamed through the event web-site. See the official site www.bspaelite.co.uk for more information on this and the BSPA Elite Series ’09
Fresh back from helping England win the European Teams, the top seed and world no 11, Adrian Grant will be at Ilkley but he will face a tough challenge from England team mate and world no 21 Darryl Selby.
Matches will start from 8am in the morning and run during the day. Admission is free. For further information, contact Robbie Burnett.

BSPA Elite Series Men's Week 2 18th & 19th May

Pool A
1 Adrian Grant
2 Chris Simpson
3 Pete Billson
4 Chris Truswell

Pool B
1 Daryl Selby
2 Andy Whipp
3 Jaymie Haycocks
4 Dave Barnett

Monday
0800 Adrian Grant v Pete Billson
0900 Daryl Selby v Jaymie Haycocks
1000 Chris Simpson v Chris Truswell
1100 Andy Whipp v Dave Barnett
1400 Adrian Grant v Chris Simpson
1530 Daryl Selby v Andy Whipp

Tuesday
0800 Chris Simpson v Pete Billson
0900 Andy Whipp v Jaymie Haycocks
1000 Adrian Grant v Chris Truswell
1100 Daryl Selby v Dave Barnett
1300 Pete Billson v Chris Truswell
1400 Jaymie Haycocks v Dave Barnett

On the NIDD VALE of ILKLEY Squash Open Finals Day all Ilkley squash fans have had the pleasure of 2 wonderful finals from outstanding squash players and it has been an absolute pleasure to have been involved with them. It is a pity some one has to lose.

The Ladies final had defending champion Laura Lengthorn- Massaro playing Dominique Lloyd -Walter, after her thrilling win over Madeline Perry in the semi-finals. Lengthorn-Massaro won 3-0, but had to be on her best form to beat a determined Lloyd-Walter, who refused to stop running and the big crowd were treated to a wonderful game, which both players show tremendous court coverage. Lengthorn-Massaro, used a good working boast to move Lloyd Walter to all corners and in the 3rd set, played some outstanding cross courts nicks as she looked to take control. To her credit Lloyd -Walter refused to give in, but maybe the 70 minute semi final, started to show in the latter stages of this match, as Lengthorn-Massaro up the pace and took out the 3rd set. 33 minutes of good controlled squash and the title was Lengthorn-Massaro. Hopefully Lloyd-Walter will come back next year and look to go one better.

The Men's Final was a seesaw battle between 2 well matched players, Peter Barker ranked 9 in the world and Ali Walker 16 in the world. The game was played at a frantic pace, which drew gasps from the big crowd, as the players shown breathtaking speed and retrieving from around the court. Baker looked strong in the first and won, 11/5. The next game took over 30minutes and Walker finally won it 14/12. The 3rd set started where the 2nd finished electrifying. Fearsome pace and speed, with some deft touches from both players, but it was Barker who took it 11/9. Walker started strongly in the 4th and opened a big lead which Barker could not peg back and won 11/3. We all waited for the 5th set and were not disappointed. Both players continued to punish each other, with gruelling rallies, many ending in lets, but it was Walker who opened up a slender lead and got to match ball 10-5. Barker tried to hang in and got a couple of points back, but then the match ended in an unexpected way. Walker player what looked to be a winning drop in the backhand front corner, which was called down by the marker, but the referee over ruled it and gave the match to Walker. Barker tried to reason with the referee, but he stuck with his decision, so ended a outstanding match after 100 minutes.

Photos

The commitment, enthusiasm and athleticism shown by all players in the finals, was remarkable and for those who watched these games, we thank the players for coming to Ilkley and giving us world class squash and we look forward to hosting the event again next year.

Results
Laura Lengthorn- Massaro def Dominique Lloyd-Walter 11/6, 11/8, 11/7
Ali Walker def Peter Barker 5/11, 14/12, 9/11,11/3, 11/7

Thanks to our main sponsors Nidd Vale of Ilkley.