Commonwealth
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2002 Commonwealth Games Semis II
by Martin Bronstein in London, July 30 2002

[last update was 5-aug-02 ]

Martin Bronstein, live from Manchester on Tuesday Night

Another Aussie --- Another Power Victory

  
POWER THROUGH TO FINAL
Another day, another Aussie, another victory more or less sums up Jonathon Power's semifinal victory over Stewart Boswell. He might also add another referee who was prepared to show the world that he was not going to take any guff from that there Canadian feller.

Referee Chas Evans laid out his stall very early on, in fact the very first rally, when Boswell backed into Power. Quick as a flash Evans was warning Power for running into Boswell. From that moment on Evans did Power absolutely no favours.

Three times he called no let after Power called let and then got to the ball. "You called for a let too early," he said enigmatically.

"I see interference before other people," Power replied. "You can't have the cake and eat it," Evans said, continuing his enigmatic role. When asked about the reffing later Power said "Maybe that's the way they do things in New Zealand," referring to Evans nationality. I truly hope not.

ANOTHER LONG FIRST GAME

Battle of the Green and Yellow from downunder (photo © 2002 Fritz Borchert)

History repeated itself as Power lost a long first game (34 1/2minutes) to an opponent who was prepared to play his game and attack with the same élan. Boswell is not known for being a shooter, boasting a very good, straight basic game. But tonight he showed a new side to his ever maturing game.

Geoff Hunt told me later that Boswell is working a lot with Rodney Martin at the Australian Institute and he is improving at a great rate. I will take a firm stand and say that the referee influenced the outcome of that first game which ended 9-7 in Boswell's favour. This is not to detract from Boswell whose behaviour on court is impeccable. (As Power said later, it's hard to pick a fight with Stewart because he's such a nice guy).

TOUGH CREATIVE AND GRIPPING - WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?
This was tough squash, with both players pulling out all their creativity and using reactions that can only be measured in nanosecond. My god there were some exchanges that simply stopped you breathing and every rally seemed to have four climaxes. Power was using his keep'em-moving technique and Boswell was using his anything-you-can-do technique. Power's slow start and ref induced performance saw him trail 1-5 and then get into groove to lead 6-5.

There were another 13 hard fought rallies before Boswell finally a cracking boasting which had Power diving full length to reach, but without luck. He lost the game 7-9 (yesterday he lost he first game to Lee Beachill 9-3) and we wondered whether Boswell had found the answer. But Power obviously likes to repeat himself and whereas yesterday he won the second 9-0, tonight he could only mange 9-2 but he did it in six minutes. Boswell told me later that he was tired after the first game and that Power had increased the pace and there was nothing he could do about it. Power did the same in the third running to a 7-0 his wrist working overtime to produce some of his trademark magical shots, a backhand flick and then a faked double flick followed by a soft backhand drop. A tired and dispirited Boswell could not even chase them and he managed one point on a cross court nick before Power finished the game 9-1 in just under ten minutes.

BOSWELL FINDS SECOND WIND…

Boswell tired in the fifth (photo © 2002 Fritz Borchert)

We almost started packing up our lap tops as the fourth started, sure that all Power had to do was a minor mopping up operation, but while he won the first point it was Boswell who started slotting winners and suddenly Power's error rate increased alarmingly - seven errors. Suddenly, dramatically Boswell was leading 7-2. Power tried to up his game which produced a run of three points but Boswell stopped it with a fine forehand drop get hand in, saw a Power backhand boast hit the tin [I keep warning you about that dreadful shot] to put at game ball and then got a stroke to give him the fourth game 9-5 and tie up the match at 2-2. …

BUT POWER HAS LAST LAUGH
This sort of draining semi was the last thing Power wanted if he were going to face peter Nicol in tomorrow's final, and, somewhat annoyed at his lapse in the fourth came back with determination, established a quick lead - with the help of another couple of strange decision from referee Evans - this time against Boswell - and put his opponent in a negative frame of mind. Boswell was very tired and he simply could not carry on picking up those draining drop shots. Power took the game 9-0: he will now try to recuperate quickly enough to outlast Nicol in tomorrow's final. Power wants the medal badly - he is still annoyed at not winning four years ago. Nicol is just determined retain his title: it should be on ehelluva match.

OWENS KEEPS HER DATE WITH DESTINY

Owen thumps Jackman (photo © 2002 Fritz Borchert)

Before these Games started Carol Owens said that she thought a certain player felt she had the gold medal in her back pocket and she was here to pick that pocket. She was of course referring to Sarah Fitz-Gerald (who booked her spot in the final earlier today). Owens has now earned her place in the final with only slightly more work involved.

Cassie Jackman started their semi-final in great form and cracked the ball all over the court. Owens played the same game - a mistake - and paid for it by losing the first game 9-3. The second game was gritty with plenty of errors from both players. Owens' high lobbing game was only rarely to be seen, but when she did use it to put the ball into the back corners she gained the upper hand.

After 19 minutes (and I can't tell you how many tinned backhand boasts from both players) Owens had pulled level with a 9-5 game. She started to relax in the third and her lobs started to tantalize Jackman who cannot resist thumping any ball within arm's length. In five minutes Owens had her second game 9-1 and should have cleaned up the fourth quite quickly but both players were still making a lot of errors and Jackman's shot selection deteriorated rapidly. All Owens had to do was float the ball in the air and sooner or later Jackman would try an impossible volley. This was not great squash and Owens deserved to take the game 9-5 to move forward into the final to pick Fitz-Gerald's pocket.

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