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Power beaten by White and Referee
English Open Comes to a Rousing First Year Conclusion at the Crucible
By Martin Bronstein © 2003; all rights of reproduction reserved.
August 17, 2003 

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Power and White upstaged by the refereeing (photo © 2003 Fritz Borchert)

Sad to report that a fine tournament came to a sour conclusion when the final between world number three John White and world number four Jonathon Power was decided more by some atrocious refereeing than the play between the two most talented players in the world.

The referee was sited at the back of the hall ten yards from the back wall, a situation that means he doesn't see a lot of the action very clearly. That is my very charitable conclusion to some outstandingly bad decisions, most of them against Power but White too had to suffer when he had clearly hit a winner only to hear the words "Yes let."

It is clear that the referee, Peter Kramer has not seen Power play too often and doesn't appreciate the blinding speed that the Canadian can produce in pursuit of the ball. Nor would he give Power a stroke when White had put the ball down the middle of the court and then failed to clear to give Power the room to make his stroke.

In the first game Power got every bad decisions and complained bitterly that White was not letting him through to the ball. It was a long testing game with both players being cautious with their attacking shots and using the back corners to keep their opponent honest. White still managed to hit some scintillating winners - as well as some pretty bad errors. He came from 4-0 down to even the score at 7-all and move inexorably to 14-11 at which point the marker intoned, yet again, 'no let' and
White was home 15-ll.

Power came back for the second and immediately went into the lead, the referee giving him two strokes in situations, which in the first game, he wouldn't even give him a let. With Power leading 5-3, White went blank, hit five errors in seven rallies and at 10-6 sort of lost interest, allowing Power an easy 15-7 game in 17 minutes.

The Crucible - A Great Venue (photo © 2003 Fritz Borchert)

In the third games all communication and semblance of order broke down with Power leading 12-7 - virtually home, the game almost in his pocket. At the end of the next rally he chased a ball, called a let, was denied, and was then penalised a stroke for bad language. The score was now 12-9: White upped his game, Power let down after yet another referee low blow. The score reached 13-all and White left himself in completely the wrong position. It was a textbook penalty stroke situation but once again, the referee got it wrong and gave Power a let. Had the right decision been given, Power would have been at game ball. Now he was visibly disturbed and while he played the next two points, the sharpness was not there and White won 15-13 after 26 minutes of hard squash.

The third game was played in near silence, the spectators glumly watching the final game of a match that promised everything and delivered gloom. Power could not summon up his usual brio and while his effort was more than going through the motions, it was much, much less than we normally expect from him. It was over in 11 minutes 15-11 for White, the final point was yet another No Let decision for Power after he had hit White with his racket in preparing his shot. The referee said he had appealed for the let after hitting the ball. But by this time not many people cared and the handshake was not met with the usual fervent ovation for the winner, but a formal round of applause.

ALLEN FOR PRO
World referee Jack Allen, thought by many to be the best referee going, was a spectator yesterday and told me he was retiring from the Belfast police force next year. He joking said he was going to become a pro squash referee. I fervently wish that could happen Or failing that, let us move to the three referee system which ensures that bad decisions can be overturned by the line men. For my money, this American system is still the best invented. At least it means you would have two officials sitting next to the back wall with differing views. And much closer to the action than the officials today.

THREE CHEERS FOR PETE, TIM AND ANGUS
This first Prince English Open has been a success which must encourage all in Brit squash. Peter Nicol, Tim Garner and Angus Kirkland, all players, got together and bravely put this tournament together with the help of Prince in the UK. For a first effort, they should all be applauded. Sure they got some things wrong, but the important thing is they are talking to everybody and next year - and I am assured there will be a next year - they will correct all those things, brush up the presentation and , hopefully, add another tournament to the circuit.

PRINCE ENGLISH OPEN

FINAL: John White (SCO) bt Jonathon Power (CAN) 15-11, 7-15, 15-13, 15-11. (83 mins)

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