2002 British Nationals

February 24 - The British Nationals [men's draw] [womens draw]

By England Squash, Steve Cubbins Press Officer; photos © 2002 Fritz Borchert

BEACHILL SURPRISES

"Come on Beach, you're the man!", called out fans from Beachill's home club, Pontefract, as Lee Beachill pressed his advantage against Peter Nicol.

Beachill (l) dominated Nicol (r)

Lee Beachill, defending British National Champ, took the first game from Nicol 15/8. Beachill used relentless length to keep world number one Peter Nicol from taking the initiative.

"I just felt I had to get the ball past him before going for anything short," explained Beachill afterwards. It was Beachill, throughout the match, who controlled the pace, denying Nicol any opportunity to take the inititaitive. "He just keeps getting everything back," said Beachill, "but you've got to keep him behind you or he'll take you apart. I was lobbing well to both sides, and he wasn't really doing anything with them."

Nicol rallied to take the second game15/13, but Beachill reimposed his tactics in the third, which kept the world champion on the defensive and running throughout the third game, which Beachill took 15/5.

Nicol again started the fourth with a strong attack, but he was not able to maintain control over the pace. Once Beachill had levelled the game at 8-all it was all Nicol could do to keep pace with the local star. At 12-10 down Nicol retrieved at least three impossible balls, but it still wasn't enough. It seemed that all of the Pontefract club was there to cheer their man on as Beachill clinched the final game 15/10 to create a bit of squash history as the first man to retain the title since its inception in 1974.

Campion (r) kept Charman-Smith off balance.

"Lee played really well," said Nicol. "I wasn't moving as well as I can, but all credit to Lee, when he plays like that he can beat anyone." "I knew there was a really good game in me this week," said a delighted Beachill. "I'm just glad it came in the final with so many friends and supporters here to watch and cheer me on."

CASSIE CLAIMS NUMBER FOUR
Cassie Campion claimed her fourth National title at the Velodrome today, with a dominating 3/0 victory over second seed Linda Charman-smith in 36 minutes.

"I had a game plan," said Cassie, "but I was quite nervous to start with and made a few errors." Charman-Smith took a 5-1 lead in the first game primarily on those Campion errors. The rest of the match was dominated by Campion, driving her opponent to all corners of the court, then putting the ball away for winners with Charman-Smith out of position.

"I got my game together during the first," said Campion, "and I felt really strong in the third." Campion's fourth title leaves her one short of Sue Cogswell's five. "I had a look at the book before today and saw that Sue had five," she said. "Hopefully I've got a few more years in me to go for that record. It's good to be back to something like my best form after so long out of action."

British Nationals Results
Men's Final:
[4] Lee Beachill (Yorks) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Yorks) 15/8, 13/15, 15/5, 15/10 79m
Women's Final:
[1] Cassie Campion (Norfolk) bt [2] Linda Charman-Smith (Sussex) 9/5, 9/6, 9/2 36m