Exciting finals sees Michelle Martin outlast strong challenge from Natalie Grainger

It was an awesome match in the final of the City of Perth Silver Bowl challenge at the Royal Kings Park Club on Saturday night 3 July 1999.

We all thought Michelle was in for a tough match as Natalie Grainger was reported in the local media during the week as saying she wanted to be the best in the world and would settle for nothing else. Even World No. 2, Sarah Fitz Gerald, who was there to support the players and to give progress reports on the match, thought Michelle would have to play hard for the topspot, after seeing her stong play the prior week in a series of exhibitions in the Czech republic.

But Michelle took no time proving why she is World number 1 by beating Natalie 9-1, 9-2, 9-10, 9-4. The first game took only six minutes, the second eight and the third would have been all over in seven minutes but Michelle chatted to Natalie before serving at 8-4.

It was the break in concentration that Natalie needed to stop Michelle's momentum. Natalie fought hard to make it eight all and with the crowd urging her on won 10-8. But the entertainment was over and Michelle got back to business winning the fourth 9-4.

It's rare that see such high class squash players in Perth and as the venue could only seat 64 spectators, it was a shame that more of the estimated 39,000 people playing squash in Western Australia could not be there to witness the best in our sport!

Semi-final report

An exciting squash competition is currently being played here in Perth Western Australia. It's the Smoke Free City of Perth Silver Bowl invitation only squash competition for women.

The competition has been played all week and tonight (Saturday 3rd July our time) we have World No 1 Michelle Martin playing World No 5 Natalie Grainger in the grand final. The play off for no 3 and no 4 positions was supposed to be between our very own Western Australian Chris Cooper and New Zealander Sarah Cook. But unfortunatley Sarah had to retire injured after only one game against Natalie Grainger in the semi final.

Chris Cooper is in top form having beat our State No 1 player Julie Eldridge in their last three encounters, but in the semi final Michelle Martin proved too strong for Chris winning 9-1,9-0,9-2.

Grainger has dropped only eight points in her challenge for the prestigious Silver Bowl title.

The Silver Bowl has been won by some of the best including world champion Barbara Wall, Barbara Oldfield, Di Davis and Chris Van Nierop who won a record six consecutive titles.

4 July 1999