RICHARDS SHOWS YOUTHFUL STRENGTH

When the trophy was finally presented after four days of feverish activity at Colets Health and Fitness Club in Surrey, it was local boy Tom Richards who proved the value of young legs by beating Simon Parke in straight games in the final.

Richards, 21, from Weybridge in Surrey, had played eight matches in six days before the match with Parke, but it was Parkes legs that gave out first out. Richards had beaten Nial Rooney and Shaun Larue in the qualifying rounds of the Irish Open, then knocked out the American number one Julian Illingworth in the first round, before being beaten by John White in the quarters. After a rushed flight back to Surrey, Richards knocked out Obaid Jahan Khan and Stacy Ross on Friday, then polished off Steve Meads and Peter Marshall on Saturday.

The semi-final again Marshall had been a really hard slog going the full five games with Marshall running out of gas in the fifth to lose 11-1.

Its really hard going in these tournaments, playing two matches a day, Marshall commented. But I lost the tie-break in the first game. I think If I had won that first game, I could have hung in to win, he said after the 70-minute match..

In the other semi-final, Simon Parke, now 35 years old, had a very easy time as Scott Handley put up a token fight in losing 11-8, 11-4, 11-4. This was welcome relief to Parke who had a monumental five-game match against Ben Ford in the quarters, fighting back from two games down to win.

The final showed just how much Richards has matured in the last two years. The former stroppy teenager now plays a very mature game with little sign of the tantrums that he used to have. He played exactly the right tactics against Parke, keeping the pace high and moving Park around the court, constantly using the boast to take Parke to the front of the court and then driving him to the back.

Parke was world number three eight years ago and 25 years of experience at the top levels can more than make up for his advancing years, but despite some wonderful recoveries and bursts of great speed, he was unable to counter the relentless attack that Richards mounted over the three games. After 50 minutes of breathtaking pace, Richards emerged the 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 winner to deservedly take the winners cheque for 1,000.

When asked about his punishing schedule over the last week, Richards replied:

"I've been waiting to feel bad this whole tournament, but it hasnt happened, I feel quite good. My plan was to plays as fast as I can, because Simon never gives up. My boasts are usually not very good, but today they were working so I kept using them to move him around."

Danny Lee, who has coached Richards from the age of 4, was there to give advice between games, was delighted with his proteges performance.

It was a mature performance and he kept the high pace and a good shot selection, throughout the match. The only area that needs improving is fine tuning his shots when he has his opponent out of position, said Lee, who still works with Richards.

Simon Parke said that he was very impressed with his young opponent.

"He stuck in there all the way. Hes now keeping off the tin and not making so many errors. Hes tough to play."

Which is exactly what everyone used to say about Simon Parke

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