December 11 , 2002

Upset in India.... Julian Illingworth scored an important win for both the team and his own career in taking out highly regarded Dutch Junior Dylan Bennett (5-8 seed in individuals) in 4 games.

The Prince US Junior Men’s Team continues to shock the field at the World Junior Championships in India, this time in the Team competition.

Based on the individual play - in which Julian Illingworth’s upset number three seed Moustafa Essam - Team USA earned the tenth seed overall, and the third seed in the Group B pool behind Pakistan and Holland and ahead of Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.

Day one team matches went as forecasted, with the US falling to Pakistan 3-0, and defeating bottom-seed Zimbabwe 3-0. The team’s first challenge came on day two against Holland. According to Assistant Coach Duncan Pearson, “This is the match we’re gearing everything toward. A victory over Holland would give the boy’s a legitimate shot at the top eight draw.”

And so it began. Number two Holland vs. number three US, with the nation’s top dogs, Julian Illingworth and Dylan Bennet, playing first.

The first game was a nail-bitter, with Julian coming out of the blocks seemingly tentative and nervous about his tactics. Julian was down 7-1 before he found a groove and strung together a few quick points. In the end, Julian made a comeback and won the first 10-8. This was a key psychological blow, as he had proved to Bennett he could come from behind.

The second, Dylan came out stronger and won, but it was again a close game. The next two games, Julian pushed Dylan to his limits and eventually won the next two games, with Julian bageling Bennet in the fourth. A good way to start off the match with the 7th seed Holland.

Next on was Chris Gordon at #2, who was playing a diesel of an opponent. He was big and strong, and very steady. In this match, Chris was just overpowered and eventually fell in 3.

The match now layed on the shoulders of Nick Chirls at #3. Nick came out very nervous the first game, trying to shoot the ball into victory. His stratgey didnt work. He began shooting the ball too of! ten giving the dutchmen opportunties to end the points. Nick dropped the first rather quickly. The next game, Nick came out with a slightly different strategy playing tough but still making mistakes, getting down 7-2 in the second.

Then the tide shifted. From that point was dominating, hitting nicks and every shot to perfection. He came back that game and pulled it out. Couple of fist pumps later, Nick won the third 9-0, then the fourth 9-0. Sweet victory for the US.

Nick said after the match that he had so much adrenaline throughout the whole match.

We now control our own destiny in the pools. Tomorow we play Hong Kong, and if we win, we will advance out of our pool and into the top 8!! For the rest of the day we will enjoy our victory and be ready and focused for our match tomorow. - Michael and Team USA