22 September 2013
- Joe Lee became the first English winner of The NASH Cup presented by
the Roberts Nash Advisory Group after beating Canada's former champion
Shawn Delierre in the final of the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash
event in its sixth year at London Squash & Fitness Club in London,
Ontario, in Canada.
"Head to head, Joe led
Shawn 2-0 on the PSA Tour, but the last meeting was in 2011," reported
event spokesman Dave Morrish. "This match was another one that was very
hard to call, having seen both players throughout the week. Joe has
been solid throughout the week, but Shawn has been explosive!"
In the first game, Lee
quickly converted a 5-3 lead into 9-3. "Joe went 10-3 up with a drop
from a boast and then Shawn gave Joe the game with a tin," explained
Morrish.
"Shawn came out strong
in the second game like a wounded warrior and quickly won the first two
points. Joe responded with two winners to bring it back to 2-2. Joe is
doing something that not many players have done against Shawn until now
- he is dropping from Shawn's working boast and reasserting the
advantage - and this is good."
From seven-all, Lee won four points in a row to extend his lead to two games.
"It was all Joe at the
start of the third and he built up a 6-2 lead," Morrish continued. "Joe
has definitely got the bit between his teeth, but I know from talking
to him that he is not going to take this for granted. He knows Shawn is
dangerous and has a 'never say die' attitude."
It was on his second
match-ball that Lee finally clinched victory 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 after 47
minutes to win the second PSA Tour title of his career.
In their speeches,
both of the players acknowledged the hard work that had gone into the
tournament, the phenomenal hospitality of the billets, the organization
team (Jay Nash and Morrish) and how much they appreciated the crowd
support.
Tournament founder and
host Jay Nash added: "We made some changes for 2013 by doubling the
purse (we increased the men's purse by $5K and introduced a $5K WSA)
and I couldn't be happier with the way things have turned out.
"I don't understand
why all tournaments don't include a WSA and a PSA together, as the
interaction between the men and women enhanced our members' experience
immensely. We look forward to many more years of The Nash Cup."
