Power Over Nicol To Gain Aberdeen Legends Final
by Tim Garner
September 24, 2011 - Jonathon Power and Derek Ryan will contest the final of the first ever Mr Chips Aberdeen Legends of Squash on Super Sunday after both had wins over higher seeded opponents, albeit it in contrasting styles.
Ryan edged, literally, past Simon Parke over 80 gruelling minutes of squash. Having been asked in his pre-match interview what he was looking for from the match, Ryan commented ‘some savage squash but no injuries!’ and that was certainly what it was. Ryan saved 2 game balls in the first before finally closing it out at his third attempt 13/11. Parke looked to have the upper-hand in the second jumping to 7/1 Ryan fought back impressively to lead 10/8 but Parke rallied and squeezed it out 12/10. Ryan bounced back to win the third but Parke cheered on by the crowd (Parke has played for Aberdeen for many years) desperately fought his way back into the match to tie it up at 2-2, thus setting the ‘sudden death’ 5th! A cagey first rally ended in a let, a similar second rally ended with what appeared to be a stroke for Parke, but the referee thought otherwise much to the crowds disgust and they had to do it all again. Once again both players explored all four corners of the court, before Ryan threw in one of his trade mark trickle boasts and Parke was left floundering, as the Irishman raised his arms aloft.
The much anticipated showdown between arch-rivals Peter Nicol & Jonathon Power certainly lived up to expectations. Both players were welcomed on to court to much acclaim, and the capacity crowd settled in to see if Power could reverse last year’s loss in the 9 Telecom Legends event. The first rally set the tone with both players working the ball round the court and Power dropping the ball deftly across the court into the nick. However, Nicol seemed to have the edge in the first but it was Power who managed to close it out 11/9. Buoyed on by the local support Nicol dug in early in the second but again Power started to assert his authority and utilising holds and flicks, as he is known to do, and jumped to a two game lead. Power clearly had the bit between his teeth as he raced to 6/1 and then 10/7 but buoyed on by the boisterous local crowd Nicol worked hard to claw his way back into it saving 4-balls and setting up a game ball of his own. The last few rallies saw both players desperately looking for an elusive winner, each knowing that it was a pivotal moment in the match. Finally, at the fifth time of asking, Power found the necessary winner and the crowd rose as one to applaud in the words of manager Ali Gorrie ‘the greatest match in the history of the club’.
Results:
Derek Ryan beat Simon Parke 3-2 13/11 10/12 11/7 6/11 1/0 (80 minutes)
Jonathon Power beat Peter Nicol 3-0 11/9 11/6 14/12 (45 minutes)
Today:
3/4th Tim Garner v Simon Parke
Final: Jonathon Power v Derek Ryan
Stuart Fraser Filed This Report On The Early Matches:
ABERDEEN LEGENDS OF SQUASH SATURDAY AFTERNOON REPORT
Former world No.1 Jonathon Power opened up his Mr Chips Aberdeen Legends of Squash campaign with victory over Tim Garner at the Aberdeen Squash & Racquets Club this afternoon.
The Canadian wrapped up an 11/6, 4/11, 11/9, 11/5 win in just 30 minutes over Garner who had, just 18 hours previously, claimed his first ever victory over Peter Nicol.
Power later faces a Saturday night showdown with old rival Nicol. A win for Power will earn him a place in tomorrow’s final, whereas a win for Nicol will see the winner of Pool B decided by games and points difference. Power said: “I’m going to have to relive some of the old notebooks I have on Peter before tonight.”
In Pool A, the former world No.3 Simon Parke won his match with Anthony Ricketts by default after the Australian was forced to retire from the tournament after sustaining an injury in his match against Ireland’s Derek Ryan last night. This means the winner of Parke vs Ryan tonight will go straight through to the final.
Saturday afternoon results:
Simon Parke bt Anthony Ricketts - by default
Jonathon Power bt Tim Garner 11/6, 4/11, 11/9, 11/5
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