Power Surge In Aberdeen Legends
by Tim Garner
September 22, 2012 - In a repeat of last weeks St George’s Hill final, it was Power on this occasion who stole the headlines as he reversed last weeks result and got the defense of his Aberdeen title off to a flyer.
Third on court tonight, playing in front of a raucous Aberdeen crowd, Power and Palmer put on display of squash worthy of any final. The now leaner looking Canadian has a formidable record in Aberdeen, unbeaten in fact following British Open ‘99 and Legends ’11 success, brought to the court his full artillery. A quick start from Power saw him race to 4/1 and 7/4 leads. The rallies were fast-paced, constructive and most of all entertaining. Palmer worked hard and a combination of winning lengths and trademark volley drops saw him level up at 8/8. Power’s wand soon came back to life though and a winner in the front left corner that was so fast and complex that I can’t even begin to describe it, pulled him two clear at 10/8. An outrageous volley nick from Palmer took him within one point, however a precision forehand straight drop from mid-court from his opponent and it was first blood to the Canadian.
Game 2 formed a similar pattern but it was Palmer in the ascendancy this time as he drew clear from 2/2 to 6/2. A string of points however from Power saw him leap to an 8/6 lead, with the squash on display of the absolute highest standard. The referee was being called into action a lot more at this point, but in fairness to both players all was well above bored and despite some involvement from the crowd, few could argue with the decisions being made. Palmer leveled to 8/8 and then grabbed a game ball at 10/9. Power hit one of the most sensational winners I’ve ever, an overhead behind the back backhand straight volley rolling drop. Sensational. It spurred him on to a few more inspirational rallies and the magician closed the match out 13/11 to end The Marines 100% legends record.
Early in the evening the crowd welcomed first of all to the court Welshman Dave Evans and local hero Peter Nicol. Nicol endured a tough Aberdeen Legends debut last year finishing the tournament without a win, tough for any local to take but especially one with Nicol’s pride. Things started badly too as Evans imposed himself around the court to open a 1 game lead courtesy of some beautiful squash. Whether it was the work Evans had put into winning the first game or Nicol loosening off, or perhaps a combination of the two, The Boss took control of the T, turned retrieving into attacking and 15 minutes late the match was his much to the delight (and relief) of the home crowd.
The match that followed saw adopted Scotsman John White put on a real show against last year’s runner-up Derek Ryan. The Aberdeen crowd had gone 8 years without seeing White in action and based on the performance tonight they will be making the most of every minute he spends on court this weekend. It was however Ryan who started the brighter of the two, racing to a 5/1 lead. White soon turned on the magic though and a serious of well directed slashes of the racket saw him surge ahead and eventually take the game 15/13. Despite all his efforts and fight Ryan simply could not stem the slow of winners coming from the racket of White and an 11/9 scoreline saw White close out the match 2/0.
Final match of the evening saw adopted local lad Simon Parke take on Aberdeen regular Tim Garner. Parke came out the blocks the faster of the two and despite some resistance from his opponent he took the game 11/3 in quick time. A complete reversal saw Garner dominate proceedings and again in quick time the game was over 11/3 and we were tied at 1/1. A joint push from himself and his Aberdeen crowd saw Parke start the deciding game in better fashion. Now constructing the rallies with more purpose the Yorkshire player built and maintained a 3 point gap to close out the match 2/1.
A thoroughly enjoyable start to the event. All 8 players showcased some hugely impressive and entertaining squash and the Aberdeen crowd will come back in their masses tomorrow eagerly anticipating more of the same.
GROUP A
Peter Nicol bt Dave Evans 2/1 (7/11, 11/7, 11/5)
John White bt Derek Ryan 2/0 (15/13, 11/9)
GROUP B
Jonathon Power bt David Palmer 2/0 (11/9 13/11)
Simon Parke bt Tim Garner 2/1 (11/3 3/11 11/7)
Decision Day - Session 1
In a day that see’s all 8 players in action TWICE, time on court during session 1 was always going to be important. Another packed crowd took to their seats in good time and before long the action was underway.
Match 1 featured defending champion Jonathon Power and Tim Garner. The Canadian set the event alight last night as he finished the unbeaten Legends record of David Palmer. In doing so he continued a 100% record of his own having NEVER last a match in Aberdeen in 11 previous encounters. Garner was up against it from the off as the form of Power continued from the previous night. Garner was up to the task in many ways however the holds, flicks, and not forgetting dying lengths, soon took their toll on the Londoner who succumbed to an 11/5 11/7 defeat. The Canadian moves onto tonight’s match knowing victory over Simon Parke will see him in the final.
Next up was the wounded Australian against the ever sprightful Simon Parke. Palmer was a man on a mission, keen to rectify last night’s result. He parked himself on the T, sometimes in front, and the pace he imposed on the slightly elder Yorkshire man was just too much. Parke dug in as he does, he even closed the gap from 7 to 2 points, but it was the Australian who closed out the first 11/8 following a coupld of trademark backhand volley drops. Game 2 followed a similar patter. Palmer dominated and led, Parkey came back as the Australian maybe went a little too adventurous, but ultimately it was the pace of Palmer that proved significant as he closed out the match with an 11/8 second game victory.
Match 3 got underway with Peter Nicol looking to continue his new found Aberdeen winning record against last years runner-up Derek Ryan. The two traded blow for blow and it was only at 8/8 that Nicol managed to pull clear as a result of boast, drop and volley drive winners. Nicol continued the momentum in the next game but Ryan came fighting back to again level at 8/8. A couple of errors however from the Irishman pulled Nicol clear and after a gut-wrenching final rally it was game and match to the Aberdonian.
The final match of the night was fast paced, breathtaking throughout, and ultimately quite short. White does what he does best, swinging at will, sometimes spraying it around the court at awkward angles and at other times straightening it up leaving the ball hugging to the walls. In all honesty, Evans had to just watch and admire today. He fought hard in game 1 to only lose 11/7, but he simply could do nothing in the next as White rattled off EIGHT SUCCESSIVE NICKS to romp to an 11/3 scoreline. Both players could only but laugh. The crowd genuinely couldn’t believe it.
So session 2 done and dusted and it’s all to play for in tonight’s session for a few of the players. It’s another sell-out (we’ve actually over sold) and you can bet your bottom dollar that the crowd involvement tonight will provide for yet another electric atmosphere on the famous show court at ASRC.
Results
Jonathon Power bt Tim Garner 2/0 (11/5 11/7)
David Palmer bt Simon Parke 2/0 (11/8 11/8)
Peter Nicol bt Derek Ryan 2/0 (11/8 11/8)
John White bt Dave Evans 2/0 (11/7 11/3)
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