Ben Ford Succeeds At Second Attempt
The second weekend of Allam British Open pre-qualifying events saw Finchley Manor Squash Club in Middlesex host a men’s draw.
After two wins each, the final was between second seed Ben Ford, and 3/4 seed Tristan Eysele, and it turned out to be a thrilling marathon match lasting 78 minutes.
The fifth was neck and neck with Ford having the first of four match balls at 10/9 before finally taking it 16/14. After losing the final the previous week to Joey Barrington, Ford won through at the second attempt as he made it through to the Allam British Open Qualification draw which takes place at St Georges Hill Squash Club on 12-13 May.
Alex Phillips, a coach at Winchester SC and a regular in their PSL team won the men’s event at the K2 Leisure Centre, beating Clive Ewins 11/8, 11/5, 11/4 in the final in a tightly contested game.
Ford, the reigning British Open O35 Champion along with Phillips, joins Joey Barrington and Richie Fallows, who won their places in last week’s pre-qualifying events.
Georgina Ingham won the ladies event that ran alongside the men’s at the K2 Leisure Centre beating Annabelle Collins Ballands 11/6, 9/11, 6/11, 11/8, 9/11 in the final to claim her place in the qualifying draw and in doing that made it a double for the Ingham family and St George’s Hill players – with Harriet already through from last weekend.
FINALS RESULTS:
Ben Ford bt Tristan Eysele 15/13, 7/11, 7/11, 11/5, 16/14 (78m)
Alex Phillips bt Clive Ewins 11/8, 11/5, 11/4 (28m)
Georgina Ingham bt Annabelle Collins Ballands 11/6, 9/11, 6/11, 11/8, 9/11