By ALAN THATCHER (Squash Mad Editor)
World No.60 Millie Tomlinson of England battled past compatriot Grace Gear (World 59) to take the inaugural Canterbury Women’s Open title.
Tomlinson beat Gear by three games to one in an entertaining A/B Grade final in front of a packed gallery at Canterbury Squash Club.
Gear started strongly, taking the first game 11-8 before Tomlinson established a large lead in the second. She powered through 11-2 to level the match at one game all.
Tomlinson went on to take the next two games 11-5, 11-6 to complete her comeback and be crowned the first Canterbury Open champion.
This first all women’s graded event in the UK attracted 41 players who battled in out across the four grades with Amber Clarke (Canterbury) winning the C Grade, Hayley Green (Sutton), winning the D Grade and Briony Young (Mote) winning the E Grade.
Thanks go to all the players and pros that took part in the event, to Canterbury Squash Club for hosting the tournament, and to Daisy Chain Homes and Merefield Electronics for sponsoring the event.
Extra thanks go to co-organiser of the event, Natasha Burrett and to Biddenden Squash Club for their fantastic supporting of this event!
Byrom Boutorabi of Merefield Electronics presented the trophies and thanked organiser Joe Magor for his phenomenal work in staging the tournament, which offered a significant sum of £5,000 in prize money.
Canterbury Women’s Open, sponsored by Daisy Chain Homes and Merefield Electronics, Canterbury Squash Club, Kent, England.
Final:
(2) Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt (1) Grace Gear (ENG) 3-1: 8-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6.
3/4 Play-Off:
Anna Kimberley beat Siobhan Wilkins 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-3.
5/6 Play-Off:
Phoebe Colman v Reka Kemecsei 3-1: 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7.
7/8 Play-Off:
Lara Newton v Natasha Burrett 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.
Full Results can be found at www.kent-tournaments.co.uk
Pictures courtesy of Canterbury Squash Club