REPORT BY LEE HORTON
ESSEX Squash can this week celebrate two new World Champions. Colchester’s amazing Malcolm Gilham and the equally remarkable Barbara Sanderson from Romford collected their crowns at the WSF World Masters Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Malcolm (PICTURED ABOVE), a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army who has been playing squash since quitting tennis at the age of 41, was crowned men’s Over-80 world champion after a full week of matches which saw him take out the top two seeds in the early rounds before reaching the final.
Proving that squash is a game for people of all ages, Malcolm and fellow Englishman John Woodliffe – aged 81 and 80, respectively – battled for a full 40 minutes before the Essex man ultimately prevailed 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6.
It was Malcolm’s second world title. The Lexden Squash Club player and Granddad of 11,won the Over-75 Championship in Cologne, Germany in 2010.
And the mercurial Barbara, who hails from Armagh in Northern Ireland but who has played squash in Essex for more years than need counting, became world O-75’s champ after beating another Essex player, Joan Witton, in their round-robin match. It was Barbara’s fourth world title since first winning the O65 title in 2006.
Joan Witton and Barbara Sanderson (right) after their World O-75’s match
Joan and Barbara met in the final of the British Masters last year and they resumed battle in front of an amazing crowd in Johannesburg which matched the attendance of any PSA event I have seen anywhere in the world.
Barbara edged their showdown 3-1 but it was another match among many that the two ladies gave everything they had. The crowd gave them a standing ovation at the end, a fitting tribute to two great heroines of squash.
Barbara completed her tournament with a win over Alma Cave (RSA) 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-3 (21m) while Joan took a deserved bronze medal.
Essex also claimed a silver medal after former world number 18 Lauren Briggs from Connaught Club in Chingford finished a close runner up to America’s Natalie Grainger in the final of the Over-35’s event. The seedings committee had paired them at one and two and that’s the order they finished with Natalie edging a cracker of a match 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 12-10.
In total, England claimed five gold medals and hosts South Africa a total haul of 21 medals . And it was home player Craig van der Wath who stole the limelight after winning the Men’s Over-50 trophy to secure a record sixth World Masters title.
A record 951 players competed in the World Squash Federation event featuring 19 men’s and women’s events, from Over-35 to Over-80, staged at The Wanderers Club and Parkview Squash Centre.
Johannesburg-based Van der Wath (pictured above, 2nd from right), who won his first World Masters title at the O35 championship in 2001, was in impressive form as he despatched England’s 2014 British Open O45 champion Yawar Abbas 6-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 in the O50 final to become the first player in the event’s 33-year history to win six titles.
Australia’s former world No.1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald, winner of a then record five World Open titles while on the Tour, bagged her third World Masters trophy after defeating England’s Andrea Santamaria 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 in the Women’s O45 final.
“It was touch and go for a while,” said the 47-year-old from Melbourne (pictured below, 2nd from right). “I had a calf injury which almost stopped me entering, so I feel really humble that I made it here and still came through to win another title.
“There’s always pressure when you’re playing for a world title, and it’s a bit of a reality check in the Masters, everyone slows down, reactions aren’t as good, and they play drops and lobs!”
Championship debutant Mohammed Abbas became the sole Egyptian medallist after beating South African Gary Wheadon 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 in the Men’s O35 final.
“Masters squash is so different, it’s still tough but it’s so much fun too,” said the 35-year-old former world No.13. It’s been fantastic playing here in South Africa – all of the Egyptians have really enjoyed it, the facilities, the organisation, the crowd have all been great.”
The Men’s O75 champion was Adrian Wright, the 75-year-old Englishman who claimed his fourth title since 2006 when he beat South African Desmond Sacco 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10.
Jersey’s sole competitor progressed all the way to gold in the Men’s O45 championship. Second seed Nick Taylor fought through to the final without dropping a game – then toppled top-seeded South African Michael Tootill 13-11, 11-3, 11-5 to not only win his first World Masters title, but also become ‘Player of the Tournament’.
“I’ve worked hard for this,” said the former England international who celebrated his 45th birthday on the opening day of the tournament. “It’s a big event and there are a lot of people behind me to thank.
“It feels fantastic to think I’m a World Champion!”
England’s Ann Manley won the Women’s O70 title after beating compatriot Bett Dryhurst 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5 in the final. It was the 70-year-old Bristol’s third World Masters title – and the third time she beat Dryhurst in the final!
Also in contention in the Johannesburg championship for the first time was The Nations Cup – a trophy awarded to the country whose men and women across all age-groups produce the best overall performance in the championships. By a clear margin,South Africa won the 2016 Nations Cup, with England in second place, while Scotland won the award for nations with fewer than ten entrants.
RESULTS: WSF World Masters Squash Championships, Johannesburg, South Africa
Men’s Finals:
Over-35: [1] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) bt [2] Gary Wheadon (RSA) 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (42m)
Bronze medal play-off: [5/8] Ray Simbule (ZAM) bt [5/8] Jimmy Schlebusch (RSA) 11-9, 3-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7 (49m)
Over-40: [1] Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt [2] Adrian Hansen (RSA) 11-4, 13-11, 11-6 (26m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Paul Atkinson (RSA) bt [3/4] Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) 11-9, 11-3, 11-7 (28m)
Over-45: [2] Nick Taylor (JEY) bt [1] Michael Tootill (RSA) 13-11, 11-3, 11-5 (31m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Craig Wapnick (RSA) bt [5/8] Jesus Souto Iglesias (ESP) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 (22m)
Over-50: [1] Craig van der Wath (RSA) bt [2] Yawar Abbas (ENG) 6-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 (19m)
Bronze medal play-off: [5/8] Frank Ellis (SCO) bt [3/4] Stephen McLoughlin (ENG) w/o
Over-55: [1] Willie Hosey (IRL) bt [9/16] Peter Gilbee (AUS) 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 (16m)
Bronze medal play-off: [2] Trevor Wilkinson (RSA) bt [3/4] Bryan Beeson (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 4-11, 11-3 (42m)
Over-60: [3/4] Udo Kahl (GER) bt [2] Johnny Orsmond (RSA) 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 (30m)
Bronze medal play-off: [1] John Macrury (CAN) bt Stan Voges (RSA) 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-6 (27m)
Over-65: [5/8] Esa Tuominen (FIN) bt [5/8] Ian Graham (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 (33m)
Bronze medal play-off: [5/8] Robert Anjema (NED) bt Olof Beneus (SWE) w/o
Over-70: [5/8] Norbert Kornyei (USA) bt Guy Davies (ENG) 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 4-11, 15-13 (42m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Martin Pearse (ENG) bt Russell Shipton w/o
Over-75: [1] Adrian Wright (ENG) bt [2] Desmond Sacco (RSA) 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10 (30m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Tom Slattery (AUS) bt [3/4] Björn Borgvall (SWE) 8-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9 (24m)
Over-80: [3/4] Malcolm Gilham (ENG) bt [3/4] John Woodliffe (ENG) 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6 (40m)
Bronze medal play-off: [1] Lance Kinder (ENG) bt Jack Millard (RSA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-3 (21m)
Women’s Finals:
Over-35: [1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [2] Lauren Briggs (ENG) 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 12-10 (37m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Jacqueline Ryder (RSA) bt [5/8] Liesl Claxton (RSA) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (22m)
Over-40: [2] Samantha Herbert (RSA) bt [3/4] Anlen Murray (RSA) 3-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9 (51m)
Bronze medal play-off: [5/8] Karen Schultz (RSA) bt [5/8] Catherine Atkinson (RSA) 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 (15m)
Over-45: [1] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [3/4] Andrea Santamaria (ENG) 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 (18m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Linda Shannon (RSA) bt [2] Hope Prockop (USA) 11-3, 11-8, 11-13, 7-11, 11-3 (25m)
Over-50: [5/8] Mylene de Muylder (FRA) bt [3/4] Sharon le Roux (RSA) 11-6, 11-6, 3-11, 9-11, 11-5 (38m)
Bronze medal play-off: [5/8] Zoe Durbach (RSA) bt [3/4] Rachel Woolford (ENG) 14-12, 7-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6 (41m)
Over-55: [2] Karen Hume (ENG) bt [1] Jill Campion (ENG) 6-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (35m)
Bronze medal play-off: Mariet Smal (RSA) bt Karen Fannin (RSA) 11-6, 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-5 (37m)
Over-60: [3/4] Julie Field (ENG) bt [2] Anne Richards (AUS) 11-3, 11-2, 11-8 (40m)
Bronze medal play-off: [1] Pauline Douglas (SCO) bt [3/4] Eunice Bond (SCO) 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 (21m)
Over-65: [2] Marilyn Kennedy (AUS) bt [3/4] Faith Sinclair (SCO) 11-4, 11-9, 11-3 (20m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Margaret Hunt-Kemp (RSA) bt [1] Claire Bryars (FRA) 11-6, 11-2, 10-12, 6-11, 11-1 (22m)
Over-70: [1] Ann Manley (ENG) bt [2] Bett Dryhurst (ENG) 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5 (38m)
Bronze medal play-off: [3/4] Sheena Worwood (RSA) bt [3/4] Jean Grainger (RSA) 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6 (23m)
Over-75: [1] Barbara Sanderson (IRL) bt Alma Cave (RSA) 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-3 (21m)
Bronze medal play-off: [2] Joan Witton (ENG) bt Dawn Kaiser (RSA) 13-11, 11-4, 11-8 (18m)
