Daryl Selby took the Reliable Networks BSPA Grand Prix Finals with a hard fought victory over fellow England international Adrian Grant at the Roehampton Club.
In a repeat of the 2013 Final. it was Daryl who started quickly racing to 4-0 lead and this proved enough of a cushion to take the first 11/5. The second game started closely as Adrian looked like he was now getting himself into the match but a 5/2 lead was soon to disappear as Daryl took control to go 8/5 with a mix of determined rallying and wonderful shot making. There was no answer to this from Adrian in the 2nd and Daryl took the game 11/6 and a 2-0 lead.
The third was a different story, Adrian looking focused and using his short kill shots to good effect, reeling off 6 points in a row to go 9/2 up, and some unforced errors from Daryl gave Adrian the game 11/4 and hopes to retain his title. Into the fourth and both pushed early to find an advantage, Adrian seeming more confident hitting some wonderful winners to go 3/2 up, but Daryl stayed patient and his retrieving combined with his excellent shot making gave him an 8/3 lead.
A spirited effort from Adrian to get back to 7/8 but Daryl took control and closed out the game and match 11/7 taking the title. They both now prepare with the England Squad for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Daryl appropriately thanked those involved in the event at the Roehampton Club, including sponsors Reliable Networks, and looked forward to returning next year to defend the title.
Daryl Selby beat Adrian Grant 3-1 (11/5, 11/5, 4/11, 11/7) 45min
The women’s final provided a shock winner, with New Zealand international Jaclyn Kemp, now retired from the WSA Tour, upsetting Alison Waters, the world no.6 from Middlesex, 3/2 in 65 minutes.
A fast start gave top seed Waters a 5-1 lead in the first game and although Ipswich-based Kemp battled back, the British national champion won it 11-6.
The second game looked set to be a repeat of the first when Waters opened up a 5-1 advantage, but the second-seeded New Zealander stormed back, hitting a good length and using her boast at the right time to go 8-5 up. Although Waters rallied, the former world no.12 held on to take the game 11-9.
The third game was just as hard fought, with Kemp forging an 8-5 advantage and resisting a fierce Waters revival before claiming it 11-8.
The fourth game was even closer, with 3-3 becoming 6-6 and then 9-9, before Waters dug deep to take it 11-9 and force a decider.
The recent Allam British Open semi-finalist ought to have been favourite for the title then, but she could not find a way into the game as Kemp retrieved every ball and move her around the court. A ‘no let’ call at 6-2 seemed to knock the stuffing out of Waters as her errors increased and Kemp closed out the game and match deservedly 11-4.
Women’s Final: Jaclyn Kemp beat Alison Waters 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 11-4 (65min)
