Willstrop & Duncalf Claim Yorkshire Double At Manchester Nationals

James Willstrop, the world No9 from Pontefract, and Jenny Duncalf, the world No12 from Harrogate, produced a sensational Yorkshire double in Manchester today by winning the men's and women's titles, respectively, in the British National Championships at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity.

In the men's final - played at a blistering pace - top seed Willstrop overcame a mighty challenge from John White, beating the second-seeded Scot 11-10 (2-0), 11-7, 11-5 in 44 minutes to win the title for the first time.

Both players had reached the climax in contrasting circumstances - White demolishing England's fourth seed Adrian Grant in straight games and Willstrop being given a walkover when his England and Pontefract club team-mate Lee Beachill sustained a neck injury in practice the previous day and was forced to withdraw.

"I'm just so proud to win the title," said a jubilant Willstrop after receiving his trophy. "I've been coming here for so many years - I've had so much inspiration from the event. It's something I've been brought up on.

"Winning this title has always been one of my main ambitions - alongside the World Open and British Open."

The packed crowd was treated to a high-octane match. John White is renowned as the game's hardest hitter - and Willstrop saw plenty of evidence of that quality in his opponent.

"It was brutal - three absolutely intense games," said the new champion. "The pace was absolutely blistering in the first game - just ridiculous! You've got to read the ball so well against him.

"When he plays like that, he's so difficult to beat. In terms of sheer pace, he's the best.

"Winning here in Manchester is extra special - it's such an amazing crowd for us to play in front of. It's what we thrive on.

"It's a great confidence-booster to be back winning again. I had a good end of 2005, winning the Qatar Classic and the World Team Championships with England - but nothing much has happened since then. You get out of the habit of winning."

Earlier, Jenny Duncalf staged her third sensational comeback in three days to beat close friend and England team-mate Alison Waters in five games.

The 24-year-old sixth seed was two games down against Waters, the No4 seed from London, before fighting back to clinch her maiden title 5-9, 6-9, 9-3, 9-0, 9-3 in 74 minutes.

It was the third time in a row she had beaten a higher-seeded opponent, and her third successive match lasting more than an hour!

Duncalf began her title bid in the quarter-finals where she upset defending champion Tania Bailey, the favourite. In the semi-finals, she needed 79 minutes to dispose of eight-times Irish champion Madeline Perry, the third seed.

"That was definitely my best win ever," said Duncalf after the final.

"I felt a bit under the cosh in the first two games, but then started to relax. By the time I'd got to 5-1 up in the fifth, I started to think - 'my god, I could win this'!"

The victory also coincided with her mother Jo's 50th birthday. "I kept thinking that I haven't even got her a card - but perhaps this will do," said the new women's champion.

Duncalf has been enjoying her best run after a dismal eight-month period - one in which her world ranking dropped from 6 to 12.

"I learned a lot from that period - and worked really hard. Now I seem to have turned the corner."

Men's final:
[1] James Willstrop (Yorks) bt [2] John White (Scotland) 11-10 (2-0), 11-7, 11-5 (44m)

Women's final:
[6] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks) bt [4] Alison Waters (Middx) 5-9, 6-9, 9-3, 9-0, 9-3 (74m)