English Players Pull Through At Leinster Open

Half of the qualifying places on offer in the Bymac Leinster Open at the Fitzwilliam LT&SC in Dublin, Ireland, have been claimed by English players.

Ben Ford and Neil Hitchens prevailed in the men's PSA Tour event qualifying finals - Ford fighting off South African Jason Barry 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, and Hitchens despatching compatriot Philip Nightingale 11-7, 11-7, 11-6.

Ford, who beat local hero Derek Ryan - the eight-time Irish champion - in the first qualifying round, now meets up-and-coming Australian player Scott Arnold in the main draw.

Sarah-Jane Perry and Fiona Moverley will provide the additional English interest in the women's WISPA World Tour event main draw. Perry, from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, dismissed Irish hope Katie Wilson 9-0, 9-6, 9-1, while Moverley outplayed another Irish opponent Claire O'Brien 9-3, 9-0, 9-4.

Men's qualifying finals:
Ben Ford (ENG) bt Jason Barry (RSA) 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 (55m)
Neil Hitchens (ENG) bt Philip Nightingale (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (30m)
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Peter Creed (WAL) 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 (41m)
Jens Schoor (GER) bt Tom Pashley (ENG) 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-10 (2-0) (46m)

Women's qualifying finals:
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Katie Wilson (IRL) 9-0, 9-6, 9-1 (15m)
Laura Alonso Perez (ESP) bt Tanya Owens (IRL) 10-8, 4-9, 9-4, 9-4 (42m)
Claire Kidd (SCO) bt Luz Etchechoury (ARG) w/o
Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt Claire O'Brien (IRL) 9-3, 9-0, 9-4 (16m)