Thierry Lincou Wins Gerrard Super 8 Grand Prix

Former world number ones Thierry Lincou and John White produced a stunning conclusion to the Gerrard Super 8 Grand Prix Final, with the seven-times French Champion and current World No2 eventually overcoming the game's hardest hitter in the longest match of the Championships 11-10 (3-1) 5-11 11-9 8-11 11-7 in 98 minutes.

Capacity crowds were treated to four days of spectacular squash and high emotion. The pioneering new championships on the domestic professional calendar, staged on the stunning all-glass court at England's National Squash Centre in Manchester produced a string of exciting matches punctuated with high drama and controversy, including the withdrawal through injury of both Peter Nicol and Lee Beachill.

Peter Barker, a World Junior runner-up and replacement for Lee Beachill, the newly crowned World No1 who was forced to retire mid-way through his qualification match with David Palmer, defeated the in-form Simon Parke 11-10 (4-2) 11-4 11-7 in the 7/8 play-off. Parke was himself a replacement for Peter Nicol, the sport's most recognized and consistent performer of his generation, who fell heavily in the middle of the court at the beginning of the fourth game of his first round qualifying match against Nick Taylor.

Palmer secured a 6th place finish with a 11-9 11-6 11-3 win over local favourite Nick Taylor, whilst the battle of former World Junior Champions was won by England's James Willstrop who matched the athleticism and shot making of Karim Darwish to win a memorable 66 minute match of high quality attacking squash 11-10 (3-1), 11-9, 10-11 (5-3), 11-5.

"Obviously I'm a bit disappointed, particularly after coming so close in the final, but the tournament has been fantastic from start to finish," said runner-up John White. "The Gerrard Super 8 Grand Prix has been very well organized with great support and sponsorship. The format of the arena allowed spectators to walk around besides the court, have a drink and socialise while the matches are going on, which is what they need instead of everyone having to sit down and not being able to move. Paul Walters did it very well and he is going bigger and better next year."

Final;
Thierry Lincou bt John White 11-10 (3-1), 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7