English duo Mark Cowley and Ian Bradburn provided a fitting exhibition of world-class squash as play concluded on the second day of the BCQS International Masters Squash Open 2011 at the Barbados Squash Club.
Barbadian photographer Stuart Tippleston, the national Over-45 champion, took on World Over-55 champion Cowley, who was able to control the pace of play throughout the match, forcing errors from Tippleston.
The rallies in the third game were longer as Tippleston found his confidence, but to no avail as Cowley progressed 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 with plenty to spare.
Bradburn has a style of play that few can contend with. His record of two British Open titles and three British closed titles speaks for itself. He won 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 and his opponent Paul McLeod should be pleased with his efforts after coming close to winning the third game.
Today, Bradburn will face top Caribbean opposition in Neville Sorrentino (Tortola) in what should be a match of excellent quality.
Leon Truss will be eagerly looking forward to this morning’s encounter against Cowley after scraping through against BCQS sponsor Sanjay Amin, who recovered well from 2-0 down to extend the match into a fifth game 12-10, 11-4, 11-13, 9-11, 11-9.
In the Men’s 45-54 age group, Barbados’ Over-50 champion Nigel Griffith has already progressed to the quarter-final stage and waits for the victor of the match between No.1 seed Chris Harland and Glyne Husbands, which was on the cards last night.
The Women’s Over-35 got underway with a good come-from-behind win for Carolyn Johnson over Tortola’s Sue Sorrentino 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 12-10.
On the men’s side, Barbados’ two national Over-35 finalists Andy Gill and Jonathan Gallacher both advanced in anticipation of their semi-final clash. However, both players will have to get past Robert Pacey (Canada) and tournament scheduler Jason Small, respectively.
The pick of the quarter-finals will be Mark Gilkes as he tackles our own World Over-35 finalist Karen Meakins. In March’s National Championships Gilkes beat Andy Gill and extended No.1 seed Shawn Simpson to five games so this could be a close match.
Matches start at 9 a.m. today.
