2/17/2007 9:39:00 PM
Foster reclaims squash title in five-set thriller
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Patrick Foster clung on to his national squash title by the tightest of margins after a thrilling five-set battle with James Stout.
In a see-saw match which saw some amazing rallies and the full range of shots, Foster ultimately prevailed 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8.
Visibly suffering in the fifth after a long hard battle, Foster found extra reserves of energy to overcome his younger, fitter opponent in the final set.
Foster, the club coach, said the crowd, which contained many of his students, had spurred him on.
"This feels like a home crowd to me, Playing in this tournament, and to play in a final like that, is one of the highlights of my year."
The former pro said he felt he was just hanging on for the first three sets, despite winning the crucial points to take a 2-1 lead,
But he started to find his form in the final games, hitting consistently to Stout's backhand.
22-year-old Stout, a squash coach in New York, looked to have the edge in terms of fitness and raced into a 5-1 lead in the fifth,
But Foster clawed his way back with some superb shots to turn the match in his favour.
"I wasn't going to lose those last few points after that - no way,"said Foster, who admitted he'd had to rely on his sheer will to win to claw him through.
Stout was gracious in defeat saying he had been happy to play his part in a fantastic final.
"It was a great match and it doesn't get any closer than that. It's a strange feeling because I can't be disappointed after playing in a game like that,
"Patrick played a very smart game and kept going till the end. that was one of the best matches I've played in for a long time."
Stout said he was pleased to have finally beaten his Bermudian nemesis Nick Kyme in the semi-finals.
He is now the favourite to win the wildcard entry for a Bermudian competitor into the first round of the World Championshiops to be held here later this year.
"Nick's beaten me to the wildcard for the Bermuda Open for the past two years, to be able to finally get it for the worlds would be the icing on the cake."
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Posted: Monday, February 19, 2007
Comment by:
Sam, Didsbury
Well done Paddy. Now for the double - national squash champion and bermudian moustache wearer of the year!
Posted: Monday, February 19, 2007
Comment by:
Squash lover, Bermuda
Fosters may have won, but it was a disappointment to the packed crowd when Foster turned up to the final clean shaven - without his trademark handlebar moustache!
One can only hope he sees sense and regrows that furry slug as soon as possible, Bermuda is poorer without it.
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