National Squash League

Consistency Is The Key To National League Finalists' Success

Consistency is the key to this season's success by Manchester/Pontefract, who face Wolverhampton in the National Squash League final at Nottingham Squash Club on Tuesday (24 May) in a bid to become only the third team to successfully defend their title in the 21-year history of the event.

Led by Yorkshire's world No2 Lee Beachill, Manchester/Pontefract will field the same five-player line-up for the sixth time this season - a remarkable feat considering the increasing demands of the players both on the PSA and WISPA World Tours.  Four of the team also played in last year's final.

Wolverhampton, too, will be represented by the same squad for the fourth time in the season - and in another four appearances fielded all but one of the same players.  Making their debut in the final, the west midlands squad will be led by Anthony Ricketts, the world No7 from Australia.

The final line-ups are:

Manchester/Pontefract v Wolverhampton
    Lee Beachill v Anthony Ricketts
    James Willstrop v Alex Gough
    Marcus Berrett v Scott Handley
    Nick Taylor v Mark Cairns
    Jenny Duncalf v Shelley Kitchen

The final promises to be a close-fought affair, despite the fact that the teams have already met twice in the season - with the trans-Pennine cooperative winning 4/1 on both occasions, their third round tie in November featuring the same ten players that are competing in the final!

"Having finished top of the Northern group, and then winning both legs of the semi final play-offs, it would seem that Manchester/Pontefract would be favourites for the National League title," said team manager Taro Nabetani.  "However, a look at line-ups on Tuesday shows just how tight the final is likely to be."

Wolverhampton manager Stephen Russell concedes that his team are the underdogs:  "But we're obviously very pleased to be in the finals.

"The top match between Anthony Ricketts and Lee Beachill will be a thriller.  Either man could win as both are extremely fit - a long one is on the cards.  I won't even begin to predict the result.  In fact, although Manchester/Pontefract are favourites, we definitely have a good chance and with enough vocal support anything can happen," added Russell.

For more details, visit the official website:  www.nationalsquashleague.co.uk