Newcastle Northern Cup 2015 – 3/5 April at Northern
The 2015 edition of the Newcastle Northern Cup is nearly upon us with a full compliment of 48 players taking part. Kindly sponsored by Northumbria University’s Sport Foundation, Northumbria Squash, Sabre and Axis Fitness the event is in it’s fourth year with record entries for a third year running.
It all kicks off on Friday evening with the first round of the PSA Closed Satellite A Event. Top seed Chris Fuller (PSA 121) is back to try and reclaim the title he won in 2013 and may come up against two former finalists in Daniel Hockborn (PSA 257) and Nick Mulvey (224), both looking to go one further in 2015. Other professional talent (current and former) litters the rest of the draw and home fans will be rooting for locals Paul Lord, David Barnett, Liam Gutcher, Cai Younger, Jon Evans and Jamie Todd.
On Saturday morning we get into the thick of it with the B and C Events getting underway. The B Event is possibly the hardest event to predict with an array of styles but a wealth of talent. The youthful legs of Northern’s top seed Alex Robertson will be hard to shake off while the shot making of Intikhab Alam will be tough to contain and there is a former junior British champion in Kimberleigh Hay. Throw in a vast array of Northumbria’s current junior elite, Richard Vitty’s lobs and drops and then sit back and enjoy!
Now for something different, five questions for some of the entrants to answer:
Ant & Dec
2. What are your hopes/chances for the competition?
As this will be my first tournament since returning from injury my main hope is to get through it fit and healthy. As for my chances, I think that if I play well I could be successful but I won’t be taking anything for granted!
3. What is your best shot/super strength in your game?
Backhand Drop
4. If you could have somebody else’s best shot/super strength what would it be (inc amateur/pro squash players/superheros)?
Nick Matthew’s Forehand Volley Drop
5. Who would you tip to be a dark horse and to look out for in the competition?
David Barnett
My favourite thing about the north east is the friendliness of everyone – definitely something which you don’t necessarily get the same level of out of the North East
2. What are your hopes/chances for the competition?
Hopes are small but always have to have an aspiration to aim for! It’s my first competition for over a year so just getting back into it
3. What is your best shot/super strength in your game?
Would this be giving away a little too much? Backhand drop is probably my strongest shot at the moment
4. If you could have somebody else’s best shot/super strength what would it be (inc amateur/pro squash players/superheros)?
Hannah Crichton’s backhand drive or Eilidh Bridgeman’s movement
5. Who would you tip to be a dark horse and to look out for in the competition?
Andrew Shipley
The weather
2. What are your hopes/chances for the competition?
To stay in one piece… doubtful
3. What is your best shot/super strength in your game?
Reverse angle down the line
4. If you could have somebody else’s best shot/super strength what would it be (inc amateur/pro squash players/superheros)?
X-ray vision
5. Who would you tip to be a dark horse and to look out for in the competition?
Me, and the other old codger in the A Event, Jon Evans
Squash
2. What are your hopes/chances for the competition?
To play the best quality squash that I can
3. What is your best shot/super strength in your game?
Boast
4. If you could have somebody else’s best shot/super strength what would it be (inc amateur/pro squash players/superheros)?
Would love a cross-court drop like Shabana
5. Who would you tip to be a dark horse and to look out for in the competition?
Reckon it’ll go to seeding
It’s small, cosy and friendly
2. What are your hopes/chances for the competition?
I’m hoping going to final
3. What is your best shot/super strength in your game?
My lob is super duper cool and it helps me when I’m under pressure
4. If you could have somebody else’s best shot/super strength what would it be (inc amateur/pro squash players/superheros)?
Any shot from my superhero Gregory Gaultier, the French GENERAL!!
5. Who would you tip to be a dark horse and to look out for in the competition?
The dark horse is the person who understands their opponent and focuses best on the day
First time visiting!
2. What are your hopes/chances for the competition?
To progress as far as possible!
3. What is your best shot/super strength in your game?
Backhand drop
4. If you could have somebody else’s best shot/super strength what would it be (inc amateur/pro squash players/superheros)?
Nick Mathew’s volley
5. Who would you tip to be a dark horse and to look out for in the competition?
Nick Mulvey
Liam Gutcher – Tournament Director
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