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Event
Karakal North of England Masters 2023-24

Friday 3 November - Sunday 5 November 2023

General Info:
Registration Closes: Registration Closed (6 pm Friday 20th October 2023)

Event Constraints: 

- The maximum number of event participants is 250
- The maximum number per age group is 32

Players may still register after these limits are reached, but impacted players will be moved to the reserve list and will only be allowed to participate if an age group player withdraws within the correct seeding range.

Guidance Notes for Players Entering Regional Tournaments

Click here for the guidance notes.

Event Registration

Step 1 - Player Profile Account

In order to register for this event, you must have an active player profile account for this website with England Squash Masters.
If you have not got an account click on the link below. If you have an account proceed to Step 2.

Step 2 - Event Registration

Once your account has been created, log in to this website using the login button towards the top right of this webpage.
Once logged in, register for the event using the link below.

Event Registration

Step 3 - Entry Fee Payment

Once you have registered for the event, follow the instructions provided to pay the event entry fee.
Please see the registration fees at the bottom of this page and note new female members have free entry to the first event this season.

2023-24 Season T-Shirts or Women's Vests

As a result of their sponsorship for the circuit t-shirts by iPROSPORTS for the 2023-2024 season, iPROSPORTS and ESM are offering one free t-shirt, or vest alternative for the women, for the season.  To qualify for the one free shirt players must compete in any one of the regional events this season.


Ordering Procedure:

  • To apply for the one free t-shirt or vest for this season apply the coupon code esmr2023 at checkout. Also, after you enter your billing and delivery addresses ensure you select the free postage option otherwise, you will be charged for delivery. Note the coupon code is only valid for one purchase, any additional shirts ordered must be paid for by the player at the cost of £20 each.
  • Free t-shirts or vests will only be dispatched after the closing date for the tournament entered to prevent shirts from being sent to non-participating players. Shirts will be dispatched within 2-3 days of ordering for those who buy them.
  • It is the responsibility of players to order their shirts before the relevant event registration closes if they want them to be dispatched to arrive before the event.

Event Posters:

If you would like a copy of the event poster please click the link below:

Event Poster PDF Format
Event Poster PDF Format A2 High Resolution

Registration Fees:

£20.00 for ESM Members.

£15.00 for members of Pontefract Squash Club

Free to all new female members - Thanks to England Squash's support, we can offer all new female members free entry to their first regional event this season. This is part of the initiative between England Squash and England Squash Masters to increase female participation in our regional events.  (Please help us to promote this initiative to your Club and County female players).  To claim your free entry email [email protected] after you register, stating your name as registered.

Age Groups: Men's O35 O40 O45 O50 O55 O60 O65 O70 O75
Women's O35/40 O45 O50 O55 O60 O65 O70
Website: Website Link
Map: Map Link
 
Draw Type 
Finalists / Top Two 
Result 
Men's Over 3532 DrawJames Snell bt Jamie Douglas3-0 (11/6, 11/7, 11/7)
Men's Over 4016 DrawAntony Savage bt Jamie Goodrich3-0 (11/8, 11/8, 11/6)
Men's Over 4516 DrawMick Biggs bt Nick Hargreaves3-0 (11/7, 11/5, 11/6)
Men's Over 5016 DrawNick Wall bt Stuart Hargreaves3-0 (11/7, 11/8, 11/5)
Men's Over 5532 DrawPaul Jenkins bt Stephen McLoughlin3-2 (4/11, 11/8, 5/11, 12/10, 11/8)
Men's Over 6016 DrawAlex Betts bt Colin Grant3-2 (11/4, 12/10, 2/11, 6/11, 11/6)
Men's Over 6532 DrawTom Burton bt Robin Ridley3-2 (13/11, 11/6, 10/12, 4/11, 11/9)
Men's Over 7016 DrawJohn Hithersay bt Robert Houldsworth3-0 (11/9, 11/9, 11/5)
Men's Over 7516 DrawLarry Grover bt Barry Featherstone3-1 (8/11, 11/8, 11/7, 11/8)
Women's Over 35/402x3 Pool Selina Harper bt Michelle Knight3-0 (11/8, 11/7, 15/13)
Women's Over 452x3 Pool Catherine Ruffle bt Nicky Green3-0 (11/8, 13/11, 11/8)
Women's Over 505 Pool1st Christine McMullen; 2nd Sarah ParrPool
Women's Over 5516 DrawHilary Kenyon bt Jillian Lilico3-2 (11/6, 11/9, 7/11, 11/13, 11/7)
Women's Over 55 Round 1 Plate4 DrawSue Smith bt Maureen Carroll3-0 (11/3, 11/5, 11/4)
Men's Over 35 Round 1 Plate8 DrawDaniel Siddall bt Jason Chidwick3-1 (11/2, 9/11, 11/7, 13/11)
Men's Over 40 Round 1 Plate8 DrawKarl Becker bt Mark Campen-HowarthMark Campen-Howarth withdrew injured
Men's Over 45 Round 1 Plate4 DrawGrant Bryant bt Chris Turlik 3-0 (11/3, 11/4, 11/5)
Men's Over 50 Round 1 Plate8 DrawJason Burgon bt Simon Gittins3-0 (11/8, 11/5, 11/8)
Men's Over 55 Round 1 Plate3 Pool1st Paul Hanlon; 2nd Mal LeechPool
Men's Over 60 Round 1 Plate4 DrawGraham Hooper bt Phil Wakefield 3-1 (7/11, 11/8, 11/6, 11/7)
Men's Over 65 Round 1 Plate8 DrawRichard Kellagher bt Gary Siddall3-0 (11/6, 11/6, 11/6)
Men's Over 70 Round 1 Plate8 DrawGeoff Redfern bt Joe McAuley3-0 (11/8, 11/4, 13/11)
Men's Over 75 Round 1 Plate4 DrawTibor Szolnoki bt Leo Kingston3-0 (11/7, 11/6, 11/1)
Men's Over 45 Round 2 PlateFinal OnlyAndy Duckworth bt Jon Hunter 3-0 (11/8, 11/6, 11/8)
Men's Over 50 Round 2 Plate4 DrawWayne Beglan bt Chris Lynam3-0 (11/1, 11/5, 11/6)
Men's Over 55 Round 2 Plate8 DrawRichard Bradley bt Tim SmithTim Smith withdrew injured
Men's Over 60 Round 2 PlateFinal OnlyTeejay Sogunro bt Ian Portas 3-1 (6/11, 11/5, 11/8, 11/4)
Men's Over 65 Round 2 PlateFinal OnlyDavid Kirk bt Jonathan Potter 3-1 (5/11, 11/5, 11/7, 15/13)
Women’s Over 55 - (Final Hilary Kenyon v Jillian Lilico)

An excellent final with National Champion Hilary Kenyon dropping down an age group. Jillian Lilico, also an England International, battled hard and it was always going to go to a decider. Kenyon edged home 3/2 for the title.

Women’s Over 50

Played in a five-round-robin group with all the players capable of winning it. European Champion Sarah Parr (BRK) started well with a win over National Champion Linda Pritchard but new in the group, Chrissie McMullen (MSY) was the favourite. She duly staked her claim in the new age group and took the title with four wins. Her third Regional.

Women's Over 45 - (Final Catherine Ruffle v Nicky Green)

A great match-up as former National Champion Green has possibly the most impressive racket skills in the Women's groups. But British Open Champion Catherine Ruffle (KNT)is a very good player and exceptionally fit and mobile. She weathered the winners and fought back to control the match and take the title in three entertaining games. A fourth Regional for the Kent woman.

Women's Over 35/40 - (Final Selina Harper v Michelle Knight)

Both players had dominated their early groups and both had one previous Regional win. It looked a level match but on the day Harper found that bit extra and after taking the first two held off a spirited counterattack to clinch the third 15/13.

Men’s Over 75 - (Final Barry Featherstone v Larry Grover)

There was a shock in this group as European and British Open Champion Ian Ross of Scotland went down in one semi-final to newcomer Larry Grover (HPH), setting up an intriguing final with an old rival Barry Featherstone (HPH) who had put on a powerful display to dispatch Martin Day (YKS) in the other semi. Grover found the right shots and played cleverly to cope with Featherstone's renowned physical game. A fourth Regional for Grover.

Men’s Over 70 - (Final John Hithersay v Robert Houldsworth)

The new guard has taken over in the 70s with John Hithersay (NHM) again removing British Open Champion Terry Belshaw (CBA) in the semi-final to set up a second final with Robert Houldsworth (LCN), Houldsworth having removed Jakey Musson (CBA) in the other semi. So a repeat of last month’s South of England final. The first two games were a great battle but Hithersay took both 11/9 and powered through the third for his second Regional.

Men’s Over 65 - (Final Robin Ridley v Tom Burton)

Tom Burton (HFD) gained a measure of revenge against Gordon McManus (KNT) in one semi-final winning through in five games to set up a final against former National Champion and Scotland No 1 Robin Ridley who reached the final after Stuart Hardy (WLT) had to retire injured. Burton very nearly had it in three but Ridley is a great competitor and sneaked the third after saving match points. Ridley then took the fourth and a dog fight of a fifth eventually saw the Herefordshire man take his first Regional 11/9.

Men’s Over 60 - (Final Alex Betts v Colin Grant)

Alex Betts (MDX) powered through to the final taking out Nigel Bacon (ESX) in four while Colin Grant of Scotland was looking very menacing in the bottom half getting through with a series of straight game wins. Betts familiar all-action style paid dividends as he took the first two games but he then seemed to weaken and the Scot levelled at two all. The Queens Club man reasserted himself and took the fifth for his sixth Regional Championship.

Men’s Over 55 - (Final Stephen McLoughlin v Paul Jenkins)

British Open Champion Steve McLoughlin (HPH) eased his way into the final with only a game dropped to Sam Hanbury (SSX) in the semi-final but Paul Jenkins of Scotland had a miraculous escape in the other as he saved 7 match points in the fourth game against Ray Burke MBE before winning in five. Not jaded by that match, the Scot continued to find outrageous winners and from 2/1 down saved the fourth 12/10 before winning in five. A great escape act!

Men’s Over 50 - (Final Nick Wall v Stuart Hargreaves)

Nick Wall (YKS) is a former Open and National Champion and means business when he appears in the draw. He had a fine action packed battle with fellow Yorkshireman Matt Stephenson while in another all Yorkshire semi final Stuart Hargreaves the former Open Champion overcame John Simpson in four. Wall was in imperious form in the final and just had too much for Hargreaves. Eleven Regionals for the Yorkshireman.

Men’s Over 45 - (Final Mick Biggs v Nick Hargreaves)

There were some against seeding results here as Simon Myring (YKS) removed second seed Paul Warner (BUX) in five but then fell again in five to the ever athletic Nick Hargreaves (NOT). In the final he met top seed Mick Biggs (MDX) who powered through in four hard hitting games against James Greenhead (SRY). In an open and free hitting match that had barely a decision made in it, Biggs continued his fine form and claimed a sixth Regional and the second of the season.

Men’s Over 40 - (Final Antony Savage v Jamie Goodrich)

Antony Savage (ESX) is top seed here and eased through his matches to set up the final with the amazing Jamie Goodrich (NOR) who played two age groups down to reach the final beating Tony Webb (SRY) in four games. Savage, the National finalist was in no mood to let this one go, however and playing with great pace and accuracy controlled proceedings taking the match 3/0 for his second Regional.

Men’s Over 35 - (Final Jamie Douglas v James Snell)

This group has proved incredibly strong with the Squash Levels of some of the players at professional levels. Chris Hall (WKS) was top seed here on over 20,000 Squash Levels but he fell to South of England Open Champion Jamie Douglas (NLD) who is in superb form at the moment. In the final he had to face another high-level player in James Snell (DVN) who is the current British Open Champion. This was a match of great class with both players producing great shots and fantastic athleticism. Snell had the edge, however and in spite of great resistance, took the North of England title to add to his British Open.

The Sponsors Karakal were thanked as were Mike Todd and Steve Ridge and all at Pontefract Squash & Leisure for hosting the tournament brilliantly. The Referees were also thanked as were the Committee and the Event Management team of Brian 'Badger' Brock and Roz Featherstone.

Stuart Hardy
Chairman




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