World stars delight packed crowds

12:10pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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The Nidd Vale Group Ilkley Squash Open tournament attracted big crowds to watch some of the best players in the world.

The men's title was won by Steven Meads who defeated former England junior Joel Hinds in the final. Meads win sees him now go on to play in the Grand Prix final.

The women's title went to Laura Lengthorn-Massaro, the World No 12, who turned the tables on last year's winner Vicky Botwright in this year's women's final.

The two women's finalists will represent England in the European championships in Amsterdam.

The Open, held at the Ilkley Tennis and Squash Club last weekend, attracted a number of the world's top players.

World No 8 Vicky Botwright was the top seed as she set out to defend her title but she faced tough opposition from second seed Lengthorn-Massaro.

The other two seeds were World No 21 Dominique Lloyd Walter and World No 31 Sarah Kippax.

The men's event had last year's runner up Scott Handley, World ranked 65, back but he failed to get his hands on the title. Seeded 2 was Andy Whipp, while the other seeded players were top Irish player John Rooney and the ever reliable and there was a team from Scotland at the event.

The Nidd Vale Group, the local Peugeot dealership, were the main sponsors and the Ilkley Club is grateful to them for their sponsorship. Supporting sponsors were local estate agents Dacre Son & Hartley, Fudge Hair Products, Barrett Shoes and Olivetree World.