Pontefract Men’s Challenger 2021

Men’s $3k PSA Challenger, 06-08 Aug, Yorkshire

Sam Todd goes through the field, taking out the top three seeds to claim the title at his home club …

Pontefract Men's Challenger : FINAL

[6] Sam Todd (Eng) 3-0 [2] Rory Stewart (Sco)    11-9, 11-6, 11-2 (35m)

The Final – Rory Stewart v Sam Todd

The introductions confirmed everything when the full house erupted to welcome 18 year old Sam Todd on to the court where he has practised since he was 3 years of age. The local lad was the favourite as far as the crowd was concerned even though the stats said otherwise.

From the outset Todd was playing a relaxed and very accurate game but was matched all the way by Stewart until Todd was able to gain some daylight and close the first game 11-9.

Spurred on by the Pontefract support he took the second game with a very mature, at times patient and clinical display of squash. Stewart has proved he is class and was always in it but it was clear to see that Todd was dominating rallies and didn’t really look threatened to take the second 11-6.

The fairy tale ending was in sight and Todd duly obliged with almost perfect shot play causing errors from the talented Scot to hammer home the win 11-2.

Billy Hawes the Managing Director of Global Windows, Doors and Conservatories who sponsored the event and a team-mate of Todds at the Pontefract club said “This is the first PSA title for Sam at his home club in a tournament sponsored by my company – I couldn’t have written a better script.”

In his speech to the crowd following the presentation Todd thanked his opponent for a hard fight and said he was pleased he had been able to do it in 3 games as he was aware their matches had usually gone to 5 with Stewart being the victor.

Then in his final sentence he looked to the office above court 1 which had been occupied by Malcolm Willstrop and very fittingly dedicated his first PSA title win to him.