Nick Taylor defeats Peter Marshall to win memorable masters final at the Nationals

Former World No.2 Peter Marshall and seven-time National masters champion Nick Taylor contested a thrilling final on the show court on the last day of the tournament in Manchester.

In a match broadcast live online, the veterans put on a show of squash of the highest order in front of a packed crowd.

Taylor added an eighth title to his collection, winning the match 8/11, 12/10, 11/7, 11/5 in 53 minutes. The match was one of 19 finals to be played on the last day of the Blowers Jewellers National Squash Championships, with some scintillating squash on show from players of all ages.

Speaking after the final, Taylor said: “I’ve got to be careful not to be in awe of Peter. He was my idol and still is. I’m really happy. Pete’s been close to beating players in the top 60 in the world still, his backhand length is brutal. I thought I was going to struggle with the pace of it but I’m really pleased.

“That result there overshadows the Worlds [WSF World Masters Squash Championships] without a doubt. In my head, this was my world title today. I’ll always play this event as long as I physically can. They’re the best crowd in the world and this has been the best Nationals ever in my opinion.”

Here we break down all the action from the final day at the National Squash Centre.

Women’s over-35s

Top seed and two-time National champion Lauren Briggs (Essex) required just 20 minutes to dispatch Somerset’s Natalie Lawrence [2] in the women’s over-35s winning 11/6, 11/3, 11/2.

Men’s over-35s

Andy Whipp [1], of Cheshire, captured his first National title in the men’s over-35s in three, beating 2015 champion Darren Lewis [3/4] of Leicestershire 11/1, 12/10, 11/6 in 26 minutes. Whipp was rarely tested all weekend and didn't drop a game.

Women’s over-40s

The biggest upset of the day saw Kent’s Keeley Johnson [3/4] clinch her first National title following a clinical display against 2015 over-40s champion and top seed Shayne Baillie, of Surrey, winning 11/3, 11/3, 11/9 in 23 minutes.

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Men’s over-40s

Scotland’s Peter O’Hara [1] captured his second over-40s title against Lancashire’s Danny Massaro [2], winning 11/9, 11/5, 11/8 in 36 minutes.

Men’s over-45s

Lancashire’s Nick Taylor [1] collected his eight National title after a thrilling over-45s final with former World No.2 Peter Marshall 8/11, 12/10, 11/7, 11/5 in 53 minutes. Taylor rounded off an incredible year after capturing the World Masters over-45s title in Johannesburg in October.

Women’s over-45s

Yorkshire’s Andrea Santamaria [1] dispatched Buckinghamshire’s Sam Mueller [2] in 21 minutes winning 11/7, 12/10, 11/5, adding a second over-45 title to her collection.

Men’s over-50s

Hampshire Stephen McLouglin [2] claimed his first National title after toppling four-time National champion Yawar Abbas [1] of Durham and Cleveland in a thrilling five-setter which lasted nearly an hour – 13/11, 6/11, 6/11, 11/7, 11/6 in 57 minutes.

Women’s over-50s

The Women’s over-50s final was tightly contested between Avon’s Rose Bamber [1] and Scotland’s Fiona McLean [3/4]. Top seed Bamber needed over an hour to dispatch McLean 3-2 – 18/16, 10/15, 15/11, 12/15, 15/13 in 61 minutes.

READ MORE: Nick Matthew wins record ninth Nationals title

Men’s over-55s

Top seed Mark Woodliffe, of Gloucestershire, claimed his sixth National title, adding a second Men’s over-55s to his collection. He defeated Worcestershire’s John Parkes [2] in straight games 11/5, 11/5, 11/7 in 29 minutes.

Women’s over-55s

Two-time National champion Jill Campion [2], of Oxfordshire, collected her third over-55’s title after downing Derbyshire’s Lesley Sturgess [3/4] in five close games winning 3-2 – 11/15, 6/15, 15/8, 15/12, 15/7 in 37 minutes.

Women’s over-60s

World Masters champion Julie Field, of Yorkshire, captured her seventh National title in the Women’s over-60s round-robin, fending off Lynne Davies (Yorkshire), Bett Dryhurst (Worcestershire) and Eunice Bond (Scotland).

Men’s over-60s

After dispatching top seed Rustom Bativala in the Men’s over-60’s semi-final, Simon Evenden [3/4] was forced to withdraw from the men’s final due to illness, resulting in Lancashire’s Stephen Johnson [3/4] clinching the title.

Men’s over-65s

The men’s over-65s saw Sussex’s Ian Graham [2] celebrate his first Nationals success after downing Cumbria’s Terry Belshaw [3/4] 3-1 – 11/4, 12/15, 15/12, 16/14 in 46 minutes.

Men’s over-70s

The men’s over-70s final was closely contested between top seed Phil Ayton, of Sussex, and two-time National champion Rod Boswell [2], of Cheshire, which saw Ayton prevail 3-0 – 15/13, 15/13, 15/10 in 28 minutes and clinch his ninth National title.

READ MORE: Laura Massaro successfully defends her Nationals title in Manchester

Men’s over-75s

Five-time World Masters Champion Adrian Wright [1], of Yorkshire, justified his top seeding in the men’s over-75s by downing Cheshire’s Geoff Coe [2] in three – 15/6, 15/4, 15/3 in 19 minutes to capture his eight National title.

Men’s over-80s

Surrey’s Patrick Kirton won his 17^th National title in the inaugural men’s over-80s event following a round-robin with Malcolm Gilham (Suffolk), John Woodliffe (Gloucestershire) and Lancelot Kinder (Hampshire).

English Deaf Squash Championships

In the English Deaf Squash Championships Matthew Hewitt dispatched Dan Easton, winning 3-1.