This site is better with Flash.  Please follow this secure link to get the latest version: 

Top seed James Willstrop in a convincing and entertaining high speed encounter overcame Scotland's John White 11-10 (2-0), 11-7, 11-5 to win his first National title in Manchester.

The first game was crucial with White just a little more error prone that he was in his destruction of Grant in the semi-finals. There were fantastic rallies, with at times both players in front of the short line intercepting and firing the ball into the front court nicks in fast reaction play, with breathtaking retrieving, but White was finding the tin too frequently.

Although White blasted the ball around he never found a consistent length of take his 6 foot 5 inch opponent out of the centre of the court. Willstrop was all invention, and intercepted readily reading White well and as his opponent shots loosened he was able to counter with fine attack and touch.

The crowd loved it. After the second it was going to be very hard for White to get back and even when he put Willstrop under the most extreme of pressure the Pontefract player kept retrieving and sending the ball back with interest.

At the end Willstrop stayed on court in what was obviously a deeply emotional moment.

"I have been coming here for many years watching Simon (Parke), John (White) and Lee (Beachill)," he said. I have taken so much inspiration form this event and I am proud to have won it."

"It's good to win again. I have had a hard time since playing well at the end of 2005 nothing much has happened since then and hopefully I am back in winning ways."

© 2007 HI-TEC Plc