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

World No6 James Willstrop successfully defended his men's title in the HI-TEC British National Squash Championships in Manchester at the National Squash Centre.

After a highly successful year on the PSA Tour since winning this title 12 months ago, Willstrop arrived in Manchester as firm favourite to retain his title.

But his HI-TEC and Pontefract club-mate Lee Beachill - a three times champion who underwent hernia surgery at the beginning of the New Year - had battled through to a record seventh final appearance against the odds.

Willstrop edged ahead after a finely-balanced first game - then turned the screw as Beachill's lack of match fitness began to show. The 24-year-old world No6 raised his arms in delight as he celebrated his 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 triumph in 39 minutes - becoming only the second person in history to win back-to-back men's titles.

"I didn't know what to expect - and maybe I was just too cautious to start with," said Willstrop, the England number one. "I couldn't dwell on his shortcomings - I had to constantly keep my focus.

"I was pleased to have closed it out - I couldn't afford to give him a sniff. The Nationals is a tough event - it's a big tournament and a very important one to me."

Willstrop's next major target is the Hi-Tec World Open - which will be staged at the National Squash Centre in Manchester, for the first time, in October.

"The World Open is my biggest focus this year - and, being here in Manchester, it will clearly be a massive event," added the new champion.