Liverpool Cricket Club Open: Ben Smith & Torrie Malik Victorious On Finals Day

Two English winners were guaranteed at the Liverpool Cricket Club Open as an all-English line-up treated the Liverpool crowd, but it was men’s top seed Ben Smith and women’s No.3 seed Torrie Malik who lifted the trophies.

The women’s final between Torrie Malik and Alicia Mead was up first in front of a packed crowd with both players determined to lift the inaugural women’s title. Malik closed out a tight opening game 11-9 by dominating the middle and working the ball around the court well to move Mead constantly.

After doubling her lead with a comfortable second game, Malik was in top form. The 18-year-old continued to press in game three and set herself up with two match balls at 10-8. Despite Mead forcing a tiebreak, Malik regained her focus to win the next two points and close out game three 12-10 to claim a second successive title.

“I’m really happy to win this title. It’s been a tough week. Thanks to the organisers, the club, Alicia [Mead] for a great final. Thanks to the crowd for the support and my dad for driving up here and hopefully I’ll be back next year, ” said Malik after her win.

Torrie’s brother Perry was up against Ben Smith in the men’s final next on court and it didn’t disappoint. Smith controlled large parts of the first game and looked sure to seal the game as he earned five game balls at 10-5. But back came Malik, the world No.120 changed his style slightly and worked his way back in the game to win the next seven points and steal the game 12-10.

Smith managed to remain calm however and didn’t panic as he continued his brand of attacking squash, much to the crowd’s delight. Smith held strong in all the crucial moments after the first game and played the big points well to close out the following three games 11-9, 13-11, 11-8 to become the second Liverpool Cricket Club Open Champion.

“I firstly want to thank the club, Breeny & Connor for all the organisation that has gone into this. The sponsors of the tournament, without which, this event wouldn’t be possible and Perry [Malik] for a good final.

“I’d also like to thank my sponsors and my team for helping me every step of the way. I love playing here, the crowd are amazing and makes it a proper atmosphere so thank you for that. And I hope to be back next year.”

Results: Liverpool Cricket Club Open
Men’s Final
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) bt [8] Perry Malik (ENG) 3-1: 10-12, 11-9, 13-11, 11-8 (51m)

Women’s Final
[3] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [2] Alicia Mead (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 12-10 (31m)

Men’s Semi-Finals
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) bt [4] James Peach (ENG) 3-1: 11-8, 4-11, 11-7, 11-5 (45m)
[8] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Miles Jenkins (ENG) 3-2: 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8 (59m)

Women’s Semi-Finals
[3] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [6] Alison Thomson (SCO) 3-0: 11-9, 16-14, 11-9 (36m)
[2] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt [4] Alex Haydon (AUS) 3-1: 8-11, 11-6, 1-11, 11-3, 11-3 (42m)

Men’s Quarter Finals
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) bt [6] Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-3 (33m)
[4] James Peach (ENG) bt [7] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) 3-0: 11-3, 11-9, 12-10 (39m)
Miles Jenkins (ENG) bt [5] Owain Taylor (WAL) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 (45m)
[8] Perry Malik (ENG) bt [2] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) 3-1: 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5 (45m)

Women’s Quarter Finals
[6] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt [1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) 3-1: 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7 (41m)
[3] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [7] Katerina Tycova (GER) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (33m)
[4] Alex Haydon (AUS) bt [8] Ali Loke (WAL) 3-2: 5-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-9 (50m)
[2] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt [5] Anna Kimberley (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 (29m)

Men’s First Round
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Stuart MacGregor (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 13-11, 10-12, 11-3 (52m)
[6] Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) bt Nicholas Calvert (AUS) 3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 (31m)
[7] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt Marc Lopez (ESP) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (25m)
[4] James Peach (ENG) bt Alasdair Prott (SCO) 3-1: 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9 (41m)
Miles Jenkins (ENG) bt [3] Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-5 (41m)
[5] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [WC] Cory Harding (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 12-10 (32m)
[8] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) 3-1: 6-11, 15-13, 12-10, 11-5 (46m)
[2] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt Finnlay Withington (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 12-10, 11-4 (41m)

Women’s First Round
[1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) bt Lowri Roberts (WAL) 3-2: 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 11-2 (38m)
[6] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt Jacqueline Peychar (AUT) 3-0: 11-9, 11-1, 11-7 (27m)
[7] Katerina Tycova (GER) bt [WC] Katie Cox (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 12-10, 11-7 (27m)
[3] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10 (41m)
[4] Alex Haydon (AUS) bt Emilia Korhonen (FIN) 3-0: 14-12, 11-8, 11-5 (29m)
[8] Ali Loke (WAL) bt Breanne Flynn (IRL) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-4 (23m)
[5] Anna Kimberley (ENG) bt Polly Clark (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 11-4, 11-6 (29m)
[2] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt Katriona Allen (SCO) 3-1: 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2 (35m)