By ANDY PILLING – Squash Mad Correspondent

Patrick Rooney produced a phenomenal performance to beat top seed Declan James in straight games in the men’s final of the AJ Bell England Squash Super 8 tournament in Manchester. World No.6 Sarah-Jane Perry made sure there was no such upset in the women’s final as she halted Georgina Kennedy, also without dropping a game.

In a repeat of the AJ Bell England Squash Championships final, Perry faced a tough test against a rising star in Kennedy.

It was Perry, though, who took home the title again with a composed straight games win. Kennedy showed some of her star potential in a close second game, but Perry’s experience and game management proved too much to overcome.

Perry paid tribute to Kennedy in her post match interview and highlighted the importance of her competing in some PSA World Tour events.
Sarah-Jane Perry bt Georgina Kennedy 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 (27m)

Declan James also had the opportunity to add the Super 8 title to his AJ Bell England Squash Championships crown, but he faced a stern test in Patrick Rooney, who had kept an almost perfect record on his way to the final.

Rooney repeated that form to emerge victorious in straight games, playing some incredible squash to keep James at bay. In the post-match interview Rooney credited his victory to everything just going right for him today. A fantastic victory for him that will build his confidence ahead of some of the major events coming up this summer.
Patrick Rooney bt Declan James 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 (31m)

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The remainder of the day saw some tasty matches in the play-offs for positions.

Jasmine Hutton ended her week on a high securing a 7th place finish after beating Anna Kimberley over three games.
Jasmine Hutton bt Anna Kimberley 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (21m)

In the 5th & 6th place women’s play-off match, Lucy Beecroft added another impressive performance to her event. She beat Lucy Turmel in an exciting back and forth match, across five games to secure 5th position.
Lucy Beecroft bt Lucy Turmel 3-2: 11-7, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4 (56m)

Joshua Masters was awarded 7th position in the men’s before the day started after Richie Fallows retired with an injury. That left Daryl Selby and Charlie Lee to battle it out for 5th & 6th position. It was Lee who ended his tournament on a high though with a strong performance to beat Selby three games to zero.
Charlie Lee bt Daryl Selby 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-9 (34m)

The 3rd & 4th place play-off in the women’s draw saw Alison Waters compete against Julianne Courtice. Waters took 3rd position with a close win over Courtice. After winning the first game, Water closed out the match winning the third and fourth games.
Alison Waters bt Julianne Courtice 3-1: 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4 (44m)

Pictures courtesy of England Squash