First day and the local star stands strong, by Chris Walker

Mixed fortunes at the first days play for the locals at this year's Mayacamas Ranch North American Open.
Spectators at the Bay Club had the pleasure of seeing two of their local Squash stars compete in the first round of the qualifying last night. First on court was Decathlon Club's own Jon Perry. Up against Wade Johnstone, a regular on the tour, Jon played with conviction and gave Wade some serious challenges (especially with his forehand cross-court flick drop shot from the front right which saw Wade sailing in the wrong direction at least half a dozen times much to the crowds delight. However, just when Jon really needed one more of them Wade started to read and return them with interest. Three close games but Wade came out on top with superior fitness and the ability to 'hang-in' against Perry's front court attacks towards the end of each game. Johnstone came through 11-9, 11-8, 11-9.
Top of the bill for the night was the Bay Club's own Head professional Mark Allen, who only got in to the draw because one of the PSA players didn't show for the qualifying draw. After a heavy day in his office as tournament organizer, on the computer and arranging player transport and the sponsor's beer supplies he managed to make it to the court on time and produce some great Squash against the younger, less experienced Patrick Bedore. Bedore I am sure didn't know what had hit him.... Mallen used all his knowledge of the game to control the match and, after a late flurry from Patrick really tested his composure and aerobic capacity, he was able to close it out in double quick time (much to the relief of lungs, pump and knowing spectators!).
In the other matches around San Francisco last night:
At the OC (being the Olympic Club) Stuart Crawford from Scotland beat the favored Jorge Ferreira 11-6, 10-12, 11-8, 15-13 to meet Chris Walker (author of this blog) who won his first PSA match in 3 1/2 years against Ian Power 11-6, 11-6, 11-4.
The Canadian, David Philips, beat another local and Bay Club favorite Armando Oliguin 11-1, 11-2, 11-6 again at the OC.
Meanwhile, at Bay Club Marin, Armando's brother, Marco Olguin was accumulating more points than his brother (despite losing the first game 11-0) against another Canadian, Robin Clarke, going down 11-0, 11-4, 11-8.
Canada 2, Olgiun's 0.
The second match at Bay Club Marin was between Raj Nanda, of Australia, and Regardt 'Reggie' Schonborn of South Africa. The Aussie pulled through in 4 games. 11-3, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6.
The third and final Bay Club Marin match was between Jose Becceril and Andrew McDougall. The Mexican Becceril proving too strong in the end winning in 4, 11-7, 11,13, 11-9, 11-5.

TUESDAY MAY 22, TONIGHT'S MATCHES ARE:

AT THE BAY CLUB:
6PM STUART CRAWFORD V CHRIS WALKER
8PM DAVID PHILIPS V MARK ALLEN

AT THE OC (OLYMPIC CLUB):
5.45PM ROBIN CLARKE V RAJ NANDA
6.45PM WADE JOHNSTONE V JOSE BECCERIL

BE THERE OR MISS THE BEST THING IN SAN FRANCISCO TONIGHT!