Local star Allen finds it a bridge too far

Mark Allen's challenge on the Mayacamas Rach North American Open came to an abrupt halt last night when he faced the Canadian David Philips in the last round of Qualifying. Even with some vocal support from his home crowd, Philips maintained his composure and kept the game under control. Allen had a glimmer of hope in the 2nd game when he held Philips at 9-9 but the Canadian answered the challenge and closed out the game 11-9.
The other match at the Bay Club also had a local flavor as it was me, Mark's old PSA tour training partner from England (we go back some 30 years now!), and I was up against the Scot, Stuart Crawford. With a little help from the vocal section of the crowd I played my best game for about 3 years to win in 3 games - nervous about keeping the match going too long I was happy to save 3 games points against me in the 3rd before closing out 12-10 after a couple of surprising errors from Crawford.
The Olympic Club paid host to the other two final-round qualifying matches.
Wade Johnstone the Australian, who yesterday took out Decathlon's own Jon Perry, carried on the charge with a convincing 3-1 win over the talented Jose Becceril.
In the second of those matches Raj Nanda, the tall mild-mannered Australian, took out Robin Clarke from Canada in a 'no-messing around' 3-0 victory.
The first round proper begins tonight and matches are split between venues as follows:
The San Francisco Bay Club
5:30 pm: First Round Match 1
6:20 pm: First Round Match 2 – our #4 seed will take the court
7:10 pm: First Round Match 3 – our #1 seed will take the court
8:00 pm: First Round Match 4

Bay Club Marin, Corte Madera Town Centre
6:00 pm: First Round Match 5
7:00 pm:First Round Match 6 – our #3 seed will take the court

Olympic Club, 524 Post Street
5:30 pm: First Round Match 7
6:30 pm: Players Charity Auction & Welcome Party
7:30 pm: First Round Match 8 – our #2 seed will take the court

Come and cheer on the best in the world! Enjoy the squash!