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A Happy England Setup
Malcolm Willstrop looks at the prospects for England's all-Yorkshire
team, in Amsterdam and beyond ...
 England go to Amsterdam for the European Team Championships in Amsterdam
with an all-Yorkshire team, four born and bred and Peter Nicol, who
qualified during his time with David Pearson in Harrogate.
Lee Beachill, James Willstrop, Nick Matthew and the rejuvenated Simon
Parke, who has deservedly won his place back in view of Adrian Grant's
disappointing recent form, make up a powerful side, a combination of youth
and experience at the highest levels.
In 2003 in unbelievably hot conditions in Nottingham England staved off a
substantial challenge from France, with several players left in a state of
exhaustion, not least the incomparable Nicol who proved his allegiance to
the England cause beating Thierry Lincou in a match of heavyweight
proportions. I well remember him stretched out after the match, quite
spent.
In 2004 in a splendid championship, beautifully staged in Rennes,
England with the same team, except Grant for Parke, in front of an
expectant 2,500 crowd, crushed France.
Willstrop and Matthew, England's future, dismissed Jean-Michel Arcucci and
Ranan Lavigne summarily and the crowd were left stunned. Nicol then
treated them to a show of virtuosity as he dismissed Lincou, much more
readily than in Nottingham.
On paper, with four of the world's top ten, England should not be troubled
to win again with France, led by Lincou and Gregory Gaultier, as the
obvious threat.
It is hard to imagine England failing, since they are a happy and cohesive
group of players in a happy England setup, where the coaching staff and
support team are well-integrated with the players.
That has been more than obvious in Nottingham and Rennes and was equally
true in the World Championships in Vienna, where the main problem was a
nasty draw which saw them play Canada in the quarter-final, which would
have been acceptable as a final.
The four string of the Europeans as opposed to the World's three is also
heavily in England's favour.
The basis of a side for the next World Championships is well in place with
Australia the main challengers. The welcome return to action of Stewart
Boswell may well compensate for the suspended David Palmer, though his
ineligibility is a serious setback.
Malcolm Willstrop
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