The shout of "come on Scotland" from a spectator in the Fitzwilliam crowd drew a wry smile from Peter Nicol but, much like his opponent in yesterday's final of the Nivea for Men Irish Open Championships, it didn't trouble him too much. Last year Nicol won the tournament as a Scot, yesterday he retained his title as an `Englishman' by beating David Palmer in straight sets, his first Tour success since switching allegiances to England two months ago in order to benefit from their `World Class Performance Programme'.
His decision has made him public enemy number one in Scottish squash, with which he has always had an uncomfortable relationship, and hasn't impressed too many of his new English colleagues either, not least the players who fear they will lose their place on the national team because of his arrival. The world champion, though, has dealt with the fall-out from the controversy in much the same way as he deals with his challengers - unflappably.
Palmer, the Australian Institute of Sport graduate who is now ranked at three in the world, lost to Nicol in last year's semi-finals but after beating him in the last eight of the Al Ahram Masters in Egypt last month went into yesterday's match hopeful of securing the victory that would narrow the gap between himself and Nicol, ranked at two behind Jonathan Power, in the world rankings. It wasn't to be. After a tight first game, which Nicol won 1511 in 25 minutes, Palmer took just five points in the second, which lasted a mere 10 minutes, before Nicol closed out the match by taking the third 15-9.
Nicol, economic and flawless as ever with his strokes, thwarted every effort by the rangier, taller and more powerful Palmer to force his way back into the game, and too many times was given points by the Australian's unforced errors.
When he fought back to trail by just three points, 10-13, in the first game Palmer's prospects looked good but Nicol simply stepped up a gear and had his opponent scrambling around the court attempting to retrieve sublimely angled drop shots and power volleys. The second game turned into a master class of professional squash, with Nicol the effortless tutor and the increasingly frustrated Palmer tiring.
"Concentrate on the game David, get stuck in," another spectator advised Palmer and he appeared to take notice of the advice, responding with a surge that saw him produce his best squash of the match, rallying to move within two points of Nicol (9-11) but, again, the defending champion calmly weathered the storm and dug a little deeper to take the next four points. And the match.
