Norfolk-born squash star James Willstrop wins Commonwealth Games silver medal

Published: 4:23 PM July 28, 2014 Updated: 2:38 PM October 10, 2020

Laura Massaro lost out in the final to Nicol David. - Credit: PA

Norfolk-born squash star James Willstrop has had to settle for a silver medal after Nick Matthew retained his Commonwealth Games title in Glasgow following a feisty five-set final against his England team-mate.

World number two Matthew triumphed 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5 in a repeat of the final in Delhi, although the manner of his win was markedly different from his straight-sets sweep four years ago.

The Sheffield man seized the lead early in the decider and held firm for a win which completed an English sweep of the medals after Peter Barker beat India's Saurav Ghosal in the bronze medal play-off.

Matthew edged the first set 11-9 after a minor delay when he lost a contact lens and an angry confrontation with the referee when Willstrop, originally from North Walsham, was awarded a point after clattering the ball into Matthew's legs.

But Willstrop responded well and remained ahead throughout a tight second set which he eventually edged 11-8 on his third game ball.

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Matthew took early control of the third, streaking into an 8-1 lead and holding off a fleeting Willstrop recovery to take it 11-5, but again Willstrop responded by dominating the fourth to force the decider.

Earlier, world champion Laura Massaro, who was born in Great Yarmouth, was forced to settle for the silver medal after losing the women's final 12-10, 11-2, 11-5 to long-time world number one Nicol David of Malaysia.