Harford edges out friend Temple

2:06pm Monday 12th May 2008

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STROUD squash star Jonathan Harford was pushed to the wire as he defeated childhood friend Robbie Temple at the Dunlop British Open at Liverpool Cricket Club.

Originally from Stroud and now based in Leeds, world number 63 Harford was facing Painswick's Temple, ranked 23 places lower in the world.

Eager to make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the past two years, Harford battled for 61 minutes against his 21-year-old opponent before coming through an 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5 winner.

"We actually grew up together - I met him the first time when he was three," explained Harford.

"He is such a talented player. Did you see the shots he got - from behind him, from everywhere? He really is one of the players I want to see do well."

Harford's interest in the tournament was ended by Thierry Lincou 11-10 (2-0), 11-5, 11-3.

Meanwhile, former Wycliffe squash star Alister Walker pushed second seed Ramy Ashour, to the wire in the first round of Dunlop British Open in Liverpool.

Unseed Walker, a Botswana-born 25-year-old raised in Stonehouse and now based in Leeds, led in all four games, winning the second. But Ashour - the world number two who, amazingly, was making his debut in the event - dug deep to win the first, then fought back from 10-5 down to take the third.

It took the squash star 65 minutes to finally overcome Walker 11-8, 7-11, 11-10 (2-0), 11-7 and claim a place in the second round.