Laura's dream dashed
BIRMINGHAM University-based Laura Lengthorn-Massaro lost to London's Alison Waters in the final of the British National Squash Championships.
Lengthorn-Massaro looked a good bet to land her first British title when she beat top seed and defending champion Tania Bailey in the semi-finals at Manchester.
Third seed Lengthorn-Massaro was leading 11-6, 11-9 when Bailey was forced to retire hurt.
That left her facing the lower-ranked Waters in the final, but after a bright start when the University of Birmingham player won the first game 11-6, Waters recovered in style to take the next three games and the title 11-7, 11-8, 11-9.
Preston - who became the first unseeded player to reach the final in 2005 and last year lost out after squandering a two-game lead - said: "I really wanted it this year after missing out twice before.
"It's been my focus since the beginning of the year."
