Five-Nil to the Chi

Round 3 of the PSL took place at Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club this week with pnh Properties Team Chichester playing TWP St. George’s Hill of Weybridge. Both teams were without their top string players; Mo Azlan Iskandar (Chichester) and Daryl Selby (St. George’s Hill)

First on the glass back court Chichester’s Delia Arnold, World No.36 and winner of the 2007 Pakistan Open, was making her debut for pnh Team Chichester against Rachel Willmott for St. George’s Hill. The match was very tight with Willmott leading in all 3 games; in particular going 8/10 up in the second which she frustratingly lost 12/10. Arnold, however, stayed strong and exerted the pressure to come through a tight 3/0 winner.

1 up to Chichester

On the adjacent court the Chichester Club’s stalwart, Pete Genever, played Phil Nightingale. After a dew tentative opening exchanges, Genever got into his stride and put in a polished performance, running out a comfortable 11/7, 11/4, 11/4 winner against a very game opponent.

2.0 to Chichester.

Next on the glass back Chichester’s captain, Tim Vail faced the Swiss, World Junior No.3, Nick Mueller. In a very entertaining match Vail played with great flair in the first game. Mueller displayed his class with great speed to the front of the court, slotting in drops and volley drops. Vail, however, took the game 11/6. Mueller continued his superb front of court play, took advantage of a slightly under par Vail, and convincingly won the second 4/11. Vail found second win in the third and after a very tight game managed to ‘nick’ it 11/9 to take a 2/1 lead. Despite looking tired Vail came out firing in the fourth and built up a 10/4 match point lead, only for Mueller to dig in and fight back to 10 all. Vail was not to be denied and clinched the tie break to win 3/1 thus giving Chichester an unassailable 3.0 lead.

On the adjoining court, Robbie Temple [Chichester] at number 3 played St. George’s, Neil Hitchens. This match was a workmanlike 3/1 win for Temple to give him his first win for Chichester. Hitchens battled well, taking the second game and losing a tight 3rd but Temple prevailed, putting Chichester 4.0 up on the night.

Finally the Number 1 strings took the championship court; Alex Gough [Chichester] against World No. 47 Tom Richards. Although it was a dead rubber match it proved to be the best contest of the night. After testing each other out in the first, Gough took it on a tie break. The second was just as tight and once again Gough, who looked like he was back on form after Round 2’s blip at Guildford was the victor at 11/8. Richards, though was not to be denied and after Gough had the chance to take the match 3.0, Richards hung on and took the third 8/11. Richards continued in the same vein in the 4th and after some breathtaking squash from both players he won it 9/11.

With the momentum going with Richards in this closely contested match it looked as if he would win through. Gough, however, was resolute and both players battled right to the very end; Gough winning the final titanic rally to take it 11/9. This match was an incredible advert for squash and the gallery was royally treated to a fantastic match.

Pnh Properties Team Chichester was finally off the mark with a magnificent 5.0. victory. With Iskandar back for next week’s fixture against champions Surrey, Chichester can approach the match with much confidence.

Mike Phillips