Chapel-A go Top

Chapel Allerton 4-1 Nottingham
Mike Dickens reports

Jenny Duncalf vs Sarah Kippax: on paper Chapel A were looking to go one nil up, however, after the first game the crowd were looking worried. Sarah came out of the blocks quickly with Jenny not up to full pace and took the game 11-6.

The second Jenny was moving better and commanding the rallies and raced ahead to take the game 11-6, order was restored. Sarah in the third played some exquisite forehand volley drops and started to boss the ‘T’, 11-8 Sarah. Again in the forth much the same from Sarah and Jenny couldn’t fight back from 9-4 down, Sarah took the forth 11-7 after playing some great squash.

Chris Simpson vs Simon Parke: Chris had lost their three previous meetings 14-12 in the fifth, so the crowd needed to get behind him for that little bit extra. Chris started very well, quick, accurate and playing long energy sapping rallies.

Parkey came back though as he always does chasing the ball down and putting doubt into Chris’s mind, taking the third 13-11 with some brutal rallies. Chris managed to stay strong and pushed through 11-6 in the forth, using three different rackets in the process.

Aaron Frankcomb vs John Rooney: Aaron looked determined from the start and made very few errors and was pushing the pace. He took the first and the second 11-6, 11-6.

In the third Rooney came back with killer shots and worked Aaron that bit more moving him off the ‘T’, however, the Australian wanted a three love win and that is what he got with a well deserved 12-10 in the third.

Alister Walker vs Renan Lavigne: Alister was on fire. He said before the match he was “feeling good” and it certainly showed in his performance.

With the confidence from his new world ranking and recent results Alister seemed to be playing with a bit more attacking flair to go with his already renowned fitness and speed. He dominated the match and won with 11-3 11-3 11-7 much to the crowds delight.

Thierry Lincou vs Ong Beng Hee: this was Thierry’s debut for Chapel A and the crowd were excited at the prospect of seeing a former World Number One and World Champion. It was the number 7 in the world vs the number 10 and what a game.

The retrieving, unbelievable, the shots on the big points, outrageous, the length of the rallies, ridiculous. Both players wanted this match so much and the crowd did not want it to end. One of the greatest matches ever at Chapel A and that includes players such as the legendary Jansher Khan playing here in his prime.

Both had match balls in the fifth and at 12-12 a rally left both players doubled over gasping for breath and the supporters going wild. Another brutal rally on match ball at a frightening pace saw Thierry firing a forehand cross court nick and some how an amazing pick up by Beng Hee, then an exceptional exchange at the front of the court with Thierry finishing the rally with a low hard cross court.

Thierry raised both fists to the air and gave out a loud shout of delight. Both players walked off to a standing ovation and credit must go to both players for such a superb display of squash, long may it continue. 11-7 12-10 10-12 9-11 14-12 (84 minutes).

Mike Dickens