Pontefract 4-1 Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Lee Beachill 3-0 Andrew Whipp 11-9, 11-7, 11-9
Harinder Pal Sandhu 3-1 Alex Stait 13-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6
Neil Cordell 3-0 Peter Billson 15-13, 11-5, 11-1
James Earles 0-3 Joel Hinds 4-11, 9-11, 5-11
Vanessa Atkinson 3-0 Millie Tomlinson 11-8, 11-3, 11-8
THE WHIPPY REPORT
A match that looked like a definite 3-2 on paper in Duffield's favour turned out going badly wrong ...
MILLIE HAS FUN
First up at a quiet night in Pontefract, very quiet, was Millie against once World Champion, Vanessa.
A tough task for the junior but at 6-2 up in the first it looked like a stroll for the local girl! A few tins from Vanessa, maybe the nerves of the huge occasion, or maybe the 10 strong crowd was a little intimidating for the World no.11, and Millie was loving life. Vanessa then asserted her control and never looked back unfortunately for Millie.
Vanessa ran away a very comfortable winner but Millie had a smile on her face the whole match relishing every second of the match and admired every winning lob or drop Vanessa hit. Next time Millie, next time!
A FLAT BADGER RUN OVER IN THE ROAD
The first men's match was Badger Billson against his Wigginton team mate Neil Cordell. Neil started from the outset playing very well, controlled squash all the way. Pete was playing OK but seemed to have left his legs in front of the TV at home watching The Brittas Empire on UK Gold, as a few of his movements looked a tad slow.
A few untimely errors cost Pete the game on a long tie break, and after that Neil went from strength to strength. I've never seen him play so well (as I'm also a Wigginton player).
He was patient and always under control and put in a few nice drops when he needed to, Pete got more and more frustrated, let the court get to him and just couldn't get himself into the match.
He couldn't quite show that resilience that badgers so often have to at this time of year, maybe hibernation mode has kicked in for the bitter weather! An impressive 3-0 for Mr Cordell.
JOEL JIGGLES ABOUT (AS PER!)
Joel was always in control on the adjacent court, showing James who was boss. James, who has obviously been impressive throughout his junior career so far, largely helped by being so strong and developed - he's akin to a grizzly bear in a lemming's body - never could make a physical impact on the stronger, faster paced, somewhat frantic Joel. Joel was a comfortable 3-0 winner.
At last a point on the board!
STAITY SUNK
Staity has knee troubles these days as everyone knows but he's still a class act at controlling the ball. Harry's been here for 6 months and has improved, and was definitely more comfortable on the Pontefract court than Staitman. After sharing a tight first two games, both on tie breaks, unfortunately for us the Warrior from India ran away with the next two to confirm that Ponte were to run out winners.
Staity was just too much in coaching mode as he was constantly caught out going to the back when the ball was in fact going to the front! Doh!
BEACH STILL BRILLIANTI felt good on court to be able to move again after a week of being completely crippled with a shitty back (pretty sure that's the medical term).
I played well, trying to draw out the rallies when I could, which is very hard to do when you have someone with the immense racket control of Lee trying to shorten the rallies whenever he could.
I definitely suffered from the "seven point itch". I got to seven points first in every game but then proceeded to play the crappest rally in history to keep Lee in it, and then of course he'd play a few great rallies and pip the game. It was a good match, with some exceptional shots from Beach, but frustrating just thinking if I could have gone on to take one or two of the games when I was up.
It's good though to see Beach using his short game, attacking any loose ball that comes his way. All it takes in one slightly loose 3/4 length and "slap!", the rally's over.
It will be interesting to see how he handles playing a game every day in the British next week because the way he's hitting the ball he's more than capable of winning, but having to play Nick though isn't the kindest draw ...
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