Guildford's long trip not in vain

Exeter Diamonds 2 lost to UniSport Guildford 3
Ian Robinson reports



UniSport Guildford made the long journey to Exeter - the longest away fixture on the calendar and were not disappointed. Exeter Diamonds have a dream squad but struggled on the night for availability of their star names. UniSport on the other hand do not have quite the same luxuries but live for the day when availability is a problem for the opposition, which, surprisingly, is more often than one might suppose. This was just one of those occasions and UniSport Guildford took advantage of the opportunity in a hard nosed professional way, as befits some of the veterans in their side. Not available for Exeter Diamonds were Australians David Palmer, Natalie Grinham and Stewart Boswell as well as Jonathon Kemp, all of whom would have made a vast difference to the home team's fire power. UniSport Guildford had their regular line up - Mick Biggs in for Phil Rushworth - with no real surprises but had the gun loaded and ready to fire.

First on the range was the in form and unbeaten in nearly two seasons, Alison Waters who wasted no time in convincing onlookers that she was hungry to get the job done quickly and this despite the recent disappointment of losing in the final of the National Squash Championships in Manchester. Emma Chorley resisted but mainly without exerting enough pressure on Waters to make a difference. In the end Waters got UniSport off to a sound start with a comfortable 3 - 0 win, putting the first point on the board 1 - 0 to the visitors and continuing her unbeaten run.

On the main show court, Steve Meads was confronted by yet another youngster - well there is a train of thought that says they are all youngsters for Steve these days - in the shape of England Junior, Tom Pashley. Youth versus experience. Meads has been in good form recently and especially had a good showing to the last 16 of the National Championships. He was quickly into his stride building up a lead playing contained and disciplined squash interspersed with enough winners to stay ahead and clinch the first game. The second game followed a similar pattern with Meads controlling most of the play and not allowing Pashley a platform, as hard as he tried. It was tight towards the end of the game but when it mattered Meads found the telling blow and took a 2 - 0 lead. In the third, Meads delivered more of the same and increasingly Pashley became frustrated and lapsed into error as Meads moved away and banked a solid hard working 3 - 0 win to put UniSport Guildford 2 - 0 into a lead.

While the match score was exciting the Guildford supporters, a disaster was befalling them on the outside court as Mick Biggs found James Snell in good form and this combined with Biggs' inability to control the ball in the hot bouncy conditions meant that this was a short and rather one sided contest much to the disappointment of the Guildford player. The score does not often lie and scoring a mere 8 points left Biggs with much to ponder. The margin for Guildford was now reduced to 2 - 1.

The ever popular Stacey Ross never fails to entertain with his skill, but now was the time when a result was the much needed order of the day. Rob Sutherland is another young upcoming tough nut to crack and his all-round athletic ability and solid consistent game were likely to be a testing challenge for Ross. The first game was decidedly edgy with Ross not looking particularly comfortable, but after levelling at 8 - 8 he somehow managed to do enough to stay in front and clinch the game, which took the pressure off him. The second game was again close to 5 - 5 when Sutherland benefited from some loose play and some errors and came storming back to equalise 1 - 1. The third game followed a similar pattern with Ross gradually taking more control of the middle of the court putting Sutherland under more pressure and after tight exchanges Ross suddenly found a degree more confidence and control and took a 2 - 1 lead. Everything pointed to a four game win if Ross could only return with the same tactics and confidence. He did not and the fourth game followed a similar pattern but this time it was Sutherland who moved away after the tight early exchanges. At this stage it was too close to call and it all depended on who got the better start in the fifth. The Guildford player fell 2 points behind, but then just as quickly pulled them back and then started to play with the assurance that allowed him to control the play and force errors from Sutherland who will be disappointed at the outcome of the final game. It was too close to call but the Guildford supporters were happy to take the narrow win and make the long journey home with a lot more cheer than might otherwise have been the case. This was a marvellous 3 - 1 win on the scoreboard for UniSport Guildford and Jesse Engelbrecht still had the opportunity to add another point and boost his own confidence after recent set backs.

The opening phase of the match between the number 1 strings was very strange. The lightening fast Mohamed El Shorbagy took it upon himself to slow ball right from the start of the match against Jesse Engelbrecht. This was perfect for Engelbrecht as it allowed him to hit his winners with rare abandon as if in some practise routine organised by the coach. This was compounded by a string of errors from the Egyptian World number 30. This made for very strange watching indeed, only partially explained by the fact that Shorbagy did not seem to be in the best of health after recent exploits on the World tour in Sweden and Finland. The second game was not much better as far as the Exeter number 1 was concerned, but this time the margin was 11 - 7 - a little easier for Engelbrecht who played the right shots at the right time to build his lead. Predictably the third game saw Shorbagy begin to warm to the challenge a little more but it was still Engelbrecht who made his way to match ball first. Engelbrecht had one chance to make good and clinch what would have been an extremely good win for him, but in the end he hit an unconvincing cross court backhand drive straight onto Shorbagy's volley and with no second invitation needed the home player hit the winner. At this point, there was what could be construed as a poor refereeing decision against Guildford but in reality the rally at match ball was the decisive factor. After that Shorbagy warmed to the task and started to control the match in a way that had not been in evidence at the start and it became increasingly difficult for Engelbrecht to get back into the match and control it in a way that he had been able to do in the first 2 games and for most of the third. Engelbrecht will rue his missed opportunities but as the crowd roared Shorbagy on, it was a fitting end to an absorbing evening's squash.

UniSport Guildford were delighted to come away with an unexpected 3 - 2 win against all the odds and move off the bottom of the table and that against the team that started the day as league leaders. This was just another day in the sporting book of upsets, but made some tired Guildford bodies look forward to the run into the end of season with huge enthusiasm. Guildford were royally entertained in every sense by the Exeter Diamonds club and perhaps next time the welcome won't be quite so cordial.

There is still the postponed fixture against PNH Properties Chichester to fit into the calendar but that apart the next match sees the University faithful welcome TWP St Georges Hill to the Varsity Centre, all in the shadow of the emerging steel frame of the new Squash Centre which is fast becoming a part of the Guildford skyline. Book early to see the action on Tuesday 10th March starting at 7pm.

Ian Robinson
.

TWP St George's Crash To Defeat at Bristol

Danny Lee reports ...

TWP St George's Hill squash team put up a brave showing away to Probuild Bristol with all players capturing at least one game for their endeavours. Nobody could quite manage to win a match on a frustrating night for the visitors. Probuild Bristol now move into 2nd place in The Premier Squash League with TWP St George's clutching on to 4th spot.

Julie Peachey making her debut for TWP St George's exceeded expectations with a brave display against England Junior International Sarah-Jane Perry. Peachey captured the first game and continued to impress narrowly losing the remaining three games, the last of which went to 13-11.

Neil Hitchens playing at number 4 for St George's Hill also took the first game from Welsh International Lewys Hurst. Hitchens didn't have enough strength after a lengthy lay off at Christmas to make any further impact and Hurst took the match comfortably.

TWP's British Junior Champion Joe Lee faced the experienced Peter Marshall who was once ranked World number 2. Marshall has a deceptive two handed style which he uses to great effect. Marshall's immaculate length was rewarded on the cold court and he won the first game 11-7. Lee responded with some fine squash of his own taking the next two games and working his older opponent into the four corners of the court. Marshall can be even more deadly when he is tired and he played constructive squash to wrap up the match leaving Lee frustrated but accepting that he learned plenty in defeat from a past master who can still compete with the best players in the country.

Nafizwan Adnan, TWP's Malaysian import enjoyed the rare sight of seeing England's picturesque snowscape on the journey down but struggled in the cold conditions on court. His opponent Hadrian Stiff the Bristol captain managed to hit enough winners to stop "Wan" prolonging the rallies. In the third game "Wan" found his form but narrowly lost the fourth to the popular home skipper playing in front of a large partisan crowd.

Daryl Selby, whose fitness was in doubt after a nasty stomach bug had hospitalised him last week, started promisingly against former British Open Champion David Evans. Selby, who has risen to a career high no 26 in the latest World rankings cruised through the first game but then found it hard to physically push himself as Evans gained control of the centre of the court and the match.

A disappointing night for TWP St George's Hill but the team will be hoping for a return to winning ways in their home fixture against PNH Properties Chichester on February 17th at 7.00pm.
.

A NIGHT TO FORGET FOR DUFFIELD

Pontefract 4 Duffield 1

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 BRILLIANT

I 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 ...
.

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

Consistent Bristol beat Guildford again

UniSport Guildford 1 lost to Probuild Bristol 4

Jesse Engelbrecht 2 lost to Adrian Grant 3
11 - 7, 9 - 11, 11 - 9, 4 - 11, 6 - 11
Stacey Ross 1 lost to David Evans 3
13 - 11, 3 - 11, 8 - 11, 8 - 11
Phil Rushworth 0 lost to Hadrian Stiff 3
8 - 11, 6 - 11, 8 - 11
Mick Biggs 1 lost to Peter Marshall 3
11 - 8, 3 - 11, 6 - 11, 0 - 11
Alison Waters 3 beat Sarah Jane Perry 0
11 - 7, 11 - 3, 11 - 5

Consistent Bristol beat Guildford again
Ian Robinson reports

UniSport found the going tough against Probuild Bristol in the first match of the second half of the season. Bristol are very much play off contenders and are a hard nut to crack with the vast skill and experience in their ranks. UniSport faced the exact same line up as for the visit to Bristol in the first half of the season. The result then was a 4 - 1 defeat and sadly Bristol's consistency was admirable in repeating the same match score and result again.

Alison Waters was first into action and faced Sarah-Jane Perry, one of England's notable juniors. After a creditable start to the first game by Perry, Waters gradually got the measure of her younger opponent and proceeded to give a master class in professional squash playing from which the youngster can learn. Waters played some awesome squash to cruise home to victory and put the first and only point of the night on the board for UniSport Guildford. 1 - 0

On the Championship Court, Phil Rushworth, deputising for Steve Meads, was renewing acquaintances with Hadrian Stiff, the ProBuild Bristol player manager. This had all the makings of an intriguing encounter but for Rushworth's error count being too high. Stiff is vastly experienced and has plenty of skill but does find playing Rushworth frustrating. Rushworth has all the grit and determination of a genuine Yorkshireman who lost his way only to find himself in Surrey. There is, however, a good deal more certainty about his squash. There is no doubt that the Guildford man is learning hugely from his PSL outings but needs a level of consistency that only comes from an injury free spell of competitive activity. The scoreline bears a similar resemblance to their previous meeting when Rushworth fought his corner hard but in reality failed to put a game on the scoreboard while performing well enough to suggest that better things might well be around the corner. Winning point to Probuild Bristol 1 - 1.

The ever popular local hero, Mick Biggs, was fast out of the blocks against veteran Peter Marshall. Marshall, a former great of the sport with a world ranking of 2 at his best, is still a force to be reckoned with, and that despite now having a day job to distract him. Biggs has reduced his work load to put extra work into his squash game and is reaping a reward for so doing. Certainly a very fired up Biggs hit the ground running and took Marshall by surprise taking the first game 11 - 8. The seasoned campaigner came roaring back ripping the second game off Biggs and conceded only 3 points to make his point. As the third game got under way it became obvious that Biggs was having a problem moving and into the fourth resistance faded away, as Biggs had damaged his hip and was unable to push off that leg. The contest was quickly over as Marshall took care of business. This was bitterly disappointing for Biggs as he was intent upon making a complete nuisance of himself and had already performed above expectation bearing in mind that his result in the first half of the season was a 3 - 0 defeat, so taking a game improved on that. Notwithstanding Probuild Bristol took a 2 - 1 lead.

Stacey Ross was another player intent on bettering his previous performance against his more fancied opponent from the first leg. David Evans is a class act even now in the twilight of his career and although the Christmas festivities might have been good to him, he showed no signs of it. Ross had lost in five tight games in the first half. This time Evans had learnt the lessons well. The first game was very scrappy with neither player showing much sign of taking control. In a tight game, Ross managed to nose in front and take it after some hard work by 13 - 11. Not to be outdone Evans came to life, pushed up the court and starting volleying with his prodigious reach, which seemed to imply that he no longer had to run around the court merely stretching out his arm would do the job. It was intensely frustrating for Ross being unable to move the Bristol man from the mid court position and therefore being unable to roll out his best attacking weapons. Cleverly Evans had rendered Ross's attacking game impotent and but for some brief interludes Evans' domination after that was near exemplary. There was a suspicion that Evans might well have been running out of gas towards the end, but Ross was unable to take control nor exploit that perceived weakness if indeed there was one. This was a steely display of professional squash by Evans with Ross unable to come up with any answers. Full credit to Evans he deservedly banked the point for Probuild Bristol 3 - 1, giving the visitors a match winning score.

The first string match was now effectively a dead rubber but you would not have guessed it from the intensity of the match between Engelbrecht and ex Guildford player Adrian Grant. Grant played for Guildford in his career developmental phase and how Guildford would love to have a player of his pedigree in their team now. Engelbrecht aspires to this level of squash and played positively. Using his accuracy and speed around the court to good effect he matched everything that Grant could do and more in the first game, taking advantage of errors to wrap it up 11 - 7 to give the home supporters something to cheer. The second game was close despite Engelbrecht trailing for the whole game and never quite being able to get on level terms. It became apparent that Grant was mindful of the threat that Engelbrecht posed if he did not stir himself. Grant again lapsed into error in a tight third game and to the delight of the local fans Engelbrecht took a 2 - 1 lead and looked good value for it. But Grant is a good professional these days and dug a little bit deeper and moved up a gear to surge into a big lead which he never lost to level the scores at 2 - 2. Engelbrecht now looked tense and ill at ease, making a disastrous start to the fifth game. Engelbrecht fell behind and despite competing hard he had it all to do playing catch up in a game that he badly needed to control if he was to come out on top. Grant moved into top gear and never allowed Engelbrecht into the match which was to end a regrettably disappointing night's work for the UniSport Guildford team losing by 4 games to 1.

There were some positives to take out of this match for UniSport Guildford, but not enough and performances need to rise for success to be part of the equation in the remainder of the season. UniSport Guildford will look forward to welcoming back Steve Meads for the next match against PNH Properties Chichester on the south coast on Tuesday 3rd February. See you there...