It is with a heavy heart……
The Semi Finals (one of them anyway) pitted the current champions, Surrey H&RC against the might of the Benz Bavarian sponsored Duffield team. The latter didn’t make it to the semis last year, in no small measure because their numero uno, Nick Matthew got himself injured. Nick was back for this one and there were rumours that his presence would be the deciding factor in this nail biter. Whatever!
The line up for the home side was, in reverse order, Vicky Botwright, Captain Garner (a late replacement for Ben Ford), Davide Bianchetti, Peter Barker and Wael El Hindi.
For the visitors, Tania Bailey, Joel Hinds, Andy Whipp, Joey Barrington and Nick Matthew.
First up, the ladies put on a very decent show. I’ve never seen Tania play live before but guessed on reputation and a recent win against a strong field in KL that our Vicky would be in for a tough one here. And so it proved…. Vicky, despite extricating herself from the rigours of the WISPA tour last year, is still very fit, very mobile and a very good player. I was impressed with Tania though. She appeared to do all the right things keeping Vicky almost constantly under pressure and making the home girl work hard for every point she lost and twice as hard for every point she won.
A close 3-0 (7, 7 and 9) but nevertheless, the home team were one nil down.
On the “other” main court, the youth of Joel Hinds appeared to be telling against Captain Garner. At two love down in this crucial tie, it appeared quite possibly all over. A tie break in the 3rd that just went the way of the home player told the story of just how close this one was. With a sniff of a chance, Tim came out for the fourth and dug in…and dug in….and kept on digging in. He gave away virtually nothing free picking up the majority of Joel’s very good attacking shorts and returning them with interest to take the fourth 11-9.
And so to the decider and a monumental effort from Tim kept the scores pretty much on par through the latter stages of this game. Not to take anything away from Joel; he did all he could to force this one pushing Tim all over the court but the home player just wouldn’t lie down and ……..eventually….ran out a deserved winner 11-9 to much clapping, stamping of feet and general heckling form the sizeable home support.
One game all in matches and Surrey now strong favourites to go through to the final…..
…….that is, until Andy Whipp turned up….grrrrr…. J
I didn’t see any of the 3rd string match between Davide and Andy Whipp. On rankings at least, the home player was expected to win this one but at one game all, it sounded like Davide got most frustrated with the marking and lost a very tight tie break 15-17 in the 3rd to go 1-2 down.
The fourth was another tight affair with much frustration with the marking, from BOTH players. The away player stayed strong though to close it, and the match out on another tie break, 10-12. Well played Andy Whipp.
The pendulum swings back in a northerly direction………
The 2nd string tie between home player, Peter Barker and Joey Barrington didn’t take very long at all. Joey, just back from Egypt did well to extend the rallies and attacked with purpose and a fair amount of success in the first but once the home player had taken the first 11-7, authority was exerted and the tie was soon wrapped up 11-6, 11-4.
At the time that one finished, Messrs El Hindi and Matthew had already been engaged in battle with the first game deservedly going the way of the home player, 11-4. Could a shock result be on the cards?
No.
Nick showed some real class in this one. Wael played extremely well in my opinion; he was forced to just to stay with Nick but the away player gave very little away. The result was a fantastic display of controlled squash that got tighter and tighter with each point won by whomever could keep up the pressure or play an ungettable winner (frequently, both were needed to win a solitary point!)
All told, the away player ran out a deserved 3-1 winner and with the victory, the Duffield team took the spoils and a place in the final.
On a personal note, even though we lost and are compelled to hand back the trophy now, this was the best PSL tie I’ve ever had the privilege of watching. All the matches were excellent exhibitions of squash player who deserved it the most. Well played to all and good luck to Duffield in the final.
You better win it now!
David Sobo
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
SEMI-FINALS, Tue 31st March
Live updates from the semi-finals ...
Chapel Allerton bt Probuild Bristol 3/2
Thierry Lincou lost to Adrian Grant 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 12-14
Alister Walker bt David Evans 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Aaron Frankcomb bt Hadrian Stiff 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8
Chris Simpson bt Lewys Hurst 11-2, 11-3, 11-6
Jenna Gates lost to Sarah-Jane Perry 6-11, 6-11, 5-11
PCL Whitehall Security Surrey H&RC LOST TO Benz-Bavarian Duffield 2/3
Wael El Hindi lost to Nick Matthew 11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 6-11
Peter Barker bt Joey Barrington 11-7, 11-6, 11-4
Davide Bianchetti lost to Andrew Whipp 8-11, 11-9, 15-17, 10-12
Tim Garner bt Joel Hinds 6-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9 (saving match ball at 9-10 in 3rd!)
Vicky Botwright lost to Tania Bailey 7-11, 7-11, 9-11
5 May Final:
Chapel Allerton v Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Chapel Allerton bt Probuild Bristol 3/2
Thierry Lincou lost to Adrian Grant 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 12-14
Alister Walker bt David Evans 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
Aaron Frankcomb bt Hadrian Stiff 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8
Chris Simpson bt Lewys Hurst 11-2, 11-3, 11-6
Jenna Gates lost to Sarah-Jane Perry 6-11, 6-11, 5-11
PCL Whitehall Security Surrey H&RC LOST TO Benz-Bavarian Duffield 2/3
Wael El Hindi lost to Nick Matthew 11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 6-11
Peter Barker bt Joey Barrington 11-7, 11-6, 11-4
Davide Bianchetti lost to Andrew Whipp 8-11, 11-9, 15-17, 10-12
Tim Garner bt Joel Hinds 6-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9 (saving match ball at 9-10 in 3rd!)
Vicky Botwright lost to Tania Bailey 7-11, 7-11, 9-11
5 May Final:
Chapel Allerton v Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Chichester finish with a win
In the final match of the PSL season, pnh Properties Team Chichester welcomed local rivals Unisport Guldford, in the bottom of the table clash, reports Mike Phillips.
Chichester’s Annabelle Collins-Ballands, making her home debut, played Emma Wardle. Both are Junior players and a fantastic match ensued. Wardle played good confident squash whereas Collins-Ballands looked fraught with nerves and in no time at all found herself 0.2 down. She needed a game to gain self-assurance. Her confidence was boosted when she narrowly took the third and fourth soon after. She raced to a 9/3 lead in the decider before she slightly faltered allowing Wardle to claw back 3 points with some excellent positive play. Collins-Ballands kept her composure and closed the game and match 11/6.
On the adjoining championship court, Olly Pett (Chichester), undefeated thus far this season, took on Phil Rushworth from Guildford. After a very tight first game, Rushworth finally won it 10/12 and a close match looked to be on the cards. Unfortunately Pett’s next 2 games were strewn with errors and Rushworth [all credit to him] took full advantage and played a solid, no frills match, to wrap up 0.3 victory.
1 match all.
Next on court 4, Neil Frankland was making his debut for Chichester against Mick Biggs. The match was very much a ‘to & fro’ affair with Biggs leading 1.2 before Frankland’s patience, composure and experience enabled him to fight back to take the 4th and 5th games – making Chichester 2.1 up.
On the glass back court Tim Vail played Steve Meads. For the most part Vail controlled the first two games, winning 11/9, 11/8 and although Meads had his chances Vail’s shot making was winning through. Meads then rallied well and pulled back to take the third game 6/11. Vail stormed to a 5/0 lead in the 4th only to be pegged back to 5/5 by Meads’ persistence. At this stage there was a small collision and an exchange of words which appeared to unsettle Meads. Vail took advantage and threw in a few of his trademark nicks to seal the match 11/6.
3.1 and the match to Chichester
So to the final match of the evening and what amounted to a dead rubber but nonetheless involved the silky skills of Stacey Ross (Guildford) and Chichester’s Alex Gough. The rallies in the first game were evenly contested to 5 all until a rally ensued didn’t move forward at all and his resistance faded; 11/5 to Chichester. After a slow start by Ross in the second game, Gough built up a healthy lead and some superb winning lengths brought Ross back into this game. The lead which Gough had created proved too much although a closer game than the first with Gough winning it 11/7. The third game had both players involved form the start using some great angles and all parts of the court. Gough had 2 match points but Ross held on to take the tie break 13/15. The fourth game saw Ross continue in the same vein with Gough looking like he had lost the impetus from the first 2 games. Ross took the game 5/11 to set up a 5th and deciding game.
The momentum was now with Ross and Gough was really struggling to regain control and the match slipped away 7/11 to make the overall score 3.2 on the night
Team Chichester will now need to take stock, regroup and apply themselves for the next campaign and hopefully a better season.
Mike Phillips
.
Chichester’s Annabelle Collins-Ballands, making her home debut, played Emma Wardle. Both are Junior players and a fantastic match ensued. Wardle played good confident squash whereas Collins-Ballands looked fraught with nerves and in no time at all found herself 0.2 down. She needed a game to gain self-assurance. Her confidence was boosted when she narrowly took the third and fourth soon after. She raced to a 9/3 lead in the decider before she slightly faltered allowing Wardle to claw back 3 points with some excellent positive play. Collins-Ballands kept her composure and closed the game and match 11/6.
On the adjoining championship court, Olly Pett (Chichester), undefeated thus far this season, took on Phil Rushworth from Guildford. After a very tight first game, Rushworth finally won it 10/12 and a close match looked to be on the cards. Unfortunately Pett’s next 2 games were strewn with errors and Rushworth [all credit to him] took full advantage and played a solid, no frills match, to wrap up 0.3 victory.
1 match all.
Next on court 4, Neil Frankland was making his debut for Chichester against Mick Biggs. The match was very much a ‘to & fro’ affair with Biggs leading 1.2 before Frankland’s patience, composure and experience enabled him to fight back to take the 4th and 5th games – making Chichester 2.1 up.
On the glass back court Tim Vail played Steve Meads. For the most part Vail controlled the first two games, winning 11/9, 11/8 and although Meads had his chances Vail’s shot making was winning through. Meads then rallied well and pulled back to take the third game 6/11. Vail stormed to a 5/0 lead in the 4th only to be pegged back to 5/5 by Meads’ persistence. At this stage there was a small collision and an exchange of words which appeared to unsettle Meads. Vail took advantage and threw in a few of his trademark nicks to seal the match 11/6.
3.1 and the match to Chichester
So to the final match of the evening and what amounted to a dead rubber but nonetheless involved the silky skills of Stacey Ross (Guildford) and Chichester’s Alex Gough. The rallies in the first game were evenly contested to 5 all until a rally ensued didn’t move forward at all and his resistance faded; 11/5 to Chichester. After a slow start by Ross in the second game, Gough built up a healthy lead and some superb winning lengths brought Ross back into this game. The lead which Gough had created proved too much although a closer game than the first with Gough winning it 11/7. The third game had both players involved form the start using some great angles and all parts of the court. Gough had 2 match points but Ross held on to take the tie break 13/15. The fourth game saw Ross continue in the same vein with Gough looking like he had lost the impetus from the first 2 games. Ross took the game 5/11 to set up a 5th and deciding game.
The momentum was now with Ross and Gough was really struggling to regain control and the match slipped away 7/11 to make the overall score 3.2 on the night
Team Chichester will now need to take stock, regroup and apply themselves for the next campaign and hopefully a better season.
Mike Phillips
.
Fourth for Guildford
PNH Properties 3 beat UniSport Guildford 2
Alex Gough 2 lost to Stacey Ross 3
11 - 5, 11 - 7, 13 - 15, 5 - 11, 7 - 11
Tim Vail 3 beat Steve Meads 1
11 - 9, 11 - 8, 6 - 11, 11 - 7
Ollie Pett 0 lost to Phil Rushworth 3
10 - 12, 3 - 11, 9 - 11
Neil Frankland 3 beat Mick Biggs 2
11 - 5, 7 - 11, 9 - 11, 11 - 5, 11 - 5
Annabelle Collins-Ballands 3 beat Emma Wardle 2
8 - 11, 9 - 11, 11 - 7, 12 - 10, 11 - 6
Guildford finish fourth - Ian Robinson reports
UniSport Guildford travelled to the south coast with points uppermost in their minds for the last match of the Premier Squash League season. At the start of play UniSport were 9 points ahead of Chichester at the foot of the table and 9 points behind St Georges Hill in fourth place. So a win would see a fourth place finish ahead of St Georges Hill but a loss would make a points calculation inevitable with PNH Chichester chasing hard to lose the wooden spoon position. Both teams had absentees with Alison Waters and Dominique Lloyd-Walter away as well as UniSport team no 1 Jesse Engelbrecht and Chichester without ever present veteran Peter Genever and their number 1 Azlan Iskander. Nonetheless the matches were intriguing and made it difficult to predict the outcome with home advantage going to PNH Chichester.
The first match was between two young ladies of the future, Emma Wardle for UniSport Guildford and Annabelle Collins-Ballands of PNH Properties Chichester. Nerves were going to play a big part in this match and so it proved. Premier League Squash is all new to both these promising players who have been notable in their junior exploits. Predicting the outcome was akin to Saturday night lottery selection - much in hope but little certainty - and likely success would fall to the one who managed the occasion best. The first two games were claimed by Wardle who dictated terms from the middle of the court and hit the ball crisply with some clever placements. No doubt Collins-Ballands was showing early signs of nerves, making mistakes in situations where she would not normally. After building good leads Wardle proceeded to show her opponent enough daylight to encourage her keen participation, which was probably to cost in the long run. After looking the likely winner to the later stages of the third game Wardle lost her control and ceased her strong hitting to the back corners which allowed the Chichester youngster enough room to work her way to the middle of the court and start exercising more control over proceedings. It was the Guildford player who started to make mistakes, but there was no certainty either way. The tie break in the fourth game was the last time that Wardle had a chance to claim victory. Collins-Ballands came back from a 2 - 0 deficit, worked hard and at the same time reduced her errors to claim a hard fought victory. Both players will have been encouraged by this outing in the big time and will learn from the experience. But first blood went with home advantage, 1 - 0 to PNH Properties Chichester.
Phil Rushworth is in a rich vein of form at the moment and looking to add to his recent scalps found himself opposed to another upcoming youngster in Ollie Pett of Sussex. UniSport needed this tie to get back on equal terms and Rushworth was up for the challenge. The first game was particularly hard fought but in the end recent successes meant that Rushworth had the confidence to nose in front at the crucial time and claim a hard working first game success 12 - 10. This only served to increase his confidence even more and he came out firing at the start of the second and dominated the game with his relentless driving forcing loose balls to finish clinically to the front corners. In the third game matters were more even and Pett tried desperately to force his way back in, but in the end Rushworth was not to be denied and he happily put UniSport Guildford's first points on the board. 1 - 1 in match score and at this stage on games count back Guildford with 2 games from Wardle's match and 3 points from Rushworth's match had scored 5 points with a points tally of 10 being necessary to overtake St Georges Hill.
Mick Biggs found himself opposed to Neil Frankland, once of UniSport Guildford fame and now spending his twilight years as a super-sub for PNH Properties Chichester. As is the case in these situations it came back to haunt Guildford. Frankland did what he has done many times before in Guildford colours and that is won the first game with his brand of quality controlled squash. He worked his opponent out of position and hit some tasty winners to the front corners of the court. But credit to Biggs, he started to adjust to the Chichester courts and hit more accurately taking Frankland away from the middle of the court and making him work harder for his opportunities. Biggs even managed to venture some controlled placement winners of his own to steel the second and third games. Both these games were hard won and the closeness of the score suggested that Biggs was not really making his advantage pay as effectively as he should. When 2 - 1 down, Frankland applied himself to the task and increased his work rate and grabbed control of the play back from Biggs and ran out the winner using his experience to make it count at the key stages of the fourth and fifth games. Biggs will rue the missed opportunity here - the last time they played he took a 3 - 0 beating but here he was definitely in with a great chance. The fact that it went begging only says that it is a matter of time before he wins at this level and then there will be a suitable boost to his confidence with the attendant benefits. PNH Properties Chichester 2 - 1. However a further 2 valuable points were added to the UniSport cause in the League table.
Home team player manager, the ever popular Tim Vail greeted Steve Meads with a volley of attacking shots from the outset. So nothing new there then. Meads was pitting his reliable containing game against the outright and forthright attack of Vail. Always a fascinating contest made more so by the hint of niggle taking place on court, which the referee did little to allay. It was really an end of season struggle with the quality of squash sufficient but both players are probably looking forward to some summer sun or if they are not then they probably should be. Clearly the the result and the points were all that mattered. Both players are such good professionals that they wanted to deliver the goods for their team on the night. There was some interesting cat and mouse and by and large it was in the balance. But it was a straight battle as to whether Vail would find enough winners to keep him out of too much physical trouble against Meads trying to suck him into working as hard he could to reduce the attacking capability. The result went again with home advantage when, despite dropping the third game, Vail was able to find enough control to keep Meads at bay and raise the cheer of the night as Chichester won the match 3 - 1 and the tie 3 - 1 as well. But another valuable point in the league table for UniSport Guildford - now a promising 8 points with a further 2 needed to overtake St Georges Hill.
So with 2 points needed Ross was faced by the PSA's new Chief Executive Alex Gough, who, more importantly used to be a world top 5 player himself. Gough was immediately into his stride giving no hint of his retirement to take up more pressing executive matters. No question the ball was pinging around the court with little or no accuracy except that applied by Gough which was enough to win him the first game with Ross seemingly not at the races. The second game went a similar way with Gough far more in control and finding the right shot at the right time to claim the second game, however not by such a clear margin. Now Ross was beginning to show signs of getting his game together. The third game was closer but still Gough arrived at match ball before Ross started to come to life. Stung into action after the frustration of the first two games, Ross was timing the ball better and hitting some clean winners - always a good indicator. After saving himself in the third, Ross started to hit with precision, which conveniently co-incided with Gough getting tired and slowing his relentless speed around court just enough. Showing great accuracy and hitting some disconcerting winners Ross played particularly well in the fourth to level the scores and take it into fifth and deciding set without having to become embroiled in too many lengthy rallies. The fifth was an intriguing struggle with Gough trying to contain the attacking game of Ross hitting tight and deep, but Ross showing just enough patience to wait for his moment to hit the winner and stretch his opponent and make him work harder than he wanted to. After tough early exchanges in the deciding set, Ross moved clear and claimed a hard working victory in a strangely fascinating and entertaining match at the end of a long season. UniSport Guildford had lost the match overall 3 - 2, but had put 11 points on the board which was enough to finish 4th in the Premier Squash League table for the season.
This has been another successful campaign in the Premier Squash League by UniSport Guildford who have worked hard to make the most of their playing resources. A very special mention must go to all those that have supported the team as sponsors, the University of Surrey Sports Department (UniSport) Colbornes VW and R A Robertsons & Sons. We would also like to thank all those travelling spectators,drivers and general camp followers too numerous to mention but you know who you are - you have all added to the spirit of the team. We look forward to next season, which we hope will be adorned by the move to the new Surrey Sports Park facility with 8 brand new glass backed squash courts. Can't wait. See you next season.
Ian Robinson
.
Alex Gough 2 lost to Stacey Ross 3
11 - 5, 11 - 7, 13 - 15, 5 - 11, 7 - 11
Tim Vail 3 beat Steve Meads 1
11 - 9, 11 - 8, 6 - 11, 11 - 7
Ollie Pett 0 lost to Phil Rushworth 3
10 - 12, 3 - 11, 9 - 11
Neil Frankland 3 beat Mick Biggs 2
11 - 5, 7 - 11, 9 - 11, 11 - 5, 11 - 5
Annabelle Collins-Ballands 3 beat Emma Wardle 2
8 - 11, 9 - 11, 11 - 7, 12 - 10, 11 - 6
Guildford finish fourth - Ian Robinson reports
UniSport Guildford travelled to the south coast with points uppermost in their minds for the last match of the Premier Squash League season. At the start of play UniSport were 9 points ahead of Chichester at the foot of the table and 9 points behind St Georges Hill in fourth place. So a win would see a fourth place finish ahead of St Georges Hill but a loss would make a points calculation inevitable with PNH Chichester chasing hard to lose the wooden spoon position. Both teams had absentees with Alison Waters and Dominique Lloyd-Walter away as well as UniSport team no 1 Jesse Engelbrecht and Chichester without ever present veteran Peter Genever and their number 1 Azlan Iskander. Nonetheless the matches were intriguing and made it difficult to predict the outcome with home advantage going to PNH Chichester.
The first match was between two young ladies of the future, Emma Wardle for UniSport Guildford and Annabelle Collins-Ballands of PNH Properties Chichester. Nerves were going to play a big part in this match and so it proved. Premier League Squash is all new to both these promising players who have been notable in their junior exploits. Predicting the outcome was akin to Saturday night lottery selection - much in hope but little certainty - and likely success would fall to the one who managed the occasion best. The first two games were claimed by Wardle who dictated terms from the middle of the court and hit the ball crisply with some clever placements. No doubt Collins-Ballands was showing early signs of nerves, making mistakes in situations where she would not normally. After building good leads Wardle proceeded to show her opponent enough daylight to encourage her keen participation, which was probably to cost in the long run. After looking the likely winner to the later stages of the third game Wardle lost her control and ceased her strong hitting to the back corners which allowed the Chichester youngster enough room to work her way to the middle of the court and start exercising more control over proceedings. It was the Guildford player who started to make mistakes, but there was no certainty either way. The tie break in the fourth game was the last time that Wardle had a chance to claim victory. Collins-Ballands came back from a 2 - 0 deficit, worked hard and at the same time reduced her errors to claim a hard fought victory. Both players will have been encouraged by this outing in the big time and will learn from the experience. But first blood went with home advantage, 1 - 0 to PNH Properties Chichester.
Phil Rushworth is in a rich vein of form at the moment and looking to add to his recent scalps found himself opposed to another upcoming youngster in Ollie Pett of Sussex. UniSport needed this tie to get back on equal terms and Rushworth was up for the challenge. The first game was particularly hard fought but in the end recent successes meant that Rushworth had the confidence to nose in front at the crucial time and claim a hard working first game success 12 - 10. This only served to increase his confidence even more and he came out firing at the start of the second and dominated the game with his relentless driving forcing loose balls to finish clinically to the front corners. In the third game matters were more even and Pett tried desperately to force his way back in, but in the end Rushworth was not to be denied and he happily put UniSport Guildford's first points on the board. 1 - 1 in match score and at this stage on games count back Guildford with 2 games from Wardle's match and 3 points from Rushworth's match had scored 5 points with a points tally of 10 being necessary to overtake St Georges Hill.
Mick Biggs found himself opposed to Neil Frankland, once of UniSport Guildford fame and now spending his twilight years as a super-sub for PNH Properties Chichester. As is the case in these situations it came back to haunt Guildford. Frankland did what he has done many times before in Guildford colours and that is won the first game with his brand of quality controlled squash. He worked his opponent out of position and hit some tasty winners to the front corners of the court. But credit to Biggs, he started to adjust to the Chichester courts and hit more accurately taking Frankland away from the middle of the court and making him work harder for his opportunities. Biggs even managed to venture some controlled placement winners of his own to steel the second and third games. Both these games were hard won and the closeness of the score suggested that Biggs was not really making his advantage pay as effectively as he should. When 2 - 1 down, Frankland applied himself to the task and increased his work rate and grabbed control of the play back from Biggs and ran out the winner using his experience to make it count at the key stages of the fourth and fifth games. Biggs will rue the missed opportunity here - the last time they played he took a 3 - 0 beating but here he was definitely in with a great chance. The fact that it went begging only says that it is a matter of time before he wins at this level and then there will be a suitable boost to his confidence with the attendant benefits. PNH Properties Chichester 2 - 1. However a further 2 valuable points were added to the UniSport cause in the League table.
Home team player manager, the ever popular Tim Vail greeted Steve Meads with a volley of attacking shots from the outset. So nothing new there then. Meads was pitting his reliable containing game against the outright and forthright attack of Vail. Always a fascinating contest made more so by the hint of niggle taking place on court, which the referee did little to allay. It was really an end of season struggle with the quality of squash sufficient but both players are probably looking forward to some summer sun or if they are not then they probably should be. Clearly the the result and the points were all that mattered. Both players are such good professionals that they wanted to deliver the goods for their team on the night. There was some interesting cat and mouse and by and large it was in the balance. But it was a straight battle as to whether Vail would find enough winners to keep him out of too much physical trouble against Meads trying to suck him into working as hard he could to reduce the attacking capability. The result went again with home advantage when, despite dropping the third game, Vail was able to find enough control to keep Meads at bay and raise the cheer of the night as Chichester won the match 3 - 1 and the tie 3 - 1 as well. But another valuable point in the league table for UniSport Guildford - now a promising 8 points with a further 2 needed to overtake St Georges Hill.
So with 2 points needed Ross was faced by the PSA's new Chief Executive Alex Gough, who, more importantly used to be a world top 5 player himself. Gough was immediately into his stride giving no hint of his retirement to take up more pressing executive matters. No question the ball was pinging around the court with little or no accuracy except that applied by Gough which was enough to win him the first game with Ross seemingly not at the races. The second game went a similar way with Gough far more in control and finding the right shot at the right time to claim the second game, however not by such a clear margin. Now Ross was beginning to show signs of getting his game together. The third game was closer but still Gough arrived at match ball before Ross started to come to life. Stung into action after the frustration of the first two games, Ross was timing the ball better and hitting some clean winners - always a good indicator. After saving himself in the third, Ross started to hit with precision, which conveniently co-incided with Gough getting tired and slowing his relentless speed around court just enough. Showing great accuracy and hitting some disconcerting winners Ross played particularly well in the fourth to level the scores and take it into fifth and deciding set without having to become embroiled in too many lengthy rallies. The fifth was an intriguing struggle with Gough trying to contain the attacking game of Ross hitting tight and deep, but Ross showing just enough patience to wait for his moment to hit the winner and stretch his opponent and make him work harder than he wanted to. After tough early exchanges in the deciding set, Ross moved clear and claimed a hard working victory in a strangely fascinating and entertaining match at the end of a long season. UniSport Guildford had lost the match overall 3 - 2, but had put 11 points on the board which was enough to finish 4th in the Premier Squash League table for the season.
This has been another successful campaign in the Premier Squash League by UniSport Guildford who have worked hard to make the most of their playing resources. A very special mention must go to all those that have supported the team as sponsors, the University of Surrey Sports Department (UniSport) Colbornes VW and R A Robertsons & Sons. We would also like to thank all those travelling spectators,drivers and general camp followers too numerous to mention but you know who you are - you have all added to the spirit of the team. We look forward to next season, which we hope will be adorned by the move to the new Surrey Sports Park facility with 8 brand new glass backed squash courts. Can't wait. See you next season.
Ian Robinson
.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Chapel A grab top spot at Duffield
Arthur Curran reports
Here at Duffield tonight we see the top of the Group A battle between Benz Bavarian Duffield and league newcomers Chapel Allerton, to decide who wins the group and is therefore entitled to a home tie in the semi final. Chapel A are obviously weakened by the loss of Thierry Lincou their No 1, who is playing the final of the Super Series at Queens tonight, so not a good start for them. However Duffield are without their No 1 Ladies player Tania Bailey, so Laura Hill comes in and she says she will do her very best against British Champion and World # 5 Jenny Duncalf.
First match up was the ladies, and good hard work by Laura in the first game kept her level up to 9/9 but then Jenny struck out and took the game 11/9. Jenny started the second very much in control and despite Laura battling bravely as she always does, Jenny took the game 11/5. Jenny took control again in the third, despite battling hard again, levelling at 7/7, Jenny took four straight points to take the game 11/7 and the match 3 -0.
Meanwhile on the glassback court, the No 3 strings were playing, Andy Whipp for Duffield and Australian Scott Arnold for Chapel A. The first game went very evenly up to 8/8,Scott took the next point but Andy won out with two great shots and took the game 11/9. Scott got slightly in front in the second game, Andy could not quite find the shots to pull back and Scott took the game 11/5 – 1 game each. Whippy took control early in the third with his usual all action game and took the score to 9/5, but Scott fought back tenaciously and, although Andy had a game ball at 10/9, Scott levelled up and took the tie break to win 12/10. Andy started off well again in the fourth, helped by five straight bad shots from Scott, then a lovely drop shot and a deep volley helped him take the game 11/3. 2 games all. The final game was a battle royal, the home crowd cheering madly every point won by Andy, with long rallies and great shots, the score moved to 7/7, after a couple of “discussions” with the referee Scott went to 9/7, Andy levelled at 9/9 with a sizzling drop shot but then tinned one to give Scott match ball. But Andy was not quite finished – he took the next point to go to a tie break, but unfortunately Scott took the next two points to take the game 12/10 and the match 3 games to 2 to rapturous applause from the audience after 61 minutes on court.
Andy must have been very tired, he must have had some sleepless nights the last couple of weeks since his lovely wife gave birth to a baby girl two weeks ago. Congratulations to Andy and his family!.
Meanwhile, on the adjoining court the 4th string players had started their match. Joel Hinds for Duffield and South African Steve Coppinger for Chapel A started off very quietly with a cat and mouse game, which went level up to 9/9. After a very long rally Joel got game point then with a lovely long drop shot took the game11/9. The second game was again very close with both players battling hard. The game went to a tie break at 10/10 and was decided eventually in Joel’s favour 15/13. 2 games to nil. Steve took an early few points lead in the third and just managed to keep in front to take the game 11/7and stay in the match. Steve again took an early lead 4/0then went to 7/1and 8/3 with Joel fighting hard, but then took the game 11/3. This final game was all important – a win for Chapel A would give them the tie 3 games to nil with two matches to play. With a very tense crowd looking on, Steve took the first point, but then gave Joel 2 with two tins. After 7 lets at 2/1, the score went to 2/2, 3/3 (another 3 lets here), but then Steve moved slowly up to 8/3, however Joel had not given in.
He pulled the score back to 8/6 after a beautiful crosscourt shot got him back in the scoring, but then the much more experienced South African eased out to take the game 11/6, after 15 minutes, and the match 3 games to 2 after 71 minutes..
This meant of course that Chapel Allerton had taken first place in Group A in their first season in the league and Duffield were runners up.
However there were two matches still to be played, and they were certainly played competitively. First, Joey Barrington (Duffield) took 75 minutes to beat Chris Simpson (Chapel A) 10/12, 13/11, 11/8, 11/5. Then Nick Matthew came on court against Alister Walker, who has moved up to #16 in the World Rankings, but despite putting up a great fight Alister lost out 11/9, 11/3, 11/5 in 37 minutes.The results we have had from the other matches means that Duffield will travel to Surrey H&RC, Croydon, and Chapel A host Bristol in the semi finals two weeks tonight on the 31st March.
Arthur Curran
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