Chichester get off the mark

With both teams looking for their first win of this year’s PSL, Covers Team Chichester welcomed Surrey-Storm Guildford for the third home match of the season.

The number 4 strings played first on the show court.  Chichester stalwart, Tim Vail faced David Wardle, making his debut for Guildford.   Vail’s experience was a telling factor from the outset; his overall ability demonstrated that he had enough time to make choices on the ball and generally dominate the proceedings.  Wardle battled well and the third game went to a tie break but Vail clinched it 12/10.

1.0. to Chichester

On the adjoining court Dominique Lloyd-Walter (World No.22) played World No. 52, Victoria Lust of Guildford.  Lloyd–Walter stormed to a 6/2 lead in the first before being overtaken and finding herself 6/9 down.  She immediately took stock, tightened up her game and cut out the errors to turn it around and win the game 11/9.  The second game continued in the same vein and Lloyd –Walter went on to win it 11/1, relatively unchallenged.  The third was a different matter and both players battled out an evenly competitive game.  Lust took the upper hand and won it 9/11.  The fourth was an equally competitive encounter but this time Lloyd-Walter forged ahead to nick the game and match 11/8.

2.0. to Chichester.

Next, on the championship court, Chichester’s No.3 and former World No.5, Alex Gough, played against Gibraltar’s No.1, Anthony Brindle.  Gough seemed to be playing well within himself and comfortably took the first 11/9.  In the second Brindle dug in and began to retrieve well to force a tie break.  Gough’s experience, however, ensured that he won through 12/10.  In the third Gough’s skill always gave him the advantage and although Brindle ran well the result was inevitable. 

3.0. to Chichester to give the team their first victory of the season.

In what was anticipated to be the closest match of the evening, Chichester’s Robbie Temple took on Stacey Ross, a former World top 50 player.  The first 2 games were shared with very little to separate the players.  After winning the second game Temple’s confidence grew and although it was once again close Temple snatched the third, 11/9.  The match was building in tempo and there was the prospect of more exciting squash to follow in the 4th.  During this game Temple always had the edge and maintained a cushion of a couple of points throughout.  He managed to hold his game together to run out a winner 11/8 and give the Chichester squad a 4.0. lead.

With an anticipated 5.0 whitewash in sight Azlan Iskandar went on court determined to fulfil the squad’s expectations.  The first was an entertaining game with Guildford’s Jesse Englebrecht playing his part well but Iskandar (World No. 13) always had matters in hand and took it 11/6.  The second followed, in some parts, the same way with Englebrecht matching Iskandar in some of the rallies.  The ranking gap, nonetheless, became all too evident and Iskandar ran through an 11/7 winner.  More of the same in the third and Iskandar successfully completed the 5.0 whitewash 11/6.

The next home match is scheduled for Tuesday December 1st against Bristol.

Mike Phillips - Team Manager