Chichester welcome Bristol

This Tuesday Covers Team Chichester welcomed a very strong Probuild Bristol Squad for Round 5 of the Premier Squash League and the 3rd home fixture of the season.  The Bristol team’s top 2 players are ranked in the World’s top 15.

First on the glass-back court was Chichester’s Dominique Lloyd-Walter who played World No.8 Laura Massaro.  The first 2 games were shared; both score lines the same - 5/11, 11/5.  In the third, Lloyd-Walter stormed to a 7/2 lead before Massaro clawed her way back, using her effective boast to maximum effect and eventually she clinched the game 11/13.   In the 4th Massaro, with her generally tidy game, continued to dominate the match in the same vein.  Lloyd-Walter, however, struggled to find a consistent length and Massaro took advantage and won through 2/11 to put Bristol 1-up on the night.

On the adjoining court Chichester’s No.4 and team stalwart, Peter Genever, played the ‘Squash Legend’ and former World no. 2, Peter Marshall.  A truly great match ensued.  Marshall got off to a great start, wrapping up the first 2 games 7/11, 8/11 before a titanic 3rd game, in which Genever saved 4 match balls before clinching it 12/10.  The rallying and movement displayed by both O35 players was immense.   Genever, renowned for his fitness, ground his opponent down taking the 4th, 11/7.  After over an hour’s play Genever eventually won the 5th, 11/7, completing a memorable match between 2 great rivals.

1-    all

Next on the championship court Chichester’s Alex Gough was up against the World Junior Champion, Mohammed El Shorbagy.  Giving away 20 years, Gough equipped himself well in the first game and had numerous chances to take the game before losing it 9/11.  Shorbagy moved the ball around the court well and used great shot selection throughout the match.  Gough continued to battle gamely and was competitive in all 3 games but the age difference took its toll.  Shorbagy’s speed and ability to cover everything proved too much for Gough and he went on to win 7/11, 8/11 to put Bristol in a 2.1 lead.

Next on was Tim Vail, another Chichester stalwart player, playing David Evans, former World No.3 and 2000 British Open Champion.  Evans dominated the first 2 games, cutting the ball off well with Vail struggling to get forward.  In the third Vail found his length and started to feed off this and taking control of the front, aided by a few uncharacteristic tins from Evans, Vail took the third.  In the 4th Evans regained domination of the court, despite Vail’s valiant efforts.  Evans proved too strong on the day and won the match 1.3 to give Bristol an unassailable lead.

Last match was between the No.1 strings, Adrian Grant [World no.10] and Chichester’s Robbie Temple.  The match was an entertaining one with the 50 ranking place difference being very much apparent at the business end of all 3 games.  Temple battled well and certainly had many chances to take a game but Grant’s experience at the next level helped him to win the match.  Nonetheless, the 12/10 and 13/11 score lines in the second and third games showed just how close the games were.

1.4 to Bristol

A Christmas break follows and time for Chichester to regroup in readiness for the second half of the season.  Iskandar returns to the squad but Lloyd-Walter will be missing for the first 2 fixtures so it really will be down to the men to provide the spoils.  With a bit of luck on the Covers Team Chichester’s side a mid table position at the end of the season would be a great accomplishment.

  Mike Phillips - Team Manager