Covers Team Chichester tonight played Exeter Diamonds in the first round of the second half of the PSL season. The order of play was switched at the last moment; Exeter’s Joey Barrington was stuck in traffic! Top strings Stewart Boswell and Chichester’s Azlan Iskandar therefore started the proceedings on the glass back court.
Iskandar and Boswell had an even first 2 games (12/10, 8/11) on what seemed like a cold court. The third game was crucial with Boswell having trouble keeping a tight line with his backhand. Iskandar came from behind to take the game and go 2.1 up. In the fourth Iskandar stormed ahead, of a visibly tiring Boswell, to a 9/1 lead. Despite a valiant effort from Boswell, Iskandar maintained control, closed the game and took the match 11/4.
1 – 0 to chichester
On the adjoining court Annabelle Collins-Ballands, making her first start of the season for Chichester, faced Emma Chorley. Collins-Ballands gave an admirable performance and had chances to close the second game with some nice drop shots from mid-court. Chorley’s experience and pace, however, saw her come through to win 5/11, 9/11, 6/11.
One-all
Next on court, 4th string Pete Genever played James Snell (Exeter). On previous encounters Genever has always come out on top. This time Snell took his revenge; although all the games were extremely close. Snell’s length outshone Genever’s and, coupled with his good long drop on the back hand side, Snell took the match 10/12, 11/8. 11/13, 11/13 to put Exeter ahead 2.1.
Next on the glass-back court Chichester’s Alex Gough had the tough task of taking on Jon Kemp (world No.24); a repeat of the away fixture in the first half of the season. Overall Kemp controlled the match but Gough battled well and came close to taking the second game. Kemp, however, won the match in 3 straight games, 5/11, 9/11, 7/11, to give Exeter an unassailable 3.1. lead.
The dead rubber match proved to be the match of the night; Chichester’s Tim Vail played World No.28 Joey Barrington.
Vail got off to a flying start, hitting shots a plenty and, although Barrington began to find his rhythm towards the end of the game, the lead which Vail had opened was just too much and Vail won it 11/6.
Vail continued in the same strong manner and despite Barrington eating away at Vail’s game and lengthening the rallies Vail managed to hang on to take the second 12/10.
The third game started badly for Vail allowing Barrington to get into his stride and win it 5/11. In the 4th it appeared that Vail was feeling tired and he looked as if he was losing his way, with no patience or game plan and Barrington was well into his stride to take the game 6/11.
2-all and Barrington continued to control the game in the 5th. Despite Vail playing with more patience he found himself 5/10 down. Then in inspirational fashion Vail, with more patience and perseverance to rally, threw everything into the game to claw back and hold a match point at 11/10. Barrington stood strong, held his nerve and rallied well to snatch the game, and match, 11/13.
1.4 to Exeter.
The next match in 2 weeks time is away to St George’s Hill when Covers Team Chichester will field a full strength men’s squad, with Annabelle playing her second match of the season. The squad will need to improve on the 1.4 loss in the first half….. we shall see.
Mike Phillips - Team Manager
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