The Wait is Over for Surrey Storm

Last Night saw Surrey Storm entertain Bristol Probuild in their first home game since the beginning of the season.  Having narrowly lost out 3-2 in the first half we were hoping that we could go one step closer and clinch our first win of the season.  Making his debut after a long lay of with injury was Sammy Chambers form Cambridge and he was first on against Ben Rodgers.  These two have gone through the junior ranks together so know a lot about each others game.  On the other court Victoria Lust was looking to build on her win last week against Sarah Jane Perry.

Vicky got off to a bad start in both the first and second games having to fight back to take the first 11,9 and the second 13.11.  In the third she managed to get her tactics right and avoid a lot of the interference that hampered the first two games taking the game and match 11,4. 

Meanwhile Sammy and Ben were battling hard to gain the initiative.  Both players were creating opportunities but perhaps were struggling to make real use of the lower tin.  Sammy managed to pull away in the first 2 games taking them 11,6 11,7.  Ben was far from finished though and as Sammy made a few unforced errors at the start of the third he raced into a 7,2 lead.  Sammy fought hard but Ben closed out the game 11,8.  The fourth was more like the first two games although Sammy was beginning to find his range at the front and was still retrieving everything thrown at him.  He pulled away to 10,6 but Ben saved 2 match points before clipping the tin and handing Sammy his first PSL win in his first appearance.

2-0 up but we had been here before!!

Captain Marvell Steve Meades followed Sammy on in the knowledge that he could carry the team to that elusive first victory.  He was up against Mike Harris who attacked whenever possible but Steve played excellent controlled squash to take the match in 3 games 11,7 11,6 11,8 and hand Surrey Storm their first win!!

Stacey Ross was next on the show court against Hadrian Stiff.  Both players like to attack and the game was a great example of attacking squash.  There was lots of subtlety too with holds, flicks and changes of pace.  Hadrian won the first 11,5 before Stacey levelled with the next game 11,6.  The next was tight all the way with Stacey winning it 11,8. Hadrian was not to lie down and he levelled the match 11,8 and setting up a decider.

In the fifth Stacey managed to control the rallies much better and stay in front and control the middle closing out the match 11,5

After a short break Jesse Englebrecht went on at number one to face Mohammed El Shorbagy.  Mohammed was clearly up for some revenge and to ensure that Bristol went home without a win.  From the first rally he made life uncomfortable for Jesse who just could not find any rhythm and he raced into a 1-0 lead.  Jesse kept trying to get a foot hold in the rallies and impose himself but Mohammed was just too good on the night and he won comfortably in 3. 


A big thank you to all the players’ who have worked so hard and always give their all.  This win has been a long time coming but hopefully like buses, a second will be here soon!!