Following our massively successful season last year, which saw MB Nottingham make the semi final play off, missing out on a final place against eventual winners Esporta Croydon by the narrowest of margins, this season see’s a change to the line up and a change in how the Premier League team fits into Nottingham Squash Club.
For three years, Nottingham Squash Club has been holding thrice weekly free coaching sessions with level 4 head coach and former international Richard O’Connor exclusively for the pro’s and talented junior athletes based at Nottingham Squash Club. Supported by Dunlop UK, The Dunlop Nottingham Academy is providing a clear pathway for elite level squash players to train, play and develop into world class players here at Nottingham Squash Club. Over the last few years our younger professional players have been given the opportunity to play occasional Premier League Squash. This summer however, the decision was made to further commit to the talent we have nurtured, giving our entire home grown and Nottingham based players exclusive opportunities to play for our Premier League team.
It was this fresh faced, talented group of players that made the trip, along with a bus full of Nottingham supporters, across the border to local rivals Duffield.
First on court was the number 1 string match, Steve Coppinger now ranked 45 in the world, looked as strong and rangy as usual, Lewis Walters although ranked 107 in the world is playing to a standard much more equal to Coppinger.
Walters started slowly, long attritional rallies that Coppinger always seemed to get the better of, unbelievable recovery and court coverage from both players, however Coppinger looked the more comfortable taking the first 11/3. As predicted this wasn’t going to be a quick match, both players dug in for the second and Walters extended a narrow lead for game ball at 10/9, after numerous lets and some tooing and froing Coppinger was able to contain Walters and sneak back taking the game 12/10. The third continued in the same theme, neither players giving an inch but Coppinger was again the player that was able to play the final ball and minimise his opponent’s options taking the game 11/8 and the match 3-0.
On the back court former England top 20 Paul Hargreave took on U17 National champion Oliver Holland. Holland is improving so quickly, he started the match hard and fast, volleying well and attacking at every opportunity. Hargreaves has exceptional racket skills, however, they were no match for the speed of Holland who chased down everything, counter attacking superbly to close out the first 11/6. Holland couldn’t maintain the high pace of the first and with time on the ball Hargreaves is devastating, he closed out the second 11/4. The third was tighter, Holland forcing the pace, trying to extend the rallies and keep it away from the Hargreave fore hand. Under pressure, Hargreave sucked his young opponent into short sharp exchanges that suited his game down to the ground. With a series of outstanding winners Hargreave snuck the third and a 2-1 lead. The momentum now all with the home player Hargreave extended an early lead that the frustrated Holland couldn’t claw back, going down 11/5 to give Duffield a 2-0 match lead.
Following on the back court another of Nottingham’s England Junior international’s Declan James, met the exceptionally quick Australian Matthew Karwalski. Ranked 76 in the world Karwalski was ultimately too consistent for his young opponent, Karwalski’s retrieval skills forcing error’s from his young opponent who had to keep going lower and lower to stop his winners from coming back. The resulting clipped tins a predictable result. James never looked outclassed however and kept his opponent honest throughout, narrowly losing the first two 11/9, 11/9 before a series of stunning winners gave him game point in the 3rd at 10/8. He couldn’t convert however as Karwalski put up the shutters and retrieved himself to death, taking the third 12/10 much to Declan’s frustration.
The Ladies were on the show court and what a match the packed crowd were given. Home hero Laura Hill took on yet another England Junior International Emily Whitlock. These two players met last season and Laura won resoundingly, 6 months is a long time when you’re 16 however and this match literally couldn’t have been tighter. The first was back and fore throughout, neither player giving an inch trading blow for blow until Laura sneaked an advantage at 10/9. Whitlock levelled before Hill once again sneaked a lead only to be levelled once again. This continued, Whitlock took the initiative for game ball at 15/14, saved by Hill before Hill finally managed to close out the first game in an epic 19/17 to rapturous applause.
The physical and mental toughness shown by both players was exceptional and anybody expecting any change for the second was totally wrong. Again both players went at it hammer and tongs, good length, few errors, great winners and traded back and fore. Again we reached a tense tie break, neither player gave an inch but the experience of Hill shone through who was able to focus and get across the line dramatically 12/10. So with Whitlock clearly frustrated at being 2-0 down, she came back for the third with renewed vigour keeping the pace high, both players still working hard but Whitlock seemed to have the edge gaining game ball at 10/8. Alas Hill would not concede, one rushed error by Whitlock trying to get over the line and a winner from Hill and we’re back all square for yet another tie break. Rueing the missed opportunity Whitlock needed to regroup but Hill now sensing weakness kept the pressure and after a breathless final rally took the match with a great faded length, cue huge applause for two players that gave absolutely everything they had.
So with the match lost Mark Fuller playing for pride took on the experienced Andy Whipp. In front of the Duffield faithful Whippy has an enviable win ratio, tonight was no different. Fuller threw everything at Whippy in the first, retrieving like a madman, Whippy was equal to it and soaked up the pressure narrowly taking the first 11/9. Fuller struggled in the second and with Whippy gaining in confidence closed out the match 11/2 11/4 to consolidate a great result for Duffield.
Points wise, a disappointing night for MB Nottingham, performance wise we couldn’t ask for more from our young team. They all played to their level, considerably higher than rankings would have you believe, the score line didn’t do them justice they narrowly missed out on giving Duffield a scare. This team of home grown and young talent draws a line in the sand for how Nottingham is looking to engage with professional squash players, it’s an exciting time to be involved with Nottingham Squash Club and we hope our formula will continue for many years to come. Keep your eye on this team, another 6 months and we’ll be competing well, next year... who knows!
Dave Coghlan
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