A big match for MB Nottingham, the last home match of the season facing bottom of the league Pontefract, a big win would guarantee play off action.
First on the show court Emma Beddoes faced the in form World No. 12 Vanessa Atkinson. Beddoes fought well, looked to volley and push the pace, Atkinson however was equal to it. She extended a lead 10/6 in the first before Beddoes fought back to 9/10 and with the home crowd cheering her on looked hot for an exciting comeback. PAR scoring leaves no margin for error however and one tin gave a relieved Atkinson the first 11/9. In the second and third Beddoes couldn’t contain Atkinson, who was now finishing anything loose clinically. She snatched the second 11/7 and stormed away in the third to take it 11/5 and wrap the first match up in favour of the visitors.
On the back court, Nottingham born and bred Lewis Walters was faring better with a strong and composed display against the young Indian Karen Malik. Too strong for Malik in all areas, Walters moved his opponent well, forcing opening after opening with good length and deft touch at the front. Sealing victory to level the match 11/5, 11/4, 11/6 Walters’ third season in the PSL team for MB Nottingham and he’s really starting to show the maturity and deliver results that are expected from a top 100 player.
Arthur Gaskin followed Walters on the back court and despatched his opponent Neil Cordell in a similar ruthless fashion. Carrying a slight shoulder injury, Gaskin was stil too strong for Cordell, far to many attacking options at the front of the court that Cordell couldn’t answer. Gaskin wrapped up the match and gave the home team a healthy 2-1 lead 11/7, 11/5, 11/3.
Following the girls on the show court we had the masters(!) Former world No. 1 Lee Beachill facing Nottingham’s former world No. 3 Simon Parke. An Interesting trivia point, both players sealed the National league title as team mates the last time Nottingham won the trophy 10 years ago in 1999! 10 years later but still an interesting and enthralling match. Parke started brightly, chasing absolutely everything as you would expect and opening up a 7/1 lead. Beachill clearly struggling for with movement, couldn’t contain Parke who forced a high pace, created winners as well as errors from his opponent. However, Beachill still maintains some formidable racket skills and kept firing the ball in for Parke to chase, a couple of errors from Parke and Beachill clawed back to 5/7 before the pendulum swung again and Parke closed the game out 11/5. The second was one way traffic, Parke stormed it, Beachill struggled to turn quickly or move forward onto the ball with any purpose Parke capitalised and took a 2-0 lead 11/2. Beachill it seemed was just warming up, his movement was vastly improved, he could ping the ball in and follow up the short game Parke was subjecting him too. The result, Parke did some serious mileage, getting the ball back relentlessly, of course Beachill was more than happy to let him carry on. Epic rallies, the crowd jumping up and down and all done in great spirit. 10/10 Parke fires in a cross court nick for match ball, two tins and its game ball Beachill, another nick and its all level at 12/12. Two winners from Beachill and he snatches the game 14/12. Beachill has broken Nottingham hearts before from similar situations so the crowd sat uncomfortably for the 90 second break. The fourth was tight until 6/6, Beachill jarred his arm trying to get the ball off the back wall and struggled from then on, tinning out as Parke sealed the deal 11/6 and confirmed a home win for MB Nottingham.
The No. 1 string and playing for pride and more importantly points on the board. John Rooney faced Canadian Andrew McDougall and started rather sluggishly. McDougall pushed the pace, extending the rallies with Rooney simply to loose to wrestle control of the T. McDougall made the game plan work up to 10/8, experience it seems kicked in. Rooney settled, tightened up his game and minimised his opponents options, McDougal on the other hand tried to force the issue and started getting ragged. Rooney soaked up the Canadian’s frantic retrieval and pushed the ball into the target areas awaiting an error or opportunity. Of course they quickly followed and Rooney closed the game out 12/10 with a McDougall tin. The tone was set and Rooney followed up with a comfortable result 11/5 in the second, while the third was 11/7.
Another sell out night, another win for MB Nottingham, a multitude of mathematical options for the playoffs but we are very much in the box seats as we travel to Chapel Allerton in two weeks time.
Dave Coghlan
Showing posts with label Dave Coghlan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dave Coghlan. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Stress Less... Nottingham @ Pontefract
After the unbelievable tension of the last two home matches, MB Nottingham made the journey North to Pontefract for what was predicted to be a comfortable victory. The day started badly however, as Emma Beddoes was forced to retire after injuring her arm. The fact the injury arose from her hauling her suitcase home from recent tournament action in New York is unusual and sparked more than its fair share of speculation as to the contents of said suitcase. Over filled with hotel bath towels and bath robes? Duty free? I’ll let you ask her when you next see her...
Super sub for the evening then was Ria Kennerley, happily finishing work early to trek north and face Indian international and World No. 48 Dipika Pallikal. Ria started well, ambassadors of unorthodox and ‘tricky’ squash will rejoice as Ria mixed up her shots, played lobs, reverse angle boasts and drops that visibly troubled her young opponent, used to the orthodox length and line game. Dipika is not ranked inside the top 50 without merit, so although made to work, managed to dig in and was relieved to take the first game 11/8. Following a talking to, and told to continue ‘playing ugly’, Ria couldn’t contain her opponent who had figured out the game plan and patiently picked up ball after ball and hitting some deft winners to close out the match 11/4, 11/4.
On the court next door it was a battle of age versus youth as former world No. 3 Simon Parke faced 16 year old England U17 No. 1 James Earles. Earles is a huge talent and without doubt one to watch for the future, however the guile and court craft of Parke was too much for the junior. Earles battled and fought hard but a few errors allowed Parke to extend leads in the second half of each game running out in 3 games 11/7, 11/7, 11/8
Following the girls on court, Irish international Arthur Gaskin facing former Pontefract junior and now England Squash development coach Sam Wileman. Arthur started strongly not showing any of the signs of the illness that had dogged him in the week leading up to the match, taking the first 11/6 and speeding through the second 11/2. Sam dug in during the third but couldn’t contain the rampant Irish man closing out the match 11/7 to give MB Nottingham a 2-1 lead.
Ong Beng Hee faced a new addition to the Pontefract squad and another member of the growing Indian contingent, Karen Malik. The 363 place difference in ranking was quickly apparent as Beng Hee floated around the court, volleying everything and pushing the ball beyond the end of Karen’s racket. At just 18 Karen can be pleased with his performance and with training partners of the calibre that frequent Pontefract, a rapid rise up the rankings can be expected. Beng hee closed out the match and wrapped up the tie for Nottingham convincingly 11/5, 11/7, 11/7.
Last but certainly not least, Dutch No. 1 Laurens Jan Anjema faced former world No.1 Lee Beachill. Rumours abound of Lee’s lack of movement due to injury, however i can attest to the fact that while hampered on occasion, Lee is still able to cut it with the big boys.
LJ started well dominating the T and keeping Beachill contained to take the first 11/6. The second was back and fore as Beachill kept the ball tight and straight, minimising LJ’s options punctuating the rallies with some fierce winners that had LJ rattled on more than one occasion. Beachill sneaked ahead and crashed the ball into the nick to take the second 11/9. After regrouping, LJ came out fighting, trying to keep Beachill changing direction and stretching for the ball. This had the desired effect but Beachill still hits the ball so crisply and accurately that LJ had to work for everything. At 8/7 down a few errors from Beachill gave LJ a gap who needed little encouragement to battle across the line to take a 2-1 lead 11/8. The fourth was still tight, even though Beachill could be seen to slow, his ability to hit winners kept him in the game and kept a frustrated LJ on court longer than he would have hoped. Lj eventually emerged the relieved winner 11/7 to give MB Nottingham 17 points, a fourth win on the bounce and maintain our position at the top of the Northern league.
A good result for the team however an even better result for Oxford, a 5-0 win over Chapel Allerton means Oxford are now just 1 point behind us in second place with Duffield a further 15 points behind in 3rd. The next match is home on 1st December against Chapel Allerton, another crucial match that will consolidate our place at the top if we win, especially as Oxford face former champions Duffield on the same night.
David Coghlan
Super sub for the evening then was Ria Kennerley, happily finishing work early to trek north and face Indian international and World No. 48 Dipika Pallikal. Ria started well, ambassadors of unorthodox and ‘tricky’ squash will rejoice as Ria mixed up her shots, played lobs, reverse angle boasts and drops that visibly troubled her young opponent, used to the orthodox length and line game. Dipika is not ranked inside the top 50 without merit, so although made to work, managed to dig in and was relieved to take the first game 11/8. Following a talking to, and told to continue ‘playing ugly’, Ria couldn’t contain her opponent who had figured out the game plan and patiently picked up ball after ball and hitting some deft winners to close out the match 11/4, 11/4.
On the court next door it was a battle of age versus youth as former world No. 3 Simon Parke faced 16 year old England U17 No. 1 James Earles. Earles is a huge talent and without doubt one to watch for the future, however the guile and court craft of Parke was too much for the junior. Earles battled and fought hard but a few errors allowed Parke to extend leads in the second half of each game running out in 3 games 11/7, 11/7, 11/8
Following the girls on court, Irish international Arthur Gaskin facing former Pontefract junior and now England Squash development coach Sam Wileman. Arthur started strongly not showing any of the signs of the illness that had dogged him in the week leading up to the match, taking the first 11/6 and speeding through the second 11/2. Sam dug in during the third but couldn’t contain the rampant Irish man closing out the match 11/7 to give MB Nottingham a 2-1 lead.
Ong Beng Hee faced a new addition to the Pontefract squad and another member of the growing Indian contingent, Karen Malik. The 363 place difference in ranking was quickly apparent as Beng Hee floated around the court, volleying everything and pushing the ball beyond the end of Karen’s racket. At just 18 Karen can be pleased with his performance and with training partners of the calibre that frequent Pontefract, a rapid rise up the rankings can be expected. Beng hee closed out the match and wrapped up the tie for Nottingham convincingly 11/5, 11/7, 11/7.
Last but certainly not least, Dutch No. 1 Laurens Jan Anjema faced former world No.1 Lee Beachill. Rumours abound of Lee’s lack of movement due to injury, however i can attest to the fact that while hampered on occasion, Lee is still able to cut it with the big boys.
LJ started well dominating the T and keeping Beachill contained to take the first 11/6. The second was back and fore as Beachill kept the ball tight and straight, minimising LJ’s options punctuating the rallies with some fierce winners that had LJ rattled on more than one occasion. Beachill sneaked ahead and crashed the ball into the nick to take the second 11/9. After regrouping, LJ came out fighting, trying to keep Beachill changing direction and stretching for the ball. This had the desired effect but Beachill still hits the ball so crisply and accurately that LJ had to work for everything. At 8/7 down a few errors from Beachill gave LJ a gap who needed little encouragement to battle across the line to take a 2-1 lead 11/8. The fourth was still tight, even though Beachill could be seen to slow, his ability to hit winners kept him in the game and kept a frustrated LJ on court longer than he would have hoped. Lj eventually emerged the relieved winner 11/7 to give MB Nottingham 17 points, a fourth win on the bounce and maintain our position at the top of the Northern league.
A good result for the team however an even better result for Oxford, a 5-0 win over Chapel Allerton means Oxford are now just 1 point behind us in second place with Duffield a further 15 points behind in 3rd. The next match is home on 1st December against Chapel Allerton, another crucial match that will consolidate our place at the top if we win, especially as Oxford face former champions Duffield on the same night.
David Coghlan
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A tight squeeze for MB Nottingham
It was with confidence that MB Nottingham made the short trip across the Derbyshire border to face local rivals and multiple champions Duffield.
Nottingham looked strong on paper, with the unfortunate withdrawal of No. 1 Nick Matthew; this was exacerbated when Tania Bailey had to withdraw at 2-0 down.
Struggling with a multitude of injuries and recovering from hip surgery, 2009 has been a torrid time for the Lincolnshire world No. 19 which was only compounded when at a game down but 9/2 up in the 2nd she hit what appeared to be the hardest of walls, going down 11/9 then retiring injured. A terrible shame for Tania, who was jinxed from the moment the compere stated that she had a 100% unbeaten run for Duffield...
On the back court, Malaysian No. 1 Ong Beng Hee, playing two for Nottingham, was also struggling, clearly showing the effects of the recent world team championships. His opponent, South African Steve Coppinger seemed to have no ill effects from his own exploits in Denmark. The first was tight, quite how Beng Hee managed to scrape it I still can’t quite work out; Coppinger’s movement in the front of the court was awesome, making the normally sprightly Beng Hee look lead footed. A talking to from area manager, Pete Goodings, and a quick sugary drink and the expected service from Beng Hee began. Stepping up the court, forcing the pace. Beng Hee dominated and wrapped up the second 11/4.
As a team manager, I always try to juggle between the two matches on court it was at this point that I took leave of Beng Hee confident that his result would be a formality. No chance. When I next look over the balcony, a weary looking Malaysian is thrashing the ball into the tin to give Coppinger the third game 11/8. The fourth was pretty much the same, Beng Hee was struggling to go forward and instead of pushing the ball in short and winning points, Coppinger would leap in with a sharp counter drop to which Beng Hee had no reply. A string of errors from Coppinger at 8/8 gave Beng Hee an unlikely match ball but that was quickly clawed back before another error gave Beng Hee a second chance to wrap it up.
The rally that followed was probably the best of the match. It was clear that Beng Hee was going to go all out for this one, clearly not looking to remain on court any longer. After a swift volley exchange, one loose ball from Coppinger was buried with a back hand nick much to the relief of Beng Hee and the Nottingham faithful.
On the show court following the ladies was one half of Nottingham’s Irish contingent, John Rooney, facing local hero Andy Whipp. With the drama on the back court, I dipped in and out of this and with a strong 2/0 lead 11/9, 11/2 complacency was again my undoing. Whipp fought back to take the third 11/7 and a quick fourth 11/6. Rooney seemed to be struggling with a few refereeing decisions but it was probably the loose width that he should have been worrying about! Always quick to the ball and with vicious power, Whipp dominated the final game, not allowing Rooney any time to recover and forcing error after error.
After such a strong start, it was almost inevitable that the fifth would go to the resurgent Whipp who duly wrapped up the match 11/4 much to the delight of the Duffield ns.
Eddie Charlton followed Beng Hee on the back court like his Nottingham team mates thus far, he stormed away to a comfortable 11/5 first game victory, however, from then on Joel’s attritional game started to bear fruit. The second was hard fought with Eddie making most of the play, just not able to hit the killer shot to end the rally, with Hinds constantly making recovery after recovery.
The third and fourth followed suit, Charlton struggling to find a way to stop the irrepressible Hinds from getting the ball back in play. With smaller margins the error rate crept up from Charlton and Hinds wrapped up a tougher match than the score line may suggest.
So all down to the final No. 1 string. First time out for Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, representing MB Nottingham after a 6 year absence from the league, his opponent, New Zealand’s Martin Knight, ranked 34 places below Anjema looked on paper like an outsider. Given the previous performance of Nottingham players I was less than confident however I was quickly assured.
LJ was dominant from the start, demonstrating the skills that have taken him up the rankings in such meteoric style. Knight gave it his all but had no answer for the tall Dutch man’s range of shots and accuracy. LJ wrapped up the match 11/3, 11/4, 11/5 and we were all ensconced in the bar eating Massarella lemon meringue pie by 10:30pm.
So a good start for MB Nottingham, a slightly odd match that swung back and for and with a result slightly skewed by the absence / injury of Nick and Tania. Given past experience however and in particular when it’s against local rivals Duffield; we’ll happily take any victory we can get!
Dave Coghlan
Nottingham looked strong on paper, with the unfortunate withdrawal of No. 1 Nick Matthew; this was exacerbated when Tania Bailey had to withdraw at 2-0 down.
Struggling with a multitude of injuries and recovering from hip surgery, 2009 has been a torrid time for the Lincolnshire world No. 19 which was only compounded when at a game down but 9/2 up in the 2nd she hit what appeared to be the hardest of walls, going down 11/9 then retiring injured. A terrible shame for Tania, who was jinxed from the moment the compere stated that she had a 100% unbeaten run for Duffield...
On the back court, Malaysian No. 1 Ong Beng Hee, playing two for Nottingham, was also struggling, clearly showing the effects of the recent world team championships. His opponent, South African Steve Coppinger seemed to have no ill effects from his own exploits in Denmark. The first was tight, quite how Beng Hee managed to scrape it I still can’t quite work out; Coppinger’s movement in the front of the court was awesome, making the normally sprightly Beng Hee look lead footed. A talking to from area manager, Pete Goodings, and a quick sugary drink and the expected service from Beng Hee began. Stepping up the court, forcing the pace. Beng Hee dominated and wrapped up the second 11/4.
As a team manager, I always try to juggle between the two matches on court it was at this point that I took leave of Beng Hee confident that his result would be a formality. No chance. When I next look over the balcony, a weary looking Malaysian is thrashing the ball into the tin to give Coppinger the third game 11/8. The fourth was pretty much the same, Beng Hee was struggling to go forward and instead of pushing the ball in short and winning points, Coppinger would leap in with a sharp counter drop to which Beng Hee had no reply. A string of errors from Coppinger at 8/8 gave Beng Hee an unlikely match ball but that was quickly clawed back before another error gave Beng Hee a second chance to wrap it up.
The rally that followed was probably the best of the match. It was clear that Beng Hee was going to go all out for this one, clearly not looking to remain on court any longer. After a swift volley exchange, one loose ball from Coppinger was buried with a back hand nick much to the relief of Beng Hee and the Nottingham faithful.
On the show court following the ladies was one half of Nottingham’s Irish contingent, John Rooney, facing local hero Andy Whipp. With the drama on the back court, I dipped in and out of this and with a strong 2/0 lead 11/9, 11/2 complacency was again my undoing. Whipp fought back to take the third 11/7 and a quick fourth 11/6. Rooney seemed to be struggling with a few refereeing decisions but it was probably the loose width that he should have been worrying about! Always quick to the ball and with vicious power, Whipp dominated the final game, not allowing Rooney any time to recover and forcing error after error.
After such a strong start, it was almost inevitable that the fifth would go to the resurgent Whipp who duly wrapped up the match 11/4 much to the delight of the Duffield ns.
Eddie Charlton followed Beng Hee on the back court like his Nottingham team mates thus far, he stormed away to a comfortable 11/5 first game victory, however, from then on Joel’s attritional game started to bear fruit. The second was hard fought with Eddie making most of the play, just not able to hit the killer shot to end the rally, with Hinds constantly making recovery after recovery.
The third and fourth followed suit, Charlton struggling to find a way to stop the irrepressible Hinds from getting the ball back in play. With smaller margins the error rate crept up from Charlton and Hinds wrapped up a tougher match than the score line may suggest.
So all down to the final No. 1 string. First time out for Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, representing MB Nottingham after a 6 year absence from the league, his opponent, New Zealand’s Martin Knight, ranked 34 places below Anjema looked on paper like an outsider. Given the previous performance of Nottingham players I was less than confident however I was quickly assured.
LJ was dominant from the start, demonstrating the skills that have taken him up the rankings in such meteoric style. Knight gave it his all but had no answer for the tall Dutch man’s range of shots and accuracy. LJ wrapped up the match 11/3, 11/4, 11/5 and we were all ensconced in the bar eating Massarella lemon meringue pie by 10:30pm.
So a good start for MB Nottingham, a slightly odd match that swung back and for and with a result slightly skewed by the absence / injury of Nick and Tania. Given past experience however and in particular when it’s against local rivals Duffield; we’ll happily take any victory we can get!
Dave Coghlan
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