Esporta off to a good start

Ross Gore reports

Following a nice summer break the club its supporters and sponsors were ready for another action packed season of PSL with the long term goal to one step further than last year.

We welcomed visitors Pontefact who like ourselves had some of the big guns missing due to being in commonwealth games action.

OXFORD GO TOP!

Newport's debut appearance in the PSL last night ended in disappointment for the welsh wizards beaten comprehensively by the Oxford side 4-1. Esporta Oxford's debut in the competition 4 years ago ended in an away 0-5 defeat at the hands of Birmingham University. 

 

That season like every other since has seen fortunes of teams change from match to match with the eventual winners and runners-up from each division not obvious until the latter stages of the competition. 3 players previously squad members of Oxford were in the Newport line up last night (Francomb, Sutherland and Saffery), but despite improved world rankings by each they all lost last night! Some fantastic squash was watched by a modest crowd last night with arguably more vocal support for the away team than the home. 

 

The crystal ball was correct last night and after these initial encounters it would appear that Newport might struggle and Oxford might challenge for the play-offs. The crystal ball has been wrong on many occasions but if I we had to vote now (maybe controversially) I would bet on Oxford finishing 3rd and Newport finishing 5th. 

 

First on in the evenings play was Madeline Perry against Deon Saffrey ranked some 45 places lower to Madeline. On paper it look like being a one sided affair but Deon certainly had other idea's. Whilst Madeline took control of the early exchanges Deon simply wouldn't go away playing some superb attacking shots especially down the backhand. Madeline scrapped through the first game 14/12 and we all thought that after the punishing retrieval Deon had had to put in the next game would surely be more comfortable for Madeline. Deon dug in really well though and narrowly lost the next 11/8. In the third Deon continued attacking and mixing up the pace really well to take the third 9/11. In the final game Madeline proved a bit too strong for a tiring Deon who had one of the best games of her life.

 

On the other court we had a fairly new addition to the Esporta Oxford line up in Anthony Graham (British Closed & European Junior Champion). The first game was played at a really high pace with both players looking to take control and push forward. Anthony stepped in really well with some great volleying and with Jethro Binns making a few unforced errors took the game 11/6. Jethro showed his experience in the second by cutting out the mistakes and focusing on making Anthony work extra hard for each point. Jethro took the game 11/6 and continued in the same vain in the third and the forth taking the game 11/5, 11/4

 

One of the games of the night was Simon Rösner wr 40 and Newport local Rob Sutherland wr 71. On paper it looked like a home win would in materialise. Simon took the first game 11/4 with some excellent drop work and a few errors coming from Rob. We all thought it might be over in three but Rob really dug in and found his range and rhythm playing some exceptional stuff (particularly forehand volley drops). Rob took the game 12/10 on the tie break. The next game followed the same pattern with both players cancelling each other Rob eventually taking the game 17/15. Simon had to really dig deep in the next two and somehow managed to stem the flow of Rob's attacking squash taking them 11/8, 11/7. What a match though Rob simply played a blinder and Simon had to dig deep to come up with a fantastic win in his first match for Esporta Oxford.

 

Next on saw Chris Ryder wr 35 and Campbell Grayson. The opening exchanges were simply breathtaking with sharp angles being hit from all over the court and some superb retrieval work. Campbell made a few costly errors in the first and Chris took advantage to take the game 11/7. Campbell really came out firing in the second attacking the ball at every opportunity. Chris though was not not going to let the game go that easily coming through to take the second 12/10. The third was similar to the first with Grayson making a few unforced errors and it was match 11/5.

 

The all Australian affair was the final match of the evening between Cameron Pilley wr 17 and Aaron Frankcomb wr 39. Aaron seemed distracted by some tight refereeing calls which probably did not affect the overall result on the night but which broke down the natural flow of the game. Cameron has been a stalwart in the Oxford line up in his 3 seasons with the club, featuring in most of the matches each year. It is rare that Cameron has been beaten by a lower ranked player in the PSL and the difference in world rankings showed the edge beaten the players. Cameron moves gracefully and efficiently for a big man and with reach and great touch this gave him a distinct advantage in this match. Aaron fought a good game and each game was well contested but he succumbed 11/8 11/8 11/6

 

Nottingham away next for Oxford with a result to build on and Newport must rebuild at home to last year's winners Chapel Allerton which looks like a tough task.

 

Jason Martin and Ross Gore

Oxford give Newport a tough debut

Jethro Binns reports

Esporta Oxford sent PSL debutants Newport back to Wales with an 18-6 defeat last night after welcoming Newport's players and supporters with great hospitality. The Newport supporters traveled up in a minibus and were very vocal in their support of their team during the course of the evening.

First on court were myself and Anthony Graham playing alongside Deon Saffery and Madeline Perry.

I got off to a bit of a slow start which Anthony took advantage of with good effect, He punished my over hit length and worked the ball in to the right areas displaying the qualities that won him the European Junior t itle earlier in the year. After a regroup with coach Greg Tippings I began the second with a better length, found a bit more confidence with my short game and pulled the match back to 1-1 taking the game 11-6 despite some dubious refereeing decisions.

The 3rd followed a similar pattern as I discovered a backhand drop shot that I never knew I had as I won the game 11-5. It was during this game that the most interesting refereeing decision was given following a counter drop exchange in the front backhand. I asked for a let, was told by the referee was unsighted and that we would have to make up our own minds as to what decision we wanted to be made. Obviously I wanted a stroke, Anthony wanted a no let so in the end we eventually got around to playing a let.

In the 4th Anthony began to get a bit tired, stopped retrieving quite so effectively and I ran out the winner 11-4.


On the other court Madeline and Deon were having a proper battle, which on paper going tinto the match looked like it could have been quite one sided. Deon played very well by all accounts and deserved to take one of the first two games. Sh e did manage to win the 3rd 11-9 before losing the 4th 11-3. If she could have sneaked a game earlier on who knows how it could have panned out.

Following my match Rob Sutherland took on Simon Rosner. Both having had tough weeks playing at one for their countries in the Worlds last week they both seemed quite relieved to have a dead ball which encouraged attacking squash and short rallies. Simon ran away with the first game 11-4, Rob came back on with a new game plan of trying to hit every ball in to the nick which seemed to work. He began stepping into lines very early and volleying anything that wasn't “joke tight”. He took the game 12-10.

The third followed a very similar pattern as both players took the ball in short at every opportunity playing fast frenetic squash, the rallies were short but the shot making and inventiveness were first class. Both players held game balls but it was Rob who snuck the game 17-15 with some outrageous volley drops. The fourth and fifth saw Simon out maneuver rob at the front with both players determined not to see the ball bounce off the back wall. The pace was frantic w ith great drops and kills from both players but ultimately it was Simon who won the shoot out in front of an entertained audience.


Campbell Grayson faced Chris Ryder in a rematch of last year's Australian open where Campbell ran out the winner in 5. This was always going to be a tough ask for Campbell following his week in the worlds where he played 6 matches. He earned himself a 7-4 lead in the first but was pegged back as he made some unforced errors and lost the game 11-7. The second was nip and tuck with Campbell leading 9-8 following a flat roller off a good serve but again it was Chris who held his nerve to take the game 12-10.

The third saw Chris get on top as Campbell’s effort from the previous week caught up with him and Chris took the game 11-5. When asked about making his PSL debut, Campbell said that “his first time was special”.

The final match of the evening was between the two Aussies, Cameron Pilley and Aaron Frankcomb, fresh from winning Bronze at the Worlds at the weekend. Both20players were evenly matched during the first game as they stood at 8-8 but perhaps a little tired following their performances on Saturday in Denmark. However it was Pilley who took the game as he went on to take the next two 11-6 11-6.


The Crowd left entertained and Newport went home a little disappointed not to have made a little more impact on their debut but will look forward to their first home match of the season in 2 weeks where team manager Greg Tippings is considering bringing himself out of retirement “to show the boys how it is done.”

Jethro Binns