Surrey Health & Racquets Club v Chichester

Well the new season is here and much anticipation as we try to defend our 2010 title. We had a good crowd, looking forward to a great night of squash...and what a night they got??

Here is how the night unfolded!!

PCL Whitehall Surrey Health & RC v Probuild Bristol

Match 9 was all to play for to get a semi-final place. Both teams had players unavailable so here's what happened ...

Lauren Selby v Sarah Jane-Perry
This turned out to be a tight match with Sarah-Jane coming out the blocks quicker and kept ahead in the 1st to take it 11-9. lauren came out in the 2nd hitting a much better length and width and took her opportunities to go short well to take it 11-8. The 3rd was tight again but good power and length from Sarah-Jane who took it 11-7. Lauren re-focused in the break and came out much quicker and started taking the ball much earlier to take control of the match and win the 4th and 5th games 11-2 11-7. An excellent game enjoyed by the crowd.Surrey H &RC 1 Bristol 0

Tim Garner v Theo Anderson
On the adjoining court Tim was playing some excellent squash, moving his opponent to every part of the court to take a 3-0 win 11-4 11-9 11-9.
Surrey H & RC 2 Probuild Bristol 0

Adrian Waller v Ben Rogers
Adrian is in good form at the moment and he was in no mood to hang around and he stormed to a 3-0 win 11-4 11-7 11-6.
Surrey H & RC 3 Probuild Bristol 0

Peter Nicol v Peter Marshall
This was the match of the night with the former World Num 1 and World Num 2 in the clash of the Legends. In the 1st game Peter Nicol came out firing and stormed into a 5-1 lead but Pete Marshall then starting to find an excellent length to edge back and take the 1st game 11-8. The 2nd game was tight to about 6 all and point for point but Peter Nicol then seemed to up the pace a bit and working Pete Marshall much harder and he took the 2nd 11-8.

Now to the 3rd which again was very tight at 7 all but Pete Marshall then took a run of points to have 3 game balls at 10-7, but this is where Peter is so good playing the big points so well and coming back to take the 3rd 13-11. Peter Nicol continued in the 4th to up the pace and move Pete Marshall to all parts of the court and stormed through to take the game 11-6 and the match 3-1.

It was a fantastic game of squash and the crowd enjoyed it very much. Peter Nicol was presented with the Player of the Match Award for his performance.
Surrey H&RC 4 Probuild Bristol 0

Davide Bianchetti v Hadrian Stiff
Davide was at 1 tonight and hoping to finish the job and give us a 5-0 win. This was a tight game but Davide always seemed in control with excellent length and width but Hadrian was counteracting with some excellent drops and kills to the front. Davide ended up taking the match 3-0 11-9 12-10 11-9 and gave us a maximum points win.
Surrey H&RC 5 Probuild Bristol 0

An excellent evening of squash which now secures us a semi-final spot, but before that we play TWP St Georges Hill away on the 16th March.

Pete Smith

Surrey Health & Racquets Club v TWP St Georges Hill

Pete Smith reports

 

This was an important match for both teams with us trying to recover from our loss at Bristol and St Georges Hill trying to keep their unbeaten run going. All was set for a well contested night with 2 strong teams out!

 

Here we go and it didn't disappoint!!

 

Alison Waters v Rachel Willmot

First up on the main court was Alison who was in no mood to hang around and determined to get us off to a flyer. Alison was on top form and out did Rachel in every department to record a convincing 3-0 win, 11/2 11/2 11/4.

Surrey Health & RC 1 St Georges 0

 

Alan Clyne v Joe Lee

This was a fantastic game of squash enjoyed by the crowd and had everything. Joe started the quickest and settled well into his game and Alan struggled at first to get the length and width required so Joe took the 1st 11-7. Joe came out in the 2nd firing into an 8-3 lead but Alan suddenly started mixing it up with boasts and taking the ball early in short with more variation and clawed back to take the 2nd 11-9.

 

This was now a top class game of squash with both players going for it, retrieving well, but Alan started to get on top with his continued variation and managed to take the 3rd 11-4 and the 4th 11-7. Well played to both players who received a standing ovation from the crowd.

 

Surrey Health & RC 2 - Ste Georges Hill 0

 

Davide Bianchetti v Tom Richards

Whilst Alan and Joe were fighting it out on the other court Davide and Tom started to battle. Tom came out firing and Davide struggled with the pace and changes of direction to take the first 2 games 11/2 11/4. In the 3rd Davide started to get into the game and took a 6-3 lead but Tom came racing back to take the game 11-6 and the match 3-0. Well played Tom!

 

Surrey Health & RC 2 - St Georges Hill 1

 

Peter Nicol v Nicolas Mueller

This was experience against youth and what a match it turned out to be. Nicolas started well with pace as was determined not to let Peter settle and took the 1st 11-5. In the 2nd Peter came out mixing the rallies up with lobs, drops, late flicks and this put Nicolas under pressure and force mistakes so Peter levelled it at 1-1. 11-7. This was turning into a fantastic game of squash with excellent retrieving and lots of variations of play and the 3rd turned out to be the crucial game and Nicolas edging it 12-10 and go 2-1 up. I think Nicolas thought Peter was tired but Peter came out in the 4th and played a perfect game of squash which had Nicolas all over the place to take the 4th 11-4.

Now into the 5th and the crowd were just loving it, Nicolas came out quicker and raced into a 6-0 lead but Peter was fighting all the way but just got edged out 11-5 in the 5th. Well played to both players and it was 50 minutes of pure entertainment and a top effort, a standing ovation again from the crowd!

Surrey Health & RC 2 - St Georges Hill 2

 

Peter Barker v Daryl Selby

We'll down to the decider and this was going to be tight with the World Num 7 and 11 in action. Peter was very focused and started the 1st game well with excellent variations of pace and control and took the 1st 11-9. The 2nd was again point for point with both players playing excellent controlled squash and waiting for opportunities to take the advantage, It was tight all the way until Daryl conceded a couple of strokes at the end of the 2nd which meant Peter went onto take the game 11-8. Daryl came out fighting in the 3rd and upped the pace as he knew he had to get back into it for his team and went into an 8-6 lead but Peter kept to his game plan of variations of pace and made a push late in the 3rd to take it 11-9 and the match 3-0. Again an excellent high quality game of squash enjoyed by the crowd.#

 

Surrey Health &RC 3 - St Georges Hill 2

 

This was a really high quality night of squash and demonstrated everything that the PSL is and the crowd had a ball.

Thanks to Danny and his team and we look forward now to the 2nd half.

 

Next home game Tues 19th January 2010 v Surrey Storm - See you there??

Now then ... the Sobo report on Surrey v Chichester

Now then…

Back to the PSL and we welcomed the COVERS sponsored Chichester for a good hiding on our home courts in Croydon. Jokes aside, on paper this looked a fairly close encounter. For the home team Peter Barker at the top of the order followed by Wa-Airmiles El Hindi (just in from NYC), Peter (Who?) Nicol, Adrian Waller and thanks to a (er herm!) mix up in dates, a debut Camille Serme.

For the away side, Azlan Iskander at 1, Robbie Temple, Alex Gough, Captain Vail and Dominique Lloyd-Water (http://www.domlloydwalter.co.uk/  shameless plug).

First up, the ladies and this was always going to be a tight affair pitting World nos 18 vs 20. I told Dominique before she stepped on court that she was under strict instructions to lose gracefully but alas, she was having none of it! That said, the home girl started well on what must have been a pretty nervous occasion. The rallies were decent, Camille favouring the backhand volley dropshot. Dominique stayed strong though very much holding her own so it was with much relief that Camille closed out the first 11-8. All going to plan so far….

Next door, Adrian was doing battle with Tim. I’ll never tire of singing Tim’s praises. For us “normal” people, he is an inspiration and living proof that you do not have to be super fit etc.. to play squash at a decent level. That said, Adrian’s no fool with a racket either. Bing, bang, bosh..Adrian goes 1 up.

The evening is looking most rosy. And then…..

Back to the ladies and with Dominique exerting more pressure, Camille has started tinning those backhand drops and Dominique moves into a 4-0 lead in the 2^nd game. Camille regroups to 4-6 but some quality play by the away keeps her just in front to 9-7. Two further tins from Camille and we’re all square.

Next door, Tim is out and firing. Adrian didn’t play badly but perhaps lost a little patience which was enough for Tim to level up at 1-1. Grrr…..

The  third for the ladies was looking like a crucial game. Both working really hard now. The rallies were long with good winners from both. Never more than a point or two between them, Camille was first to game ball at 10-9 but Dominique dug in to save it. Then, in my humble opinion, it seemed to me that the home girl went for a bit too much too soon tinning twice to gift her opponent the 3^rd game. Somebody ‘ave a word!

Mista Nicol (or was it El Hindi…) duly did and the fourth saw Camille re-assert some authority on the game. The drops were going in again (hoorah!) and whilst Dominique didn’t really do much wrong, Camille did just enough to take the fourth to cries of Allez!, Allez Camille! from certain factions of the home support; none of whom I can confirm, speak any French! J

Next door, Adrian has snuck the 3^rd, 12-10 but… Tim has taken the 4^th, 11-4 so 2-2 and all to play for on both courts….

More of the same from the ladies; a really good game of squash this. Camille stayed strong to the end for a good 11-6 win in the 5^th. Well played Camille. Never in doubt! Dominique was disappointed with herself and commented that she felt she could and should have done better. I thought she played well to be honest AND lost gracefully so well done on both counts J

Next door was a different story though. According to the script, Tim should have been reaching for the oxygen at this point but was unfortunately having none of it. I didn’t see much of this one but an 11-7 score in favour of the away player suggests a good final game probably deservedly won by the victor. Both courts now vacated Surrey Team Captain, Pete Smith seen pacing along the corridors muttering to himself, “why can’t these Chichester folk just lose gracefully?!?!?”… or maybe that was me….

Next up, Nicol vs Gough and on the main court, El Hindi vs Temple.

In truth both of these did not necessarily live up to their billing. Peter and Alex had a good tussle in the first; eventually won by the home player 11-9 but not before the crowd were treated to an excellent exhibition of how to hit a squash ball to good length and width from both players.

After that, either Alex got tired or injured…or a bit of both. Either way, Peter retrieved as he always does and when you add to that some excellent dying length, it was soon all over for the loss of not many more points. Good stuff.

On the main court, Robbie played ok I guess but el Hindi was rapid with his movement and got to most things thrown his way. The away player didn’t have the best of days and spent time engaged in debate with the referees.

When all was said and done, the home player strolled off court after a 3-0 win having performed his duties for the evening and more importantly, with the Surrey team having taken an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Last but not least, Peter and Azlan stepped on court. The story of this game was that Azlan played very, very well. The first was tight; very tight with no more than a point separating both players. Peter seemed to be the one making all the moves but Azlan just stuck with him playing some excellent tight squash. It was good to watch.

The home player seemed to be getting frustrated at his inability to pull away score wise from the Malaysian but Azlan stuck to his for his first game ball at 10 -9. A long rally ensued and ended with Peter appealing to the referees that Azlan had blocked his path to the ball. A no-let was awarded much to Peter’s frustration.

The second saw Peter getting more and more frustrated and his head seemed to “drop” just a little. Enough for Azlan to sniff out the opportunity and take the game 11-3 for a 2-0 lead. Oh dear.

To his credit, Peter came out for a fight in the third and managed to get his nose ahead for most of the game. However, possibly a slight injury or Azlan’s dogged determination and excellent play…probably all of the above actually allowed the Chichester No 1 to claw his way back and eventually take the game and match 11-8. A very well deserved win.

And so once the dust settled, the home team came away with the result, Squashsite’s dodgy crystal ball proved to be correct in its score prediction but….. Daryl Selby and his mates down the road hammered Guildford 5-0!

So…10^th Nov has us on a sojourn down to Bristol also hoping Exeter take points of the St Georges crew and then…the (hopefully still!) top of the table clash to look forward to.

It’s getting interesting….


David Sobo

Surrey H&R win opener against Surrey Storm

The first game of the season is always a nervy one and up against a much stronger Surrey Storm team this year under the guidance of Graeme Williams this turned out very nervy and tight.

Vicky Lust v Alison Waters

This was Alisons debut for us after moving to us from Guildford and she played a very comprehensive clinical match to win 3-0, 11/5, 11/6, 11/3.Her length the whole match was very good especially into the backhand corner and Vicky was just under constant pressure and couldn't keep with the pace.

Surrey Storm 0 Surrey Health & RC 1

Stacey Ross v Adrian Waller

This was an incredible hard fought game of squash with both players giving it everything. Adrian settled the quickest hitting a good length and keeping the pace up to take the 1st game 11/8. Stacey slowed it down in the 2nd and gained control of the rallies to take it 11/5. The 3rd game was point for point all the way through with some excellent retrieving from both players which Adrian sneaked 12/10. Onto the 4th and Stacey won back the control with some excellent length and width to take it 11/5. The game was now well over the hour and both players now feeling it physically the 5th just kept going point for point. Adrian saved 3 match balls and then had 1 himself which Stacey saved to go onto win 15-13 in the 5th.90 minutes of excellent squash and entertainment and it was a shame someone had to lose.

Surrey Storm 1 - Surrey Heath RC 1

Steve Meads v Ben Ford

Ben started the quickest in this game and went into a 2-0 lead 12/10, 11/9. As always Steve will always dig in and dig in he did and he took games 3 and 4 11/5, 11/9. So down to a 5th game with Steve taking an early lead with both players working so hard for every point, Ben then came back to within 1 point but Steve then had a last big effort to take the 5th 11/7. It was a great hard fought game of squash with some fantastic rallies and retrieving.

Surrey Storm 2 - Surrey Health RC 1

Gilly Lane v Alan Clyne

This turned out to be a crunch game for us and this was Alan's debut for us so he was keen to get off to a good start. Alan started very quickly and raced to the 1st game 11/6. Gilly then stepped it up a bit in the 2nd and hit a much better length and took the 2nd 11/4. Alan then came out in the 3rd and took control of the match, taking the ball early and moving his opponent to all corners to take the game 11/7 and then the 4th game 11/2. A fantastic debut for Alan and well played to get us back level.

Surrey Storm 2 - Surrey Helath RC 2

Jesse Engelbrecht v Peter Barker

This turned out to be the decider and with Peter back from the World Teams he was in the mood to finish the match quickly. He settled into a fast game, taking the ball early and hitting an excellent length to take the match 3-0 11/6, 116, 11/8. Jesse just couldn't keep up with his pace and accuracy but fought well.

Well played Peter and for completeing a 3-2 win for Surrey Health & RC

This was a fantastic evening of PSL squash and thanks to Graeme and Guildford for your hospitality. We look forward to round 2 at Home to Exeter on 20th October.

Pete Smith