Duffield & Bristol To Meet in PSL Final In Nottingham

Derbyshire club Benz Bavarian Duffield will aim to become the first club for ten years to successfully defend their title when they face event newcomers Redwood Probuild Bristol in the Premier Squash League (PSL) final at Nottingham Squash Club on Tuesday 15 May, beginning at 7.00pm.

Both teams expect to be at full strength for the climax of the England Squash league sponsored by Clowes Insurance. Duffield currently hold a remarkable 14-tie unbeaten record in the event, while Bristol become the first team to reach the final in their maiden season in the league.
  

Second Leg,  Thu 26th April:

Surrey Health & Racquets 2-3 Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Brian Hargrave reports
   Peter Nicol 0-3 Nick Matthew                     10/12, 5/9, 7/9
   Davide Bianchetti 0-3 Jonathan Kemp            4/9, 4/9, 3/9
   Bradley Ball 3-2 Andrew Whipp        4/9, 9/7, 9/6, 6/9, 9/7
   Ben Ford 3-2 Laurence Delasaux      7/9, 9/7, 9/6, 5/9, 9/6
   Stephanie Brind 2-3 Laura Hill        9/7, 2/9, 9/7, 5/9, 9/11

Redwood Probuild Bristol 3-2 University of Birmingham
   Adrian Grant 3-1 Joey Barrington              5/9, 9/7, 9/5, 9/1
   Joseph Kneipp 2-3 Joel Hinds      5/9, 10/12, 9/4, 12/10, 5/9
   David Evans 1-3 Stephen Coppinger        3/9, 4/9, 9/6, 4/9
   Hadrian Stiff 3-1 Jaymie Haycocks            6/9, 9/1, 9/4, 9/2
   Daniela Schumann 3-0 Leonie Holt                11/9, 9/7, 9/7
     

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS

Semi-Finals, 2nd leg:
Surrey Health & Racquets 2 Benz-Bavarian Duffield 3

After the first leg it was all nicely set up for a winner take all down in Croydon. Benz-Bavarian Duffield felt that they had got out of jail on Tuesday night with wins from Jonathan Kemp and Andy Whipp against higher ranked players. The Manager had on Thursday morning collected £200 (for supporters mini bus) from The Hon Treasurer and passed GO and as the loyal supporters assembled in the Club car park everyone felt it was a must win again situation for the second leg.

The omens looked good, Stephen had hired and collected a brand new mini bus unlike some of the boneshakers that have rumbled down the cobbled street of Halifax or around the grounds of Wisteria Cottage in Chichester. Unfortunately Tom Tom’s first turn right took us into a traffic jam in Derby on the way to pick up Laurence Delasaux and John Massarella t the Moto service station at junction 23. With two new passengers belatedly on board the next stop was the service station at Leicester Forest East to pick up Wendy Danzey. The two world class referees had visited numerous counties officiating but had not previously experienced an away day trip with the renowned Duffield supporters. Wendy safely on board and foot down on the M1 to make up lost time but oh no the flashing red light told our driver the side door was not closed so a stop at next service station was required. Three out of three and Mystic Meg saw this as a message from above?

The new mini bus made good progress until it reached the M25 car park where things ground to a standstill for quite sometime. After almost 4 hours the Surrey H & R was in sight and ignoring Pete Smith’s directions was to be another notch in Stephen’s belt and we finishing up in a dead end within 20 yards of the club. Stephen rightly decided not to heed the advice of one supporter to take the short cut down the narrow cycle track (bollards could have been a problem) and after 4 hours players and supporters were seen staggering out of the mini bus feeling like illegal immigrants in the county of Surrey.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Enough of Mr Crabtree like waffle- the first games on court were going to be crucial

Fire fighter Hill sets Duffield on fire as she douses Brind’s flame.

Stephanie Brind lost to Laura Hill 9-7, 2-9, 9-7, 5-9, 9-11

Hill (England 7) was fast out of the traps and established a 3-0 lead. Brind (former world 4 and now a police woman) settled, clawed her way back and played some inch tight boasts which troubled the Derbyshire fire fighter and Brind soon had the first point on the board with a score of 9-7. Hill seemed to have put out Brind’s fire by quickly taking the second 9-2 and at this stage looking to be in control. The third game se sawed first one way and then the other but a 7-6 lead to Hill was snuffed out by Brind to go 2-1 ahead. The fourth was close but Hill levelled by taking the game 9-5. Both players showed tremendous determination and effort in the fifth matched by the quality of the squash. It was nip and tuck and even the two neutral world class referees felt the tension in more ways than one. Hill had her nose in front at 5-3, 6-5 and 7-6 but Brind was playing really well and Hill was hanging in by the skin of her blistered feet. The Surrey player was the first to match balls at 8-7 and 9-8. Hill survived a close decision which might have been a stroke to squeeze home 11-9. (Aggregate score at this stage 4-2 to Duffield although Howard had been informed Hill had lost). What a competitive ladies rubber and what a pity one player had to lose

Looking down from above as Delasaux hits the roof

Ben Ford bt Laurence Delasaux 7-9, 9-7, 9-6, 5-9, 9-6

Ben Ford had replaced Tim Garner at No 4 string but Delasaux was determined to make amends for hiss loss against the old campaigner in the first leg. Delasaux established a 7-3 lead with some tight squash showing patience in the long rallies. Ford levelled but Delasaux edged home 9-7. In the second Delasaux began to tire and clip the top of the tin allowing Ford to level with a reverse scoreline. The next two competitive games were shared and both players realised the importance of a win for their team. Ford got to 7-6 and Delasaux thought he had picked a ball up cleanly but the shot was called down from the high placed gantry. Even the world class neutral observers squatting at floor level thought Delasaux was unlucky not to at least have received a let. However, he was even more unlucky to then lose the rubber by being penalised with a conduct stroke for taking his frustration out of the ball via the ceiling. Delasaux was distraught as he thought Hill had lost but he had produced a very pleasing effort in an excellent exciting rubber which could have gone either way, (aggregate score at this stage 4-3 Duffield)

Gunshots in Hannibal Way as Kemp completes an Italian double

Davide Bianchetti lost to Jonathan Kemp 4-9, 4-9, 3-9

Jon Kemp (wr 34) completed an impressive double by beating higher world ranked Davide Bianchetti (wr 29) in 3 straight games. A confident Kemp, like in the first leg, slowed it down and played some well delayed disguise shots to frustrate the tall volatile Italian who began making mistakes and finding the tin with some regularity. In just 26 minutes Kemp had won for the loss of just 10 points. Taking nothing from a very professional performance from Kemp, the “excitable” Italian would have been a little disappointed by his own contribution and based on soundings from elsewhere there were a few broken rackets unless they were gun shots. (Aggregate score at this stage 5-3 Duffield)

The Brad attack gets his revenge in a whole new ball game

Bradley Ball bt Andrew Whipp 4-9, 9-7, 9-6, 6-9, 9-7

The Brad attack Bradley Ball got his revenge despite another super effort from Andy Whipp who set off at a cracking pace and duly took the first game 9-4. Ball dug deep and took advantage of a very generous let to level winning the second 9-7 as the two players matched each other shot for shot with neither player giving an inch. The rubber followed similar pattern in both of the third and fourth games with the spoils shared. Ball, possibly realising that it would be all over for his team if he lost, took a grip on the fifth game and fully deserved his success on the night. (aggregate scores at this stage 5-4 Duffield)

Just champion – past and present

Peter Nicol lost to Nick Matthew 10-12, 5-9, 7-9

Wendy’s calculator was not working due to nervous tension at this stage but with the benefit of hindsight the worst case scenario was – Duffield had won 20 games and Croydon 17 games Nicol had to win 3-0 to take it to a count back on games won and lost. Nicol began where he left of on Tuesday, looking back in the groove whilst Matthew had played and won in 65 minutes a tough 5 games against James Willstrop in the Super League at Halifax on Wednesday night.

It was not over yet and Nicol established leads of 6-3, 7-5 and had game ball at 8-7 before Matthew edged home 11-9 after Nicol himself had saved two game balls in a quality rubber too close for one manager’s comfort. Matthew gave his manager a re-assuring glance to sit back and relax (presumably he had already worked it out that Duffield was in the final). Despite valiant efforts from Nicol the England No 1 was always ahead in the second taking the game 9-5. Nicol was still playing for pride and led 6-4 and 7-6 before Matthew reeled off three points to put the icing on the “John Massarella” cake by recording a 14th consecutive win for his team.

Duffield win 6-4 on aggregate (games 23-19)


Final: 15 May 2007 (venue to be confirmed)

Benz Bavarian Duffield v Redwood Probuild Bristol

Supporters will need to get their names down early for a ticket for the final as the phone has not stopped ringing. The venue is still to be decided but Birmingham or Nottingham has been mentioned.

Champions Duffield & Newcomers Bristol Take Early Advantage In PSL Semis ...
Roundup from Howard Harding

Event newcomers Redwood Probuild Bristol and title-holders Benz-Bavarian Duffield hold the early advantage after tonight's first leg semi-finals in the Premier Squash League (PSL) - the west country debutants securing a valuable 4/1 away win at University of Birmingham, while the Derbyshire club clinched a 3/2 home win over Surrey Health & Racquets Croydon.

The teams will meet again in reverse fixtures on Thursday (26 April) in the second semi-final legs - to decide the line-up of the final of the England Squash league sponsored by Clowes Insurance on 15^th May.

It was a night of pure drama in Duffield where the champions were hoping to maintain the unbeaten record which stretches back to last season.  But Tim Garner, a last-minute stand in for Ben Ford, celebrated his 37^th birthday in some style when he put Croydon into the lead with a 7-9, 9-6, 9-7, 9-5 win over former European Junior champion Laurence Delasaux.  "I kept telling myself it was a long way to come to lose on my birthday!" said the Sussex champion afterwards.

Duffield bounced back when Jonathan Kemp - a stalwart of last season's title-winning squad - scored a notable win over Italian No1 Davide Bianchetti, twice coming from behind to beat the opponent ranked five places higher in the world 8-10, 9-3, 7-9, 9-7, 9-1 in 45 minutes.

"We're both a bit tired from playing three tournaments in a row, so I wanted to go out fast, step up the court and play at a fast pace," said Kemp.  "It was working and not working equally, I was making too many errors, so I decided to try to slow it down, cut out the mistakes, and that was more effective."

Another stunning win came Duffield's way when part-timer Andrew Whipp came back from two games down to beat the Surrey club's world No32 Bradley Ball 6-9, 2-9, 9-2, 9-5, 9-3.  "I can't really explain what happened," said Ball, candidly, later.

The delighted victor joked:  "I'm a bit of a slow starter these days, someone suggested I should play a match before my match."

Duffield's lead was brief, however, as Croydon's soon-to-be policewoman Stephanie Brind showed that she still possesses some of the flair that took her to No4 in the world five years ago by beating the hosts' Vicky Hynes 9-6, 9-6, 9-7.

And so the top string clash between former England team-mates Nick Matthew, Duffield's reigning British Open champion, and the now retired former world number one Peter Nicol, was to be the decider.  The packed crowd was treated to a gripping display of world-class squash as Nicol summoned every drop of skill and magic he could to keep at bay the 'youngster' whom he beat six times out of eight when on the Tour.  Miraculously, Nicol clinched the third game - but victory came after 47 minutes to the home star as Matthew won 9-3, 9-3, 6-9, 11-9 to keep alive Duffield's chances of reaching a second successive final.

It was a much more one-sided affair in Birmingham where both sides were experiencing semi-final action for the first time.  Bristol charged into the lead as team captain Hadrian Stiff and Germany's Daniela Schumann, making her debut for the visitors, beat the University side's Jaymie Haycocks and Leonie Holt, respectively.

Welshman David Evans, the former British Open champion, piled on the pressure by beating Birmingham's Stephen Coppinger 9-7, 9-7, 9-3 to clinch victory for the visitors - then Australian regular Joseph Kneipp stretched Bristol's lead with a 4-9, 10-8, 3-9, 9-4, 9-3 win over Joel Hinds.

Perhaps the most surprising result - but one which gave the home team some consolation - was when Birmingham number one Joey Barrington inflicted the first PSL defeat of the year on Adrian Grant.  The former Birmingham student beat Bristol's world No15, ranked 12 places higher, 9-2, 5-9, 6-9, 10-9, 9-3 in 54 minutes - saving a match-ball in the fourth game.
  

Unexpected visitors at Duffield - Stewart Boswell and Wael El Hindi

the agony and the agony ...

they applauded him in, and applauded him out ...

Today's coverage in the
Derbyshire press ...

... and a flashback to Peter Nicol's
visit to Duffield in 1998

Jonathan Kemp 3-2 Davide Bianchetti
     8/10, 9/3, 7/9, 9/6, 9/1 (45m)

Kemp controls the opener

First match on the showcourt, this match started with a run of winners and tins from home favourite Kemp, who led all the way to 8/7 in the first, but the rallies got longer as the match went on and Bianchetti worked his way back in, taking the first and third to keep the home crowd subdued.

They got noisier as Jonathan levelled, catching Davide out with several well-delayed shots, and found their voice as he quickly went 5/0 up in the decider.

"Aren't you the excitable one," Davide was asked on arrival. "Not tonight,I'm withmy girlfriend," replied the Italian Champion. True to his word, there were just a couple of signs of annoyance as the fifth slipped away and Duffield levelled (Tim Garner had already won).

"We're both a bit tired from playing three tournaments in a row, so I wanted to go out fast, step up the court and play at a fast pace.

"It was working and not working equally, I was making too many errors, so I decided to try to slow it down, cut out the mistakes, and that was more effective."

Laurence Delasaux 1-3 Tim Garner       
      9/7, 6/9, 7/9, 5/9 (35m)

Birthday boy Tim won't be denied

Meanwhile, on the 'outside' court, Tim Garner, celebrating his 37th birthday, was making his experience tell over the youth of Laurence Delasaux ...

"I kept telling myself it was a long way to come to lose on my birthday!"

"I didn't take my chances in the third, I worked to get a lead but couldn't close it out, that game was really important. He came back and it was a bit of a battle.

"I thought if I'd taken that I'd be in good shape for a win, but he was just a bit sharper than me in the fourth. I'll just have to make up for it on Thursday …"

Vicky Hynes 0-3 Stephanie Brind          6/9, 6/9, 7/9 (20m)

Steph shows her class

She may not be playing too seriously, or that much any more, but former world number four Stephanie Brind - who recently won the Metropolitan Police Open championship and the Women's National Police Championship - had too much in the tank tonight for Vicky Hynes, who was pulled in as a late replacement for Laura Hill who was suffering with blisters after her Irish Open exploits.

Vicky had her chances in all three games, but Steph's inch-high boasts and perfect lengths won the day to put Surrey ahead.

"Yesterday I was hardly walking, but today it's not so bad. I could have tried to play but I would probably just made the blisters worse again. By Thursday I'm pretty sure I'll be able to play normally with no effect."



"You'd better be fit for Thursday!"

"I was quite pleased with how I played, I haven't played much in the last three weeks, but I'm still enjoying it. We're cycling to Paris in June, doing the first few legs of the Tour de France for charity, so I'm training more for that at the moment."

Two rackets before the match, Vicky went back on court for the second game without either !

Andrew Whipp 3-2 Bradley Ball    
         6/9, 2/9, 9/2, 9/5, 9/3 (36m)

Whipp comeback sets up decider

It wasn't looking good for Duffield as Bradley Ball raced into a 2/0 lead against Andy Whipp. Andy took a good start in the third, Bradley gave up the last few points and never recovered his momentum as Andy swept through to level the match.

"Never in doubt! I'm a bit of a slow starter these days, someone suggested I should play a match before my match …"

"He played very well to come back from that. I lost a bit of confidence and was struggling to cope with what he was throwing at me. I can't really explain what happened …"

Nick Matthew 3-1 Peter Nicol
      9/3, 9/3, 6/9, 11/9 (47m)

Not so serious, but very serious ...

So a decider it would be. Conventional wisdom had it that Nick Matthew would ease to victory against Surrey's 'sacrificial lamb' Peter Nicol.

Except no-one in their right mind would mention Peter Nicol and sacrificial lamb in the same book, let alone the same sentence. Ok, Nick went 7/0 up and everyone was wondering if he'd allow Peter a point, and they were joking and smiling and giving the crowd some great entertainment, but never, ever discount Peter Nicol.

He was doing lots of running, was Peter, lots of heavy breathing with that familiar grimace appearing not just as he hit the ball, but during most of the rallies too. But he kept going, the pair of them played out some fantastic rallies, and from two games down he nearly, so nearly took it to a decider.

At 5-all in the third he asked "what's the score?". "5-all," said the marker. "No, over there," Nicol said, pointing at the bar where the Man Utd match was on. And so it went on, lots of banter, some exhibition-type squash, but behind it all the seriousness, both knowing that the odd game snatched could be decisive come Thursday night.

Nick's annoyance at losing the third was clear to see, Peter's determination in the fourth where they matched each other point for point was phenomenal. But by the time he'd saved a match ball at 8/7 there was just nothing left.

He fired a service return into the nick to save the second, but there was nothing he could do on the third. A phenomenal effort, and a special match which brought a prolonged ovation from the crowd - the longest he'd seen, according to Brain Hargrave.

So, Duffield take a narrow advantage into the second leg, although Surrey won 11-10 on games which means that Duffield probably have to win again on Thursday. All to play for, all to play for ...
 

"It's like Andy Whipp said to me, when you're playing Peter Nicol, even though he's semi-retired it's still Peter Nicol.

"I found myself playing shots to the old Peter Nicol, not dropping when I should have because I knew he'd be in like a flash, lobbing it back over my head.

"We both enjoyed every moment of it, and when we play again on Thursday I hope I can pull another one back from that 15-1 lead he started with!"

First Leg Photo Gallery
and SLIDESHOW