Round
FOUR,
28-Nov
Esporta Oxford 2-3 Nottingham
Cameron Pilley 1-3 Ong Beng Hee
6/9, 7/9, 11/9, 8/10
Scott Handley 1-3 Simon Parke
5/9, 11/9, 7/9, 4/9
Mark Cairns 2-3 Jethro Binns
7/9, 7/9, 9/5, 9/7, 5/9
Kristen Johnson 3-1 Arthur Gaskin
8/10, 14/12, 9/7, 9/4 (48m)
Madeline Perry 3-0 Sarah Kippax
9/2, 9/3, 9/1 |
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FIRST
TIME IN ESPORTA OXFORD…
 It
was a short visit, but it was a nice one.
I arrived early as I rarely come that part of the country, went for a
stroll in the nearby stunning town of Oxford, had a typical English Tea,
yes, with cucumber sandwiches and all, and was right in time to catch up
with everybody involved, familiar and new faces…
Manager Jason Martin and team player Kristen Johnson
welcomed me with open arms, gave me a guided tour of the place -
impressive it has to be said - and although there doesn’t seem to be a lot
of space behind the courts, you can get an awful lot of supporters in to
follow the action there, let me tell you.
And action there was, and on both courts. Unfortunately, I as ever
couldn’t see it all, as I saw only the ladies and strings two and one.
The atmosphere on the other court was loud and supporting, that’s for
sure, and I KNOW they all had a great time over there too…
So, cape on everybody, and let’s enjoy the lecture on the PSL Evening,
shall we…? |
 Framboise
in Oxford, match reports from Jason Martin ... |
|
Match Sponsors, Chris Lewis Security |
MISSED
IT….!
Here I was, sitting in the best seat in the house on the main court, when I
heard the MC for the evening starting the introduction of Sarah Kippax… Lots
of clapping, my camera ready… And nothing. Mmmm, I thought, maybe she didn’t
hear…
But when the same MC went on to introduce
Arthur Gaskin, I knew something was wrong. Well, very cleverly, they were
doing the presentation on the side court, with the banner and all.
That avoids dust on the court being used for the match, and makes nice
photos with the banners in the background…
Clever. But I looked a bit silly really, camera in hand, and nothing to take
a pic of… Then again… |
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Madeline Perry 3-0 Sarah Kippax
9/2, 9/3, 9/1 |
 After
their emphatic win against Pontefract in round 2, the Esporta Oxford
PSL team were expecting to clinch another victory against Nottingham
in the Northern group of the premier squash club event in the world.
A capacity crowd of 90 saw a great start for the home side as
Madeline Perry (world ranked 7) outplayed Sarah Kippax (wr 34) in an
entertaining opening match.
The 3-0 scoreline did not reflect the competitiveness of the match
and Madeline (a worthy quarter finalist in the World Open last week)
came through after some excellent attacking rallies ...
 "Madeline
was much tighter than me today, and I just spent the whole
match on the back foot, I couldn’t apply any pressure on the
game. I couldn’t find a decent length, but my game is to
attack anyway…
"Not a good day, I just left the ball in the racquet too
much…"
Sarah Kippax |
FRAM'S NOTES ...
Not the best of performance for the English girl today. Too
many errors, a bit of imprecision, maybe not the best choice
of shots… But also, she was playing a perfectly tuned Irish
lady, who must have her confidence high after the well
deserved royal treatment she got from her home country last
week in Belfast… |
|
 "I
think I was more patient than Sarah today… She is a strong
player, physically very strong, and she played some good volley
drives on my serve in particular.
"But we know each other’s game pretty well, as we train with
each other nearly every day, we travel to events together, we
are very good friends…
"About last week at the Worlds, I feel very relaxed now, the
pressure on me was immense, and although I dealt with it as well
as could be expected, I don’t think I did myself justice in my
quarter-final match.
"Don’t get me wrong, Natalie played very well, but I just never
go into the match, and was not able to get to grip with my
game…"
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Kristen Johnson 3-1 Arthur Gaskin
8/10, 14/12, 9/7, 9/4 (48m) |
... The number fours on the second
court saw resident pro and local lad Kristen Johnson (wr 177)
playing out a gritty match with Nottingham's Arthur Gaskin (wr 132).
After losing a very hard fought first set 10/8, Kristen got the
crowd roaring with support as he battled his way back into the match
in a very close 14/12 second set to level the match. The third game
swung one way then the other as both players tried to grind out a
result.
Neither player wanted to concede any ground but Kristen just got the
better of the game in the closing stages to take the third set 9/7.
In the 48th minute of the match and much to the approval of the home
crowd Kristen took the decisive fourth game 9/4 ...
 "Arthur
was expected to win this on, and he is so strong and fit, so I
told myself to just keep on running!
"It was nip and tuck for the first two games, and if I had lost
the second, I would have been in all sorts of trouble…
"I’m pleased with that win, it was gutsy, and the crowd pulled
me through, definitely…"
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"I was a bit tired, a bit flat. He
played well, all credit to him, but I played really poorly. It’s
so frustrating. But at the end of the day, he was hungrier than
I was tonight, and he wanted it more…
"It’s one of those days, although I’m training very hard with
Simon Parke, so I guess I could blame him for making me work too
hard I guess…
"No, actually, Simon has helped me to improve my game….
Hopefully I can show some results soon…"
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Mark Cairns 2-3 Jethro Binns 7/9, 7/9, 9/5, 9/7, 5/9 |
... The home team now 2-0 in ties
saw local legend ex world top 10 player Mark Cairns take on up and
coming Welshman Jethro Binns (wr 202) in the third string match.
The Nottingham supporters sensing a turn around of fortunes cheered
their man on to a 2/0 lead.
The third and fourth games saw a few more winners from Cairns and
forced errors from Binns to level the match 2-2.
The conclusion was to be dramatic ...
|
 I
was 2/0 and Mark started to come back, so I started to panic,
got a few tins, but got there in the end…
Mark just do the simple things very well, he plays a tight
squash, always finds a good length, plays the right shot at the
right time, and you’ve got to beat him, because he is not going
to give you anything…
 |
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Scott Handley 1-3 Simon Parke
5/9, 11/9, 7/9, 4/9 |
... Meanwhile on the first court Oxford's Scott Handley (wr 57)
and Nottingham's Simon Parke (wr 34) played out the most physically
demanding of matches in a real battle of wits, fitness and
experience. The match poised at 1-1 all in games and 5-5 in points.
Parke looked like he was fading quicker than Handley but after some
real corner to corner rallies and a final error, Parke just nicked
the third game 9/7.
The next ten minutes probably proved the most decisive of the
evening.
Binns took hold of the fifth game with some brilliant retrieving and
took the fifth game 9/5 whilst Parke clinically finished the fourth
game against Handley to level the whole tie 2-2 ...
FRAM'S NOTES ..
To be honest, as they state in Pontefract, I thought Sir Simon
was about to die at the end of the second/beginning of the
third.
He was taking so much time to breath between points that he
couldn’t help smiling about it himself, while Scott, the sweetie
he is, didn’t even mention it…
Oh yes, our National Treasure of Sir Simon used all the tricks
in the book, and it worked.
He took his time when he needed it, slowed down the pace to
perfection, picked up the shots he had no chance in hell to get
to, found his second wind at the end of the third, and helped by
a kind Scott who was making the rallies shorter and shorter,
walked out with a match he looked doomed to lose…
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 "I
made such a bad start. I was moving a bit slow and Simon was
controlling the T quite well, calling the shots.
"At 1/1 5/1 up in the third, we had a long rally, and I just
caught the top of the tin with my drop shot, and I remember
thinking, this could be a change, I’ve got to keep on the top of
this. And then I just tried and finish it off, finish it off,
too soon.
"I just needed half a dozen of hard rallies, and that would have
done it…"
 "In
all fairness, tiredness hit me at the end of the second, and I
got a bit worried, because I’m suffering from the sore throat,
but actually, I found I was 90% fit, which is not too bad….
"Scott was a bit impatient, and shooting a lot from the back of
the court – which he does very well- but that I could read quite
well. Also, I lobbed rather well today, and I’ve also noticed
that he is going short on his high lobs to his forehand.
"I’ve played Scott three or four times now, and I’m able to read
his game quite well. I knew it was going to be hard, but I also
know that he tends to break eventually, and that's what happened
today in the fourth…"
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Cameron Pilley 1-3 Ong Beng Hee
6/9, 7/9, 11/9, 8/10 |
... After a great night of squash the
final match proved to be a worthy final rubber. With everything to
play for, aussie Cameron Pilley (wr 22) took on Malaysian Ong Beng
Hee (wr 15). In a real contrast of styles with Hee's speed, agility
and unbelievable deception Pilley retrieved masterfully being turned
one way then the other.
There were some incredible pick-ups, plenty of rolling nick winners
and clinging drives. In the end it was just that extra bit of
disguise and speed on the ball which took Hee on to victory in four
sets.
A truly wonderful match to finish a highly competitive tie.
FRAM'S NOTES ..
To start with, it looked like Bengy was going to walk away with the
match. Wrong. The encounter lasted nearly an hour, and it was
anything but easy, for both of the players.
Lots of long and gruelling rallies, typical lob/drop shots/flick
from the Malaysian, very good volleying and retrieving from a very
tenacious Australian, who really impressed me last night, as he was
still fighting, and still kicking 2/0 and 4/1 down, to clinch the
third after saving two match balls…
He went on to save another one in the fourth at 8/7 on a tremendous
rally that got the local crowd to their feet. But he couldn’t save
the last one, a Bengy trademark backhand flick…
I wish both of those players would trust themselves and their talent
a bit more … They will know exactly what I’m referring too ... |
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 "I
felt better as the match went on, and it took me a while to get
into the match, but he was flicking it around as he does…
"I’m happy to play a little better, but there is still a long
way to go.
"I’ve been a bit sick recently, shame as it was going rather
well, but I played too many matches. But I hope that it will be
going well in Saudi, and I’m looking to starting a new year and
forgetting all about that one…"
 "I’ve
been working and training hard, and working a lot on my shots,
so I was trying them out today, as I’m on my way to the Asian
Games, and that is not the place to practice your shots!
"I think my game is in place now, I just need a bit more
confidence to finish the points and matches ..."
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A REAL SQUASH LOVER…
 The
main sponsor of the evening, Chris Lewis, from Chris Lewis
Security Services, has been playing squash since he was 14, This
is not the first event he's sponsored, far from it. Graded
tournaments, County League Team, etc., he’s been supporting our
sport for years.
 "It’s
all about giving something back to squash, isn’t it… I don’t think
my company will make a lot of money by sponsoring the PSL team,
that’s not what it’s all about, it’s nice to be associated with an
event quality, and you can’t get better quality than line up we get
in those evenings."
Chris’ company has been established in Oxford and Southampton since
1993, and is recognised as one of the major forces in the fire and
security industry, and they are quite rightly proud to have received
the 'Best IT Initiative Award' at this year’s prestigious Security
Excellence Awards.
"I love squash, I have done for years, and the good thing about
sponsoring these kind of events is that we are able to invite guests
who enjoy and appreciate the great entertainment that squash
provides.
 "The
speed of the game is just so fast, and now I’m getting older, I find
it’s quite a youthful game! And what a spectator sport, it’s such an
elegant sport when played at a high level. I don’t think that people
who haven’t watched squash live realise how exciting this sport
really is…"
Such a pleasure to meet one of those sponsors, you know the kind,
the ones that support our sport not because they received a nice
brochure, but because they know, they feel, they live squash ...
www.chrislewissecurity.co.uk
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But
in that instance, we were monitoring… the squash matches ! 
