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Round 7 |
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Round SEVEN, 20-Feb
League Tables
Group A:
Pontefract 1-4 Esporta Oxford
James Willstrop 3-1 Cameron Pilley 9/5, 6/9,
9/5, 9/3
Ryan Thompson 0-3 Scott Handley 5/9,
5/9, 3/9
Sam Wileman 0-3 Chris Ryder
5/9, 2/9, 5/9
Adam Taylor 0-3 Kristen Johnson
3/9, 1/9, 4/9
Kirsty McPhee 0-3 Madeline Perry
5/9, 0/9, 4/9
University of Birmingham 2-3 Benz
Bavarian Duffield
Joey Barrington 3-1 Jonathan Kemp 9/6, 9/6, 6/9,
9/5 (43m)
Jonathan Harford 1-3 Lee Drew
2/9, 9/11, 9/7, 10/12 (55m)
Joel Hinds 1-3 Andrew Whipp
11/9, 4/9, 2/9, 5/9 (46m)
Tom Power 0-3 Laurence Delasaux 6/9, 4/9, 1/9
(21m)
Laura Lengthorn 3-0 Laura Hill
9/0, 9/4, 9/5 (25m)
Group B:
Tinos Homes Chichester 4-1 Surrey H&R Croydon
Azzy is back - and how ... the Crabtree
report
Azlan Iskandar 3-0 Davide Bianchetti 9/7, 9/2,
9/3
Alex Gough 3-2 Ben Ford
9/7, 7/9, 4/9, 9/2, 9/1
Peter Genever 3-2 Shahid Khan
9/0, 3/9, 9/11, 9/6, 10/8
Tim Vail 3-0 Steve Richardson
9/4, 10/8, 9/7
Line Hansen 0-3 Lauren Briggs
6/9, 5/9, 7/9
Luxfords St George's Hill 3-2 Redwood
Probuild Bristol
Renan Lavigne 2-3 Adrian Grant
8/10, 9/6, 3/9, 9/6, 1/9
Alister Walker 3-1 Joseph Kneipp
9/6, 10/8, 6/9, 9/3
Daryl Selby 3-2 David Evans
6/9, 9/11, 9/7, 9/3, 9/1
John Rooney 3-1 Hadrian Stiff
6/9, 9/0, 9/4, 9/7
Adel Weir 0-3 Tegwen Malik
4/9, 0/9, 4/9
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 Round
7,
20-Feb:
BRIAN HARGRAVE'S
CRYSTAL BALL ...
Pontefract v Oxford 1-4
Birmingham v Duffield 2-3
Chichester v Surrey 4-1
St George's v Bristol 2-3
ROUND SEVEN
CB ANALYSIS:
3+3+3+1 = 10 points
A creditable performance from Brian, just one game away from
perfection - only Darly Selby's comeback prevented another maximum ...
LEAGUE TABLES
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Duffield go top as St George's
close up ...
 After
tonight's seventh round of the Premier Squash League Group A has new
leaders while Group B has four potential winners ...
In group A defending champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield won a
close encounter at Birmingham University as their middle order of Lee
Drew, Andy Whipp and Laurence Delasaux gave them a winning margin,
with Birmingham's Laura Lengthorn and Joey Barrington taking the first
and last matches of the tie to keep alive the University team's hopes
of a playoff place.
In the other group A match Esporta Oxford cruised to victory
over a depleted Pontefract team to move into second place in the
table, new National Champion James Willstrop giving the home team
their only victory after Oxford had established a 4-0 lead.
 In
group B Luxfords St George's Hill are well in contention as they
claimed a narrow victory over Redwood Probuild Bristol while
table-toppers Surrey were beaten at Chichester.
With St George's leading 2-1 Daryl Selby clinched the match with a
comeback from 2-0 down against Welsh veteran David Evans before Adrian
Grant won another five-setter to give the visitors three points which
could prove crucial in a tight group B table.
Tinos Homes Chichester's Alex Gough and Peter Genever both
prevailed 3-2 to give the home team the lead over Surrey H&R Croydon
before captain Tim Vail sealed the points with a straight-games win
over Steve Richardson. Azlan Iskandar took the final match to move
Chichester closer to the top two.
With three rounds to go four teams in each group are still in
contention for play-off places, so an exciting end to the league
season is in prospect. The semi-finals have been rescheduled to 24th
and 26th April, and the final will be on 15th May.
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Azzy is
back – and how!
Peter Crabtree reports from Chichester
 What
a treat – a 4-1 win over table topping Croydon, and the gap closes on
the second place St. Georgians. And to cap it all, the return of the
Azlan from his Narnian expeditions.
Line Hansen’s match with Lauren Hill looked as if it might offer the
chance of some points, but again the experience of her opponent meant
that she was always under the cosh, and the 3-0 loss was almost
inevitable. Maybe she was put off by the presence of her consort
Mohamed Azlan – who knows? So Pete Genever, at the unaccustomed
position of three in the line-up, took on Shahid Khan for the honour
of the first points for the home team. Jelly was obviously in
confident mood, and the 9-0 scoreline in the first is almost unheard
of in this form of scoring. But then his Mum’s Apple Crumble started
taking its toll, and the collapse into mediocrity was as sudden as you
like, and a 9-1 reverse almost balanced the humbling of the first game
for Shahid.
It was, of course, all Steve Richardson’s fault, as Jelly wasn’t
expecting to be on court for another hour. Anyway, the next game was
nearly as bad, and Jelly surprisingly was 2-1 down. He bemoaned the
fact that his opponent didn’t run – well, when you can reach all four
corners of the court in 1 stride, why bother? So back to the grinding
for our hero – and he did it well, although it got very nervy in the
fifth. I did suggest that two spawny nicks wouldn’t go amiss, but of
course Jelly doesn’t do that. A classic drop followed by a slapped
roller finished it off in style, so we were on the scoreboard at last.
Goughy took on the lean, mean fighting machine that is Apollo, or Ben
Ford with the Grecian look!! Appearing slimmer and fitter than for
some while, this was, it seemed, a question merely of how long it took
Ben’s legs to lose their willpower. A strange game in parts, with a
lot of “clever” squash from both players, not a lot of rallying down
the walls, a lot of floated stuff, and some exquisite shots from both
men. The third game featured a few long rallies, and Ford’s pins were
certainly puffing, you could hear them over his lungs! He won it for a
2-1 lead, but there was the sense that they weren’t happy pins, and
the game ran out a fairly comfortable win for Goughy. It is worth
people bearing in mind again that if the player makes as many mistakes
as the referee during the course of the match, he is very unlikely to
lose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said!
Steve Richardson finally made his way from the bar, and Vole had the
opportunity to demonstrate to the Chi faithful just how he had shocked
the squash world with his results in Manchester the previous week –
almost Reading-esque one would imagine! But despite admonitions about
letting his new ranking (higher than Jelly apparently!) go to his
head, the demeaning situation of having to play on the side court was
obviously of far greater significance, and he drossed his way to a
3-0. Maybe being measured for his wedding suit had distracted him –
all we thought was we’d rather see him in his wedding suit than the
birthday version!
So – the return of the Magi, and the re-birth of Azzy was something to
whet the appetite. What effects would the tutelage of the hottest
coach in the game have had on his prowess? It became clear that he had
changed tremendously since going to Line to improve his game, and the
sartorial leap into the 21st century sporting icon look had certainly
fired the imagination of the panting hordes. Gone was the footballer’s
need for stubble to prove their masculinity, gone were the scruffy
shorts and the new look Azzy was there before us. But would the
performance that had been so sadly missing in his previous appearances
be part of the new package? Davide Bianchetti is no mug, and put up a
fight in the first game – some trade-mark Azzy losers taking the
score-line a lot closer than it should have been, but a 9-7 start was
what we needed. Having won the match already this was an opportunity
for Azzy to relax and play some flowing squash, and boy, did he. Not a
lot of flamboyance, as you would guess from a Genever semi-clone, but
consistent pressure, and application of the Peter Nicol rule that you
don’t let the ball get to the back wall took the visitor to places he
wasn’t happy to be. But he didn’t give up, and despite the 9-2 and 9-3
scores the games were tight, but with only one outcome likely.
There was one incredible rally that saw Azzy go front to back and back
again no less than four times, with Bianchetti eventually tinning the
ball in frustration, and claiming that it would be impossible for Azzy
to get all the balls back legally – but he did. Is Azzy the quickest
player on the tour? I’ll take some convincing otherwise.
So – the St. Georgians next – a 3-2 win with them not getting more
than four games in the three we win and us getting four in the two we
lose should push us into second place methinks. Where is my
calculator………………
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Duffield back on top - just
Brian Hargrave reports
 Defending
champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield travelled to University of Birmingham
without their two star England No 1 players Nick Matthew (ankle
ligament injury) and Tania Bailey (sinus problems) and when the
intrepid supporter and infamous driver Stephen Milward reported that
he had a temperature and was too ill to travel the 100% record looked
to be under threat.
Stephen is renowned for getting lost en route, within sight of the
opponents Club, from the cobbled streets of Halifax, Billy Wright’s
statute in Wolverhampton and to Wisteria House in Chichester. The
Chairman stepped into the driving seat tonight and true to form got
lost within the University Campus but thanks to the home management
delaying the start the supporters arrived just in time to see the
first rallies.
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 St
George's close the gap
Danny Lee reports
Adel Weir 0-3 Tegwen
Malik
4/9, 0/9, 4/9
 5th String; Adel looked a
little nervous and struggled to cope with the fast pace that Tegwen
set. The first game was close enough but Tegwen pulled away to take it
9-4. Adel then played a weak game and was rushed into errors but by
the third she was more relaxed and played some good squash although
Tegwen showed why she is ranked in the World's top twenty.
John
Rooney 3-1 Hadrian Stiff
6/9, 9/0, 9/4, 9/7
 4th String; Hadrian's rich vein
of form continued in the first against John Rooney but John came out
like a man possessed to take the second 9-0. The third and fourth were
close but John was just one step ahead and ran out a worthy 3-1
winner.
Daryl
Selby 3-2 David Evans
6/9, 9/11, 9/7, 9/3, 9/1
 3rd String; Daryl made
uncharacteristic errors in the first two and Dave showed that he can
still play really top squash. Daryl upped the pace and managed to
reduce the mistakes for yet another great comeback. At two games all
Dave tired and Daryl was a comfortable winner in the final game.
Alister Walker
3-1 Joe Kneipp
9/6, 10/8, 6/9, 9/3
 2nd String; Alister managed to
sneak a two love lead against the experienced Joseph Kneipp who used
all his class and guile to capture the third game. In the fourth Ali
efficiently wrapped up the match with some fine squash.
Renan Lavigne 2-3
Adrian Grant
8/10, 9/6, 3/9, 9/6, 1/9
 1st String; This was a
fantastic match with Adrian looking quite sharp after reaching the
semis in Manchester last week. Renan matched him shot for shot until
two errors gave Adrian the first. Renan never gives up and in the
second chased every ball as if playing for his life. His touch was
good too and he levelled the score by taking the game 9-6. Adrian
dominated the third but once more Renan upped the pace to make it two
all. Renan needed a good start in the fifth but he never featured and
Adrian ran away with the game.
A great result for Luxfords St George's that puts us in a handy
position near the top of the
Southern division. There are still two matches to play and the league
is still very tight and the play off positions are unlikely to be
confirmed until the final round of matches.
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Laura was always certain to win
 Laura Hill (Eng No 7) came in for Tania Bailey with the thankless task
of facing the highly rated Laura Lengthorn (Eng 4 and World 11).
Lengthorn raced through the first game in just 4 minutes without
conceding a point playing some great squash. Hill took a 4-0 lead in
the second before Lengthorn again reeled off 9 consecutive points.
Hill showed glimpses of the form which has taken her to No 7 in
England in the third. Lengthorn led 6-1 but was pegged back to 6-5
before pulling away to claim the first point for the University in
just 25 minutes. Hill was disappointed not to have got closer but
credit must be given to a very impressive performance from the home
player. |
Delasaux “powers” to victory in style.
 The withdrawal of first Steve Coppinger and then manager Jonathan Tate
(flu) provided a last minute opportunity for Tom Power to face
Laurence Delasaux.
A nip and tuck first game could have gone either way but Delasaux just
edged it winning 3 quick points from 6 all.
Delasaux was full of confidence in the second as he turned on the
style to take the game 9-4 working his opponent to all corners of the
court hitting good lengths mingled with quality lobs and the disguise
which became a trademark when Delasaux lifted the European Junior
Championship. There was no stopping an increasingly confident Delasaux
as he took the third 9-1 to level the match scores after just 21
minutes.
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Whipp sets a fast pace to crack Hinds
Joel Hinds, a product of the Duffield junior academy, faced a relaxed
Andy Whipp and the first game was a real classic played at a fantastic
pace with super retrieving and recovering positions by both players.
The large crowd loved the spectacle of two guys throwing caution to
the wind as the game went first one way and then the other. Whipp had
two game points but Hinds dug in and after 19 entertaining minutes
took the game 11-9.
 The second started off in similar fashion until 4 all when the
Duffield Manager and Adrian, his assistant for the night, both spotted
Hinds “hit the marathon wall” as Whipp kept up the pace moving his
game opponent all around the court forcing his opponent to take
chances and errors began to creep into Hinds game. Whipp closed the
game out 9-4 and with the famous Jonah Barrington watching I was
reminded of the time he likened squash to foxhunting.
“Wear your opponent down and then go in for the kill” was the advice
he once gave me when I managed to beat Andrew Shelley 10-9 in the
fifth in a match which Jonah described as “awesome” or was it perhaps
“awful “. Anyway enough Crabtree like rambling - Whipp sensed blood
and went for the kill and had Hinds by the short and curly. Whipp’s
experience and lightening speed around the court saw him take the
third 9-2 and establish an 8-1 lead in the fourth. Hinds dug deep got
back to 8-5 and Whipp suddenly became a little anxious.
However, the recovery came too late and the Manchester lad had turned
in his best performance of the season to put the visitors 2-1 ahead,
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Drewboy makes his manager suffer
 The game on the adjoining show court was in full progress with Lee
Drew (eng 13) facing the rapidly improving Jonathan Harford (eng 29
World 73) Drew was quicker out of the blocks and Harford must have
wondered what had hit him in the first managing just 2 points in 5
minutes. A close second saw Drew save a game ball before edging home
11-9 after an 18 minute game of enthralling squash. The third saw
Harford build an 8-3 lead but Drew got back to 8-7 before tinning a
shot. Both managers probably felt the outcome of the match itself
hinged on the vital fourth game.
There was never more than one point in it as Harford had game balls at
8-7 and 9-8. Both players had favourable decisions as the crowd went
silent sensing Duffield’s 100% record was on the line. The Duffield
manager was moving well which pleased Jonah but not the guy in the
seat in front who got a few kicks in the back. Drew somehow nosed in
front at 10-9 and 11-10 before a brave Harford had to settle for
second best as the lad from Essex secured victory and the bonus points
for his team.
A really enjoyable match and a relieved visiting manager.
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Rankings and Crystal ball both right on the
night
The final rubber was far from dead as Joey Barrington (world 26 Eng 8)
faced Jon Kemp (World 28 Eng 9). Barrington was recovering from flu
whilst Kemp had a stiff back.
 Kemp
stated well and raced to 3-0 but Barrington was moving more freely and
making fewer mistakes took the first two entertaining and competitive
games both 9-6. Barrington was often bent double gasping for breath
whilst Kemp looked a little stiff in the back.
Kemp
suddenly hit a rich vein of form to establish a lead of 8-1 in the
third before Barrington got his second wind to claw back to 8-6 only
to tin a shot. Barrington steadied the ship and pleased his dad, who
was looking younger and fitter than ever, by taking the fourth 9-5. |
Duffield had scraped home 3-2 for the second time but the University
team had impressed both on and off the court. A match played in good
spirit, top marks for the referees, great hospitality and yours truly
won the raffle whilst CB predicted 3 out of 4 scores correct on the
night (see above).
Well done to both teams and with the East Midlands Derby against
Nottingham next up at Duffield on 6 March with Nick and Tania
expecting to be fit it should be s full house
to support the top of the table team. Sport in Derbyshire is booming
with Derby County and Duffield both top.
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Tinos Homes Chichester v
Surrey Health & Racquets Club
 Surrey Manager Pete Smith reports
This was always going to be a tough evening for us against a very
strong Chichester team as it was a case of who was available to play
due to the TOC tournament. We managed to put a team together and we
were determined that we would be competitive and put in a good
performance.
This is how it went!
 Line Hansen v Lauren Briggs
Lauren put in a very solid performance playing with good length and
width and putting Line under pressure and forcing mistakes. Lauren
went onto win 3-0, 9-6, 9-5, 9-7.
Chicester 0 Surrey H & R 1
Peter Genever v Shahid Khan
 Peter stormed off at a fantastic pace taking the 1st game 9-0 from
what looked like a very nervous Shahid. Shahid then settled down
into the match and started playing some excellent squash and putting
Peter under pressure, Shahid took the 2nd game 9-1. The third game
was very tight with Peter taking a 8-5 lead but Shahid came storming
back to take the game 11-9. Both players were now working very hard
and tiring with some long punishing rallies with Peter coming back
in the 4th to take it 9-6. So all down to the 5th which could of
gone either way, Shahid saved a match ball at 7-8 but then two
excellent constructed rallies by Peter took the game 10-8 and match
3-2.
Chichester 1 Surrey H & RC 1
 Tim Vail v Steve Richardson
Steve had to rush from the City to play this match for us and it was
always going to be a tall order against an in-form Tim Vail. Steve
put in a great effort but Tim was just a bit too strong to take the
match 3-0 9-4, 10 -8, 9-7.
Chichester 2 Surrey H &RC 1
Alex Gough v Ben Ford
 This was again a very close match with a very in-form Alex against
Ben who has taken this year to play more tournaments and re-join the
PSA.. The 1st match saw both players feel their way and Alex edged
it 9-7. Ben then managed to control the T and get in front of Alex
dictating the play with excellent Lobs and disguised shots and Ben
took the next 2 games 9-7, 9-4. Ben then started to tire having
worked so hard to take a 2-1 lead and Alex forced his way back to
take the next 2 games 9-2, 9-1 and the match 3-2.
Chichester 3 Surrey H &R 1
Azlan v Davide Bianchetti
 This was Azlan's debut and with Davide still recovering from a weeks
Flu this was always going to be tough for him. The 1st game was very
close and point for point with Azlan edging it 9-7. Azlan then upped
the pace as he could see Davide struggling to take the next 2 games
9-2 9-3 and the match 3-0.
Chichester 4 Surrey H & RC 1
Well played to Chichester and it was good in the end that we put up
a very competitive performance considering our circumstances. Thanks
to Tim and his team for your hospitality and to the Chichester Club.
Next match for Surrey Health & Racquets Away v Unisport Guildford
Tues 13th March.
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League Tables
after round seven
P W L W
L W L
Pts
Group A:
Benz-Bavarian Duffield
5 5 0 17 8 59 36 84
Esporta Oxford
6 3 3 16 14 61 52 76
Nottingham
5 4 1 16 9 53 38 73
University of Birmingham
6 2 4 16 14 56 52 66
Pontefract
6 0 6 5 25 29 80 29
Group B:
Surrey H&R Croydon
6 4 2 18 12 65 47 85
Luxfords St George's Hill
6 4 2 16 14 60 58 80
Tinos Homes Chichester
6 3 3 16 14 58 59 73
Redwood Probuild Bristol
5 2 3 13 12 50 45 60
UniSport Guildford
5 1 4 7 18 34 58 39
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