Pontefract top world coach, Malcolm Willstrop, spoke very highly of his assistant coach Kirsty McPhee in the introductions and McPhee seemed still to be in a caching mode during the first two games which Hill won comfortably 9-2 9-1  in just over 10 minutes. Both games followed a similar pattern with Hill controlling the T and McPhee being made to scamper al around the court by an opponent who was moving well and hitting good lengths.

In the third McPhee showed all the fighting qualities expected of someone from the Willstrop coaching stable. Suddenly McPhee found her rhythm and it was Hill’s turn to have to do most of the running as McPhee cut out the errors and began to put Hill under pressure as mistakes crept into the Duffield player’s game and she lost the game 9-6 . Hill regained the initiative in the fourth establishing a 6-2 lead but McPhee hit back to level the scores and then edge in front at 7-6. Hill dug deep and reeled off three quick winners which included a crucial point when most observers and McPhee thought the ball had gone out of court.

The defending champions had one point on the board albeit to close for comfort at times bearing in mind what was happening on the adjoining court.

Billson again has Duffield supporters
on the edge of their seats

Adam Taylor2-3  Peter Billson  9-6, 9-5, 2-9, 3-9, 5-9

In round 4 Billson had recovered from 2-0 down to beat Birmingham’s Joel Hinds. Young Taylor was playing some superb squash putting his more experienced opponent under pressure and. Taylor was picking up everything Billson threw at him and was keeping the bal tight down the walls denying Billson the opportunities to parade his variety of shots.
 
Taylor took the first two games 9-6 9-5 but Billson still looked calm and confident . Suddenly Billson was in complete control as he comfortably won the in next two games 9-2 9-3 to level the scores. Billson relaxed and found himself 2-0 down in the fifth, The rallying call cries “come on Pete” from the large band of loyal Duffield supporters must have been music in Billson’s ears and he responded by turning on the style to take the fifth 9-5. A valiant effort by Taylor who showed great fighting qualities with an abundance of skill particularly in the first two games.

A nervous Le Roux makes a
successful return to his old club

Sam Wileman  0-3  Shaun le Roux 7-9, 8-10, 5-9

Le Roux formerly played at Pontefract and admitted that he was slightly nervous which showed in the opening two games with both players taking it in turns to play quality squash and then make unforced errors. Le Roux just edged a tight first game 9-7 but found himself game ball down at 8-7 in the second. Le Roux stayed calm and won three quick points by increasing the tempo and hitting good lengths. Le Roux had taken the sting out of his opponent and always seemed to be in control in the third which he duly won 9-5 to clinch a 20th consecutive PSL victory for the Derbyshire village club which surely must be a record and which had Howard Harding researching his records to no avail.

Stait on the ´strait´ and narrow but another
close encounter goes Duffield’s way 

Neil Cordell  2-3  Alex Stait 6-9, 6-9, 9-7, 9-5, 10-8

The programme listed Stait as Strait with a plug that he was invaluable in a high class league. Certainly the last minute signing has impressed the Duffield supporters. Cordell has been coached at Ponte for many years and has played for England at U17 level being currently ranked 8 at U19 level. Cordell reminds me of James Willstrop at the same age and in tradition with a protégé of the world’s top coach rarely asks for a let preferring to play the ball whenever possible, Stait looked the sharper player in the firt two games with both players playing tight squash at the front of the court and the ball clung to the side walls requiring both players to display excellent racket skills. Stait took the first two games both 9-6 and looked relaxed despite having to work hard for every point. Stait looked to have heading for victory at 7-6 up in the third but Cordell, who was growing in confidence, came through on the rails 9-7. Stait was left wondering how he had failed to clinch victory and this was reflected in the way he quickly lost the fourth 9-5. Cordell was on a roll and Stait was looking worried about upsetting the crystal ball prediction on www.squashsite.co.uk . Up stepped Mr Whippy to give his friend some sound advice which seemed to have worked when the experienced Stait reached match ball at 8-6.  Cordell was working his opponent hard whilst himself retrieving some incredible shots and looking a bright prospect for the future. Cordell leveled at 8 all but Stait dug deep and finally squeezed home10-8
 
Whippy celebrates Manchester Open
success with another victory.

Ryan Thompson  1-3  Andy Whipp 5-9, 4-9, 9-7, 7-9

Whippy was on cloud 9 after beating Guildford’s supremo Stephen Meads to win the Manchester BSPA Open on Sunday. Whippy brought his wife along and he looked full of confidence as he comfortably win the first two games 9-5 9-4. Whipp looked in sight of victory and a 9.15pm finish when he led 7-6 in the third. Thompson came back as both players attacked at will and Thompson deservedly won a point for his team. The fourth looked to be over at 8-4 in Whipp’s favour but Thompson got back to 8-6 thanks to the players ignoring a cal that Thompson’s ball was down. A let was the decision at the end of a lengthy rally but Whipp came through 9-7 to agree the CB prediction.