28/09/2005
IT'S ALWAYS BETTER WITH A WIN
Matt Suckling is grateful for an opening win for Edgbaston ...

The opening night is always better with a win!

The new Premier Squash League has enabled us to be lucky enough to see World Class Squash in our clubs again and tonight’s match was to be no exception. Without sponsorship from Churchill Office Solutions, this would not be possible for our squash fans to see - so thank you, Churchill.

Churchill Edgbaston Priory’s history with Benz-Bavarian Duffield in league matches has always been a close affair and this match was to be no exception.

Many of the players from both teams were unable to play due to commitments in other playing areas or due to injuries. Hadrian Stiff had to withdraw at the last minute due to a torn hamstring sustained whilst practising that morning. Adam Stevenson filled his shoes but hasn’t played a hard game of squash for some time. So you see, both teams were unlucky and also lucky!

Churchill Edgbaston Priory 3-2 Benz-Bavarian Duffield
     David Palmer 3-1 Nick Matthew         9/5, 9/6, 1/9, 9/6 (42m)
   Adrian Grant 3-0 Jonathan Kemp      9/7, 9/3, 9/5 (29m)
   Peter Barker 3-0 Laurence Delasaux   9/5, 9/3, 10/8 (38m)
   Adam Stevenson 0-3 Paul Hargrave  6/9, 7/9, 2/9 (26m)
   Rebecca Botwright 2-3 Laura Hill       9/4, 5/9, 8/10, 9/6, 6/9 (62m)

Pete Barker Vs Laurence Delasaux
Laurence has come on since the last time I saw him play, he looks stronger, more mobile and he’s starting to think a lot more but, unfortunately for him, Pete does all of these but just better. Laurence had a chance to take the third but, as his chance came, you could see the change of pace and change of concentration from Barker, he didn’t want to drop a game. A good battle and Laurence will get stronger and will need to, to match up with the ‘big guns!’

Becky Botwright Vs Laura Hill
Becky had a good start in this match winning the first game, but she lost her way in the second as Laura battled harder and harder for each point. The Duffield Firefighter can also create some fire! She took the third to go 2-1 up in a very close game which could have gone either way. Becky then levelled the match staying strong but, when the fifth came, Laura was the one who had just that bit extra to close the match out. This was a great game to watch.

Adrian Grant Vs Joey Kemp
This had the potential of being a very tough and close match as Joey had beaten Adrian a few weeks ago. Lots of people believe that if Adrian gets out of bed the right way he can beat most players in the world, today he got out the right side and Joey didn’t really get a look in. Even when Joey fought back in the first, he just wasn’t as clinical at pace as Adrian. Adrian, we want to see you like this next week at Wolverhampton!

Adam (stand in) Stevenson Vs Paul Hargrave
Not having played a tough game of squash for some time now, Adam was always going to be in trouble against Paul who is a quality player. His shots and length are top class when he wants them to be. Tonight was his night. The injured Hadrian Stiff might have been faster and fitter to pressure Paul, but as it turned out Paul pressured Adam until his lungs gave way and his legs fell off. Great effort from Adam even though his fitness is only 50%.

David Palmer Vs Nick Matthew
There we were again, 2-2 against Duffield, and it’s down to the top boys to settle it! The first game wasn’t the best game of squash that these boys have played and they would be the first to admit it, but after the first game they remembered that neither of them likes to lose so the pace of the game soared! The second was quality, but Palmer was the stronger of the two. In the third game, Nick came out a changed man, he had real purpose, desire, all the things you need to beat the likes of Palmer. It was close.  Nick won the third and it was close in the fourth until Nick had 2 problems, firstly he hit a brick wall and then his legs went with his determination and desire. Then the ref finished him, the dreaded ‘bad call’, but I personally think Palmer was going to win that game to take the match for Churchill Edgbaston Priory anyway. In the end the match was top class, shots, retrieving, lengths, width,  controversy, the lot. Enjoyed by all.

Next match at Wolverhampton where Churchill Edgbaston Priory are full strength:
David Palmer, Adrian Grant, Peter Barker, Stewart Boswell and Vicky Botwright

 Contributor: Matt Suckling
Club: Edgbaston

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