05/10/2005
Lower Order Eases Duffield Worries
Brian Hargrave reports on an East-Midlands Derby win for Duffield ...

Benz-Bavarian Duffield  4-1  Nottingham
   Nick Matthew 3-0 John White      13/11, 9/3, 9/7
   Renan Lavigne  2-3  Simon Parke   7/9, 3/9, 9/2, 9/7, 7/9
   Jon Kemp  3-0  John Rooney     9/3, 9/2, 9/6
   Paul Hargrave  3-0  Arthur Gaskin   9/7, 9/7, 9/3
   Tania Bailey  3-0  Pam Nimmo     9/2, 9/4, 9/0

Lower Order Eases Duffield Worries
Brian Hargrave reports on an East-Midlands Derby win for Duffield ...

The match was sponsored by Yallop Construction and the lower order players laid the foundations for the Benz-Bavarian top order to play without the usual pressure

Now that Nottingham Forest is in a lower league than Derby County this PSL tie becomes one of the biggest sporting clashes involving East Midland teams. .A full noisy house was treated to some great squash played in excellent competitive spirit.

Tania Bailey  3-0  Pam Nimmo     9/2, 9/4, 9/0

Benz- Bavarian got off to the best possible start when Tania Bailey (wr 10 eng 2)) beat Pam Nimmo (wr 20) for the loss of just 6 points in less than 30 minutes. Bailey showed no signs of the injury which had caused her to miss round 1 and she was in complete control throughout.

Nimmo was on the defensive throughout and Bailey had just too many shots in her locker as she moved her opponent all around the court creating the openings to hit some delightful winners.

Paul Hargrave  3-0  Arthur Gaskin   9/7, 9/7, 9/3

On the adjoining court Paul Hargrave resumed his PSL comeback after a 9 months lay off with a back injury. His expected opponent Duncan Walsh was unwell and Arthur Gaskin, Irish No 4, stepped in at late notice. The Duffield Club professional and head coach gave his young opponent a lesson after edging a tight first game 9-7 Hargrave grew in confidence to take the next 2 games for the loss of just 6 points.  Hargrave turned the clock back as he treated his faithful supporters to another 3-0 win in just 28 minutes to put the home side 2-0 ahead. Hargrave dominated the T taking the ball early hitting some great winners or forcing a frustrated Gaskin to make mistakes.

Jon Kemp  3-0  John Rooney     9/3, 9/2, 9/6

Next on the outside court was on Kemp (wr 37) facing John Rooney recently recovered from glandular fever. Kemp was never seriously troubled as Rooney’s lack of match fitness took its toll. Kemp took the first 2 games both  9-2 and a combination of Kemp easing up an Rooney throwing caution to the wind made for a closer 3rd game. However, after just 18 minutes Kemp had clinched the tie to the delight of the Benz- Bavarian Duffield supporters and their manager who was hoping to be able to relax and enjoy the last two rubbers.

Renan Lavigne  2-3  Simon Parke   7/9, 3/9, 9/2, 9/7, 7/9

Back on the glass back court Renan Lavigne (wr 30) faced Simon Parke (wr32). Parke squeezed the first game 9-7 and ran out a comfortable winner of the second game 9-3. Parke’s renowned retrieving was out of this world but Lavigne strained every muscle in his body determined to win against his former team. Spurred on by an ever noisier crowd Lavigne clawed his way back as the two players both gave their all with long rallies and retrieving leaving spectators gasping in admiration of their efforts. Lavigne took the third game 9-2 and the fourth 9-7. The fifth game had the supporters on their feet and there was never more than one point in it either was as the scores reached 7 all. Lavigne thought he had gone 8-7 up but both referee and marker were unsighted with his pick up and had no choice but to give a relieved Parke a let.  Parke hit two great shots and it was all over. Lavigne was very disappointed and immediately got out his Christmas card list to delete one name later re-instated.  A great effort from both players much appreciated by the supporters.

Nick Matthew 3-0 John White      13/11, 9/3, 9/7

Nick Matthew (wr 12) and John White (wr11) has a difficult act to follow on what was a dead rubber as far as the tie was concerned but with every game won Matthew knew the importance of consolidating the overall victory. The first game lived up to the billing as Matthew, tipped by some as a contender for the world No 1, faced White the former world champion. Both players had game points and the score reached 11 all before two unforced errors from White gave Matthew the game 13-11. White was never in serious contention in the second as Matthew kept his concentration displaying his increasing variety of shots. The third was nip and tuck but with the clock approaching 11pm the hungry supporters were relieved when Matthew took the game 9-7 with a very professional performance.

Nick and Tania had prior to commencement of proceedings recorded a very professional interview with Ross Fletcher of Radio Derby. White was able to listen to al the compliments paid to him by his successor in waiting and this was clearly a good tactical move. Neil Warnock was also delighted to get a mention when Nick was talking about enthusiastic managers.

The new pdhsports.com East Midlands Squash Challenge trophy donated by Savages of Derby, to be played in each half of the season by the two PSL teams, went to Benz – Bavarian.

It had been a very hard and long day for the manager but when Nick Matthew handed his win bonus over to buy the home supporters a drink the gesture demonstrated that the PSL is not all about money for some players.

Brian Hargrave

 Contributor: Brian Harfrave
Club: Duffield

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