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Round FIVE Results |
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Tue 15 Nov, Round FIVE
LEAGUE TABLES
North Group:
Manchester/Pontefract 4-1 Churchill Edgbaston Priory
Malcolm Willstrop and
Matt Suckling - Against all odds-
report
Lee Beachill 3-2 David Palmer
6/9, 9/7, 6/9, 9/1, 9/2 (57m)
James Willstrop 3-2 Adrian Grant 9/6, 5/9, 9/6, 8/10,
9/7 (50m)
David Evans 0-3 Peter Barker
6/9, 2/9, 3/9 (35m)
Nick Taylor 3-2 Hadrian Stiff
5/9, 9/4, 4/9, 9/4, 10/8 (53m)
Jenny Duncalf 3-2 Vicky Botwright 2/9, 9/4, 7/9, 9/4,
10/8 (82m)
Wolverhampton 1-4 Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Stephen Russell & Brian Hargrave report
Anthony Ricketts 3-0 Nick Matthew
9/3, 9/3, 9/1
Alex Gough 1-3 Renan Lavigne
6/9, 7/9, 9/3, 2/9
Scott Handley 1-3 Lawrence Delasaux 10/8, 4/9, 6/9,
3/9
Mark Cairns 0-3 Paul Hargrave
8/10, 9/11, 3/9
Shelley Kitchen 1-3 Tania Bailey
6/9, 4/9, 9/7, 2/9
South Group:
University Sport Birmingham 2-3 Oberthur Strings
Joey Barrington 3-2 Rodney Durbach 10/8, 6/9, 9/6,
8/10, 9/5
Joel Hinds 1-3 Alister Walker
1/9, 9/11, 9/5, 7/9
Steve Coppinger 0-3 Alex Stait
6/9, 8/10, 6/9
Jaymie Haycocks 1-3 Daryl Selby
6/9, 6/9, 9/3, 4/9
Laura Lengthorn 3-0 Jenny Wright
9/4, 9/3, 9/0
Surrey H&RC Croydon 2-3 Team Chichester
Mini-report from Esporta
Peter Nicol 3-1 Ben Garner
4/9, 9/6, 9/7, 9/3 (26m)
Phillip Barker 2-3 Tim Vail
9/7, 10/12, 4/9, 9/5, 3/9 (51m)
Tim Garner 0-3 Aaron Franckomb 8/10, 8/10, 6/9 (42m)
Chris Simpson 3-0 Martin Greenslade 9/2, 9/7, 9/4
(20m)
Nicol David 0-3 Linda Elriani
6/9, 1/9, 6/9 (37m)
Chichester Stun Surrey
In PSL Round Five
The conclusion of the first half of the
Premier Squash League season could have seen Edgbaston and Surrey take
control of their Northern and Southern groups, but in the event both
groups were left with everything to play for in the second half.
In Manchester the 2004 and 2003 champions, Manchester/Pontefract
and Churchill Edgbaston, met to decide who would lead the Northern
group. Unbeaten Edgbaston knew they had a battle on their hands when the
home team took both the opening ties 3-2 - Nick Taylor and Jenny Duncalf
getting the hosts off to a great start - and guaranteeing a late-night
finish.
Peter Barker pulled one back for Edgbaston, but James Willstrop's 3-2 win
over Adrian Grant sealed the win for Man/Pont before Lee Beachill added an
extra point with another five-game victory over Edgbaston's David Palmer.
Meanwhile in Wolverhampton the defending champions were fielding
their 2005 final-winning team at home for the first time. But
Benz-Bavarian Duffield were in no mood to join in the party, and when
Renan Lavigne and Paul Hargrave put the visitors 2-0 up Wolverhampton
clearly had a task on their hands.
Lawrence Delasaux and Tania Bailey completed the win for Duffield before
Anthony Ricketts earned a consolation point for Wolverhampton, who will
need a miracle in the second half if they are to retain the title.
In the Southern group Oberthur Strings Tewkesbury went to the top
of the table as they won 3-2 away at newcomers University Sport
Birmingham, thanks to an unexpected - and unpredicted - away win by
Chichester at Surrey Health and Racquets.
At the University courts hosts Birmingham took the first and last matches
of the evening, but Strings, winners of the Southern group last season,
sealed the match with wins by Daryl Selby, Alex Stait and Alister Walker.
At Surrey Health & Racquets, Team Chichester came up with
probably the shock result of the season. Linda Elriani, in her first
competitive match for two months, beat world number three Nicol David in
straight games to set up a possible upset. Aaron Franckomb put Chichester
ahead with another upset win against Tim Garner, and when Tim Vail
outlasted Phillip Barker Surrey's hopes of topping the group were over.
So, both groups are left with "all to play for" in the second half,
with the next round of matches on 31st January. |
Tue 15th Nov
Beachill & Palmer
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NEXT MATCHES:
Tue 31st Jan
NORTH GROUP
Man/Pont v Nottingham
Duffield v Edgbaston
SOUTH GROUP
Birmingham v Guildford
Chichester v Strings
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Chichester win closes
up Southern group
Mini-report by Steve Cubbins, from Framboise's notes ...
photos and quotes by Framboise
The Crystal Ball predicted a tough time for Chichester away to Surrey
Health & Racquets, but in the event it was the home team that suffered as
Chichester scored an unlikely away win to leave the Southern Group
delicately balanced with the top four teams all in touch in the race for
the play-offs.
Chris Simpson 3-0 Martin Greenslade
9/2, 9/7, 9/4
(20m)
Chris Simpson got Surrey off to a promising start, the European
Junior Champion racing to a quickfire win over Chichester's veteran
stand-in Martin Greenslade.
Nicol David 0-3 Linda Elriani
6/9, 1/9, 6/9 (37m)
It was in the women's match that things started to go wrong for Surrey.
Linda Elriani, making her first competitive appearance since injuring
herself in Seattle, started strongly against world number three Nicol
David, who struggled to find any sort of form in the first two games
as Elriani took a surprising lead.
Elriani continued to dominate in the third as she reached match-ball at
8/2, at which point Nicol finally started to play. In a high-class finish
David edged back into contention, but it was too late, and on her fourth
match-ball - a lucky rolling nick in the back corner - Elriani took the
game to level the match.
 Linda
came out and started the match very relaxed, and I got sucked into
her game, I couldn’t find any rhythm. If you let Linda get in front
of you she has a tendency to take over. Towards the end I got the
momentum, but she managed to get back into the game and win the
match.
Linda is a tough opponent to play, you can’t have an off day against
her, you need to be at your best.
Nicol David |
 I
was moving well, and felt pretty good considering I haven’t had much
training since my injury. It was my t-band that was troubling me and
I had to rest it for a long time. But I’ve lost half a stone and
that helped a lot, obviously. I knew I couldn’t come back as heavy
or heavier than I was, so I made a big effort to lose the weight.
I’m so glad that my body held up, as this was my first competitive
match in ages and what can I say … thank the Lord for the Lob!
Linda Elriani |
Tim Garner 0-3 Aaron Franckomb
8/10, 8/10, 6/9 (42m)
Chichester took the lead when Australian import Aaron Franckomb
took advantage of a slightly under-par Tim Garner, leaving the home
side needing to take the final two matches to fulfill the predictions.
Phillip Barker 2-3 Tim Vail
9/7, 10/12, 4/9, 9/5, 3/9 (51m)
Chichester skipper Tim Vail had other ideas though, as he recovered
from losing the first game to take the lead against Phillip Barker.
The second was crucial, a long 17-minute game that saw the players level
all the way up to 10-all before Vail edged it and went on to take a much
shorter third game. In a see-saw match Barker, not moving as fluently as
he can, levelled at two-all but couldn't hold Vail in the fifth as
Chichester took an unassailable 3/1 advantage.
 Every
Monday since this summer I’ve been training with Stacey Ross and Ian
Robinson in Guilford. I realised that for the past three years I’ve
been stuck at number twenty in the country without doing anything,
so I thought it was about I did something about it.
Today I thought that if I played well, if I could find my length,
then with the way I’ve been putting the ball away I had a good
chance, as long as I didn’t get exhausted.
This is a good win for me, and an unexpected win for the team.
Tim Vail |
 Tim
played very well. I was struggling mentally, I was thinking about
two things throughout the game – winning this match and saving
energy for the Saudi qualifiers tomorrow.
To be fair to Tim though, he did play well and took full advantage
of my stepping off the pace and he played some excellent shots.
Phillip Barker |
Peter Nicol 3-1 Ben Garner
4/9, 9/6, 9/7, 9/3 (26m)
The final match saw Chichester's Ben Garner, going for his shots,
take the lead against former world champion Peter Nicol, who slowly
worked out his fiery opponent's game then countered with an array of
winners of his own to reduce the deficit on the night.
In a word?
Me … tentative. Ben … explosive.
If he could play like that - the way he cuts the ball, the way he
moves - but with a bit more sense, a bit more patience, he’d be much
harder to play.
I felt good, I felt relaxed, I hit the ball really well and moved
easily, I just need to get into it a bit quicker for next week, but
overall, a very pleasant moment, I felt extremely well.
Peter Nicol |
I felt nice and relaxed, I had nothing to lose. I started pretty
well, but once he got used to my way of playing he started to take
the ball earlier, and that was that, really.
The quality of his shots, his movement, is amazing and you find
yourself constantly in the four corners of the court. When the game
is at a critical point he has some amazing reactions …
Ben Garner |
So, Surrey's opportunity to
go top was lost as news came through that Strings had won away at
Birmingham, leaving the Southern group delicately balanced. Strings lead
Surrey by seven points, with Chichester a solitary point behind.
Guildford, who started the evening on top, slip to fourth, but are a mere
three points behind Chichester.
 |
 It
was quite a comfortable match today, I’m happy to win in three. I feel
fine and rested after Canada.
Chris Simpson |
 Last
Friday Tim Vail called me and told me I was playing for Chichester on
Tuesday. I replied “no way, I’m too old.”
And you know what … I was right. I’m 43 years old and I just can’t
compete with young 19-year-old players, so basically I came here to
make up the numbers, fair enough.
And may I add … I’ve never played American scoring to nine, and I’ve
never played on a 17” tin, so I had a problem!
Martin Greenslade |
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Wolverhampton 1-4 Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Some you win some you lose whilst the three Shepherds watched their team
by night ...
Brian Hargrave reports
 Both teams went into tonight’s final tie of the first half knowing that a
win was a must in order stay in touch with the top two.
Wolverhampton manager Stephen Russell had, for the first time this season,
fielded the team which back in May 2005 had won the NL title against hot
favourites Manchester-Pontefract. Stephen predicted that his team would
just edge the tie 3-2 whilst yours truly sat on the fence hoping that the
scoreline might be the reverse but deep down fearing that Wolverhampton’s
strength in depth would carry the day. The Duffield script was to win two
of the three ties at the top of the order and then hope that the lower
order players might between them snatch a rubber.
First on the outside court was Mark Cairns v Paul Hargrave both
with a reputation for being skilful racket players but because of other
respective work commitments perhaps a little short of being at their peak
in terms of fitness. Cairns has been a proverbial thorn in Duffield’s side
for the past 10 years firstly with Hallamshire and then with
Wolverhampton.
Frantic phone calls as the clock struck 7pm to ascertain the fate of the
intrepid 14 or so Duffield supporters revealed that they had decided to
approach Wolverhampton via Walsall and having paid homage once more to the
Billy Wright statue had only got lost in the last 200 yards due to the
landmark petrol filling station having closed.
Hargrave quickly found himself 4-0 down and like myself was beginning to
wonder where his first point would come from. Cairns was very businesslike
and was working his man all around the court. However, he had not reckoned
with the Duffield support which by now had arrived in force. Hargrave
responded and levelled to 4 all but then found himself 8-5 down after two
generous lets in the home players favour. The Duffield man decided to go
for broke and threw caution to the wind. Two decisions then went in his
favour and with a blink of the eye Hargrave walked off court with a 10-8
first game score in his favour. The second followed a similar pattern with
Cairns seeming to be in control of the “T” and making his younger opponent
work hard chasing and retrieving the ball from all corners of the court.
Hargrave then adopted the same end of game tactic, went for broke hit two
winners, got a couple of decisions in his favour and before you could say
Mike Robinson he had taken the second game 11-9. Hargrave appeared to have
shot his bolt during the break between games but his fellow players
pointed out that Cairns was also looking a little weary and was not happy
with some decisions. The third game saw Hargrave grow in confidence as he
got his second wind to deservedly take the game 9-5 after 50 minutes to
chalk up his third win in 4 outings in 2005-06.
On the show court Alex Gough was just back from San Francisco and
having lost in the semis from 2-0 up I was rather unkindly hoping that he
might not have too much petrol in his tank. Renan Lavigne had
earlier put Club before his chances of qualifying for the tournament in
Saudi Arabia. A gesture which suggested he was in a very determined mood
after being on the receiving end of some crucial rather harsh decisions in
earlier rounds. Certainly Gough was not moving as well as he could. Few of
the trade mark shots were in view and every time Gough played the ball on
to Lavigne’s forehand he was punished. Lavigne was playing his best squash
of the season, moving well and keeping the ball much tighter down the wall
thereby restricting his opponent’s opportunities to play his usual
delicate winners. Lavigne deservedly took the first two similar patterned
games 9-6 9-7. A brief resurgence from Gough in the third gave the home
team a chink of light but Lavigne was totally focussed on the job in hand
and the raw French meat was working well. The 11 hour trip back from the
USA the day before seemed to be taking its’ toll on Gough whilst Lavigne
was as fresh as a Duffield daisy after his short trip from Paris to
Wolverhampton via Doncaster airport (even Hedley had trouble finding it).
Gough had clearly shot his bolt in the 4th game and could only chalk up
two points to Lavigne’s nine.
Well you could blow me down with Brian Legg’s feather duster. Duffield
were 2-0 up against the defending champions.
Back on the outside court the ever reliable Scott Handley, who had
contributed so much to his team winning the title in 2004-05, was facing
the talented Laurence Delasaux who needed to start claiming higher
ranked scalps if he is to begin to realise his undoubted potential. The
tall Delasuax built a healthy lead in the first game but then seemed to
have trouble keeping his feet as little by little Handley clawed his way
back to edge the first 10-8. A quick change of shoes and Delasaux took
control turning in his best NL/PSL performance for Duffield as he deployed
his considerable racket skills to send Handley the wrong way, hitting
winners from all over the court with a particularly effective drop shot
from the back of the court. The next 3 games went in favour of the former
European junior champion 9-4 9-6 9-3 A recurrence of a groin muscle
aggravation late in the match effectively put paid to Handley’s hopes and,
what was on paper looked like a fairly secure second home win evaporated.
Well I could hardly believe my damaged eye (a tip - always wear protective
glasses when pruning) and before Bob Wheeldon, team sponsor Felix Frixou
and our other supporters had sunk their third pint of water we had won the
tie.
In a week when watching mother’s have got the headlines on the squashsite
website it was nice to meet Mrs Bailey who seemed very calm watching her
daughter Tania having one hell of a battle on the show court
against the “never say die” fighter in the form of the athletic Shelley
Kitchen. The New Zealander chased everything and got back balls that
her opponent thought were winners while Bailey played some delightful
drops, particularly on the back hand, to produce superb winners. Bailey
probably hit more balls into the tin than she would have liked and served
out two or three times. However, the drops beat the running and it was a
match free from controversy, played with a smile, full of sporting spirit
and a joy to watch. Kitchen got her reward for all her efforts by taking
the third game 9-7 but Bailey would derive much satisfaction from the fact
that she had staved off a very competitive challenge to take the other
tight games 9-6 9-4 9-4. When Kitchen develops a better short game she
will be the person to beat but on the night Bailey always had the edge.
So blow me down - Duffield 4-0 up and the icing was really on John
Massarella’s ice cake and Wolverhampton had only pride to play for.
Usually the match score is 2 all when Nick Matthew goes on court in
the deciding rubber to face a top 10 world player. I thought my advice to
Nick to relax and just enjoy his rubber against Anthony Ricketts,
world No 3 and British Open champion would help.
Sadly not, as Anthony was in devastating form and raced to victory in just
24 minutes to deny Duffield a clean sweep.
On the journey back Paul and Laurence waxed lyrical about Rickett’s
performance but the two former European Junior Champions can both be
pleased with their own efforts as indeed could Renan and Tania. Nick can
have his day in round 6.
The after match hospitality was as usual superb. The 120 plus supporters
had enjoyed some great squash and it was our night tonight, some of our
merry band of supporters were last seen heading towards Telford clearly
missing the absent navigator Stephen Milward.
I have deliberately not mentioned the refereeing problems which so upset
Stephen Russell and are mentioned in his report. Instead, whilst
sympathising with Stephen, I intend to thank our players, supporters,
sponsors and helpers for making this a great first half to the season.
We resume battle at home against Churchill Edgbaston Priory on 31 January
2006. A guaranteed sell out and hopefully Fram will be there. Book early
to ensure you get a standing position or you may have to settle for live
streaming.
Brian Hargrave
Duffield Team Manager
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Wolverhampton 1-4
Benz-Bavarian Duffield
Perhaps we need to sacrifice a sheep or something....
Stephen Russell reports as
Wolverhampton lose again.
 The evening began well with all of our team arriving together in plenty of
time and no sign of the opposition. One did arrive a bit later but I felt
that Tania Bailey against Anthony Ricketts could be a bit one sided so I was
truly pleased for the 120 plus supporters who were arriving that amongst
them were the remaining Duffield players. After that things got a bit
difficult.
Missing Markers
If the potential lack of opposition players was one thing the almost
complete lack of match officials was something else. As 7pm approached we
had one referee and one MRC (the chap in charge of match officials on the
night) and he was not sufficiently qualified to mark/referee matches at this
level. Not a good position and one that failed to improve so we went into
the match with a bit of a problem. Refereeing any match at this level is a
bit of a strain but to do so on your own is really unfair as it means that
you are trying to do two jobs at once within a very short time frame whilst
under stress.
Something has to give and it did. Apart from individual decisions, we had
wrong scores called, decisions changed which meant the referee argued
against himself and admissions during the games that, yes they were wrong in
earlier situations. England Squash must sort this out as they are ultimately
responsible for the provision of the right number of officials at a match
which I believe is 4 plus the MRC so that the stress levels on the officials
which communicates to the players and spectators is significantly lessened.
Now onto the squash. The results on the night were:
Anthony Ricketts beat Nick Matthew
9/3, 9/3, 9/1
Alex Gough lost to Rena Lavigne
6/9, 7/9, 9/3, 2/9
Scott Handley lost to Lawrence Delasaux
10/8, 4/9, 6/9, 3/9
Mark Cairns lost to Paul Hargrave
8/10, 9/11, 5/9
Shelley Kitchen lost to Tania Bailey
6/9, 4/9, 9/7, 2/9
Slow start for Wolves
The first two games were Mark against Paul and Alex against Renan. I always
felt that these two were crucial and we had to win one of them. Mark looked
comfortable in both of the first two games but had some unfortunate
decisions during both games which might have produced a different result.
Paul played well and in the third took all of his chances and ran out the
winner in 50 minutes.
Alex was not moving as well as he can and the 11 hour trip back from San
Francisco the day before seemed to be taking its toll. Few of the trade mark
shots were in view and every time Alex played the ball onto Renan’s forehand
he was punished. He tried this a lot of times, always with the same result.
A brief resurgence in the third gave the home team a chink of light but this
was swiftly extinguished in the fourth.
Duffield take the win
Scott should have had the measure of his younger, but less experienced
opponent but the young have no fear. From a solid start Scott found himself
battling for the first which he took 10/8. From then on Lawrence started to
play winners from all over the place with a particularly effective drop shot
from the back of the court. When Scott tried it he hit the tin! A recurrence
of a groin muscle aggravation in the third effectively put paid to the match
and, what on paper looked like a fairly secure win evaporated.
On the show court the two ladies were having a hell of a battle. Shelley
chased everything and got back balls that her opponent thought were winners
while Tania played some delightful drops, particularly on the backhand, to
produce superb winners. Overall the drops beat the running but it was a
match free from controversy, full of sporting spirit and a joy to watch.
When Shelley develops a good short game she will be the person to beat but
on the night Tania had the edge. So 4-0 down and pride to play for.
Devastating Ricketts
I have watched Nick Matthew play in PSL matches for five years and seen him
grow in stature over that time. From being blasted off the court by John
White five years ago to becoming a player who can take on the world as he
showed at the US Open only a couple of weeks ago indicates how far he has
come and he still has the years on his side. Anthony, after injury a year or
so ago has raised his game so that he now challenges for the number one
spot. This match had all the hallmarks of a classic.
Well, after a fashion it was. In 24 minutes of devastating squash Anthony
never put a foot wrong, chased down balls that most thought were impossible,
played with immense power where needed and found the right touch shot where
required. Nick did not play badly but had no response as, regardless of
where he put the ball Anthony was on it and devoured it (not literally you
will understand).
So we ended on a high note and for the 125 plus spectators a master class on
how to both play the game but also how to approach a key match. But an
apology to Nick. As he came off I patted him on the shoulder and said well
done. That has to be one of the most fatuous comments ever from his point of
view but I did mean it as I felt that he did everything he could have done
in the face of an Australian onslaught that just no one could have held
back.
Now for next year
Not the result that we were hoping for and a lot of stress on the officials
during the night. It may be one way for them to lose weight but probably not
the best way. We all have a long break now before the next half of the
season and wish all of our squad a successful few months at all the
tournaments they are involved with and also a restful and happy Christmas.
Thanks for the entertainment over the last two months, Wolverhampton look
forward to another four great games in the second half of the season.
Stephen Russell
Team Manager, Wolverhampton Lawn tennis & Squash Club.
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Against All Odds
Matt Suckling reports on Edgbaston's
trip to Manchester
I was asked before this match had started to predict what the outcome
might be, my response was ‘5-0!’ Howard Harding then asked ‘who to?’ I
said, ‘either side, pick one!’ With this line up, even the great Malcolm
Willstrop wouldn’t have predicted an outcome like this one.
The opening two matches were of course going to be really important as a
good start to the match for either side was essential. The other players
then wouldn’t feel the pressure of having to win so much. So the battle
commenced straight away.
Vicky
Botwright v Jenny Duncalf
 There
are two world ranking places between these two players and their
reputation for going to 5 is renowned. Vicky started brilliantly,
excellent touch as Jenny looked out of sorts and was hitting the
occasional wood shot. The game was over in no time. Things looked good.
The second game. Vicky lost what she had as Jenny stepped up, and
started to play the squash she is capable of, and dominated. They were
battling hard but Vicky had become a bit edgy. Jenny took it 9/4, from
this point I could sense a 5 setter.
The third was very important and both players knew it. The ref then
started to play a part in the game as it turned into a scrappy affair,
but to the credit of the refs, they were spot on! (you don’t hear me say
that very often!). 6-6 and it was tight, both players pushing hard,
moving the ball all over the court as Vicky just got ahead and hit a
great forehand volley to take the game 9/7.
The fourth was a game Vicky needed to dominate but Jenny had other ideas
as she volleyed a lot to a length and then short to attack Vicky as she
lost her game plan; great squash, I mean World Class. Jenny wanted it
and she got it, so into the fifth they went.
It was now down to who could hold their game plan together. 5-5all,
6-6all, match ball Jenny at 8-6 and Vicky dug in. No shot was dead
unless it hit a nick but Vicky got two; 8-8 - Set 2. Jenny stood tall
and took a great point to get her 3rd match point and Vicky lost an easy
one as the ball drifted out of court. A superb match, just the wrong
outcome for us after 82minutes.
Hadrian Stiff
Vs Nick Taylor
The first was all Hadrian as Nick wasn’t completely there. The ball
flying around but Hadrian still managed to slot his shots into the nick;
1-0 Hadrian.
A complete change around again as Nick felt the presence of his loyal
supporters and played to them by winning the second game as Hadrian was
a bit lost.
However, Hadrian wasn’t our player of the year last year for no reason.
The boy plays some great stuff and in the third Nick couldn’t do
anything. Nick is also a fighter, he grits his teeth and gets stuck in
but you could see he was fading slightly, but he won the fourth to take
the match into the fifth game.
Hadrian stormed out playing brilliantly, Nick was on his last legs as it
looked. Hadrian was 6-2 up and the ref gave a bad call then Nick decided
it was time to go for broke. He hit 6-7 winners after only a hand full
of shots in the rallies and took the game and match. It was some 5
setter. Hadrian did admit after the match that at 6-2 he was already in
the changing room! It happens to all of us.
Pete Barker
Vs David Evans
The Manchester match programme stated that David has beaten his welsh
rival Alex Gough who had beaten Peter quite recently in PSL. So, I
think, they thought this was their match. Pete had other ideas. I have
seen some squash over the years and I’ve seen Pete’s game over the
years. Tonight he hit the ball like someone who’s in the top ten in the
world. He was awesome. David had nothing tonight, it was all Pete. Best
I’ve seen of Pete to date.
Adrian Grant
Vs James Willstrop
 Well
no pressure, the match was 2-1 to Manchester. Adrian had to win and he
was up for it. He went 6-2 up with some of the best squash I’ve seen him
play, James was out of sorts, but
then the tables turned. James was in and won that game 9/6. Adrian
wasn’t happy as he knew he should have won that game, he made amends in
the 2nd by just simply playing amazing squash.
James looked worried and that doesn’t happen very often. Adrian got to
6-2 in the third like in the 1st game and again he stopped playing his
game and James took that game as well. The fourth was fierce, both
players were awesome, the court coverage was unbelievable. Adrian just
pulled it off; breathtaking squash.
In to the fifth, the quality of the squash just couldn’t get much higher
and both players were in fine form. One of them had to win and no-one
could see who would cross the finish line first at 7-7. James just
pushed forward a fraction and finished the match off. Adrian didn’t
deserve to lose this match. World class squash, at its best from both
players.
David
Palmer Vs Lee Beachill
The match was over but the games hadn’t finished. David and Lee never
want to lose against each other. They had a ref who made some
unfortunate decisions at the beginning of the match, which turned it
into a scrappy affair. Great squash but they both looked too much for
the ref as his decisions were erratic and he could have given anything,
which he often did.
Lee played brilliantly in the fourth to make it 2-2. David wasn’t in the
fifth either, a couple of decision threw him and few nicks from Lee and
at 5-0 we all knew who was going to win the match. Unfortunate, as these
players are the best in the world.
Over all, a great night. We have no sour grapes as we could have won 5-0
on another night, the matches were so close. A maximum of 25 games can
be played in a match and in this match they played 23. One of the
closest matches I’ve ever been involved with.
We are still top by 3 points and we look forward to meeting Brian
Hargrave’s Duffield on the 31st January next year for what will be
another great encounter of World Class Team squash.
Matt Suckling
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Manchester/Pontefract
4
Edgbaston
1
Malcolm Willstrop reports
Everything pointed to a close run thing when the lineups were announced
and that was the reality. The crowd were entertained to four 3/2 finishes
from the five matches.
First on were Vicky Botwright and Jenny Duncalf, with not a jot between
them on previous evidence, and two players now heavily into coaching -
Nick Taylor, head coach at Manchester and Hadrian Stiff, active in the
west country - two welcome additions to England's coaching resources.
The girls battled with no little skill and much athleticism for 87
minutes, Vicky for a long time looking the likelier winner. But, with
James Willstrop offering words of advice Jenny battled, finished the
stronger and won 3/2. One thing is for sure: the girls play so
competitively nowadays that they need to be playing American Scoring. This
match would have been perfect with 11 scoring.
Meanwhile the slim and well-preserved Stiff was leading Manchester's hero
2/1, before Taylor recovered to give Manchester/Pontefract a 2-0 lead that
at one time looked like a 2-0 deficit.
It did not seem likely that another top player now coaching, David Evans,
could cope with Peter Barker, eager, athletic and 22 in the world, to me
at least, and so it proved as Barker won comfortably 3/0.
So to decide the match Lee Beachill v David Palmer, a repeat of the very
recent US Open final, and James Willstrop v Adrian Grant, a repeat of
their Dunlop British Open last 16.
Beachill and Willstrop both won again to give Manchester/Pontefract a 4/1
win that probably was flattering.
Neither won easily - Grant played well, as Willstrop started tentatively
and both players played some excellent squash in quite prolonged phases.
At seven-all in the fifth it was the Manchester/Pontefract man who settled
it.
Palmer was on the floor early against Beachill and in the fourth game a
tetchy performance, berating the referee, invariably without
justification, and generally wanting his own way.
Beachill generally remained above it all, playing with considerable
ingenuity. Not that there was much wrong with Palmer's squash - there
never is, it is just his attitude towards referees, who, it seems, are all
against him.
Beachill led 5-0 in the fifth. Palmer redid his laces - both shoes
studiedly; then had the court swept, but it was all to no avail, as
Beachill stayed aloof.
It was the first time a Premier League match and a Women's match had been
streamed - history in the making - and it was a perfect start with a fine
match and Vicky and Jenny advertising the women's game to advantage.
My privilege too, to do the commentary for the girls.
Malcolm Willstrop
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TABLES AFTER ROUND FIVE |
Ties Matches Games
Pts
P W L W L W L
North Group:
Edgbaston
Priory
4 3
1 13 7 50
27 65
Manchester/Pontefract
4
3 1
15 5 47
29 62
Duffield
4 3 1 13
7 44 27
59
Wolverhampton
4 1 3 5 15 26
51 31
Nottingham
4 0
4 4 16 21 54 21
South Group:
Strings
Tewkesbury
4 3 1 12
8 42 35
57
Surrey
H&RC Croydon
4 2
2 11 9 40
32 50
Team
Chichester
4 2 2 11
9 39 32
49
UniSport
Guildford
4 2 2 8 12 36 43 46
Birmingham
University
4 1 3 8 12
31 45 36
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Tim
was pretty steady, long rallies, lots of retrieving. I’m happy to get
a win, especially after the four worst weeks of my life, squash-wise.
