Tue 7th March, Round EIGHT                  LEAGUE TABLES

North Group

Wolverhampton 4-1 Manchester – Pontefract
Wolves' late, late show ... Stephen Russell
   Alex Gough 3-0 David Evans              9/3, 9/4, 9/7 (41m)
   Scott Handley 3-2 Nick Taylor            8/10, 9/11, 9/6, 9/7, 9/2
   Mark Cairns 3-1 Andrew Whipp           6/9, 9/2, 9/6, 9/6
   Chris Ryder 3-1 Shaun le Roux           9/2, 5/9, 9/2, 9/6
   Fiona Moverley 0-3 Jenna Gates          4/9, 1/9, 2/9

Nottingham 2-3 Edgbaston
 The crystal ball was close - Matt Suckling
   Simon Parke 0-3 Peter Barker           6/9, 7/9, 9/11 (42m)
   Duncan Walsh 0-3 Hadrian Stiff          4/9, 1/9, 1/9 (25m)
   James Wright 3-0 Adam Stevenson    9/4, 9/1, 9/6 (21m
   Arthur Gaskin 3-1  Peter Creed          10/8, 9/0, 8/10, 9/6 (38m)
   Sarah Kippax 1-3 Becky Botwright     10/9, 1/9, 5/9, 8/10

South Group

Surrey H&R 3-2 USB Birmingham
 Another Great night in PSL - Framboise
 Davide Bianchetti 3-2 Joey Barrington  9/3,9/6,1/9,6/9,9/6 (74m)
 Phil Barker 0-3  Jonny Harford             2/9, 3/9, 7/9 (29m)
 Simon Rosner 3-1 Joel Hinds                9/3, 9/11, 9/4, 9/4 (49m)
 Chris Simpson 2-3 Steve Coppinger    6/9,9/7,6/9,9/5,5/9 (47m)
 Lauren Briggs 3-2 Laura Lengthorn      9/7, 5/9, 9/7, 9/7 (69m)

UniSport Guildford 2-3 Oberthur Strings Tewkesbury
 Guildford lose out at the death - Ian Robinson
   Stacey Ross 2-3 Cameron Pilley         10/12, 9/5, 1/9, 9/6, 4/9
   Stephen Meads 3-2 Daryl Selby          9/6, 8/10, 9/7, 4/9, 11/9
   Jesse Engelbrecht 0-3 Alex Stait          6/9, 4/9, 4/9
   Neil Frankland 3-1 Philip Nightingale   9/6, 4/9, 9/3, 9/4
   Rachel Willmott 0-3 Carla Khan           3/9, 1/9, 3/9

 

 
Edgbaston Stretch North Lead, Strings Tighten Up In South ...
 Howard Harding reports ...

 

A last ditch win by Churchill Edgbaston Priory in tonight's  eighth round of the Premier Squash League (PSL), sponsored by insurance specialists THB Clowes, extends the Birmingham club's lead to 30 points in the North Group – and virtually assures their place in the end-of-season play-offs. 

A similar nail-biting 3/2 victory by Oberthur Strings Tewkesbury sees the Gloucestershire regain top position in the South Group, a single point ahead of Surrey Health & Racquets Croydon whose 3/2 win pushes former group leaders Team Chichester into third place.

 

Nottingham denied at the death

A long-awaited first win of the season looked on the cards for former champions Nottingham as the hosts forged a 2/1 lead against Edgbaston Priory – squad third and fourth strings James Wright and Arthur Gaskin beating Priory's Adam Stevenson and Peter Creed, respectively, after the visitors' Rebecca Botwright fought off a string challenge from Sarah Kippax, ranked 11 places lower in the world, before beating the Nottingham player 9-10 9-1 9-5 10-8 in 56 minutes.

 

Devonian Hadrian Stiff levelled the tie for the West Midlands visitors, before rising English star Peter Barker beat Nottingham stalwart Simon Parke 9-6 9-7 11-9 to clinch victory for Edgbaston, their sixth of the season.

 Wolves dent Man/Pont's hopes

 

Manchester/Pontefract, Priory's main rivals for the North Group title, suffered their second defeat of the season – going down 4/1 to PSL champions Wolverhampton.  Both teams were fielding depleted squads, with many of the world's top players currently undergoing final Commonwealth Games preparations in Melbourne. 

Hosts Wolverhampton were already celebrating victory – boosted by "the result of the night" when veteran Mark Cairns beat  the visitors' 24-year-old Andrew Whipp 6-9 9-2 9-6 9-6 – before Welsh Commonwealth Games team-mates Alex Gough and David Evans took to the court for the top string clash.

 

Wolverhampton team manager Stephen Russell introduced the pair to the packed crowd by thanking the players for "postponing their trip to play a more important match tonight!". 

In what was only his second win against his long-time national rival in more than seven years, Gough beat Evans 9-3 9-4 9-7 in 41 minutes to seal the 4/1 victory for Wolverhampton.

 

Surrey stem Birmingham bid

Both ties in the South Group kept the crowds on the edges of their seats until the final balls were struck. 

Fresh from her success in the Swiss Open in Geneva on Sunday, Lauren Briggs caused a major upset when she defeated world No13 Laura-Jane Lengthorn – ranked 15 places higher – 9-7 5-9 9-7 9-7 to put Surrey H&RC into an early home lead against University Sport Birmingham. 

Club debutante Simon Rosner, the first German to compete in the league, extended the Croydon club's lead with an impressive 9-3 9-11 9-4 9-4 win over Joel Hinds – but the Birmingham University side came back to level the tie thanks to notable victories by Jonathan Harford and Steve Coppinger.

 

The decider was a 74-minute marathon in which Italian Davide Bianchetti, leading the Croydon squad for the first time, romped to a 2/0 lead against Joey Barrington – but the fast-rising English star battled back to force the match into a fifth game. 

Bianchetti maintained his focus to win 9-3 9-3 1-9 6-9 9-6 to take Surrey HR&SC into a close second position in the table.

"That was crucial for us," said a relieved Surrey manager Pete Smith.

More to come from Framboise at Surrey ...

 

Strings sneak to the top

There was even greater drama in the other South Group clash when UniSport Guildford entertained Oberthur Strings Tewkesbury. 

Victories by Pakistan No1 Carla Khan and Alex Stait for the visitors, and by Neil Frankland for Guildford meant that a win by second string Stephen Meads was essential if the home team's hopes were to be kept alive. 

The 35-year-old former Tour pro was facing fast-rising Daryl Selby, the 23-year-old from Essex whom he edged out in Sunday's semi-finals of the North of Scotland Open in Aberdeen.

 

The score reached 2-2 in games and 8-8 in the decider when Meads caressed a drop shot into the front backhand corner – and, in trying to reach the ball, Selby's elbow accidentally struck Meads on the back of the head. 

The match came to a halt for ten minutes while team-mates tried to stop the bleeding from Meads' wound. 

On the resumption of the match, plucky Meads won the first point after a long rally, before Selby took the next to bring it back to 9-9.  But it was Meads who forced the ultimate advantage by winning the next two points to earn a courageous 9-6 8-10 9-7 4-9 11-9 victory – before heading off to the local hospital for treatment.

 

In the tie decider, Tewkesbury's Australian No1 Cameron Pilley proved too strong for Guildford's Stacey Ross, winning 12-10 5-9 9-1 6-9 9-4 to give Strings a 3/2 victory.

 LEAGUE TABLES


 

Next matches:

04-April, Man/Pont v Duffield

(remaining round 9 matches on 18-Apr)
 


 


THE CRYSTAL BALL SAID...
  
Wolves          3
Man/Pont      2 
not bad ...

Nottingham   3
Edgbaston     2 
could do better ...
Surrey            1
Birmingham   4
 oh dear ...
Guildford       2
Strings          3
 good recovery ...

Wolves' Late, Late Show ...
Stephen Russell reports

Although maybe a little late in the season to affect the play off positions the team showed why we were champions last year with a spirited display against a good Manchester side.

Fiona Moverley 0 3 Jenna Gates   4/9; 1/9; 2/9.

Fiona started well winning the first few points but the speed of her opponent around the court gradually told and by the end of the first it was all one way traffic.

Chris Ryder 3 1 Shaun Le Roux   9/2; 5/9; 9/2; 9/6.

Chris won the first easily, perhaps too easily as he promptly went 6-3 down in the second with a mixture of tins and careless shots. Getting himself together between games coupled possibly with the after effects of being hit on the leg by the ball at game point in the second, he totally dominated the third forcing error after error from his younger opponent.

Although the fourth was closer Chris was always in control and weathered a minor fight back from Shaun to win in 4.

Mark Cairns 3 1 Andrew Whipp
6/9; 9/2; 9/6; 9/6.

Mark rarely plays on a lower tin nowadays and appeared off the pace and at sea in the first game. However, towards the end of that game some of the trade mark backhand battles began to appear and from the beginning of the second Mark dominated the match. Andy began to make errors when trying too hard for winners while Mark showed no signs of tiredness at all which at 37 is pretty good. A 42 minute game gave us the 2-1 lead.

Scott Handley 3 2 Nick Taylor
8/10; 9/11; 9/6; 9/7; 9/2.

Scott started out by prolonging the rallies and his game plan seemed to be to tire Nick out. Nick, meanwhile, was playing neat squash and is now throwing in a really good mixture of shots rather than relying on fitness.

First two games went to 8 all but Nick came out on top of both. Some good lengths, tight drop shots and generally steady squash saw Scott take the third and part way through Nick visibly slowed.

From a commanding position in the fourth Scott suddenly abandoned his winning line and started to play some odd flick and half court shots. At 7 all the match was poised on a knife edge. Another flick across the front wall from Scott just died in the backhand front corner to give him game ball. Bit risky that but it worked.

The first four had taken their toll and the fifth was over quickly to give us the win.

Alex Gough 3 0 David Evans
9/3; 9/4; 9/7.

Alex and David then put on a superbly competitive match which had the crowd enthralled. David used his enormous reach to volley when possible while Alex scurried round picking up balls from everywhere. Alex is still in the top 20 in the world and fitness, both mental and physical finally showed but not before the crowd was entertained to 41 minutes of wonderful squash.

With Chelsea playing Barcelona on the television, a rearranged home fixture with Wolves FC playing Stoke and some 30 odd club members off on a skiing trip I did wonder whether there would be anyone around to watch. However, once we got them out of the bar, coupled with a few late arrivals the crowd swelled to about 80 which was enough to ensure that the right amount of noise ensued.

So our second win and the aim is to finish with a run of three wins. Next to Duffield on the 11th April before the last game of the season at home to Nottingham on the 18th April.


  

UniSport lose out at the death 
 Ian Robinson reports
 
UniSport Guildford lost their last home match of the season after a long protracted struggle.  Tewkesbury were probably value for their narrow return but  the top seeds made it a night of 'full blooded' action and ensured it went to the bitter end.  Both teams were without regulars like Alister Walker for Tewkesbury and the Commonwealth Games bound Alison Waters for Guildford.  This did not detract from the entertainment however.
 
Rachel Willmott 0 lost to Carla Khan 3          3-9, 1-9, 3-9
 
Rachel Willmott, making her home debut, was first into the fray as she tackled the more experienced Pakistani player Carla Khan.  Carla ,descended from the original Khan dynasty and watched by her father and coach Wasil, hits so powerfully in a way that the dynasty would be proud and looked like she would blast the diminutive Rachel off the court.  However it was the Guildford player who was first to show, confidently banking her first points. 

But just when it looked like Rachel might mount a solid challenge she lapsed into error and allowed her opponent an easy run of points to conclude the first game.  The good rallies were well contested and there was nothing to suggest that this was a mis-match.  As is often the way the more experienced players squeeze the errors from their opponents at just the right time and this was the case in this match.  The score was not kind to Rachel who only collected 7 points in total but this will no doubt serve as a reminder, if one is needed, that errors prove costly indeed at this level of the game.  First blood to Tewkesbury.
 
Neil Frankland 3 beat Phil Nightingale 1     9-6, 4-9, 9-3, 9-4
 
On the outside court Neil Frankland was entertaining one of the upcoming former Surrey juniors, Phil Nightingale, who is now out of University and full time on the PSA circuit.  Frankland, wily campaigner that he is, knew just enough and mixed blazing winners to the nick with controlled tactical squash at a slower pace to take control of the game. 

But for the lapse in the second game Neil mostly tended to have his nose in front and showed that he is getting back to his best especially after his successful campaign as a finalist in the recent Scottish National Championships defeating higher seeded players on the way.  Nightingale would have hoped for more change out of his senior pro, but will no doubt learn from his experience and come back the stronger for the 'lesson'.  Match scores now levelled at 1 - 1.
 
Jesse Engelbrecht 0 lost to Alex Stait 3       6-9, 4-9, 4-9

Jesse Engelbrecht was next, hoping to give UniSport a lead in the match.  There is some sympathy for Alex Stait of Tewkesbury who has had recurring and persistent knee problems.  Before that he was beginning to find some real form on the PSA world tour starting to beat some of the more established names and putting himself in line for a credible world ranking. 

Engelbrecht was just back from the Swiss Open in Geneva where he was a finalist and looked like he was not as sharp as he needed to be.  Stait by comparison looked intent upon putting his hardships behind him and was like a cat on a hot tin roof.  Essentially that was the difference between the two, Engelbrecht a little sluggish and Stait turbo-charged.  Engelbrecht tended to be loose in his hitting, Stait was much more precise.  The score tells the same story, sadly for UniSport Guildford fans that was not what they wanted to see.  2 - 1 lead went to Tewkesbury.
 
Stephen Meads 3 beat Daryl Selby 2    9-6, 8-10, 9-7, 4-9, 11-9
 
Stephen Meads then went head to head with Daryl Selby.  It is likely that the two of them are getting a little sick of the sight of each other on court of late.  They have now played 3 long hard matches against each other with honours even before today.  Selby is the fast improving youngster from Essex, Meads is still doing his thing and competing ferociously against all comers when perhaps his body is telling him to take it a little easier. 

UniSport fans are always happy to see Meadsy appear and slide back in their seats for the contest knowing that they may be  there for some little while.  There was some serious hitting in this match.  It was not pretty nor easy watching with too much essential intervention, frustratingly, from the referee.  Nonetheless the result at this stage was all important to UniSport, as without this win the match was over.  As always Steve fought to the bitter end.  The first four games were slogged out hard and shared evenly, so that fittingly it necessitated a fifth.  This saw Meadsy always just keeping the advantage by the odd point, until it was locked at 8 - 8.  There had been to this point some particular traffic problems around the court and the rallies were bumpy and messy. 

Against this backdrop, Meads feathered a backhand drop to the front corner and in the quest to round his opponent Selby accidentally caught Meads on the back of his head with his elbow - his funny bone to be precise.  The two players separated, like the bouncing ball in a pinball machine, in various states of distress.  The outcome was that Selby had the discomfort of tingling in his arm, and Meads, from what looked like a relatively innocuous bump, was bleeding profusely from the wound on the back of his head.  

After a break of 10 minutes Meads with his head now bandaged returned to the court.  The following rally was like there had not been any break at all.  It went on and on and on, eventually Meads found a very tight accurate shot to force the error to give match ball.  Eventually after further refereeing work Meads, managed to stumble over the finishing line and in one movement off the court to the hospital over the road, where he had two stitches in the wound. 

This was a massive match and vital to keep the match alive for UniSport.  As usual Steve 'dependable' Meads delivered.  Match score 2 - 2.
 
Stacey Ross 2 lost to Cameron Pilley 3  10-12, 9-5, 1-9, 9-6, 4-9

The stage was now set for a decider between Cameron Pilley of Tewkesbury via Australia and Stacey Ross.  Omens were not good as Ross has been not as his best.  In the first half of the season Ross found the height and reach of Pilley too much to handle and for a time in the first it looked as though the same was going to happen again. 

Nonchantly, however, Ross found his shots managing to reduce the arrears and ended up close enough to force a tie break.  In the second game the Guildford player started to cut loose and his accuracy was rewarded with errors from his opponent as well as finding some stunning forehand front court winners that few in the house realised had happened until they were dead and gone from the Ross racket.  Just as hopes were rising, Ross 'failed to turn up' for the third game.  He waved Pilley to the middle of the court and immediately conceded points.  In quick time the third game was over. 

The fourth was equally disappointing .....initially .......and then came another of those nonchalant fight backs.  A flurry of winners, some mistakes from his opponent and the game turned around.  After equalising at 6 - 6 Ross took the game to level the scores.  By now UniSport were becoming more hopefully but it was a case of whether Ross turned up for the fifth game or not.  Tewkesbury were concentrating hard on this game and there is always some degree of comfort, I suppose, knowing that a tough nut Aussie is fighting for your corner especially against somebody playing as patchily as Ross.

There was a noticeable slowing down by the Guildford player and Pilley was quick to cash in building a lead for himself that he never relinquished.  Game and match to Tewkesbury and a case of so near yet so far for UniSport. 
 
So Tewkesbury took the honours, but this was a high quality match full of skills and fluctuating fortunes.  For Guildford fans that fluctuating is becoming something of a regular occurrence and one they could well do without, however it does not diminish the entertainment value.  This was the last home match of this season, as the UniSport team take to the road for their last match of the season against Team Surrey Health and Rackets Club. 

The last round of the season is the one vacant one which is given to UniSport as the matches in hand catch up.  Hopefully we will have amassed enough points to find ourselves creditably placed at the term end......    


 
 
The crystal ball was close
Matt Suckling reports ...

With Churchill Edgbaston Priory’s top three players away for the up and coming Commonwealth Games, Churchill Edgbaston Priory weren’t expecting to pull off a result. Especially with a debut performer and a player who hadn’t been on court at this high level for some time.
 
Becky Botwright bt Sarah Kippax 3/1     9/10 9/1 9/5 10/8

Becky was in for a battle tonight as the first game saw Sarah firing on all cylinders as she controlled the T and moved the ball to all corners whilst Becky was trying to find her rhythm. Having had several close matches for Priory, Becky really wanted to secure a win and in the second game she came out positive and attacking. She counter dropped and lobbed, then hit straight, then hit width and the variation made the difference as Sarah made a few unforced errors and lost her control on the game.

The third saw good squash as both players became more determined and the rallies were tighter but Becky stayed with the game plan which saw her through the game. The fourth was even tighter as each player really tested each others fitness and mental strength up to 8-8. Becky was the stronger after saving game ball to go on and win the match and to put Edgbaston Churchill one up.

Peter Creed lost Arthur Gaskin 1/3      8/10 0/9 10/8 4/9

This was Peter’s first appearance in PSL and it won’t be his last. Arthur is turning into a strong player and it was sure from the start that he was gunning for a win. The first was a bit scrappy but showed signs of good squash from both players as Arthur squeezed home. The second was all about nerves as Peter lost his way and Arthur grew in confidence, taking the game 9/0.

The third could have all been one way traffic but Peter thought differently. He has talent, he moved and got onto the ball well as he flustered Arthur who made one or two mistakes and the young Welsh wizard scored his first point in PSL, taking a good game 10/8. Unfortunately Arthur got focussed and got forward in the fourth and Pete was on the back foot. This was a real tough test for the Young Welsh Wizard as Arthur took the fourth and the match with a good performance.

Adam Stevenson lost James Wright        4/9 1/9 6/9

Adam had his work cut out. James is full time, he’s fit and Adam used to be fit. Adam had been given ultimatum by the manager and sponsor ‘if you lose your dropped, and if you lose, you’re sacked’ but none of these threats helped to re-live the good old days for Adam as James was too strong. In spells, Adam played some good squash but it wasn’t enough in this match. Nottingham went 2-1 up.

Hadrian Stiff bt Duncan Walsh 3/0    9/4 9/1 9/1

Hadrian has been a rock for the team this season and tonight he wasn’t going to let his winning ways go. As much as Duncan tried to dictate the pace, he couldn’t as Hadrian stayed focussed and did the job he needed to. If fact he did it so well that no one remembers him hitting a single tin in the whole match! A real class act and I can assure you he was playing all the shots in the book. Yet another win for Hadrian to put the match at 2-2 as the crystal ball had suggested.

Peter Barker bt Simon Parke 3/0     9/6 9/7 11/9

There were one or two rumours going around that if the match went to 2-2, Nottingham’s legendary player Simon Parke would put in one of his top performances and would beat Peter. Peter got wind of this and it helped him.

The large crowd were in for a treat, as we know Simon is such a battler and he never gives in. The first was electric as the pace was so high but Peter had the edge, his pace on the forehand was something else and put the pressure on Simon as he was forced back. Peter then had the front of the court and he is so dangerous at the front as he delayed his shots to the last second to keep Simon guessing.

The second saw more of the same pace as Simon was matching Peter. Neither player held back and at every opportunity either player would finish the rally off with a killing winner. Awesome squash but Peter came out the winner of the game. The third seemed to slow slightly as the rallies were hard. Simon tried to work down Peter’s backhand but Peter only stepped up and attacked with his volley.

Very close and then the ref started to play a part in the match as decisions went for Peter to Simon’s disgust as he asked the ref ‘have you got a problem with me?’ but then decisions also went against Pete to his disgust. Peter response was to hit a classic cross court volley into the nick as an outright winner. Class. It was bite your nails time as the rallies seemed to pick up in pace but Peter came through with another great win. Peter is really turning into a class act, even at the number one position.

Well life is good as the Churchill Edgbaston Priory side are pulling all the stops out and we are top and close to securing a play off place. Our next match is at home against Manchester Pontefract on the 11th April. We are expecting a full house as the team line ups are going to be seriously good. Book your tickets early as we did sell out at the last home match!


 

  

TABLES AFTER ROUND EIGHT


 

                           Ties       Matches     Games     Pts

                         P   W   L    W    L     W     L

   North Group:

Edgbaston Priory         7   6   1   24   11    87    47     117

Manchester/Pontefract    6   4   2   20   10    67    46      87

Duffield                 6   4   2   18   12    64    45      84

Wolverhampton            6   2   4   10   20    44    72      54

Nottingham               7   0   7    8   27    38    90      38
 

   South Group:

Strings Tewkesbury       7   4   3   17   18    67    70      87

Surrey H&RC Croydon      6   4   2   19   11    66    46      86

Team Chichester          6   4   2   17   13    62    52      82

UniSport Guildford       7   2   5   14   21    61    75      71

Birmingham University    6   2   4   13   17    50    62      60