Benz-Bavarian Duffield stunned Manchester/Pontefract supporters at their home courts at the National Squash Centre in Manchester by beating the 2004 champions in the final round of the Premier Squash League (PSL) to claim the last place in the end-of-season finals play-offs.

This tie paraded no fewer than five players ranked in the top 10 in the world and 7 players who were involved in the recent Commonwealth Games. Manchester’s home advantage made them clear favourites. With just two points separating Manchester/Pontefract and Duffield before the tie, a simple win was all that was required. The travelling loyal band of Duffield supporters had to change their route when Taro reported that the Mancunian Way was closed. This provided the ideal opportunity for the merry band to enjoy the muddy congestion on the A6 at the Flagge “point to point” races and sights of Denton before reaching the Manchester stadium. The Chairman has now started his 2006 Christmas list with Satnav top of the agenda.

Supporters in place, the contest began 30 minutes later than scheduled. The crystal ball had predicted that all five rubbers could go either way with much depending on how the players have recovered from their recent travels.
 

First on court was Welsh No 2 Gavin Jones playing Nick Taylor Manchester’s favourite son who had come close to beating Adrian Grant in the previous round. A nip and tuck first game saw Taylor save on 2 game points before Jones squeezed home 13-11. The second game seemed destined to go the other way as Taylor established leads of 6-2 and 8-4. Jones threw caution to the Manchester wind and reeled off 6 consecutive points without a hand out to take the game 10-8. Jones always had the edge in the third game and after 37 minutes had put the first point on the board in favour of the visitors.

Meanwhile on the show court England team-mates Jenny Duncalf and Tania Bailey faced each other in the opening clash. Duffield's Bailey, hot from winning her first WISPA World Tour title for six years, impressively took the opening game 9-1 and raced to a 5-0 lead in the second before jet lag and possibly a little over celebrating after her USA triumph took their toll. Errors began to creep in and the tin became a target. Duncalf grew in confidence and took the second game 9-7 and the third followed a similar pattern as Duncalf, ranked two places higher at world No 8, delighted home supporters by moving 2-1 ahead.

Nick Mathew gave his team mate some sound advice between games. The encouragement from the noisy Duffield supporters seemed to inspire Bailey and strength returned her legs with the result she took the fourth 9-0. Bailey raced to a 5-2 lead in the fifth which was pegged back to 5-4 before Bailey finally broke Duncalf’s brave resistance. Bailey has played much better but she showed why she is National champion by grinding out a great result for her team and her perseverance over for 84 minutes was rewarded by a victory to give Duffield a 2-0 lead.

On the outside court Renan Lavigne was really fired up after feeling distraught last week after failing to take advantage of two match balls. Lavigne was determined to make amends. The game plan was to rely on Renan's stamina and rally David Evans hoping that the Welsh Giant would tire and that's what happened. Evans had to work hard to take the first two games 9-4 9-6 in 20 minutes and stood 7-5 up in the third. Lavigne, as ever fought like a tiger, and somehow took the game 9-7 as Evans shook his head in disbelief. The fourth reached 7-6 to Lavigne with never more than one point advantage but again Lavigne frustrated the Welshman thanks to a fluke shot which made his manager start to think this could be Duffield’s night. T

The Duffield supporters had now amassed behind the outside court sensing this was Duffield’s best ever chance of making the play offs. Lavigne battled as Evans demonstrated that his racket skills had not deserted him even though his legs were starting to wilt. The score reached 6-5 in favour of Evans but Lavigne levelled and established 2 match points at 8-6. Player and manager exchanged glances with Lavigne afterwards admitting that he thought your truly looked relaxed whilst deep down he was anything but. Evans saved the first match ball and thoughts of “deja vu” went through the mind. Lavigne held his nerve took the game and match 9-7 to clinch the play off spot. Lavigne did a French jig and a high five and Duffield were in the play offs. Hand shakes all round and with great sportsmanship displayed by the Manchester players and management.

This was without doubt Lavigne’s best performance in a Duffield shirt and what better time for the charismatic Frenchman to win in style. Everybody was really delighted for him.

Jon Kemp had the unenviable task of going in court with the play off place secured but having to face Lee Beachill who saw him off in 24 entertaining minutes 9-5 9-5 9-7

In the final 'dead' rubber - which was as 'live' as it was possible to be - Nick Matthew defeated his Commonwealth Games doubles partner and England team-mate James Willstrop 9-4, 10-8, 7-9, 5-9, 9-7 in 60 minutes to extend Duffield's winning margin to 4/1.This was one of the most skilful and competitive dead rubbers ever seen and a credit to both players. The racket skills and court coverage was unbelievable. The competitiveness was reflected by a mid court collision which could have badly injured either player. It finally went 9-7 to Matthew in the fifth to add icing to the absent Massarella cake...

It was a night when Duffield could have walked on water. Overall he rub of the green just seemed to go for us tonight – at last - and I'm delighted for the team and all our loyal supporters and a reward for the Squash Committee’s support even though the Treasurer may have to revise his budget.

The sportsmanship throughout was exemplary. The refereeing was consistent and fair very. The hospitality and presentation was superb and despite Mr Cubbins predicted a result 2.5 to 2.5 when I had predicted 3-2 with a final rubber decider and the bias hope that on this occasion the small village Club from Derbyshire would prevail against the Manchester- Pontefract consortium big guns.

On to the Playoffs ...

The 4/1 victory took the Derbyshire club ahead of the trans-Pennine cooperative in the North Group – denying the finalists for the past two years a chance to compete for the national title for a third time. Duffield, in the play-offs for the first time in four years, join Group winners Churchill Edgbaston Priory – and will meet the top two teams in the South Group.

With Oberthur Strings Tewkesbury already assured of a place, it took a 3/2 win for Team Chichester over University Sport Birmingham to push the Sussex club ahead of Tewkesbury in the final South Group placings – leaving the Gloucestershire club to face Edgbaston Priory, and Chichester to take on Duffield.

The Duffield supporters are now making plans to visit Mr Crabtree country in Chichester a repeat of the 1998 play offs, when Duffield went on to take the title after a count-back on games won over two legs winning in Chichester but losing at home. First leg away to Chichester on Tuesday 16 May. The second leg is home at Duffield on Thursday 18 May

Additional match Sponsor contacts most welcome!

Brian Hargrave

FINAL TABLES