Luxfords St George’s 1-4 Surrey H&R
Croydon
Alister Walker 0-3 Anthony Ricketts
8/10, 7/9, 7/9 (46m)
Daryl Selby 0-3 Peter Nicol
4/9, 6/9, 2/9 (30m)
Tom Richards 1-3 Davide Bianchetti
1/9, 9/7, 3/9, 8/10 (50m)
Joe Lee 1-3 Chris Simpson 6/9, 9/3, 4/9, 6/9
(48m)
Sarah Fitz-Gerald 3-0 Lauren Briggs
9/2, 9/3, 9/0 (32m)
|
 Surrey
off to Super Start
Pete Smith reports
This was always going to be an interesting first match and start to the
season with the experienced Ricketts, Nicol and Bianchetti competing
with the new young guns of St Georges Hill.
It turned out to be a
competitive evening of high level squash!
| Sarah Fitz-Gerald 3-0 Lauren Briggs
9/2, 9/3, 9/0 (32m)
|
First match on was Lauren Briggs facing
5 times World Champion Sarah Fitzgerald. Sarah set a ferocious pace
hitting the ball with power and precision, Lauren put in a great effort
but Sarah was very strong and won through 9-2, 9-3, 9-0.
 Chris
Noakes on the match ...
The first game started at 7.18, long hard rallies with Fitz volleying
everything, making Lauren work hard. The first unforced error came at
4-1, a drop took it to 5-1, and after that Fitz buried Lauren in the
back, dominating the T. 9-2.
Lauren started the second patient and stronger, but Fitz continued to
volley everything. 4-0 up, a delayed drop from Lauren made it 4-1, a few
unforced errors from Sarah for 6-3 with Laura pushing, then Fitz moved
away again.
Sarah started hitting much better lengths in the third, started burying
cross-court lengths that were dying in the back. There were a few hand
in / hand outs, but it was pretty much one way traffic.
 I
always said that Lauren was a good player and the match was much
harder than the scoreline shows.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my first match against a woman
since I can’t remember when … actually, it was in 2003 against
Madeline Perry in the National League!
I like the way Lauren plays, her style, she’s strong and athletic
and I’ll try to get another hit with her next time I’m in the
South.
 |
 Physically
I don’t feel particularly great today, I felt quite tired, even at
the beginning which is not what you really want, but
Sarah is just too good, the pressure she puts you under is
immense, absolutely immense. She takes the ball so early, it’s not
so much the pace of the shots, but the pace of the rallies, which
is constant, it’s just constant pressure.
She’s one of the best women players ever, if not the best, and I
enjoyed playing her, so that’s good.
 |
Team Surrey 0 - St Georges Hill 1
| Joe Lee 1-3 Chris Simpson 6/9, 9/3, 4/9, 6/9
(48m) |
On the adjacent court there was a great
battle going on between World Number 77 Chris Simpson and up and coming
17 year old Joe Lee. The 1st rally went on for over a 100 shots so Chris
knew he was in for a game. Chris controlled the 1st with steady length
taking it 9-6, Joe then fought back in the 2nd taking Chris by surprise
with extra power and tight balls to the front of the court taking the
game to level at 1all, 9-3.
Chris then came out and stamped his authority back on the match with
excellent length and width and with Joe tiring took the 3rd, 9-4.
The
4th game saw Joe come out fighting and with some incredible retrieving
levelled the game at 6 all but then made a couple of unforced errors
which let Chris close out the game and match 9-6, 3 - 1 in games. They
both put on a fantastic exhibition of squash and great talent for the
future!
 The
first rallies were a bit nervy, I hit the ball a little high on
the front wall, but apart from that I didn’t give too much away.
At the end of the second I felt really tired, but felt quite good
in the third. But because of the heat on the courts, although the body’s ok,
it’s the breathing that’s hard.
I was very pleased with my performance. What made the difference
today was a bit more experience, plus the fact that we’re playing
on the lower tin. He moves very well to the front, he could put
the ball exactly where he wanted from there.
 |
 It
was so hard to put the ball away because of the hot conditions.
Joe moved so well, he was picking up everything, and I had to win
the rally three or four times every time.
I’ve been working a lot on my footwork, which has improved my
short game, as it’s very hard to play a dropshot when you’re
falling over!
I wasn’t too happy with my length, nor much my mixing of the pace, it was just hit, hit, hit.
 |
Team Surrey 1 - St Georges Hill 1
| Daryl Selby 0-3 Peter Nicol
4/9, 6/9, 2/9 (30m) |
This was the former World Champions
first match since retiring in September but he played with great control
and skill and Daryl struggled to get into the match in any way.
Peter came out the winner 3-0, 9-4, 9-6, 9-2 in 30 minutes of excellent
precision squash.
 I
wasn’t positive at all tonight, I was so negative all match
through.
There was one rally in the third where I thought I was the one
pushing and getting on the ball. It was a very long rally, which
Peter won which made it even more depressing.
When you have a chance to play Peter you want to play at your
best, but he didn’t give me a chance at all, he was taking the
ball so early, his length and his width were good and he was
volleying extremely well.
I played as well as I could have done. Oh well, you live and learn…
 |
 Since
I retired I’ve played three exhibitions – Nick Matthew, Chris
Walker and Azlan, and that’s about it. I’ve done a bit of Power
Plate [article coming shortly] work for the past three days, I’ve
played badminton, and I’ve eaten healthily.
After the first rally, that lasted two and a half minutes, I
wasn’t sure about this! But I actually felt fine out there....
I’ve done enough work over the years, I'm going to be OK, as long as I play
two three times
a week, my level isn’t going to drop dramatically. I’m not going to
be able to play the top top players, but at number two I should be
able to compete.
 |
Team Surrey 2 - St Georges Hill 1
| Tom Richards 1-3 Davide Bianchetti
1/9, 9/7, 3/9, 8/10 (50m) |
Davide and Tom had a battle, Davide
playing steady controlled squash and Tom trying to mix it up with going
for some shots. Davide won the 1st 9-1 but in the 2nd Tom came back
strongly taking it 9-7. Tom then came very frustrated with the Marker
which led to him losing the 3rd game 3-9.
The fourth game was very tight
with some excellent retrieving and controlled squash from both players
going all the way to a tie break which Davide closed out by being
awarded a stroke 10-8. 3-1 to Davide.
 I
got a bit tired in the third, but in the fourth I felt really
good, and if it had gone to five I would have been fine. It was
all a question of a few balls here and there.
I was a bit lethargic at the start, but I expected that because of
the heat element, I was expecting an energy drain.
Davide played the important points very well, and as ever it was
very entertaining squash, I really enjoyed playing against him.
 |
 It
was a good game, I felt that we both played quite well, but I was
tired in the end, very tired, and I was quite glad to win in four,
I could have had problems if it had gone to five.
I’m never at my ease against Tom, he’s a skilful player, he likes
a fast game and god knows I wasn’t that today.
Nevertheless, I’m glad I maintained my unbeaten record in PSL …
 |
Team Surrey 3 - St Georges Hill 1
| Alister Walker 0-3 Anthony Ricketts
8/10, 7/9, 7/9 (46m) |
It was great to have our new signing
playing tonight and he put on a controlled exhibition of squash against
a very good and promising Alister Walker. They played 3 very tight games
but I felt Anthony was always in control of the situation. Alister
played some fantastic backhand nicks to the front corner and made a real
good account of himself. Anthony came out the winner 10-8, 9-7, 9-7.
 I
feel that everything is there, it’s all a question of getting on
with it. I have to learn to deal with the pace of the game, it’s
always a shock to the system when you play a top guy.
I feel I could deal with it if I was playing more often against
these guys, and also getting more used to playing on the glass
court.
I’m happy with the way I played today, I feel stronger,
fitter, but there’s still a few things I have to work on.
I feel I’m a bit behind the other players of my age group, if you
look at Peter Barker, LJ, we were all in the same group as
juniors, but for whatever reason, injuries or else, I feel I’m
behind.
Mind you, I’ve now settled in Leeds for the past year, whereas
before I was all over the place and mentally I don’t think that’s
good for you. Now, I’ve got James, Anthony, Lee, Bengy, all within
40 miles. I’ve also played a lot with Nick Matthew this summer and
I think that makes a big difference.
 |
I’m glad to be back on court, the
elbow’s fine and I felt good today.
It was a good match, very close and played in the spirit intended...
 |
 |
Team Surrey 4 - St Georges Hill 1
This was a great result for us and a good start and thanks to all the St
Georges Players for a great competitive evening of squash.
Thanks to
Danny Lee for your hospitality and see you on the return in February.
We look forward to our next match at Home v Chichester on Tuesday 24th
October.
|
THEY MADE IT HAPPEN…
Framboise meets the
St George's sponsors ...
It’s always such good news to see new teams in a competition, and it
was a great pleasure to come back to St George’s, a club I used to
visit a lot while following the Surrey League…
And we owe this pleasure to a few people, but in particular the main
sponsor, Mr John Luxford, who has been sponsoring the St
George’s Surrey team for quite a few years now, and who has decided
this year to take his support one step further by sponsoring the
first ever St George’s PSL team.
“I’ve been a member at the club for years”, said Mr Luxford, “so our
support for the squash is a combination of my own interest for the
game, and also the fact that our client base is from around here, as
we are a Weybridge-based company …”
And he must be proud of his players, John must be, as all the boys
are actually young English players who are starting to shine on the
international scene… A team that was chosen with love and care by
the other man we owe this new team to, Club Pro Danny Lee – who may
be referred to in the coming years as “Joe Lee’s dad”….
“The profile of squash is getting better and better, and our
ambition is to push it to new heights. I know what the PSL can do
for a club, how it can raise its profile, and also, it’s a perfect
marketing tool for a sponsor,” said Danny, quite rightly. And he
added “Also, our aim is to promote our young players, and in a few
years, to have a home grown team, like we have in the Surrey
League…”
I think that Danny has made an excellent choice for his team, and
although their first match against Esporta was a tough one to start
the season with, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this young team
flourish as the year develops… |
The
"Unbiased" Away Supporter
Penned by David Sobo
After the disappointment of missing out on a semi final berth last season,
Croydon's Surrey Health and Racquets Club made the pilgrimage down the A3
to one of the newbies of PSL, St. George's Hill.
Team Surrey now boast the addition of a certain Mr Anthony Ricketts at the
top of the order and Anthony, Peter Nicol (Peter who....?), the "quiet and
shy" Davide Bianchetti, the ever improving Chris Simpson and if I might be
permitted to says so... the very "cute" Lauren Briggs were introduced to
the masses of squash enthusiasts at 7pm precisely.
Up against this lot were, Alister Walker (early 20's), Daryl Selby(also in
his 20's), Tom Richards(younger than the first two), Joe Lee(even younger)
and continuing this trend.......... Sarah Fitz-Gerald!
Squashsite's Brian Hargrave and his infamous Crystal Ball predicted a 4 -
1 victory to the sojourners but personally, I hoped Lauren would come good
and make it a clean sweep. Anyway on to the squash.....
First up, Sarah vs. Lauren.
Having led a somewhat sheltered life... I'd never had the pleasure of
watching Sarah play before but it was immediately clear what a class act
she is/was. I thought Lauren played ok but was made to chase the ball
around waaaay too much. Against a less experienced opponent, Lauren might
have got away with it a bit more but Sarah (much as it pains me to say)
was just too good. 3 - 0 St George's.
Joe vs. Chris.
No matter though as on the other court, young Mr Simpson was busy
beavering away ensuring that the Luxford sponsored home team didn't get
too carried away with the joy of winning the first match of the night.
As
Joe commented, when interviewed at the end of the night, "experience" with
American scoring was a key factor in this match and the Guernsey
youngster, after a slight blip in game 2, ultimately came away with the
spoils. 1 - 3 Surrey
Daryl vs. Peter.
I've seen Daryl play a few times; most recently his hard fought victory
over that "quiet" Italian fellow in the Saudi qualifying tournament. If
pushed, I would have put this one down as a 3 - 1 win in Peter's favour.
As it turned out, from the offset, both guys showed a willingness to play
absolutely everything (always good for the paying punters).
Unfortunately,
50 shot rallies every other point are right up Mr. Nicol's street. The man
wrote (and signed) the book on retrieval on the squash court and the
lovely Claire Baker, up from Wimbledon S & B to ref on the main court here
didn't do much other than keep score. After about 30 mins the court was
vacated for the "other" main event; 0 - 3 Surrey.
Alister vs. Anthony.
Amid the high pitched, Italian accented wailing of "What do you mean?" and
"How can this be possible?", the two No 1's took to the main court. I
think I've seen Alister play a couple of times. He seemed a pretty decent
player but nothing stood out. Tonight I was educated. This boy can play!
The result, I do not believe, was ever in doubt. Mr Ricketts, even at
60-70% was always going to have too much for the youngster who had
apparently travelled down from Harrow for this match??? Big deal... or was
that Harro...GATE? Anyway, back to the squash... this turned out to be a
battle of wills. Alister played very well and when given the opportunity,
his backhand kill was devastating. Overall, this was a reasonably close
encounter with Anthony seemingly able to up his game just a little when it
mattered. 0 - 3 Surrey
Tom vs. Davide.
A nice quiet affair was this one; only joking:) I didn't see much of it
but I definitely heard it. Suffice to say that young Mr. Richards felt
somewhat aggrieved by a number of what he saw as "questionable" refereeing
decisions; particularly the last stroke awarded against him at match ball
down!
I didn't see it so can't comment. As an unbiased (yeah right:) away
supporter though, of course the stroke was undoubtedly the correct call!
If truth be told, I'd guess that experience probably played a huge part in
this match although I'm sure Tom will be disappointed not to have done
better. 1 - 3 Surrey
Overall a decent result. Valuable points have been deposited in the bag
and that should have Team Surrey's captain, Tim Garner garnished (forgive
the pun:) with a rather satisfied grin on his face!
|
