IOM Crush Super Power Russia
The IOM men's squash team crushed Russia on the last day (Sunday) of
the 2003 European Squash Team Championships 4-0.
It was fantastic to see the Isle of Man, smallest nation in the tournament
beat the largest nation.
Day 1
IOM vs Belgium
First on court saw the IOM number 4 Kevin Watterson vs the Flemish, Win Van
Asten. Though Kevin had many serves and hard rallies the score line never
reflected the hard work both players had to put into this match. Kevin
eventually lost 3-0.
Number three string, Rich Corlett was up against a very fit and agile
opponent. For the first part of the first game the service swapped back and
forth but the experience and not forgetting large amount of talent saw him
take all three games, 9/3, 9/0, 9/2.
Mr Norman the Island number one, was up against Peter Pastijn. Dave battled
hard but the mature of the fast and furious pace was too much and Dave went
down 9/3, 9/1, 9/0.
Day 2
Say the Manx bays take on Denmark. With their forth player World ranked
number 209 they were always up against. Richard Corlett and Kevin Watteron
were rested for the afternoon session so reserves Steve Morley and Monty
Lowe stepped in. As unfortunately expected each player lost in straight
games 3-0.
Day 2 (afternoon)
The afternoon session saw the IOM team take on the Israel team. All Manx
players suffered from the frantic pace on playing on the show courts for the
first time. Dave Norman probably came the closest to taking a match but like
the other three players lost 3-0.
Day 3
With the spirits of the Manx team a little low a single win from one of
their players is all they needed to perk them back up again and thats
exactly what they got. Dave Norman played some great squash to win 3-2.
Richard Corlett and Monty Lowe were both very close to winning a game in
their match but just missed out on the glory.
Day 4
With all the groups sorted it was the Isle of man team to take to Russia for
20th and 21st place. It was great to see refs and officials wishing the Manx
team all the luck and no particular mention of the main final between
England and France. Day 3 must have lifted team spirits as all four players,
Dave Norman, Richard Corlett, Kevin Watterson and Kevin Watterson won all
their games with 3-0 score lines.
The Isle of Man Captain, Lyndon Cheetham and Team Manager Les Callow
commented to say the Manx team had done themselves proud in their first
European Team Championships.
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