Brian Hargrave reports from Duffield v Wolves ...
Benz Bavarian Duffield 4-1 Wolverhampton
Nick Matthew beat Alex Gough 9-5, 9-6, 9-7
Dan Jenson beat Mark Cairns 10-8, 9-7, 9-7
Paul Hargrave lost to Liam Kenny 10-12, 3-9, 9-1, 8-10
Jonathan Kemp beat Chris Ryder 9-4, 9-6, 9-2
Cassie Jackman beat Dominique Lloyd-Walter 9-2, 9-4, 9-2
Play-off hopes still alive
Benz–Bavarian Duffield kept their play off hopes alive with a fairly comfortable win against Wolverhampton. After Wolves had shocked Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday the pre-match team talk focused on keeping concentration and reminding the players that former player Alex Gough would be eager to prove a point and that “thorn in the side” Mark Cairns had never lost at Duffield in 11 seasons.
First on court was Cassie Jackman, world No 2 and England No 1 against one of England’s future young hopes Dominique Lloyd-Walter. Whilst the experienced Jackman was always comfortably in control her younger opponent showed some nice touches and kept the England No 1 on court for just over 30 minutes despite winning a total of only 8 points a poor reward for her brave efforts.
On the adjoining court the rapidly improving Jonathan Kemp was showing little sign of being tired following his dash back from Calgary in Canada. He was always in control of the first game but had to work much harder to take the second being made to dig deep to win two crucial energy sapping rallies. Ryder’s resistance was broken and Kemp won 3-0 in less than 25 minutes.
Back on the show court a bronzed Mark Cairns showed no signs of stiffness from his skiing holiday and he pushed the in form former world No 5, Dan Jenson all the way in three closely fought games. Cairns led 7-4 in the first but was squeezed out 10-8, he led 6-4 in the second before losing 9-7. Jenson always had his nose front in the third which he took by a similar narrow margin to complete a season double over Cairns and to secure the bonus points for the Derbyshire Club. Cairns said that the crucial difference from being full time on the circuit was the tendency to lose a little concentration at crucial stages.
Paul Hargrave found himself in unfamiliar territory playing on the outside court for the first time in the NL. It was clear from the first rally that he would need to be at his best to beat Liam Kenny, world 61. Hargrave took a 6-4 lead but two tight decisions went against him at 8 all which clearly unsettled him as he quickly went down 9-3 in the second. The noisy home supporters did their best to spur him on and he responded by taking the third game in style 9-1. The crucial fourth could have gone either way with the younger Kenny’s superior fitness proving a crucial factor as Hargrave was made to work hard and dig deep for every point he won. Hargrave in fact had game ball and was a little unlucky in the end to lose 10-8 after struggling through the final few points with an abductor strain injury which could prevent him from defending his County Closed title over this coming week-end.
The final rubber saw Duffield former No 1 Alex Gough, world No 33, take on his successor Nick Matthew who has shot up to No 11 in the world after his recent successes in the World championships. Gough, who has recently slipped out of the top world 20 for the first time since 1975, got off to a flying start taking a 3-1 lead but Matthew was just too sharp playing a nice mixture of patient squash and then attempting bold winners taking the first game 9-5. Matthew was always in control in the second apart from a lapse of concentration after a debating a let decision with his opponent when 8-3 up. A 122 shot rally was the highlight of the third which Gough had opportunities to win after leading 4-1 and 7-6. Gough still glides around the court and has some lovely touches but it was to be the younger man’s day.
The good sized crowd had witnessed some quality squash played in good spirit with some nice touches of humour. The victory puts the Derbyshire Club in third place in Group A above East Midland’s rivals Nottingham who they visit in round 8.
The referees who, as in all sports, often come in for unfair criticism had a very easy night. The referees are a crucial part of the game and the NL could not manager without them. It would be very dull if we did not have the occasional bit of controversy. Messrs Masserella, Danzey and Kramer enjoyed the opportunity after the match to dine with the players and made it clear that they would welcome the opportunity to have their say and defend or explain crucial decisions. This point will be taken forward to the Manager’s meeting at Edgbaston at 3pm on Thursday 22 January.
The proposed forthcoming refereeing course at Duffield will hopefully encourage more players to become involved and to better understand the laws of the game. “If the cap fits wear it” some might say! and certainly I had to do to keep out the sun during my recent stay in Barbados.
Still it was nice to be back and to chalk up a second consecutive winning double in 2004 against opponents who are down in Stephen Russell’s diary to play their final tie against Edgbaston on 2 March. Hopefully, if their opponent’s fail to turn up a week early Wolverhampton would claim the tie and Duffield would reach the play offs provided they can beat Nottingham, away in round 8 on 3 February and Edgbaston at home in round 9 on 17 February. Duffield expect to have a large following making the short trip along the A52 and the manager has every confidence that the supporters will not get lost en route. Even Banno is allowed to travel to Nottingham and I hope that Phil might again consider using the new show court to enable everybody to see at least the final rubber.
Anyone intending to travel should contact Stephen Milward.
