It's a case of so near, yet so far, for Brian Hargrave's brave Duffield team ...
A distant dream – so near and jet so far!
Ten out of ten for Manchester-Pontefract but not for everyone!
Manchester-Pontefract 3-2 Benz Bavarian Duffield
Lee Beachill beat Nick Matthew 6-9, 9-2, 10-8, 9-6
James Willstrop beat Renan Lavigne 3-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-5
Nick Taylor beat Paul Hargrave 9-7, 4-9, 9-3, 8-10, 9-4
Andrew Whipp lost to Jonathan Kemp 9-11, 4-9, 6-9
Madeline Perry lost to Vicky Lankester 7-9, 9-1, 9-5, 6-9, 5-9
Group A: Manchester-Pontefract 55; Edgbaston Priory 41; Duffield 36; Nottingham 36; Wolverhampton 24; Manchester Northern 18
First many congratulations to Yawar and his team – this gentleman of squash deserves his success after several frustrating years.
Benz-Bavarian Duffield supporters and management knew deep down that after losing to Edgbaston in round 9 they needed a miracle in round 10 relying on the right result from Edgbaston and a big upset at Sport City. The plan was to become the first team to beat Manchester – Pontefract and end their 100% record.
In the end it all came down to the odd decision not going Duffield’s way and the travelling supporters know just how Alex Ferguson must have felt over at Old Trafford when the linesman incorrectly disallowed a Paul Scholes goal. At the end of the day it made no difference as Edgbaston beat Wolverhampton 4-1 and Duffield had to content themselves with pipping East Midlands rivals Nottingham on goal difference. Sorry to spoil Phil’s last few days over at The Park.
The Duffield supporters managed to avoid both the Man Utd traffic and Manchester airport but instead settled for a trip to Stockport Railway Station Yard. Despite a mini bus breakdown they arrived to find the scores level at one game all in both opening rubbers.
First on the Glass court was Paul Hargrave. The last time he stepped on such a court was back in 1998 when he faced Rodney Eyles in Qatar. This time he faced Manchester’s favourite son Nick Taylor who raced into a 6-0 lead before Hargrave had adjusted to the pace of the court. Hargrave clawed his way back into contention and was very unlucky to lose 9-7. The next 3 games saw each player taking it in turn to dominate proceedings and Hargrave levelled at 2 all. In the end Taylor edged the fifth but the rubber could just as easily have gone the other way.
On the outside court Vicky Lankester was responding to the Duffield support in another see saw game with again both players taking it in turn to take control after Lankester had lost a close first game 9-7.
Lankester took advantage of some loose squash from Perry in the fourth and deservedly won the fifth playing the much tighter squash to win a rubber which went against world rankings. A great performance from the former Edgbaston player which must have pleased her coach who had better remain anonymous.
Next on the outside court was Jonathan Kemp who set off like an express train leaving Stockport station. At 6-1 up Kemp jarred his knee and Whipp took advantage of a hobbling opponent to come back and stand at game point. Kemp threw caution to the wind and went for broke to finally take the first game 11-9. A deflated and less than fully fit Whipp quickly surrendered the next 2 games and in less than 25 minutes according to Kemp’s watch it was all over and Duffield were 2-1 ahead.
Up stepped the charismatic Frenchman Renan Lavigne to tackle former Duffield favourite and surely the future world No 1 James Willstrop supporting a Samson like, or should it be David Beckham, hairstyle which makes him the envy of those Duffield supporters less fortunate. The mention by the MRC of the world team battle between England and France clearly ignited the Gallic fire and Lavigne took full advantage of Willstrop’s unforced errors in the first game. Willstrop steadied himself, played some great shots and always had the edge in the next 3 games despite a gallant effort from Lavigne who was left feeling a little hard done by.
Two rubbers all and Lee Beachill, world No 4, to face Nick Matthew, world No 10, to preserve the Lancashire-Yorkshire consortiums 100% record. Matthew looked good on Sky Sports TV this week as they showed his success in beating Willstrop in Finland. He looked even better in the first against Beachill confidently taking the game 9-6. Beachill showed world No 4 pedigree to take the second 9-2 but Matthew hit back to lead 8-5 in the third. Matthew’s favourite shot let him down at a crucial moment and then earlier uncertainty about "no let" decisions must have influenced a decision not to ask when a clear stroke and the vital third game was his for the taking. Beachill took advantage to win five consecutive points and take the game 10-8. The frustration was shared by the Duffield supporters and a flying racket was last seen heading towards Old Trafford. Beachill breathed a sigh of relief and he kept his team’s 100% record in tact by taking the fourth 9-6.
The play off dream was over and after counting to a different 10 everyone from Duffield enjoyed the Mancunian Sport City hospitality. No complaints on balance.
However, i repeat a request and sugestion made on the night that the referees and markers stand a little closer to the scene of the action. At Manchester they are too far back from the court compared with the ideal gantry position occupied by the officials at Edgbaston. I find as I get older it gets harder to judge distances and players like Nick Matthew can retrieve most shots these days!
The Duffield supporters raised their own glasses to their favourite lady Cassie who gets married to Matt on Friday. Cassie’s deputy did her proud. Afterwards the Duffield supporters negotiated the re-signing of all the players for next season on 12 month rolling contracts. The players and supporters have done the Club proud. Thanks also to Felix, all our sponsors and everyone who helps behind the scenes in any way. We live to fight another day and it was only a squash match we lost – in fact five out of 10 the same as Nottingham , both had 26 rubbers "for" and 24 "against" but games 95 "for" 89 "against" was 3 better than Phil’s 95 "for" and 92 "against". That remarkable dream almost came true. What a pity Edgbaston spoiled it.
Finally, a big thank you to our own regular World class referees John, Wendy and Peter. Come back again next season and I will keep counting to 10 - well at least I will try to do so.
