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15/03/2004
CHI HUMBLE BROX AGAIN
The Chi progress towards the league title continues
Well, another double over the dreaded Brox, and we cement our play-off place for the second season running. Having secured the play-off berth that our talents so richly deserve after the last match, this was an opportunity for our heroes to lay down a marker for the trial to come against the Northern Champions Manchester/Pontefract.
It all started off so well, with Ben Garner showing just why he is establishing himself in the upper reaches of the PSA rankings with a sound thrashing of local Jesse Engelbrecht in 23 minutes. It was a classic demonstration of taking the ball early, hitting it hard and tight, and not letting the other guy get a look in. Meanwhile Linda Charman was celebrating yet another WISPA title on the next court, and having avoided the ravages of jet-lag somehow after the previous night’s flight back from Washington, started slowly, but soon built up a head of her normal imperious steam. Dominating the ‘T’ and controlling the match she dropped only 1 point after taking the first 9-5. So 2 up to the Chi, and looking for a 5-0 to really set the seal on a season that finished better than it started.
Azzi took centre stage against Alister Walker, and Alister showed the improvements in his game by easing to a 2-1 lead by playing basically good controlled squash, not trying anything extravagant, but putting the ball where he wanted, and making Azzi do the work. It was nothing special, but suddenly Alister’s racket just caught Azzi under the eye, and despite miniscule contact, it obviously stung Azzi as he woke up and took the game, and kept his focus to take the 5th and the match, despite some consistently accurate, error-free squash from Al. Azzi seems to have lost his way a bit recently, and needs to sharpen up if he is to fulfil his obvious potential.
The Vole was in action with Danny Meddings, and with two of the better shotmakers in the game in action, it was always going to be a bit of fun! Unusually for Vole, he was keeping the pace up against the now part-time Meddings, and took the first comfortably. The second was a lot closer, and at 8 all, a couple of strange decisions went Danny’s way, and he took the game 11/9. The next two games were basically a repetition of the first 2, with Vole taking the 3rd fairly comfortably, and then the errors crept in to give Danny the 4th. The 5th was a treat with nicks flying around, and good tight squash, and in the end it was just Danny that had the edge, and he rounded off a fine display to take a 3-2 win to give Broxbourne a semblance of respectability.
Jelly went on court with the task of taking the team to a 4-1 score-line to improve on the first half result. It started off looking like a bit of a pasting for Alex Stait, as Jelly played superbly, putting Alex in some horrible positions, and he chalked up a sequence of tins to give PG a 9/1 first game. The second was going the same way, until the disease spread to Jelly, and he tinned his way to defeat to level the scores. The next two were also a repeat of the first two, and despite looking comfortable for a 3-1, PG discovered the tin again, and the match was level. Better concentration and shot selection were called for in the 5th, and Jelly had just that, cruising to a win. He had said earlier that it would be nice to get a team win without Vole’s help – and they did.
The play-offs now beckon, and it seems an impossible task against Manchester/Pontefract where all of their first choice players are ranked above all of our players. But we are getting Bengy along as it seems he will distract Jimbo, and as Azzi has a class barnet, that one could be a surprise win (especially if we nick his leg extensions! – see Points of View on the SP website!). As for the rest, Vole can always turn it on, and Benny G has the power to turn anyone over. Linda is back into some fine form winning tournaments everywhere, and may be up for some revenge against Vanessa. So in actual fact, it should be at least a 3-2 if not a 4-1 win to us, so a celebratory return leg on the 6th at Chi. Get your tickets quick – they will sell out.
Contributor: Peter Crabtree
Club: Chichester
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