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14/04/2004
WE DESERVED TO WIN – REALLY!
Chi face up to reality - but only just!
One of the great things about squash is that you (well most of us) can identify with the game, the players, the situation, or at least something of the match, and feel a part of it. I mean, I must have hit a dozen more nicks than Vole this season during his matches, but he never really seems to have seen the opportunities that I have. Same with Jelly, but I do wonder if I might have managed to get into the positions he did, but then he can’t be that much fitter than me, can he? So when it comes down to the final analysis, I guess we have to recognise that the better team won overall. Yes – this is humble pie once more from your scribe from the boondocks (remember them Colin? – I hope so ‘cos I’ll keep reminding you!) and in the spirit of the occasion I have to recognise the quality of the players that intrepidly ventured forth into Fortress Oaklands to do battle.
It would be easy (as a person of Rochdale heritage) to lay into the Yorkist invaders, and to demean their presence as a mere expedition of chance to see if they could assert their territorial aggression over us poor Southerners. But no – it is fitting that fair tribute should be paid to the way in which such superior beings were brought down to size by a superb display from our chaps (and Suzie – more of that to follow). One of the things that I have mentioned on occasion in the past is that for sporting personalities of such high status within their field, most squash players are friendly, talkative (even to me), and genuinely nice people (even for bloody Yorkies!). I have to confess that in recent years, age and infirmity (alcohol induced, of course) have restricted my travels, and I am somewhat embarrassed to report that this was the first time I had witnessed the Fez, Lee Beachill, Jimbo Longshanks and Nick Taylor in action. So to the story of the night………
We started with a somewhat nervous late addition in Suzie Pierrepont taking on the World No.16 Madeleine Perry. Well – to say that the evening could have started with an upset is an understatement. Now every player of theirs went on court knowing that the overall win was almost inevitable, but surely professional pride comes into it, and on that basis this was clearly the outstanding performance of Suzie’s young career. She was 7-3 up in the first, and held game ball in the other two, and on each occasion it looked as if she suddenly realised what position she was in and thought “Oh sh*t, what do I do now?” She played superb squash, and made a nonsense of the difference in rankings. She clearly has a great future in the sport. However, that was the evening over and obviously some of the Manx players relaxed a bit too much.
Vole was engaged in a marathon with Nick Taylor, and whilst that was going on, Ben Garner despatched the Fez in 22 minutes, to gain an overall 1 minute aggregate victory after the first match. Mind you, the be-hatted one had played 7 matches in 5 days, and appeared a tad subdued (that’s posh for sh*gged!). Vole had so many chances to polish of the pensioner from Manchester, but selected several examples from his garbage shot catalogue – for example, opponent dead in back corner, so let’s play a floated top-spin cross-court drop shot that just clips the top of the tin. Cracker Timothy! To balance that he hit possibly the most outrageous (now check that you have worked this out right, and allowed for Vole’s waistline) feet-off-the-ground cross-court backhand volley nick roller ever in the history of the sport. Typical Vole – all flash but no cigar! So another one in the onion bag for the visitors, but overall still some excellent squash.
So Azzi took on Jimmy “leg extensions and hair gel” Willstrop (if you believe certain secret agent reports!). This was a match that really said “end of season, nothing resting on the result, and he only beat Jelly 9-7 in the 5th in Super League the night before”. Azzi lost the first and took the second, but on several occasions James could have had 3 or 4 strokes in the rally, but carried on and played the ball, and definitely showed signs of having read the JP handbook on disguised shots. This was as close to exhibition squash as it gets, and it became quite clear why he has got to the position he has in the World Rankings. He doesn’t really seem to be any better than anyone else I have seen in any particular area, but he moves bloody well, strikes a good tight ball, and has some excellent disguised shots. But he was knackered and lost 3-1 to Azzi, who played well, but won’t have been fooled by the scoreline.
So to finish off the evening, Lee Beachill took on local hero Jelly, and despite the score-line again, it was pretty comfortable. I have to say though that this was by some way the best display I have seen from our Jells for possibly 2 years, and following on from his narrow loss in a crucial match the night before with Jimbo W, must give him some encouragement for the coming season. Beach was obviously tired, played some superb shots, but clearly had a couple of gears left if he had needed them. So all over now for this season, and if Priory manage to turn over this lot, I’ll be majorly surprised. Sheffield is in for a treat, and if I can get there I will.
To all of the organisers, the much criticised (often unfairly) referees, the players, and the supporters, thanks for all you do, and for your support. If you don’t turn out, we won’t be there, so thanks. And especially to those of you who support with your cash – we can’t do it without you, so please keep helping us (especially in the South, that lot up North have got too much!). We’ll be back next season with much the same line-up, unless Peter Nicol, Thierry Lincou and Jonathan Power will all play for next to nothing, and definitely a young player in each match – we believe in supporting developing players, unlike some, it seems!
We’ve had fun – hope you have!
Contributor: Peter Crabtree
Club: Chichester
Link: www.cltsc.co.uk
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