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24/09/2004
INSIDE THE 2004/05 SEASON
Brian Hargrave looks at close-season ins and outs and the prospects for the coming season ...
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NATIONAL SQUASH
LEAGUE 2004-05
Brian Hargrave previews the forthcoming season ...
BACKGROUND AND REGULATIONS
The National Squash League which is run by England Squash comprises of
two geographically based groups. The Midlands/ Northern group A has
five teams and the Southern group B four teams. In Group A Manchester
Northern has withdrawn after just one season. In Group B, Broxbourne
withdrew and Sue Wright has moved base from Bicester to Tewksbury with
Oberthur Strings replacing SWSA.
A National League team comprises of 4 men and one lady and should not
be confused with the 3 men teams which compete in the Super League.
There is no promotion or relegation between the two leagues which
operate independently.
Under the NL regulations each team can include two men in their squad
in the World’s top 25 at 1 June 2004. A maximum of two overseas
players are eligible to play in any one tie. The winner of Group A
plays the runner up of Group B whilst the winner of Group B plays the
runner up of Group A. over two legs for a place in the final. The points system for ties has been changed. Teams will now earn one point for each game won and five points for each tie won - thus giving greater importance to every game of each rubber in the tie.
.
The number of nominated players is limited to a maximum of 14 although
two additional nominations may be made after the date of the last tie
before Christmas and before 20 December. A nominated player, who has
not played a rubber, may be transferred between Clubs up
until 20 December. All ties are normally played on a Tuesday on set
dates.
PRE -SEASON
There was relatively little movement of players during the close season. The changes are in the main due to the withdrawal of Broxbourne and Manchester Northern and most of their former players have been nominated by other teams. However, the reduction in the total number of teams from 11 to 9 means that some very good players will have fewer opportunites to parade their skills on the National League stage. Team selection could be a real headache for some Managers.
In Group A, reigning Champions Manchester
Pontefract has Lee Beachill (the new world 1), James Willstrop
(world 12), Marcus Berrett, Nick Taylor (world 36) and Jenny Duncalf. Edgbaston Priory the losing
finalists will be relying on the same squad to go one better this time
round. David Palmer (world 4) will be supported by Adrian Grant (world 13),
Peter Barker (world 33), Del Harris, Hadrian Stiff plus former world No 1 Sarah
Fitzgerald. Wolverhampton should
benefit from the fit again Anthony Ricketts (world 14) and the
formidable strength down the order which could see them pushing the big
guns.
The talented Alex Gough (world 26), Scott Handley (world 70), rejoining the
Wolves fold after one season absence with SWSA, the evergreen Mark
Cairns, the rapidly improving Joey Barrington (world 40)plus Liam Kenny (world 57) could see
Stephen Russell’s men and Shelley Kitchen (world 14) in contention for the play
offs. Nottingham has signed two former Broxbourne players and will be expecting much better things from a squad which includes John
White (world 7), Gregory Gaultier (world 11) previously with Broxbourne
and the very fit and rejuvenated Simon Parke (world 17), Tommy Berden, David Evans,
Alex Stait (also ex Broxbourne), Chris Walker (still playing PSA events) and Natalie Grinham
(world 4). Benz –Bavarian Duffield
has remained loyal to the players from last season namely Nick Matthew
(world 5), Renan Lavigne (world 17), Jonathan Kemp (world 43), Paul Hargrave ( Eng 18) and
Cassie Jackman (World No 2) now in her 7th season. John Rooney (world 52)and Phil Barker ( world 62) are the two new signings competing for the lower order places. The
Derbyshire Club will miss Dan Jenson who intends to spend more time in
the USA and will be hoping that the lower order players can upset the
form book.
In Group B Chichester should
remain competitive with a familiar squad headed by Izlam
Iskander( world 28), Peter Genever (world 65), the rapidly improving Ben Garner (world 48), Jean Michel Arcucci (world 54),
captain Tim Vail and Linda Elriani. Team
Solent has the “Brad Attack” Bradley Ball (world 41) leading a squad capable of troubling other teams lower down the order and with Lee Drew ( world 60) , Lars Harms (world 69)
plus Vicky Botwright in their line up they must be in with a
chance of reaching the play offs. Unis
Guildford relies on a new No 1 Stacey Ross ( world 58 and expected to add to his recent
successes in PSA events), Stephen Meads (now retired after winning several PSA events) , Neil Frankland and Fiona
Geaves (world 11). Manager Ian Robinson continues his much admired
policy of staying loyal to his experienced players and giving youth a chance whenever possible. Newcomers Oberthur Strings could be a surprise
package with Ong Beng Hee (world 22) looking to halt his slide down the world
rankings, the durable Rodney Durbach (world 30 ex Broxbourne), Cameron Pilley ( world 38) ,
Alistair Walker and Jenny Tranfield
TAKING STOCK:
ROUND ONE on Tuesday 5th October
In round one there should be a full house for the West Midlands Derby
with Wolverhampton entertaining
last year's runners-up Edgbaston
Priory. It would need a brave man to forecast the outcome of
this tie which could see Australians at the top of the order.
Wolverhampton's Anthony Ricketts is expected to play World number four
David Palmer.
It should also be a full house at Manchester where champions Manchester-Pontefract will be
pleased to extend their 100% record from last season against a
much stronger looking Nottingham
team. In group B Chichester renew
their old rivalry with UniSport
Guildford, and Lee on Solent
take on Sue Wright's Oberthur Strings.
DUFFIELD & CLOUGHIE
Sitting out round one are Benz Bavarian Duffield. Yours truly will
still be recovering from the wedding of my daughter Lisa who gets
married on the Saturday prior to the first round ties. A good excuse
for squash taking second place in the Hargrave family.
Brian Clough, who died last week, was a resident of Duffield . He was a very keen squash player and it was only last season that
I gave him a lift in my car after seeing him hobbling
along aided by walking sticks. A polite enquiry as to whether this was
due to his injury which forced him to retire from football was met with
“no young man it is a legacy of my squash playing days”. The eagle eyed
watching the recent old newsreel clips would have spotted him tapping
Trevor Francis on the head with a wooden Dunlop Maxply Racket.
–Enough name dropping - let the games begin in just over 10 day’s time.
The crystal ball has been cleaned and my prediction for the title is in
a sealed envelope with Steve Cubbins.
Hoping for a competitive season played in the right spirit.
Brian Hargrave
Contributor: Brian Hargrave
Club: Duffield
Link:
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THE LOCAL DERBY
INSIDE ROUND ONE
GUILDFORD SUFFER IN WEEK ONE
DEPLETED NOTTINGHAM TAKE ON THE CHAMPIONS
WOLVERHAMPTON WIN 4-1
RESULTS FROM WEEK ONE
CHI CRUISE LOCAL DARBY (AND JOAN!)
CHAMPIONS STORM TO SUCCESSFUL OPENER
INSIDE ROUND ONE
THE SEASON STARTS HERE
INSIDE THE 2004/05 SEASON
NATIONAL LEAGUE OFF TO ANTIPODEAN START
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