A tough match which could have swung either way!
Edgbaston Priory Vs Duffield
Edgbaston Priory 3-2 Benz Bavarian Duffield
Adrian Grant lost to Nick Matthew 9-7, 4-9, 9-1, 4-9, 6-9
Olli Tuominen beat Dan Jenson 9-11, 9-2, 7-9, 9-5, 9-3
Del Harris beat Paul Hargrave 9-6, 1-9, 9-6, 9-5
Peter Barker beat Marcus Cowie 9-2, 9-4, 9-2
Emma Beddoes lost to Laura Hill 8-10, 0-9, 9-4, 2-9
Emma Beddoes had the task of taking on Laura Hill who last year beat Emma 3-2 in a great match. So we were hoping that Emma could turn this tie around. With a nervous start from Emma, Laura took control as Emma was trying to find her way. Then things started to come together as Emma used her natural talent to push the ball in short from the volley and from her drops, it was close Emma had game ball but just couldn’t find that last winning shot to finish the game, Laura held her nerve and applied pressure to squeeze the first 10/8. Emma wasn’t there in the second as Laura stormed to 9/1, 2/0 Duffield. A big effort was needed to raise Emma’s game and she did just that, by attacking and playing the way that we know Emma can play taking the third 9/4, the come back had started, but unfortunately it wasn’t to last as Laura played convincing squash to win the fourth 9/2 and the match.
Edgbaston’s captain, Del Harris, opened the play on the show court; with his current form in NL this match looked like it was in the bag. Paul Hargrave though, having beaten Del in the first half of last season was looking for a repeat performance. The traveling supporters put up a valiant fight with the home crowd for their local hero. Del though hushed the Duffield crowd early on winning the first with a late comeback from Hargrave. The Duffield crowd were back again before the players stepped on court; clearly giving their player a lift, Paul only dropped one point in the second.
Paul continued his form into the third taking a convincing 6-3 lead; a simple error by the visitor and Del was back in with some winners taking the third without dropping another point. The home captain took advantage of what seemed like a dispirited Hargrave winning the fourth to level the match score.
The flying Fin was back and was greeted with vociferous cheers from the home crowd (particularly The Associates). The match began with Ollie leading throughout the first only to be piped at the post by the experienced Australian Dan Jenson. Ollie stepped up the pace taking a comfortable second game. Battle of the tactics now took place with Dan almost lobbing every shot and Ollie volley with pace, two neck and neck games took it into a fifth game. Ollie started fast and strong with Dan looking quite tired, the home player had the edge in the fifth and an unfortunate incident half way through the game resulted in a twisted ankle for the Australian, adrenalin took Dan to the finish but the victory went to the Fin. A fantastic game for the crowd to witness.
Peter Barker had stepped on to Edgbaston’s courts for the first time and he meant business. Marcus Cowie is still playing a good game but I don’t think he was expecting Peter to be striking the ball as well as he is. The first was fast and furious but anything Marcus did Peter did it better, he is so strong, 9/2 in no time. Marcus was having a bit of racket trouble as he broke two lots of strings, to be fair if he had had been playing with a racket in either hand he would have still struggled. 9/4 to Peter. Marcus raised his game and started to go for every ball possible, diving to retrieve balls, but as soon as he stepped up so did Peter and he was on fire! Winning the third 9/2 and the match. Excellent squash from both players, but Peter was just too strong.
Adrian and Nick have played that many times they know each others shots before they have played them, so this was always going to go to the fifth. We needed Adrian to start quickly and he did playing superb squash by breaking Nick’s fast paced game down. It wasn’t long before Nick stepped up and showed why he is such a strong player, but Adrian was the controlled the game just that bit better taking the first 9/7. Adrian then had a sleep for 10 mins as Nick was well in control winning the the game 9/4. then it was Nick’s turn to have a five min sleep as Adrian took the third 9/1. This was the big chance to apply lots of pressure to Nick but Nick was reading the game so well, Adrian’s death touch drop’s are a serious weapon against any other player apart from Nick Matthew as he was on to all of them taking the match to the fifth game by winning the fourth 9/4. Adrian came out firing the ball around the court changing pace and he looked confident going 6-0 up! Nick pulled it back to 4-6 when Adrian then started to get cramp in his arm (he hadn’t drunk enough water) and it happened as Nick was really fighting back Adrian had no chance as the pace moved up by two levels! Nick won the fifth and the match 9/6 and 3-2.
A great match! The crowds saw some great competitive squash played in the right manner with NO incidence between ref’s and player/ managers (unbelievable!). The result was a fair result which could have gone the other way if it was for the fight back from the flying fin!
Next match is at Wolverhampton on the 2nd Dec which will be a top derby match! We hope to have Sarah Fitz-Gerald back and David Palmer to head our attack against the Wolves!
