Brian Hargrave, thinking of Qatar, previews round five ...
NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUND FIVE
Fixtures 7pm start
Wolverhampton v Edgbaston
Manchester Northern v FPD Savills Nottingham
Benz-Bavarian Duffield v Manchester /Pontefract
Team Chichester v Broxbourne
SWSA-Bicester v Lee on Solent
INSIDE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CRYSTAL BALL
The results in the Qatar Open are likely to have a major effect on the NL round 5 ties and the final line ups could be in doubt right up until late Tuesday afternoon.
Wolvehampton Manager Stephen Russell's is predicting a 3-2 scoreline and a win for Wolves would keep their play off hopes alive. Liam Kenny returns to the Wolverhampton line up after injury whilst the young "veteran" Liz Brown has the unenviable task of facing Edgbaston's reigning world champion (for a week or two yet), Sarah Fitz-Gerald who remains undefeated in the NL. I am reliably informed that Sarah reached the ripe old age of 35 today. Liz will no doubt be hoping that Sarah overdoes the birthday celebrations!
Group A leaders Manchester- Pontefract travel to Benz- Bavarian Duffield hoping to keep their 100% record in tact. Duffield's chances of an upset suffered a major blow when Dan Jenson, Nick Matthew and Renan Lavigne all progressed through through to the second round in Qatar as did Manchester's Lee Beachill and James Willstrop. It was one of those "good news bad news" days for some NL managers. Manchester favourite Nick Taylor went out to rising star Peter Barker in the final qualifying round in Qatar and he will face Paul Hargrave who moves up to No 1 string. Duffield will be hoping that Jon Kemp makes a winning return after injury and he faces a real stiff test with Marcus Berrett playing the best squash of his career. Manchester-Pontefract has the edge lower down the order with Andy Whipp at No 3 string to play Marcus Cowie and Jon Rooney at No 4 string to play Kevin White. Duffield chances of a shock result will be improved if full time fire-fighter Laura Hill responds to another emergency and puts out the fire of the talented Lauren Siddall.
Both Manchester Northern and FPD Savills Nottingham are delaying announcing their final teams but Nottingham's greater strength in depth might just see them edge a win to help keep in touch with the top two teams. The likely crucial rubbers will be David Evans v Laurens Anjema, Sam Miller v Phil Barker plus the two new names on the block Alex Norman v Nicolette Fernandes. Northern manager Masambo Selisho, who still has plenty of hair despite the stress and pressure of managing a NL team, is hoping that Christmas will come early and that his team can gain their first win of the season. Masambo is on standby to play.
In Group B, down on the south coast, the "cheeky" Chichester chappies could take advantage and end Broxbourne's 100% record. Chichester expect to have Pete Genever, Azlan Iskander, Tim Vail and Ben Garner available. Broxbourne could have Rodney Durbach on duty after the South African went out to David Palmer in Qatarwhere Mark Chaloner beat Gregory Gaultier. The NL tie could be decided by the outcome of the ladies rubber involving Suzie Pierrepont and Caroline Chaloner
Lee on Solent are expected to be at full strength with their male order and this should prove to much for bottom of the table SWSA and in turn keep the pressure on local rivals Chichester for a play off place.
Two NL PSA Tour veterans Tim Garner (Chichester) and Stephen Meads (UNIS Guildford) both announced their retirement after ten years on the PSA Tour after bowing out of the Qatar tournament. Both intend to put all their energy into the NL competition and no doubt they will continue to upset the form book.