Premier Squash League newcomers Everards Leicester seal their first win of the season 4-1 against Coolhurst London.
Before proceedings took place a minutes standing ovation throughout Leicester Squash Club in memory of the clubs first chairman John Willmott who passed away on the 30th November 2014.
Home team Leicester were hungry to gain their first win, and the visitors wanting to do everything in their power to remain in the play-off position.
James Bowden 3-1 Nick Sutcliffe (9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-7)
Due to an order change Leicester’s James Bowden stepped on court first to face Nick Sutcliffe.
It appeared that Sutcliffe wanted to send a message to Bowden making his debut for Everards Leicester, by taking the first game 11-9.
In the second there was a complete shift in momentum with Bowden able to dictate the pace. He looked much more settled on court throughout the game. Sutcliffe threw everything he had at him but staying with Bowden was not easy; the Leicester player won the game comfortably 11-2.
The story was much the same for the following two games with Bowden producing some excellent squash leaving Sutcliffe with nothing to go on. Bowden closed out the third game 11-6 and then in quick succession the fourth 11-7.
Daryl Selby 3-1 Greg Lobban (9-11, 15-13, 11-6, 12-10)
On the adjacent court Daryl Selby took on Greg Lobban, having both just returned from the $70,000 British Grand Prix in Manchester.
Lobban set an initial fast pace in the first game but Selby quickly settled in and absorbed the pressure well. The Coolhurst London player managing to push Selby all the way and took the first game 11-9.
The second game was a similar affair with long rallies, displaying squash at the highest level. The tempo was high throughout as the game went to a tiebreak. Selby showed experience at a crucial point in the game, winning 15-13.
Lobban came out in the third fighting and raced to a 5-1 lead. The Leicester crowd got behind Selby to help see him claw his way back to 5-5. Daryl then begun to show his superiority as he proceeded to only drop 1 more point, taking the third game 11-6.
Once again Selby lost the first few points but quickly caught up once again. This time Lobban was not interesting in letting the game slip like the previous one. He fought courageously to 10-10. Selby once again proved why he is World no. 13 by winning 12-10.
Tania Bailey 0-3 Madeline Perry (8-11 9-11 2-11)
With Leicester on the brink of winning their first match of the season it was now on to the women’s string.
>From the start it was clear Bailey was struggling with illness. She used every bit of experience that she had but could not keep up with the pace set by Perry. Madeline won 3/0 and kept Coolhurst’s hopes alive.
Ben Coleman 3-0 Joe Green (11-3, 11-8, 11-5)
Green and Coleman have been training partners recently so they know each other’s game inside out. Leicester’s man injected pace pushing Green to the back of the court making him scramble around. Coleman was able to control Green well, ensuring a comfortable first game taking it 11-3.
As Joe’s confidence grew his attacking game got a lot better, punishing Coleman for any loose balls he put up. It was clear that Coleman would need to do something to ensure Green did not build too much of a big lead. Coleman won the second 11-8.
Leaving the 19-year-old Green with a lot of work to do, Coleman came out with the intention of finishing it as quickly as he could. He played with precision placing the ball tight and with great length. Inexperienced Green suffered and lost the third 11-5.
A roar ensued from the crowd as Leicester had now guaranteed their first win of the season with one match still to play!
George Parker 3-2 Ondrej Uherka (9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6)
Although the match was already won the intensity of the 3rd string match was unaffected with both players wearing their hearts on their sleeves.
On paper it was George who was a clear favourite but Uherka the underdog had other ideas.
Early exchanges between Parker and Uherka were intense with both players showing they could match each other for retrieval and shot making. The last point was disappointing with Uherka demonstrating he was also good at fishing as he gained a questionable stroke on game ball to take the first 11-9.
In a momentum swing and riled up by the previous game Parker dominated Uherka in the second and third games winning them 11-6, 11-5 respectively.
Uherka came out fighting in the fourth and took advantage of a slight lapse of concentration from Parker to take the match to a fifth game.
Bolstered by a fiercely partisan crowd Parker came out flying hitting some spectacular shots that Uherka was simply unable to return. Spurred on by his unbeaten run in PSL this year Parker decided that his run was not about to finish and won the match for Everards Leicester 3-2.
Everards Leicester 4-1 Coolhurst London (17-7)
Daryl Selby 3-1 Greg Lobban 9-11, 15-13, 11-6, 12-10
Ben Coleman 3-0 Joe Green 11-3, 11-8, 11-5
George Parker 3-2 Ondrej Uherka 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6
James Bowden 3-1 Nick Sutcliffe 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-7
Tania Bailey 0-3 Madeline Perry 8-11, 9-11, 2-11
