Cambs Squash

Report: Inter Counties Stage I Divison 1B.
Location: Hunts County SC, Hemingford.
Date: 14th/15th November 2009.

Match 1: Cambridgeshire v Kent.

The Cambridgeshire team pitched up at Hunts County SC with high hopes of finishing in the top 2 places of the group. With Sammy Chambers out of action due to an injury it was always going to be a tough challenge. When the three opposing counties had arrived it was clear that Kent would be the hardest team to beat. After the new team kit had been handed over by the new County sponsors ‘Martech’ it was soon down to business. On first was James Powley and Rossin playing at 3.

James was up against a very solid opponent and struggled to find his length and width at the start. After losing the first two games relatively easily, James dug in and started playing far better in the 3rd. Despite some excellent rallies and very determined squash, his Kent opponent was just too strong and consistent, taking the match three nil.

At the same time Rossin was playing a former England U19 number 1, Chris Tomlinson. Even with Chris not playing as much these days, his power and deception seemed too much for Rossin who was left scrambling around in the first two games. Despite this start, Rossin managed to up his game and took the 3rd game relatively easily. Unfortunately Chris regained his composure in the 4th and took the game and the match 3-1.

With things looking grim it was up to Dan McGinn, one of Cambridgeshire’s up and coming juniors and Harry at 1 string to attempt to readdress the balance. Unfortuntately this was not the case! Dan making his debut tried valiantly against a rock solid opponent. The first game was very close, however after this the Kent number 4 pressurised and moved the ball around brilliantly to force Dan into a few too many errors. The Kent man closed out the match in 3, leaving Harry and Steffan to play for salvaging some pride.

Regrettably Harry and Steffan were up against 2 professional players. Despite both players giving it 100%, both went down in 3, leaving the team reeling losing the match 5-0 (20-1). Things could only get better …

Match 2: Cambridgeshire v Middlesex.

With the Kent match out of the way, Rossin rallied his troops. Middlesex were nowhere near as strong as Kent, so it was a big chance to regain the initiative and get back into contention for finishing in the the 2nd spot of the group.

After much persuading, Brownie managed to get permission to leave his ever growing family and turn out for the afternoon match at 3rd string. So it was up to him and Dan to make a good start at 3 and 5 respectively. Both did not disappoint. Dan rallied his opponent into submission with some excellent retrieving and attacking squash, taking the match 3-0.

Brownie on the other had was working the ball down the backhand with pin-point precision against a very difficult opponent. After 2 games it was clear that the former County Champion and O35’s number 1 had too much guile and skill for his opponent, taking the match clinically 3-0. A great start to the afternoon matches.

The resurgence in form continued with Rossin taking out a far younger opponent in 3 and Harry demoralising his Middlesex opponent with some hard hitting and flat nicks …. 4-0 up in ties, with Steffan to go on. Could the ‘Peter Pan’ of Cambridgeshire squash manage to complete the white-wash? …… well, yes he could. Steffan raised his game from the morning and looking more like his usual spritely self he closed out his match against a very talented opponent 3-1.

The Cambridgeshire recovery left the battle for second place in the balance between ourselves and Leicestershire. The foxes had a 6 point lead going into the match on Sunday morning. This meant that Cambs had to beat them convincingly to ensure survival in division 1 (promotional weekend).

Match 3: Cambridgeshire v Leicestershire.

Cambridgeshire turned up in the morning with high hopes of beating a strong Leicestershire to seal 2nd place in the group, behind a very strong Kent side. Things looked promising, when Brownie confirmed he had ‘permission’ to play and secondly the Leicestershire boys pitched up looking slightly bleary-eyed … in fact they even had to supporters in toe of the female variety, who had been picked up somewhere in the depths of a Cambridgeshire night-club … things looked good. So first on was Brownie against John Freeman.

Despite John putting up a great fight in the first, narrowly losing it 12-10, Brownies skill and accurate drop shots were just to good for the tiring Freeman, 3-0 to Cambs. A similar story was emerging on the other court. McGinn was just to strong and fit for a flagging opponent closing out the match comfortably 3-0.

So it was up to Rossin to try and secure the 3rd rubber to seal the valuable extra 5 points. His opponent was James hodson, who he has had many hour long battles with before. On this occasion however, due to their Saturday night antics, Hodson was just not at the races; Rossin closing out the match within 20 mins, 3 zip.

Despite a mild set back of Harry losing to Darren Lewis (WR 100) at 1st string, the lower order had done enough to make sure that Leicestershire had been sent down into the relegation weekend with Middlesex. Harry battled valiantly, but just couldn’t quite convert various game balls, narrowly losing the 4th 16-18 and the match 1-3. With the match won, it was up to Steffan to attempt to defeat a very talented opponent, James Wright. With the pressure off, Steffan excelled and ran rings around his tiring opponent. Despite James playing some deft shots, Morgan chased absolutely everything down, completely demoralising his opponent, taking the match with ease 3-0. An overall victory of 4-1 (18-3). A fantastic result for Cambs team sponsored by Martech.

The promotion weekend will be during the 1st weekend in March. Competition for places will be high as Sammy will hopefully be fit and well by then. Young players like Ahmed and Daddsy will be pushing hard for selection. Well done to all the team and supporters and a big thank you to our kit sponsors, ‘Martech’

Neil Rossin