Chichester made the short trip to Winchester for the penultimate match of the 2011-12 Premier Squash League season – and completed a double over their local rivals.
Lauren Briggs got the visitors off to a great start with a comprehensive win over Catherine Finlayson. The match comprised long-lasting and punishing rallies but Briggs’ control of the T and ability to find all four corners proved too much as she ran out a 3-0 winner.
Chichester’s Alex Gough played Alex Phillips in a rematch of the five-setter at Chichester in the first half of the PSL season which Gough won 3-2.
Phillips started quickly and took the first 11-6 but Gough replied with a lot more intensity to take the second 11-4.
The next two were shared to take the match to the fifth set. This time Phillips played some amazing skilful squash to gain victory 11-7.
Robbie Temple (world No59) had the tough task of playing Winchester’s Marwan El Shorbagy (world 35). There was nothing to separate them. Both played superb squash and traded games. Temple won the fourth game 11-2 and went into the fifth full of confidence and forged a good lead until he broke his racket then twisted his ankle at 9-9.
Shorbagy kept his composure and after a 60-minute battle he finally came through 12-10 to put Winchester ahead on the night.
Chichester’s Alex Ingham started well against Michael Harris. Ingham took the first, Harris the second.
The third game was tense and could have gone either way. Both youngsters fought hard but Ingham held it together to take the game 11-9.
In the fourth it was nip and tuck with Harris leading 7-5 but he then hit four tins, including one on match point, to hand Ingham the game.
With the match poised at 2-2 Olly Pett (Chichester) took on Stacey Ross. Pett was out to avenge his defeat by Ross earlier in the season and with an astounding display of superb and controlled squash, Pett closed the match in three games in just 19 minutes.
The final match is next Tuesday (March 27) at home to Bristol. Tickets are on sale on 01243 785664.
Mike Phillips
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