Chichester squash ace thrilled to beat world No 13

Visitors St George’s Hill from Weybridge had already taken a 3-1 lead to clinch the match but the final encounter between Pett, world No145, and Daryl Selby, six-times national racketball champion, was a classic. Pett played superlative squash and the combination of his superb deft touches and Selby’s retrieving made the match utterly spellbinding.

Pett took the first game on a tie-break 12-10. Selby battled back to take the next two games 11-9, 11-9 before the momentum swung back to Pett, who won the fourth 11-5 to force a decider.

An unbelievable fifth game followed. Pett reached match point at 10-8, Selby saved one before Pett converted it to win the match of his life.

Pett said: “It’s the best win I’ve had and, with my win last week against Joey Barrington, I’m feeling brilliant.”

The match, against a side with four players in the world’s top 50, began with Alex Gough, third string for Chichester, playing Nicolas Mueller, world 39. Gough was competitive in the first game but faded.

He was giving away almost 20 years and this told as the match progressed. Mueller won comfortably 11-8, 11-5, 11-4.

Chichester’s Lauren Briggs played Rachel Willmott and controlled the T superbly to run out 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 winner.

Nic Birt took on world No48, Mark Krajcsak. Birt was in most rallies, but Krajcsak always seemed to have the last say. Krajcsak triumphed 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 to put St George’s 2-1 up.

Tim Vail took on Tom Richards, world No32. Inspired play by Vail, including a series of his trademark nicks, helped him take a close first game.

Richards’ put Vail under pressure and snatched a close second. Richards upped his game in the third and mistakes crept into Vail’s game. Richards won the game with ease 11-2.

In the fourth Richards’ speed and consistency proved too much and he won 11-7 to give St George’s a 3-1 lead.

Chichester next go to Exeter on January 25.