Squash: Chichester beat Winchester to maintain fine form

Chichester eked out a 3-2 away win and once again it was left to the top strings to fight out a decider.

Alex Gough, playing at No4 for Chichester, faced young Adam Aukland.

Aukland, from the outset, was in control with pace, speed and accuracy. He did not allow Gough any time to settle into the match although Gough almost got back into it in the third. He lost the final game 14/12 and match 3/0.

Lauren Briggs, the consummate professional for Chichester, put in a polished performance to dispatch Rachel Willmott, who was making her debut for Winchester.

Briggs was just too consistent in all areas and in double quick time won the match 11-5, 11-4, 11-5.

Olly Pett (Chichester) was completely out of sorts and just could not find a way in against Robert Downer. Pett did come back in the third but was eventually defeated 11-1 in the fourth - not a result Chichester had anticipated.

Meanwhile Chichester’s Anthony Graham was grinding out a hard fought 3-1 win over Alex Phillips in the best match of the night. Graham won 11-6, 12-10, 3-11, 8-11.

That made it 2-2 and once again Chichester took the match to the wire.

Jonathan Kemp (Chichester) did not disappoint against Stacey Ross. Ross took the early advantage against the Chichester number one and won the first game 11-8. Kemp, however, picked up the pace and reclaimed the advantage to take the next three games, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 to sew up the match for Chichester.

The win puts Chichester equal second with Surrey in Group B. Both have 91 points – nine behind Exeter.

Chichester have had an excellent season - they have won five out of six games.

Their next home match is on Tuesday, February 5, against Surrey. Tickets are now on sale on 01243 785664. All support is welcome.