UniSPORT Guildford 1 lost to Probuild Bristol 4

Wednesday 13 February 2008

Alison Waters has been ever present for UniSport this season and has never failed to date. She had the daunting and somewhat intimidating presence of Sarah Jane Perry facing up to her on the opposite side of the court. Perry is the number three ranked under 19 in the country, but the sheer athleticism and shot making ability plus the world class experience of Waters was always going to be enough. Waters concluded business if not emphatically then with something to spare in order to retreat to the sanctuary of an early night at home to rest for more demanding tests ahead. It has been a regular occurrence for Waters to give UniSPORT a sure start in the matches this season and one that is much appreciated by the team however mostly not backed up. This was no exception 1 - 0.

Alex Ingham was confronting the legend that is Peter Marshall, apart from anything else the finest exponent of the 2 handed shot that there has ever been as well as a being a former world number two. This was a difficult test of the youngster's mettle and the first 2 games passed relatively without incident in favour of the veteran. In the end Marshall pulled away in the third and it was only then that Ingham seemed to relax and played some very competitive squash, but it was too little too late.

Meanwhile Mick Biggs made his long awaited debut this season in the PSL to play Lewis Hurst looked bemused. Strong hitting from both players did not spare the front wall but there was some skill as well. Biggs is now playing squash on a semi professional level and the improvements even at this early stage are clearly visible. Hurst managed to nose in front and stay that way but not without Biggs asking some searching questions of him. The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Biggs taking the second game, but that was from 3 - 8 down and was aided and abetted by a host of errors from Hurst's racket. Probuild Bristol were now leading 2 - 1.

Phil Rushworth took on Hadrian Stiff, the player manager of Probuild Bristol. Hadrian settled quickly against any potential fire cracker start by Rushworth. Stiff gathered himself a lead and held on to it as Rushworth tried to engage the contest. The second game saw Rushworth gain in confidence and belief as he went on the attack, whipping up a storm that quite took Stiff by surprise especially after a tournament weekend in Edinburgh. The Bristol player stood firm however and at the tie break managed to secure the points to go into a 2 - 0 lead. This was in effect Rushworth's undoing as he had spent so much in going for all out attack that he hardly had chance to regroup when Stiff made for the finishing tape with a lead that Rushworth was never able to turn around.

The performance of the night came from Adrian Grant, a one time UniSPORT favourite and world number 15. Stephen Meads always gives of his best but he can not have enjoyed the match on the night. Grant covered the court with athletic grace and ease. To make matters worse his ball control and accuracy were also at their sharpest and most precise. No matter what Meads threw at him it was never enough. In truth the first game was Meads' best chance of taking a game, thereafter it became a master class in how to play squash given the natural gifts that Grant has at his disposal. Giving a faultless display Grant stole the Player of the Match award and the bottle of champagne. A comfortable 3 - 0 win for Grant gave Probuild Bristol a comfortable 4 - 1 in the match and consigned UniSport to another tough night in the PSL where points have become hard to come by especially with the loss of the key players from the front line.

UniSport will be delighted to welcome back Stacey Ross and Jesse Engelbrecht for the last home match of the season against Surrey Health & Rackets Club on Tuesday February, 19 at 7 p.m.

Stephen Meads 0 lost to Adrian Grant 3

8 - 10, 5 - 9, 3 - 9

Phil Rushworth 0 lost to Hadrian Stiff 3

5 - 9, 8 - 10, 5 - 9

Alex Ingham 0 lost to Peter Marshall 3

2 - 9, 2 - 9, 11 - 13

Mick Biggs 1 lost to Lewis Hurst 3

7 - 9, 10 - 8, 6 - 9, 4 - 9

Alison Waters 3 beat Sarah-Jane Perry 0

9 - 6, 9 - 7, 9 - 7