POTTERS BAR 1 v BISHOP’S STORTFORD 1
POTTERS BAR WIN 4-1 AND COMPLETE THE CUP AND LEAGUE DOUBLE!
25TH MARCH 2013
Report By Peter Newman (Potters Bar)
The Herts. County Cup Finals produced an excellent night of squash in front of a lively crowd at Broxbourne Squash Club. The Senior Cup (contested by all Division 1 & 2 teams) brought together Potters Bar (PB) and Bishops Stortford (BS) in the final. Both teams were strong with several current or former professional players on display. The No. 3’s went on first and pitched regular training partners Rory Pennell and Rob Dadds against each other. It went to form with Rory proving just too strong, winning 3-0 comfortably to take first blood for PB. The No.5 string was a different matter however and Simon Evans after starting slowly produced a determined performance to come back from 0-1 and 1-2 in games to outrun his younger opponent and win the deciding fifth game 11-8 and level the match. The No. 2’s, Alex Ingham (PB) and Charlie Johnson (BS), then put on a display of the highest quality squash for almost 90 minutes. The first three games were excruciatingly close and the pair generally matched each other point for point. Charlie went 2-1 ahead and seemed to be edging the battle which was concentrated down the right hand wall with some superbly controlled squash. The rallies were long and brutal however and in the fourth game, Alex began switching the play more frequently and manoeuvreing his opponent with some wonderful floating boasts and short play to pull Charlie around the court. It worked and although the rallies were often long, Alex began to dominate and exploit his opponents tiredness and won the last two games to take the string and match for PB. The match was won because whilst this marathon was taking place, Joe Green had taken the 4th string for PB by beating Elliot Selby (BS) in straight games! The No.1’s, Reuben Phillips (PB) and Neil Hitchens (BS) went on finally with Reuben winning in 4 games to take the match by 4 strings to 1 (19pts to 6pts) for PB. Joe Green was the Team captain for the evening and accepted the Herts Cup on behalf of PB, who had now completed the League and Cup Double! He thanked the sponsors and organisers. Many of the players and spectators at the finals night had recalled playing against the late Harry Faulkner in past matches and there was much applause when Joe dedicated the win to his good friend, Harry.
