Top four settled in squash
With one round to go the top four is settled in the Baw Baw Squash Tuesday night autumn competition.
Interestingly, the Hawks and Crows play each other tonight and will do so again in the semi-finals next week. The other semi-final will be between the Vultures and the Eagles.
Last week saw both top teams beaten by the other semi-finalists, so the finals series will be hard to predict.
For the third week in a row Charlie Hamilton and Björn Hestdal played a fivegame match.
This time it was Charlie who took the early advantage 9/6, with Björn fighting back 9/2, 9/2 to take the lead. It looked like he had control with his accurate lobs and almost unreturnable serves but Charlie’s speed around the court, attacking drives and better short game enabled him to overpower Björn in the last two games 9/2, 9/1.
With three players at this level unable to complete the season it seems that these two will continue to encounter each other in the remaining weeks.
On court one Jason Tainton put on a masterclass in his 9/1, 9/0, 9/1 victory over the unfortunate Joe Cicala.
Joe had no answers for Jason’s perfect placement, controlled power, extraordinary court coverage, shots to a good length, and accurate boasts, several of which demoralisingly landed in the nick. It was an exhibition of fine squash.
Jim Wilkinson started his match well against Steve Mooney with a 9/7 win in the first game. The match promised to be an enthralling encounter between two in-form players. It looked to be that way when Steve took out the second game 9/3.
In the third game it became apparent that Jim had suffered an injury as his ability to cover the court was impaired. As a result he reluctantly had to forfeit the match. Club members wish him a speedy recovery.
After a couple of lack-lustre matches Russell Jackson finally found form against Barry Cain. Barry’s serving has improved in recent weeks and this put pressure on Russell’s returns. Barry was then able to follow up with precision drops that were winners. The first game finished 9/5 in his favour.
He couldn’t sustain the pressure as Russell lifted his game, forcing Barry back time and again with accurate lobs. Once he found his range Russell was able to win the next three games 9/2, 9/3, 9/1 and the match.
In the final match Peter Young again proved too strong for Bruce Bowering. In a hardfought first game Bruce had an early lead but it was not enough to hold Peter out who won it 9/5.
Peter totally dominated the second game 9/0 with Bruce being caught out of position time and again. Bruce regrouped in the break and managed a 6/2 lead before Peter again took control to close out the match and the evening 9/7.
Order of play for next week’s final round is 1-3-2.