Squash finals begin

After 14 rounds of competition, the final four is now settled in Baw Baw Squash Club’s autumn competition.

In the first semi-final this week, Heat will play Thunder with the winner progressing to the preliminary final and the loser eliminated.

Fourth-placed Thunder go in favourites due to Heat’s highly-ranked number four being unable to play and substituted by a lesser-ranked player under club rules. In addition, Heat’s number three Bruce Bowering, who is ranked higher than his opponent Anthony Walker, has lost twice to Anthony in the competition. Unless Bruce can reverse that trend, Thunder will be looking good after two matches.

Joe Cicala is favourite to defeat Thunder’s Lynton McPhail and should keep Heat’s hopes alive.

As a result, the top players for each team should determine the match result. Thunder’s Andrew Holden has had a good season and would be favoured to repeat the result of last week when he defeated Heat’s David Winterton in three games, thus eliminating Heat.

In the other final, top team Hurricanes meet the Strikers with the winner going through to the grand final and the loser facing a preliminary final.

Hurricanes have a big advantage in their undefeated number one Mike Griffith. His allround game should be too strong for Strikers’ Scott McArdle who has also had a good season but relies mainly on powerful striking and pace around the court.

To start things off, Strikers’ Andrea Syers, who has had an interrupted season, comes up against rapidly developing youngster Liam Goodwin. Liam is coming off an impressive win against a higher-ranked opponent last week. His clean striking, especially down the wall, and good court coverage will likely get the Hurricanes off to a good start.

At number three, the highly experienced pair of Russell Jackson and Jeff Lyon play off. Their contrasting styles will make for an interesting match. Russell’s long lay-off through injury could be a handicap, but he did defeat Jeff in a hard-fought five set battle earlier in the year, so the result could go either way.

In the remaining match, Hurricanes’ Dave Dzur meets Terry Milsome who won “most improved” last competition.

Dave has had a better season than Terry, and did defeat him earlier in the year. The pressure will be particularly on Terry to keep his team’s chances alive, but the Hurricanes will be favourites to progress to the grand final and eventually take the title.

Following the semis, the preliminary final will be held on Tuesday.

The grand final on Thursday, June 9.