Plymouth Companies Squash League - Plate Final
Tavistock v SSI
FOLLOWING a season of relatively little success, Tavistock made it through to the final and although a number of their more renowned players were unavailable to play due to injury or other commitments an entertaining evening ensued.
First on for Tavistock was Pete Walshe against Ed Steele of SSI. Although Ed was a mobile opponent, some excellent touch play from Pete ensured he took the first game with relative ease.
The second followed in a similar vein with a vintage Pete Walshe display of touch play squash from the Tavistock chairman.
Although Pete took an early lead in the third game and looked comfortable, Ed decided to get the bit between his teeth and clawed his way back in. Fortunately for Tavistock, Ed had left himself too much to do and Pete took the third and the first match three games to nil.
Next was John Jameson against Tony Richardson of SSI. This proved to be the closest match with John taking an early lead, but Tony pulled back to level the match as it went all the way.
With the match poised at 2-2 it was all to play for in the fifth. Tony?s experience of match situations won through in the fifth with SSI winning the game and levelling the match scores one all.
Next up was Pete Middleton of Tavistock against Jamie Hitchcock of SSI. Pete got off to a flying start, taking the first game.
The second started in a similar vein with Pete taking an early lead, but a nervous Jamie started to find form and won the second game after a titanic battle.
After this point Pete looked a spent force with Jamie taking the match three games to one.
Andy Gauler of Tavistock was against Steve Blake of SSI. Andy always looked favourite and took the match relatively comfortably three games to nil to level the matches two all.
Finally it was the turn of Tavistock?s Steve Tripp against John Sumner, an experienced campaigner.
Steve knew he had his work cut out and John capitalised by taking the first game with ease.
The second was a different affair with Steve taking the early lead with some of the best squash he has played which caught John on the hop. John clawed his way back in to take the second game and put SSI in a commanding lead. The final game was a foregone conclusion that John took, and the match, 3-0.
Although SSI won the Plate competition if one of a number of players, such as Tim Wallis, Mike Gray or Jim Massey had played the result would have swung in Tavistock?s favour.
Anyone interested in joining Tavistock Squash Club contact Malcolm Tripp on 01822 615239; Devon League team contact Andy Gauler on 01822 617714 or Company League team contact Pete Middleton on 01579 350545.