Squash Plate Competition semi-final

Tavistock v SSI windows

TAVISTOCK had the rare fortune to field a full strength side for the semi-final and against a side that have only lost three times this season.

First up for Tavistock was Andy Gauler, playing Bob Swiggs at number 3. Andy was in confident mood having beaten Bob several times before, but Bob was after revenge and took the first game.

Andy battled back in the second but Bob produced a string of positive rallies to take the second game at the last and lead 2-0. In the third, the effort Bob put in was starting to tell with Andy relishing the fightback. Andy was set to take the third game when the two got too close to each other and Bob?s face met with Andy?s racket. With a trickle of blood falling Bob was taken off court to recover. Despite an ice pack and the blood flow stopping Bob felt unable to carry on and the match was awarded to Andy.

Playing at number 5 Pete Walshe met Mark Horwell. Mark has fared well with two wins against Tavistock players this season but Pete employs guile and trickery of shot to beat his opponents. The plan was working in the first game with Mark unable to read Pete?s array of shots. Pete took a close game to lead 1-0. In the second, Pete?s command grew as he wrong-footed Mark to take a 2-0 lead. Mark came back with strong shots and hard running and went on to win 3-2.

At no 4 string Tim Wallis made a welcome return after a long injury lay off. His opponent Paul Lee sensed Tim was not on top form and tried to vary his game to meet Tim?s standard. But Tim was too good for Paul and soon had him retrieving from each of the four corners. Tim pressed home his advantage for a 3-0 win.

At no 2 Steve Tripp played Katrina Davis. The first game was close all the way, the standard of play was high with tight shots and a varied pace giving some entertaining squash.

Steve edged up a gear in the final few points to take the first game. In the second, Steve maintained the momentum to take a 2-0 lead. Katrina was not defeated and a slight lapse in Steve?s concentration was jumped on by her to take a game back. Steve resumed normal play in the fourth and kept the pressure fully on to take the match 3-1.

With the match won Jim Massey played James O?Neil for the remaining points. The two players have a similar style with only the age gap between them. Jim took the lead and the first game. In the second Jim started to play exceptional shots that left James floundering and 2-0 down. But he clawed his way back and was able to square the match and take the final game for a 3-2 win.

Tavistock celebrated a great win and their progression to the final. That match is against DMT and will be played at Westcountry Squash on May 21.