PSL Semi Final 9th May 2017
After ten rounds of League matches, the top two teams in each division contested the semi-finals.
Division A winners Nottingham, who reached the PSL playoffs for the first time since 2012, after narrowly missing out a number of times, were at home to Chichester, long-time leaders of Division B before a late run from reigning champions Surrey.The visitors took the lead as Nele Gilis beat Millie Tomlinson, but Nottingham’s middle order of Richie Fallows, Declan James – coming from 1-2 down to beat Olly Pett – and Nicolas Mueller all won to secure a first final for Nottingham. In the final match Nick Matthew beat Paul Coll to make it 4-1 to Nottingham.
NSRC congratulate Leicester on their on their 4-1 win against Surrey and look forward to meeting them in the final at the National Squash Centre in Manchester on Tuesday 30th May 2017. Tickets on sale now.
After ten rounds of League matches, the top two teams in each division contested the semi-finals.
Division A winners Nottingham, who reached the PSL playoffs for the first time since 2012, after narrowly missing out a number of times, were at home to Chichester, long-time leaders of Division B before a late run from reigning champions Surrey.The visitors took the lead as Nele Gilis beat Millie Tomlinson, but Nottingham’s middle order of Richie Fallows, Declan James – coming from 1-2 down to beat Olly Pett – and Nicolas Mueller all won to secure a first final for Nottingham. In the final match Nick Matthew beat Paul Coll to make it 4-1 to Nottingham.
NSRC congratulate Leicester on their on their 4-1 win against Surrey and look forward to meeting them in the final at the National Squash Centre in Manchester on Tuesday 30th May 2017. Tickets on sale now.
The Pontefract v Nottingham match provided a fitting climax to what has undoubtedly been a successful season for PSL.
Every match in which Pontefract has been involved, home and away, has been played to packed crowds. With British Open champion Laura Massaro, Nick Matthew and James Willstrop all on display, small wonder that there was not a seat to be had at Pontefract.
Patrick Rooney, the most talented of England’s younger players, followed his excellent performance against Birmingham with another 3-1 win over Ashley Davies, mixing skill and pace adroitly.
Meanwhile new England International Declan James was two up against Saurav Ghosal, who then won the third and threatened to win the fourth before James clinched it 3-1 to level the match.
Richie Fallows always had control over Evan Williams, winning 3-0, and well though Millie Tomlinson played, Laura Massaro won 3-1, the outcome now resting on the top string match between Matthew and Willstrop.
Late at night now, but no-one had left and they were not disappointed.
The well known physicality and accuracy of both players was there for all to see and wonder at, and it was Willstrop who won the first 11-9, Matthew the second 11-9, the pace unrelenting.
Willstrop had been attacking well, but errors cost him in the third game and Matthew led 2-1, and although Willstrop competed well in the fourth it was Matthew who took it to win 3-1 and give his team a 3-2 victory and a place in the semi-finals.
The loss of Chris Simpson seriously affected Pomtefract’s chances of making the play offs, but most importantly the crowds have been well entertained.
Malcolm Willstrop
Every match in which Pontefract has been involved, home and away, has been played to packed crowds. With British Open champion Laura Massaro, Nick Matthew and James Willstrop all on display, small wonder that there was not a seat to be had at Pontefract.
Patrick Rooney, the most talented of England’s younger players, followed his excellent performance against Birmingham with another 3-1 win over Ashley Davies, mixing skill and pace adroitly.
Meanwhile new England International Declan James was two up against Saurav Ghosal, who then won the third and threatened to win the fourth before James clinched it 3-1 to level the match.
Richie Fallows always had control over Evan Williams, winning 3-0, and well though Millie Tomlinson played, Laura Massaro won 3-1, the outcome now resting on the top string match between Matthew and Willstrop.
Late at night now, but no-one had left and they were not disappointed.
The well known physicality and accuracy of both players was there for all to see and wonder at, and it was Willstrop who won the first 11-9, Matthew the second 11-9, the pace unrelenting.
Willstrop had been attacking well, but errors cost him in the third game and Matthew led 2-1, and although Willstrop competed well in the fourth it was Matthew who took it to win 3-1 and give his team a 3-2 victory and a place in the semi-finals.
The loss of Chris Simpson seriously affected Pomtefract’s chances of making the play offs, but most importantly the crowds have been well entertained.
Malcolm Willstrop
28-Mar – Round NINE
Division A leaders Bristol, travelled to Nottingham with a weakened team and paid the price as the hosts surged to a 4-1 (18-3) win, taking them to the top of the table. Nottingham are in a strong position to progress into the playoffs
Division A leaders Bristol, travelled to Nottingham with a weakened team and paid the price as the hosts surged to a 4-1 (18-3) win, taking them to the top of the table. Nottingham are in a strong position to progress into the playoffs
Round TEN – decision day
Division A: Pontefract v Nottingham (Monday) and Leicester v Bristol
Birmingham (80) : They’ve finished and are bottom, they can only sit and watch the gaps grow.
Pontefract (81) : A win is a must, and 18 points is the minimum they need, any less and it’s no playoffs. They also need Leicester to win, by no more than 3-2, and restricting Nottingham to no more than a handful of games would help. Chances: slim
Nottingham (91) : Any sort of win will guarantee them a semi-final spot (and eliminate Pontefract). A 4-1 win would guarantee top spot (only Bristol could match 108pts, and they’ve won fewer matches). Chances: good
Bristol (88) : The long-time leaders came a cropper in Round Nine and now have their work cut out. Any sort of win would see them in the playoffs (Pontefract can’t match the 102pts a minimum win would bring). A narrow loss (eg 11-14) would probably be enough for second (barring a big Ponte win). To finish top they need a big win and help from Pontefract. Chances: fair
Leicester (84) : A 3-2 win might be enough to overhaul Bristol, and if there’s a lot of 3-0s at Pontefract it could take them to the playoffs. To be sure though, Leicester need a 4-1 win (101pts equal’s Pontefract’s maximum but with more wins), and to finish top they need Ponte to have beaten Nottingham. Chances: fair
Confused ? Don’t worry, all will be revealed by next Tuesday !!!
Division A Pontefract v MB Nottingham . University (Mon 3rd)
James Willstrop v ___
Evan Williams tbc v ___
Patrick Rooney v ___
tbc v ___
Laura Massaro v ___
Everards Leicester v UWE / Elite Squash Bristol
Daryl Selby v ___
Nafiizwan Adnan v ___
George Parker v ___
Mark Fuller v ___
Rachael Chadwick v ___
Division B
Team Chichester v VA Surrey HRC
___ v ___
___ v ___
___ v ___
___ v ___
___ v ___
Coolhurst London v 9 Telecom St George’s Hill
___ v ___
___ v ___
___ v ___
___ v ___
___ v ___
The next PSL league match, Nottingham v Leicester will be played at the David Ross Sports Village on Tuesday 24th January 2017 commencing 7:00pm. Tickets available from Lakeside Arts Nottingham.
Enquiries to NSRC Tel: 01159417022
Teams
Nick Matthew (WR4) v Daryl Selby (WR15)
Nicolas Mueller (WR32) v Nafiizwan Adnan (WR30)
Declan James (WR38) v Alan Clyne (WR34)
Richie Fallows (WR62) v George Parker (WR169)
Millie Tomlinson (WR35) v Emily Whitlock (WR14)
Enquiries to NSRC Tel: 01159417022
Teams
Nick Matthew (WR4) v Daryl Selby (WR15)
Nicolas Mueller (WR32) v Nafiizwan Adnan (WR30)
Declan James (WR38) v Alan Clyne (WR34)
Richie Fallows (WR62) v George Parker (WR169)
Millie Tomlinson (WR35) v Emily Whitlock (WR14)
An exciting and close fought contest, starting with wins for Leicester when Emily Whitlock beat Millie Tomlinson and Alan Clyne overcame Declan James, was turned around by Richie Fallows, Nicolas Mueller and Nick Matthew giving Nottingham a 3-2 victory. The game of the night was Nicolas Mueller versus Nafiizwan Adnan who both received a standing ovation at the end of their game.
www.pslsquash.com/
www.pslsquash.com/
Nottingham v Birmingham Tuesday 13th December 2016
Nottingham won their second home match of the season 3-2. Hana Ramadan winning 3-2 against Carrie Ramsey, following a minor lapse of concentration in the third game. Lewis Walters, only recently returned from the USA battled, but was beaten in a close fought 5 game thriller with Jan Van Den Herrewegan. Richie Fallows was unfortunate to be hampered with a leg injury and lost 3-0 to Jamie Haycocks. However, Declan James triumphed 3-0 in a suberb encounter against Peter Creed and Nick Matthew showed his class to win 3-0 against Joel Makin who made a great game of the evenings finale.
Nottingham won their second home match of the season 3-2. Hana Ramadan winning 3-2 against Carrie Ramsey, following a minor lapse of concentration in the third game. Lewis Walters, only recently returned from the USA battled, but was beaten in a close fought 5 game thriller with Jan Van Den Herrewegan. Richie Fallows was unfortunate to be hampered with a leg injury and lost 3-0 to Jamie Haycocks. However, Declan James triumphed 3-0 in a suberb encounter against Peter Creed and Nick Matthew showed his class to win 3-0 against Joel Makin who made a great game of the evenings finale.
After a close fought contest watched by a capacity crowd, with James Wilstropp and Laura Massaro claiming victories for Pontefract, Nottingham won the match 3 games to 2. Declan James triumphed in an excitingly close and competitive 5 set battle with Chris Simpson.
Mon 7th Nov:
Nottingham open their winning account
Round Two continues as Pontefract play their first match of the season, travelling down the M1 to Nottingham, who fielded a team with all five players signed from former champions Duffield, who are taking a PSL break.
It was former Duffield player Laura Massaro who gave Pontefract the lead as the world number two beat Millie Tomlinson in straight games, but the home side powered back to take the first three men’s ties, Declan James securing the win as he came from 1-2 down to beat Chris Simpson – another former Duffield player – 12-10 in the fifth to the delight of the home crowd who were welcoming back one of their former regulars.
In the top string tie between England’s highest-ranked players, James Willstrop beat Nick Matthew in straight games to make the final result 3-2 to Nottingham.
“It was a great night with a packed (sell out) crowd who were very vocal (in a good way),” said a Pontefract representative, “and although we lost the match we did leave feeling very upbeat!! A good night for PSL and squash.”
Nottingham go top of Division A, but Bristol and Leicester will probably both overtake them after Tuesday’s match.
Div A: MB Nottingham/Nottingham University 3-2 Pontefract (14-9)
Nick Matthew 0-3 James Willstrop 13-15, 5-11, 6-11
Declan James 3-2 Chris Simpson 11-1, 6-11, 2-11, 11-5, 12-10
Richie Fallows 3-1 Matt Sidaway 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
Adam Murrills 3-0 Neil Cordell 11-6, 11-6, 11-2
Millie Tomlinson 0-3 Laura Massaro 6-11, 12-14, 6-11
Nottingham open their winning account
Round Two continues as Pontefract play their first match of the season, travelling down the M1 to Nottingham, who fielded a team with all five players signed from former champions Duffield, who are taking a PSL break.
It was former Duffield player Laura Massaro who gave Pontefract the lead as the world number two beat Millie Tomlinson in straight games, but the home side powered back to take the first three men’s ties, Declan James securing the win as he came from 1-2 down to beat Chris Simpson – another former Duffield player – 12-10 in the fifth to the delight of the home crowd who were welcoming back one of their former regulars.
In the top string tie between England’s highest-ranked players, James Willstrop beat Nick Matthew in straight games to make the final result 3-2 to Nottingham.
“It was a great night with a packed (sell out) crowd who were very vocal (in a good way),” said a Pontefract representative, “and although we lost the match we did leave feeling very upbeat!! A good night for PSL and squash.”
Nottingham go top of Division A, but Bristol and Leicester will probably both overtake them after Tuesday’s match.
Div A: MB Nottingham/Nottingham University 3-2 Pontefract (14-9)
Nick Matthew 0-3 James Willstrop 13-15, 5-11, 6-11
Declan James 3-2 Chris Simpson 11-1, 6-11, 2-11, 11-5, 12-10
Richie Fallows 3-1 Matt Sidaway 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
Adam Murrills 3-0 Neil Cordell 11-6, 11-6, 11-2
Millie Tomlinson 0-3 Laura Massaro 6-11, 12-14, 6-11
