Squash feed - This is Grimsby

James Willstrop is king of the court in top pro show

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:00:00 GMT

SOME of the country's best squash players went head-to-head in the annual Cleethorpes Invitation Professional Tournament.

Now in its 13th year, previous winners include notables such as John White, David Evans, Mark and Nick Taylor – the first winner in 1998.

This year, current champion James Willstrop was bidding for his sixth Cleethorpes title.

The organisers were rewarded with a powerful entry, which also included Daryl Selby, Adrian Grant and Stewart Boswell.

None of the fancied players were troubled in reaching the semi-finals, so the line-up was Willstrop v Boswell and Grant v Selby – all four heading off to the Commonwealth Games later this year.

Grant and Selby were first on, both looking as if matchplay would do them good.

Grant, having slightly the better of things, won a protracted first game 12-10 and, starting well in the second, threatened a 2-0 lead.

But Selby, aided by some judiciously played angles, got back on level terms.

The match continued to be competitive, but Selby, capitalising on forehand errors from Grant, led 2-1 and eventually won the match, as Grant's resistance lessened.

A feature of the match, refereed by John Massarella, was that there was only one stroke awarded, despite more than frequent lets, asked for in the most part by Grant.

He paid for an apparent reluctance to play the ball, quite rightly, although he was disgruntled when Massarella refused him a let when he chose not to play one of Selby's serves, and it was the world number nine who took his place in the final for the second year running.

The Willstrop-Boswell match was a step-up from the first semi-final.

Boswell had played the recent Malaysian Open and was match fit.

Boswell blitzed away to lead 9-1, playing impressively.

Willstrop fought back against Boswell's onslaught, but lost the first set 11-5.

The match continued at a surprisingly high level and Willstrop won the second 11-8 and then won the next to lead 2-1.

Despite continued stern resistance from Boswell, Willstrop won the fourth, too, a little more comfortably, to join Selby in the final.

With the final on the same day, what happened in the earlier semi-finals was of importance.

The Selby-Grant match played first was longer but probably less testing, since the quality of the Willstrop-Boswell match was higher and the pace more exacting.

However, it did not seem to have created any imbalance in terms of what it took out of the players.

Willstrop began the final in style, dashing away to a 9-2 lead, the pace seemingly too much for Selby, and he won it 11-2 with some ease.

Selby, however, is resilient and determined under pressure.

Although Willstrop led 5-2 and 8-5 in the second, Selby showed his quality to force a tie-break.

He did not have a game-ball, however, and on his fifth, Willstrop clinched it.

He needed an injury break to attend to a neck problem and it seemed unlikely that he could recover from 2-0 down, with Willstrop continuing to dominate.

Willstrop quickly asserted himself in the third and won it 11-2, as he had the first.

Those who helped organise the high-quality event included Mike and Kim Hallam, Brian and Julie Barrett and Rick Havercroft.

The event sponsors were: Fosse Water Treatment, Technical Absorbents, Wilton Cobley, Broadburns Chemist, Cleethorpes Bowling, Total UK, Bring Logistics, Harsco Infrastructure and Harrow Sports.

Talented Hamish Falconer takes coveted Squash title

Tue, 18 May 2010 08:00:00 GMT

YOUTH was to the fore at the Grimsby and District Squash Championships.

England junior international Hamish Falconer (Millfields) won the Premiership final at the Cleethorpes Cricket Club courts.

The 14-year-old defeated last year's winner, Dave Ball (AFSquash), 3-0.

In a match characterised by long rallies, it was Falconer who found the winning shots more consistently.

Sam Haycock (ME Sports Coaching), also 14, took the division one title, defeating Meirion Yeoman (Global Travel Deals) 3-0.

Darren Aitkins (Goshtech) got the better of Paul Matthewman (AFSquash) to collect the Division Two award.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, and certainly the most exciting final, was in the division three competition where number four seed Harry Falconer (Advance Truck Components) won a thrilling match 3-2 against Andy Germaney (Wide Awake Boys).

Tireless running from 11-year-old Falconer, also an England junior international, pulled him through.

In addition, Falconer picked up the Young Player of the Year award.

Results (winners' names first): Premiership final: Hamish Falconer, Dave Ball; division one final: Sam Haycock, Meirion Yeoman; division two final: Darren Aitkins, Paul Matthewman; division three final: Harry Falconer, Andy Germaney.

The divisional winners were also presented with their trophies.

The Premier Division winners were Millfields and the division one kings were Murray Burns.

Top of the pile in division two were Goshtech, while the leading lights in division three were Norfolk Optics, who edged out Wide Awake Boys.

Murray move closer to title

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:00:00 GMT

MURRAY Burns were victorious in their top of the table clash against ME Sports Coaching in Division One of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby and District Three-Man Squash League.

At number three, Mark Emerson, team sponsor for ME Sports, took to the court against Matthew Barber.

Emerson started brightly, taking the first game 15-8 with some great retrieving.

He quickly followed this by taking the second game 15-7, playing superbly, with Barber still adjusting to the court temperature.

Barber had a fight on his hands and, in the third, began to assert himself, chasing the ball down and playing deceptive shots to wrong-foot Emerson. Barber romped the third game 15-4.

The fourth game was much tighter as both players upped the tempo but again Barber showed his experience taking it 15-12.

Emerson began to struggle as Barber turned up the pace and took the fifth game 15-8, and match 3-2, much to the relief of his fellow team-mates.

Up next were the number ones of Sam Haycock, for ME Sports and Dave Service, for Murray Burns.

Haycock took to the court knowing he had to win to keep ME Sports in the hunt for the championship and he did just that, taking the match 3-0.

However, the score line was not a true reflection on this pulsating match as both players fought hard for every point.

Haycock edged the first game 15-13 and the next one 16-14, showing great determination mixed with a fair amount of ability.

Service played his part in this contest showing great retrieval skills and beautiful line and length.

In the third game Haycock accelerated away from Service and with great use of his trademark deception shots won the game 15-9.

At number two, Dennis Savell went on court knowing he also had to win against the vastly improved Ian Hallam for Murray Burns.

In the first game, Savell took a little time to get into his stride, making a few unforced errors and this allowed Hallam to take advantage taking the game 15-8.

Savell levelled in the second game, winning 15-7.

He was playing more aggressive squash and keeping Hallam on the back foot.

Hallam then hit back playing tight squash and, with magnificent retrieving, took the third game 15-8.

Savell again dug deep into his reserves taking the fourth game 15-11 to level the match at 2-2.

The last game did not disappoint as both players played out long hard rallies but it was Hallam who clinched the game 15-11 and with it the match 3-2.

ME Sports gave it their best shot but Murray Burns just edged the contest 9-7 and now have one hand on the prized Division One trophy.

Results

Premier Division: AFSquash 1 12 MCP Financial Services 0; Schwarz Bros International 12 MCP Financial Services 4; Millfields 12 Schwarz Bros International 2; MCP Financial Services 9 AFSquash2 4; MCP Financial Services 9 Bring Logistics 4; Scunthorpe Squash 12 v AFSquash1 5.

Division Two : ConocoPhillips 4 Goshtech 12; ConocoPhillips 3 Barrow EL.F 12; Barrow ELF 10 Barrow Boys 5.

Division Three: AFSquash5 1 Norfolk Options 12; Advance Truck Components 12 LOR C 2; Lincs Leisure 11 Cleethorpes Builders Merchants 5.

Goshtech clinch promotion spot

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:30:00 GMT

GOSHTECH confirmed their promotion to Division One of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby and District Three-Man League with an emphatic victory away to the Barrow Boys.

The packed gallery at the Barrow club were treated to some good squash and vociferous Goshtech support on their way to an impressive 11-4 win.

The opening pairing saw a much anticipated rematch and ongoing rivalry between Barrow's Mike Smith and Jase Williams of Goshtech and, as in previous meetings, it proved to be a gruelling affair.

The first game saw Smith retrieve everything thrown at him and he used his forehand volley kills to great effect against the Williams' cross-court drive. Always having a couple of points lead, Smith took the game 15-10.

The second game saw Williams play some loose cross-court shots which Smith dispatched in his renowned fashion and he ran out a comfortable 15-7 winner.

The third game saw the inevitable Williams' comeback. With some fine retrieving and good-length lobs he moved Smith around the court and finished off the points when given the opportunity, taking the game 15-7.

The fourth game saw Williams revert to more power shots to vary the tempo of the game. Smith continued to retrieve well, making for rallies that were long and painful. Williams clung on to take the game 15-11.

The decider saw Williams lose a little bit of focus and this was all Smith needed to capitalise. He reverted back to playing how he had done in the first two games, cutting out all loose shots from Williams on both the forehand and backhand. Smith edged a few points in front from the start and, with Williams unable to claw them back, he ended up taking the game 15-9 and the match 3-2.

The second string game saw Steve Foster of Barrow paired against Pat Beasley. The first game saw Beasley take a commanding lead with some deft drop shots and volley drops and run out a comfortable 15-9 winner.

The second game started off in a similar style but Foster found some neat drops and, capitalising on Beasley's lack of concentration, he pulled the game back to 13-13. Beasley then clicked back into gear and took the next two points to take the game 15-13.

The third game saw Beasley switch off totally and Foster capitalised by dominating the tee and winning the points with a combination of cross-court drops and powerful forehand drives to take the game 15-7.

In the fourth game, Foster made some unforced errors to give Beasley the momentum he needed to get back into the match.

Beasley also refound the touch required for his renowned forehand volley drops and he ran out a 15-9 winner and took the match 3-1.

The number one pairing saw Paul Bell take on Daz Atkins of Goshtech. The first game saw Atkins start off well, taking a seven-point lead with some good retrieving and shot selection. The warm court ensured that the rallies were never easy to finish and Bell could not pull back the deficit, with Atkins taking the game 15-7.

The second game followed suit with both players retrieving a lot of lost causes and some good line and length played up and down both forehand and backhand walls.

Atkins again led the game from the start and closed it out 15–9.

The third game was closer with both players neck and neck up to 10-10. Atkins then found a couple of decent forehand drives that ensured he pulled away in the game to take it 15-11 and the match 3-0.

Premier Division: AFSquash2 2 Schwarz Bros International 12; AFSquash2 3 AFSquash1 12; Bring Logistics 0 Scunthorpe Squash 12; Scunthorpe Squash 10 AFSquash2 5; Bring Logistics 3 Schwarz Bros International 12.

Division One: ME Sports Coaching 11 Pickston Signs 4; ME Sports Coaching 7 Pickston Signs 9; AFSquash3 4 Pickston Signs 11; Murray Burns 10 AFSquash3 3.

Division Two: AFSquash4 12 LOR B 2; Barrow Boys 4 Goshtech 11; AFSquash4 6 Barrow elf 9.

Division Three: Advance Truck Components 11 Wide Awake Boys 4; Advance Truck Components 12 Lincs Leisure 2.

Success a family affair for Hamish and Harry

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:30:00 GMT

TWO brothers from Louth are climbing up the squash rankings with express speed.

Falconer brothers Hamish (14) and Harry (11) are making huge waves within the sport and are both set to represent England in the coming months.

The pair, who attend King Edward Grammar School, in Louth, both began playing aged seven and have been captivated by the sport ever since.

Both are highly thought of in the squash world, with Hamish ranked two in the England Under-15 ratings and younger brother Harry ranked three in the Under-13 category.

They practice regularly at Grimsby's Millfields.

While juggling their sporting and schooling lives, the two boys also play football for the Grimsby Town FC School of Excellence sides.

Father Neil, who also plays squash, said: "They've risen up through the ranks and practice regularly. I also play so that's how they got into it.

"Although they dedicate a lot of time to squash, they still manage to keep on top of things at school and even a bit of time for their Playstations and Xboxes.

"There's a chance they could go into squash professionally, as it's more likely that they will do that than go into football."

Both are set to compete internationally in the coming months, with various national teams keen to have the boys on board for forthcoming events.

Hamish will jet out to the English Junior Team Championships in Prague in May and Harry is set to compete for the England Juniors in Edinburgh's Home Internationals in April.

Brave Yeoman beats injury in Global victory

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:30:00 GMT

MEIRION Yeoman overcame an injury scare to lead Global Travel Deals to victory in the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby and District Three-Man Squash League.

Yeoman, pictured, recovered to clinch a last-game victory in Division One in a 10-5 win against club rivals Hendry Electricals.

First up were Global's James McDonald and Hendry's Duncan Preston.

MacDonald was in fine form and raced away to an 8–2 lead in the first game.

Although Preston rallied and reduced his arrears to 11-8, McDonald took the first game 15–8. The second game was a little closer, but again McDonald took the game, this time to 15-10.

The third and final game was the closest of the match. However, once again Preston could not match the deft touches, and the raw determination and retrieving of McDonald, who took the game 15-12.

Next up were Roger Henton for Global and Mike Jackson of Hendry.

Jackson took the first point but then Henton sprinted away to a 5-1 lead, only to be reeled in to level at 5-5.

The players then remained within a point of each other up to 11-11, when Henton took the next four points to win the game 15-11.

The second game was much the same with neither player able to get more than a few points ahead. Jackson did eventually squeeze home with a 16-14 win.

The next two games were again very close affairs but it was Jackson who prevailed with wins of 15-11 and 16-14 for a well-deserved 3-1 victory.

With the overall match finely poised, it was down to the number ones, Meirion Yeoman and Mark Stephenson, to decide the outcome.

It was well worth the wait as the match went all the way.

The first game went to Global's Yeoman, who played some excellent line and length and caught Stephenson out with some very accurate drops to the backhand court.

The second game went to a tie break and it was Stephenson who eventually took it at 16-14.

Stephenson continued to work Yeoman around the court in the third game and a few errors from the Global man meant that Stephenson took the game 15-11.

At the start of the next game Yeoman had to take a short time out as he reached for a shot and felt his back pull. This was a recurrence of a recent problem that saw him have to miss a game to recuperate.

It could have been the end of the match but Yeoman gamely played on. It may have caused Stephenson to lose concentration as Yeoman took the game comfortably 15-5.

It was down to the last game to decide the bonus points. Stephenson took a 4-1 lead before Yeoman took the next eight points to take the lead 9-4. This was too much for Stephenson to pull back and Yeoman eventually took the final and deciding game 15–8.

RESULTS

Premier Division: Millfields 10 MCP Financial Services 5.

Division One: Global Travel Deals 10 Hendry Electricals 5; Hendry Electricals 9 AFSquash3 6.

Division Two: AFSquash4 10ConocoPhillips 6; LOR B 5 AGM Electricals 10; Barrow Boys 10 AFSquash4 6; Barrow elf 10 AGM Electrical 7.

Division Three: LOR C 4 Wide Awake Boys 10; LOR C 6 Lincs Leisure 9.

Schwarz targeting Millfields title scrap

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:30:00 GMT

THE RACE for the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League is hotting up.

Schwarz Bros are 40 points behind leaders Millfields, but with three winnable games in hand the true gap is more probably just a handful of points.

A forthcoming clash between the two teams, on March 31 at Millfields, looks more and more likely to be a top-of-the-table decider for the title.

In Division One, it is hard to see past Murray Burns for the title.

With games running out their only realistic challengers are ME Sports Coaching – who they still have to play.

Any win for Murray Burns in that clash would virtually assure them the title, whereas a commanding win for ME Sports Coaching could lead to an exciting run in.

Goshtech certainly have the edge in Division Two.

They need 20 points from their last two games, against lower league opposition, to guarantee a second consecutive top-spot finish.

AGM Electrical will not give up but even maximum points from their remaining four games might not be enough

The Division Three title looks to be heading out of Grimsby to Appleby Frodingham's Norfolk Optics.

Wide Awake Boys still have a mathematical chance of finishing top, but realistically their recent loss to the league leaders makes this, at best, a long shot.

Head to sportgrimsby.co.uk/squash for match reports, as well as the latest results and league tables.

RESULTS

Premier Division: Schwarz Bros International 12 Bring Logistics 1; Bring Logistics 5 AFSquash1 12.

Division One: AFSquash3 9 ME Sports Coaching 7; Global Travel Deals 9 AFSquash3 3; Hendry Electricals 5 Pickston Signs 9; Murray Burns 10 Global Travel Deals 6.

Division Two: LOR B 4 Goshtech 12; AGM Electrical 4 Goshtech 12; Barrow Boys 10 LOR B 6.

Division Three: Wide Awake Boys 9 Cleethorpes Builders Merchants 6.

Norfolk Optics eye up league title haul

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:30:00 GMT

DIVISION Three of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League saw Norfolk Optics win their top-of-the-table clash 10-3 against nearest rivals Wide Awake Boys to put themselves one step closer to the title.

Wide Awake Boys' third string Craig faced youthful Daniel Cheetham in the first match.

Cheetham countered with tight drop shots to take the first game 15-9.

In the second, Cheetham found good length with his drives catching Stevens out and win 15-12.

The third game was as entertaining and as competitive as the first two but, with Stevens just starting to tire, Cheetham took advantage and pulled away to win the game 15-12 and with it the match 3-0.

Experience was plentiful in the number two match between Chris Panton and Norfolk Optics' Steve Hame.

Panton controlled the first game to win it 15-10. He then tormented Hame with a multitude of drop shots in the second, which he won 15-7.

Hame pulled back the third game 15-11, but Panton recovered with a mixture of shots to clinch the fourth 15-9.

Number one pairings Andy Germaney, for Wide Awake, and Nigel Bratton faced off in the final match. Bratton took the game 15-11 and, using 'lob and drop' tactics, took the second 15-8

Bratton remained in the ascendancy in the third match, forcing Germaney to work hard to keep in the rallies. And eventually Bratton won the game 15-12 and with it the match 3-0.

RESULTS

Premier Division: Millfields 12 Bring Logistics 1; AFSquash1 11 AFSquash2 5; AFSquash1 7 Millfields 11.

Division ONE: Murray Burns 12 ME Sports Coaching 5; Pickston Signs 9 Global Travel Deals 5; Pickston Signs 2 Murray Burns 12.

Division THREE: Lincs Leisure 12 AFSquash5 2; Norfolk Optics 12 Lincs Leisure 1; AFSquash5 12 Advance Truck Components 0; Wide Awake Boys 3 Norfolk Optics 10; LOR C 4 Clee Builders Merchants 10; AFSquash5 2 Cleethorpes Builders Merchants 12.

First defeat for Murray Burns

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:30:00 GMT

A SUPERB performance by AFSquash3 saw them inflict Murray Burns' first defeat of the season in Division Two of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man League.

At third string, AFSquash3's captain Peter Hindmarsh settled into the match early and took the first game 15-7 against Murray Burns' Dave King.

The second game was closer with King taking it 15-12. King then started the third game well and secured it 15-9.

The fourth game was again closely contested with Hindmarsh getting his nose in front early and, having served for the game at 14-10, finally won it 15-12.

Despite Hindmarsh taking an early lead in the fifth game, King had an excellent run of points that saw him take a 15-10 win for a 3-2 match win for the visitors.

Murray Burns number two Matty Barber's style of play proved to be a real frustration for AFSquash's Sean Foster. Barber won the first game 15-12, but Foster gained an early lead in the second and held on to win 15-10.

Barber's excellent court coverage paid dividends in the third game and he went on to win it 15-12.

However, Foster responded well and levelled the match winning 15-7. He continued his good work in the fifth and, after a slight 'wobble', took a two point lead at 13-11. Barber responded again as Foster served for the match 14-12 but the visiting captain, having serving for a tie-break, misjudged his drop shot and Foster ran out the relieved winner at 15-13.

With six points at stake, AFSquash3's number one Bert Cotter was up against the equally experienced Dave Service.

The first game was tight with the serve constantly changing hands. At the tie-break, Cotter wrested back the serve from Service and took the game 16-14.

Cotter had some good runs of points in the second game, enabling him to take a two game lead (15-8).

In the third game, both players displayed good classic squash. Service had a slight advantage on a couple of occasions and led 13-12 but a determined Cotter held firm and served out the game 15-13, winning the match and fixture for AFSquash3.

AGM too slick for the battling Oil Men

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:30:00 GMT

ALL three matches went to five games as AGM Electrical just got the better of Conoco Phillips with an 11-7 win in Division Two of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby District Three-Man Squash League.

At number three, Steve Lound, for the Oil Men, was up against AGM's Mick Page.

The former dominated the first two games, winning them 15-8 and 15-0.

But Page came back to win the next two games, which were littered with lets and strokes.

Page dominated the T in the final game, but Lound's running and retrieving proved decisive and he took it 15-10 and with it the match 3-2.

ConocoPhillips pitched Mel Woodward at number two against Jim Firth.

A tight first game saw some good rallies before Woodward edged it 20-18.

In the second, Woodward again proved strong in the tie break, taking it 16-14.

The third and fourth games saw few rallies. Firth played some great shots and gained the initiative to win 15-3 and 15-7 to level the match.

The final game was evenly-matched, but Firth took it 15-7 after a hotly-disputed let call at 12-7.

The number one pairing was ConocoPhillips' Dave Rowe against Tony Taylor.

The first game started off at a fast pace with Rowe running to chase Taylor's shots all around the court and he took it 15-12.

Games two and three were also full of rallies and, with Taylor starting to end them with shots just above the tin, he stormed away to win them 15-10 and 15-8.

The fourth game saw Taylor running everywhere to retrieve the ball, but Rowe did enough to keep him at bay and win 15-9.

In the decider, Taylor built up a lead by hitting the ball hard and low to the back wall. Rowe fought back well but it was too late as Taylor built on his early lead to win the deciding game 15-12.

Results:

Premier Division: Bring Logistics 4 MCP Financial Services 12; MCP Financial Services 4 Millfields 12.

Division One: Global Travel Deals 10 Murray Burns 7; ME Sports Coaching 9 Global Travel Deals 4; Global Travel Deals 10 Pickston Signs 7.

Division Two: AGM Electrical 9 Barrow Boys 3; LOR B 3 Barrow elf 10.

Division Three: Cleethorpes Builders Merchants 9 Advance Truck Components 6; Advance Truck Components 7 Norfolk Optics 10.

Global seal win in real thriller

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:30:00 GMT

MURRAY Burns suffered their first defeat of the season going down 10-6 to Global Travel Deals in Division One of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby and District Three-Man Squash League.

James MacDonald took to the court at number three for Global against Dave King.

MacDonald drew first blood, dominating the first game 15-6. In the second, MacDonald raced into a 14-9 lead only to allow King back and he levelled the match showing true grit, taking the game 17-15.

In the third game, MacDonald varied the pace and this had its rewards as he took a 2-1 lead with a 15-8 scoreline.

King came out fighting for the fourth and a combination of winners and errors by both players kept the score level – but this time King snatched it 15-12.

It was all on the last game and, at 7-7, it was too close to call, but MacDonald drew upon all his resources and clinched victory 15-8, taking the match 3-2.

Up next for Global was Roger Henton against Matt Barber and this was also a close affair.

Henton started brightly, but Barber, with his slightly unreadable style, caught Henton out on more than one occasion.

The first game went to Barber 15-11.

Barber stuck to his guns and played some vintage squash keeping Henton guessing all the time and took the second game 15-12.

Henton is renowned for showing great determination and this paid off as he began to get a foot hold in the match when he decisively took the third game 15-6.

Barber dug into his reserves in the fourth game and recorded a hard-fought victory of 15-8 to take the match 3-1.

Ian Hallam, at number one for Murray Burns, knew he had to win to keep his team's unbeaten run going – but also knew he was in for a tough time against the Welshman Meirion Yeoman.

This match proved to be one of the best of the season, with both players at the top of their game.

Hallam picked off the first game by the closest of margins, 18-16, showing how much he has improved throughout the season.

Yeoman collected his thoughts and with a stiff talking to from his team-mates, just edged the second game 15-12, with Hallam getting through a considerable amount of work.

Hallam then hit back taking the third game 15-11.

Yeoman knew he had to pull out all the stops, and he did to level the match 2-2 – taking the fourth game emphatically 15-5.

The final game was a fantastic advert for local squash with both players giving their all.

Yeoman prevailed, taking the game 15-12 and sealing a very hard fought 3-2 victory overall.

Williams back to winning ways as Goshtech defeat the Barrow boys

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:30:00 GMT

GOSHTECH got back to winning ways as they defeated Barrow Boys 12-2 in Division Two of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League.

First up was the number three pairing of Goshtech's Jase Williams against Doug Spencer. Williams started off in poor form and Spencer capitalised on this, taking the first game 15-9.

Williams then rallied in a close second game to take it 15-13.

By his own admission, Williams is still not back to his best after his shock defeat against LOR, but took the third game 15-10.

After some closely-fought points in the fourth game, and some tight rallies on the backhand, he triumphed with sheer grit and determination, taking the game 15-11 and the match 3-1.

The second string game was another tight affair between Pat Beasley and Steve Foster. A close first game saw Barrow's Foster nick it 15-13 with some neat finishes on the backhand.

Beasley responded in the second game running out a comfortable 15-8 winner, playing a mix of some excellent cross-court length and tight drop shots.

The third game saw Foster take a commanding 14-10 lead but Beasley kicked into gear and, with some excellent determined squash, he fought back to take the game 16-14.

Beasley, into his rhythm, and with Foster tiring, ran out a comfortable 15-5 winner in the fourth game to take the match 3-1.

The first-string match saw Daz Atkins take on Paul Bell of Barrow.

The opening game saw some long rallies with both players playing some tight shots up and down the wall and at 13-13 Atkins put in a quick couple of points to win the game 15-13. In the second game Atkins ran up a 5-1 lead which Bell was always chasing and Atkins took the game 15-6.

The third took a similar pattern to the second with Atkins clinching the game 15-5 and the match 3-0.

In Division One, visiting team Hendry Electricals came away with a 12-3 win against AFSquash3

At number three, AFSquash3 captain Peter Hindmarsh got off to a good start, winning the first game 15-11.

But he was unable to capitalise as Hendry's Duncan Preston responded well and, despite being closely contested, took the next three games 15-10, 15-9, 15-9.

At second string, Steve Hame, stepping up for AFSquash3 from a lower division, was unable to get into the first game, with Hendry's Mike Jackson taking an early 15-7 lead for the visitors.

The determined Hame held the lead in the second until, at 10-9, Jackson re-asserted himself and took the game 15-12.

Jackson was then serving for the match at 14-9 in the third game when Hame made a great attempt to save it by bringing the score back to 14-13. But Jackson kept his nerve and took the game 15-13 and the match 3-0, securing the bonus points for Hendry.

Match of the night was at number one where Bert Cotter took a quick lead in the first game for AFSquash3 and held firm to take the game 15-9.

With Hendry's Mark Stephenson raising his play, the next two games were incredible nip and tuck affairs. Stephenson won the second 15-12 and Cotter the third 15-11.

Uncharacteristically, the fourth game was one-way as Stephenson established an early lead and then built on it well to take the game 15-5 and level the match at 2-2.

The fifth game was a classic as both players demonstrated their experience and ability with some excellent length, drops, drives and running.

Cotter lead 11-8, then Stephenson led 13-11, Cotter levelled at 13-13 but a missed drop by Cotter and a good shot from Stephenson gave him the game 15-13 and the match 3-2.

RESULTS

Premier Division: Schwarz Bros International 5 Millfields 10; Scunthorpe Squash 12 Bring Logistics 1; AFSquash2 0 Scunthorpe Squash 12.

Division One: AFSquash3 3Hendry Electricals 12; Murray Burns 12 Hendry Electricals 3.

Division Two: Goshtech 12 Barrow Boys 2 .

Division Three: LOR C 9 AFSquash5; Lincs Leisure 2 Advance Truck Components 11; Cleethorpes Builders Merchants 12 Lincs Leisure 5; Norfolk Optics 11 Cleethorpes Builders Merchants 3.

Panton is Wide Awake for a victory push

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:30:00 GMT

WIDE Awake Boys gained bragging rights over club rivals Advance Truck Components with a 9-6 victory in Division Three of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League.

The truckers had debutant Shaun Styles at number three against the vastly experienced Craig Stevens.

Both players put tremendous effort into the match.

Stevens controlled the first game, winning it 15-7, with Styles being perhaps a little nervous and tentative.

However, with that first game out of the way, and gaining in confidence, Styles' deceptive pace across the court caught Stevens out in the second game and the match was levelled with a 15-11 win for the newcomer.

Stevens then drew on his experience and not inconsiderable quality to canter through the next two games 15-6, 15-8 for a 3-1 win.

The second string match was a cracker. Marcus Newell's persistent line and length, married with bursts of speed for shot retrieval, had Wide Awake's Chris Panton on the back foot from the off. The first two games both went down to the wire with Newell holding his nerve to win both of them 17-5.

Thereafter Panton started to get to grips with his opponent's game, drawing Newell into a few loose cross-court shots.

Panton also started to get winners with his trademark tight drops.

The games were still tight but the pendulum had swung in Panton's favour and he took the next three games, 15-9, 15-12, 15-10.

Charlotte Kirkwood, at number one for truckers, played pretty near immaculate squash against the very useful Andy Germaney.

Kirkwood has noticeably kicked on in ability during the last 12 months. She is now physically stronger but, just as importantly, demonstrates far more mental focus.

Germaney had an opportunity in the tie break in the second game but Kirkwood took it 18-16.

However, either side of that, there were comfortable 15-7, 15-10 game wins for Kirkwood, giving her a well deserved 3-0 victory.

RESULTS

Premier Division: Schwarz Bros International 12 AFSquash1 4.

Division One: Pickston Signs 2 AFSquash3 12.

Division Two: ConocoPhillips 1 AFSquash4 12; Goshtech 0 ConocoPhillips 4; LOR B 12 AFSquash4 2; Barrow Boys 11 Barrow ELF 3.

Division Three: Norfolk Optics 12 LOR C 3; AFSquash5 1 Wide Awke Boys 12; Wide Awake Boys 9 Advance Truck Components 6.

ME Sports keep heat on leaders

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:30:00 GMT

ME Sports Coaching are hot on the heels of leaders Murray Burns after an 11-5 win over Hendry Electrical in Division One of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man League.

Playing at number three, Lisa Tamplin, for ME Sports, was up against Duncan Preston.

This was a close match, with Preston taking the first game 15-13 – his endless retrieving catching Tamplin out.

Tamplin battled back in the second game playing controlled squash and, with some great volley drops, she took the game comfortably, 15-7.

The third game followed a similar pattern. Preston knuckled down, but again the experience of Tamplin shone through as she went 2-1 up taking the game 15-13.

This is when Preston is at his most dangerous, chasing the game. He battled back to level at 2-2.

The pendulum began to swing in Preston's favour as Tamplin began to run out of ideas. Preston covered every inch of the court and this paid dividends as he grabbed an exhilarating fifth game 15-13, and took the match 3-2.

Up next for ME Sports was Dennis Savill verses Rob Todd.

This game started at a great pace with Savill in no mood to hang about.

Both players played out some long, hard rallies, but it was Savill who was to dominate.

He took the first game 15-10 and, with his more accurate, controlled squash, he claimed the second game 15-8.

Todd battled in the third but Savill was always calling the tune and won the game 15-7 to take the match 3-0.

Playing at number one for the first time, ME Sports had 14-year-old Sam Haycock, pictured, pitted against Mike Jackson.

Jackson started the game in a determined mood, taking the pace of the ball and playing volley drops at every opportunity.

This strategy paid dividends with Jackson taking the first game 15-10.

Haycock then started to get to grips with Jackson's game and, by pushing up slightly higher on the tee, he started to dictate the pace.

Haycock grabbed the second game 15-8 and quickly followed this up taking the third game by the same score.

Jackson doggedly stuck to his game-plan and this paid off as he tied the match 2-2 with a narrow 16-14 win in the fourth game.

With everything riding on the last game, Haycock maintained his season's unbeaten record, taking it 15-9.

Funding boost for brothers

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:30:00 GMT

LOUTH squash stars Harry and Hamish Falconer have been given the chance to compete in the French Open thanks to sponsorship from the Grimsby Institute and SportsAid.

Harry, 11, and Hamish, 14, both pupils at King Edward School in Louth, have been recognised by SportsAid for their sporting excellence and have been awarded funding for the prestigious event later this month.

Hamish said: "Being sponsored by the Grimsby Institute and SportsAid has definitely helped with us being able to compete.

"Without this funding we wouldn't be able to compete in European tournaments and it also helps us to pay for coaching and travel costs."

Since 1997, SportsAid has focused on giving awards to able-bodied and disabled athletes aged 12 to 18, and the Grimsby Institute offers match funding to the successful athletes who are nominated for awards.

SportsAid representative, Tom Lennon, said: "This is the only major funding partnership we have in the region and it's great for us to be able to form these links with the community and help athletes like Harry and Hamish receive the recognition they deserve."

The Institute's executive director of marketing and student recruitment, Hugh Callaway, is looking forward to seeing how the duo progress over the next few years.

He said: "The Falconer brothers are the reason that the Institute offers sponsorship to local individuals and groups, in conjunction with SportsAid.

"They are a shining example of how important it is for us to nurture the talents of tomorrow and I wish them all the best for the French Open and look forward to hearing of their triumphs when they return."

Pickston's first victory shocks the Electricals

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:30:00 GMT

HENDRY Electrical lost out in an exciting clash to Pickston Signs in Division One of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League.

The 9-6 win was Pickston Signs' first of the season.

In a close battle between number three players Rob Todd, of Hendry Electrical, and Paul Reed, the latter took the match 3-2.

Reed controlled the first game, winning it 15-11. But Todd changed his tactics for the second game, slowing the pace down.

And it worked, as he levelled the score with a 15-9 win playing some excellent drop shots.

After the pair exchanged two further games, Reed held his composure and took the final game 15-6 and with it the match 3-2.

Second on court were the number one strings Phil Nickells and Mark Stephenson.

Hendry Electrical's Stephenson looked in determined mood and he started brilliantly, winning the first game 15-7.

Nickells hit back with some neat drops and raced into a 13-6 lead in the next game.

Unfortunately, though, the match ended there as a collision in play saw Nickells inadvertently catch Stephenson's right wrist with his racket.

There was some confusion about a call at the time but at the end of the day it was an accident and Stephenson had to retire hurt, with the match awarded to Nickells (3-1).

In the clash of the number two players involving Pickston Signs' Graham Barlow and Mike Jackson of Hendry Electricals, the latter's court movement and strong backhand proved too good – and he easily came through to win 15-8, 15-12, 15-9.

Goshtech humbled by giant-killing LOR

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:30:00 GMT

BOTTOM team LOR B completed a shock giant-killing victory against top of the table Goshtech in Division Two of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League, winning 9-4.

And the match included a stunning win for LOR's Nigel Tranter, who handed Goshtech's 'Mr Reliable' Jase Williams his first defeat in the league in the last two seasons.

The league leaders got off to the best possible start, though, when Goshtech's Daz Atkins – returning from a shoulder injury – completed a 3-0 slam against Martin Smith.

But the next match was Tranter's shock win against Williams. After taking the first game 15-8, Tranter killed Williams' loose cross-court shots to run away with the second 15-6.

Williams edged the next match 15-13, but a slow start proved costly in the fourth and Tranter converted an 8-0 lead into a 15-8 win and with it a 3-1 match score.

In the final and deciding match, Steve Johnston controlled the first two games against Goshtech's Pat Beasley, winning both 15-9.

And although Beasley rallied in the final game, Johnston found some clever shots to close out the game 15-12 and the match 3-0.

Global seal the deal with Yeoman's win

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:30:00 GMT

MEIRION Yeoman won the decisive match to seal a 9-5 victory for Global Travel Deals against club rivals ME Sports Coaching in Division One of the Appleby-Frodingham Grimsby & District Three-Man Squash League.

Steve Nurse started the ball rolling for Global at number three against Mark Emerson, edging a close first game 15-12.

In the second, Emerson rallied after a nervous start and took it 15-13, despite tweaking his hamstring.

Although in some discomfort, Emerson battled on – but Nurse's lovely deep cross-court shots saw him take the third game 15-9, before kicking-on to take the fourth 15-7 and with it the match by a 3-1 scoreline.

Global's team sponsor, James MacDonald, went down 3-0 against Sam Haycock in the next match.

Fired-up Haycock took the first game 15-5 and, despite MacDonald's best efforts to chase down his opponent's drop shots, he wrapped up the second 15-12.

In the third, Haycock began to dominate as MacDonald began to tire and he wrapped up the points 15-6 to claim the 3-0 slam.

With the overall match finely balanced, Yeoman took to the court knowing a win against Dennis Savill would secure the win for Global.

The first game was very close with both players playing exquisite squash, and it was Savill who just sneaked it 18-16.

Tight squash with the odd cute drop shot saw Yeoman take the second game 15-9.

In the third game, Savill started to feel the effects of a heavy cold, and Yeoman stepped up a gear to take the third game 15-8 and the fourth 15-6 to close the match out 3-1, which handed Global a well-deserved 9-5 victory.

Premier Division: MCP Financial Services 10 Scunthorpe Squash 3; MCP Financial Services 4 Schwarz Bros International 9; Bring Logistics 5 Millfields 9.

Division 1: Global Travel Deals 9 ME Sports Coaching 5; Hendry Electricals 2 Murray Burns 12; Murray Burns 12 Pickston Signs 2.

Division 3: Lincs Leisure 3 Norfolk Optics 12; Advance Truck Components 12 AFSquash5 0; Advance Truck Components 10 Wide Awake Boys 3.

Murray Burns win exciting top-of-the-table clash

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:30:00 GMT

MURRAY Burns and ME Sports squared up in Division One of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby and District Three-Man Squash League.

With both teams unbeaten so far this season and most of the players unbeaten, this promised to be an entertaining clash.

At number three for ME Sports, Lisa Tamplin took on Dave King.

This was a close match, though King raced into a 2-0 lead, taking the first game 15-10 and the second 16-14.

Tamplin battled back playing controlled squash and edged the third and fourth games 15-13 and 16-14 to draw level at 2-2.

In the fifth, both produced long hard rallies and the odd nick or two, but it was King who kept his cool with less unforced errors to take the game 15-11 for a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

At number two, Sam Haycock took to the court hoping to protect his unbeaten record against the vastly improved Ian Hallam of Murray Burns.

Hallam edged the first game 15-11 thanks to his endless retrieving.

Haycock started the second in a more determined fashion, playing his front court drives at every opportunity.

However, Hallam was equal to this, retrieving well and playing Haycock deep into the back corners.

Nevertheless, Haycock clinched the game 15-12.The third game proved to be the turning point for Haycock. At 15-15 he produced two excellent shots that Hallam found just irretrievable.

In the fourth game, Haycock piled on the pressure. Both players started to look very weary, but it was to be Haycock's evening taking the game 15-6 to claim a fantastic win 3-1.

So it was all down to the number ones to decide the overall result.

Dennis Savill, for ME Sports, was against Dave Service.

Both players started well, but Savill made some unforced errors on his drop shots and Service capitalised, taking the first game 15-10.

The second game was just as tight. Savill played fantastic cross-court shots, but again it was Service with his endless retrieving keeping the pressure on Savill, who sneaked it 15-13. At 2-0 down, Savill had to roll his sleeves up and produce the squash he is renowned for, and he did just that, taking the third game 15-9.

With the game perfectly balanced, both players dug deep into their reserves, but again it was Service who kept his concentration to take the fourth game 15-12, and with it the match 3-1.

Murray Burns took the spoils 10-6, leaving ME Sports tasting defeat for the first time.

Global are on the rise

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:30:00 GMT

AFTER successive defeats at the start of the Appleby Frodingham Grimsby and District Three-Man Squash League season, Division One side Global Travel Deals have bounced back in style.

They have now produced a hat-trick of victories in their last three matches.

The latest of these victories came against Pickston Signs.

First on court were the first string players – Phil Nickells, for Pickston, and Meirion Yeoman, for Global.

Nickells is making his comeback after a serious eye injury and, on this occasion, was unable to overcome the more clinical line and length of the in-form Yeoman, who achieved a 3-0 victory.

That said, Yeoman was never able to relax, and Nickells is playing good squash considering the injury he has suffered.

At number three, Ian Boyers, of Pickston, took on James MacDonald.

This was surely one of the closest 3-0 encounters ever played.

MacDonald eventually took a nailbiting first game 19-17. The next two games were almost as close, but MacDonald used his unique combination of disguised shots and sheer determination to defeat his mobile opponent.

The concluding match saw second string Pickston player Graham Barlow take on Roger Henton.

Despite the team result already bagged for Global, Barlow was determined to make the best of the situation and he came close to beating the stylish Henton in this five-game dual.

It was Henton, however, who was victorious in a match that ebbed and flowed.

Barlow snatched the first 15-11, then Henton hit back taking the second 15-5, with both players playing good quality squash.

Henton forged ahead taking a very close third game 15-13, but Barlow dug deep into his reserves and levelled the match taking the fourth game 16-14.

So, it was all on the last game.

Henton held his nerve to record a hard-fought 15-8 victory, and 3-2 overall on the night.

This brought about a 12-2 maximum points victory for Global Travel and leaves them with a high level of confidence heading into their derby clash with the formidable ME Sports Coaching.

In Division Two, it proved to be a good night for the home side, AFSquash 3, who took maximum points from their under-strength visitors LOR A.

AFSquash 3's captain and number three, Peter Hindmarsh, laboured through his match against LOR A's Nigel Tranter.

Hindmarsh won the first game 15-12, lost the second 15-9 and then took the third 15-12.

Tranter dug in and won the fourth game 15-7 and then took an early lead in the fifth.

Hindmarsh pulled it back to 13-13 and 'tinned' a backhand drop letting in Tranter to serve for the match.

What was possibly Hindmarsh's best shot of the night, a tight backhand drive to length from Tranter's serve, set up the tie-break from which Hindmarsh managed to keep the pressure on his opponent through two long rallies to win the game 16-14, and the match 3-2.

At second string, league debutant for AFSquash 3, Sean Foster, was against the unorthodox but often effective Ken Laird.

The first game was close as Foster came to terms with Laird's awkward style. Foster won it 15-12.

The second and third games saw Foster adopt a serve and drop game which proved hugely effective, despite some determined running from Laird.

Foster prevailed 15-8, 15-6 and secured the bonus points for the home team.

Bert Cotter, at number one for Afsquash3, is in good form this season and set off in a determined manner against LOR A's Martin Smith.

He took the first two games 15-11 and 15-8.

Smith's languid style contrasted with Cotters hustle and bustle, and it was under pressure from Cotter at 9-7 that Smith sustained an injury which unfortunately saw him retire mid-way through the third game. It finished 3-0 to Cotter and 12-2 for AFSquash 3, which Laird summed up – somewhat seasonally – as being "well stuffed."