SUMMER TEAM NEWS 2010

Burton Manor snatch narrow win

2nd August

Based on previous encounters, Darlaston team Sprintz travelled to Burton Manor during the week for what promised to be a close contest in the Staffs squash league. Once again the two teams went head to head right from the start with Rob Robotham and Derris Ewers representing the Manor.

Ewers found the pace of the game difficult to deal with and was soon trailing by two games. However, he gradually got back among the points and recovered well to win the third. An upset looked likely as he stormed into the lead in the fourth, only to inexplicably reel off a string of unforced errors and gift the match to his opposite number.

Robotham, on Court 1, launched his opening game with a blistering attack. Unable to get to grips with Robotham’s powerful serve, his opponent struggled to get into any rallies and was soon a game down. The second game was far more competitive as he steadily worked his way back into the points and Robotham had to work hard to stay in contention. Having lost the second Robotham responded well as he forced his opposite number around the court to go into a comfortable lead. What promised to be an entertaining match ended abruptly with the Sprintz man injured and unable to continue.

With the match poised at 1-1, Gavin Burton and Paul Faulkner set about their matches with determination. Burton’s performances over recent weeks have been lively and this continued in the same vein. Never giving up on anything, the Manor player hurled himself around the court with startling energy and enthusiasm, forcing his opponent to go for impossible winners. The tactic paid off handsomely as Burton raced into a comfortable lead and take a well-deserved 3-0 victory.

Faulkner, recently back from injury, played well within himself as he controlled his match. Never looking under pressure, Faulkner played a percentage game that ensured his opposite number did all the hard work for little return, and finally closing out a dominant performance with some impressive deception.

The match now secure in favour of Burton Manor, it was left to captain Richard Smith to add further points to the Manor’s haul. His opposite number had other ideas however, as he trounced Smith in the first game. Smith rose to the challenge in the second, fighting back with an array of brilliant attacking shots. He raced to an 8-2 lead and then inexplicably changed his pattern of play as he tried to snatch the last elusive point. Gradually his opponent hauled him in and took the game 10-8 and then went on to win a well-deserved and entertaining match.

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Burton Manor show strength in depth

6th July

The Stafford team has made a solid start to the summer squash league whilst at the same time managing to stick to their policy of bringing young players into the squad. Last week visitors Oak Park found that despite all their experience they were no match for the youthful exuberance of the Burton Manor team.

Peter Matthews and Rob Robotham got proceedings underway with comfortable performances. Matthews, a new recruit to the team, is growing in confidence with each outing. His fitness and sharpness around the court was more than a match for his older opponent who succumbed without putting up much of a fight. Robotham’s blistering attacking shots bewildered his opponent. By the time the third game arrived and he had begun to manage the pace of the game it was already too late and the Stafford team notched up its second win of the night.

Gavin Burton’s game has also improved spectacularly over recent months and he demolished his opposite number in impressive style. Playing an array of powerful lengths and deft drop shots he gave his opponent little opportunity to settle, earning himself a comfortable 3-0 win.

Richard Smith and Alan McDonald have been remarkably consistent this season. Smith has yet to lose a match and, by all accounts, he has every intention of maintaining his record. Playing near faultless squash, he ran his opponent ragged. A strong, ‘wristy’ player, Smith flicked the ball to the four corners of the court as his opposite number tried desperately to make some inroads into his game. However, it was to no avail as Smith chalked up yet another notable win.

Meanwhile on court 2, McDonald was in total command in his match. Wrong footing his opponent at regular intervals, McDonald showed why he is so difficult to beat. Spectators were treated to an exhibition of subtle disguise and power that thrilled Burton Manor supporters but left Oak Park without a point for their endeavours.

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Burton Manor clinch close match

7th June

Following their impressive start to the season, Burton Manor travelled to Darlaston with high expectations to take on Sprintz in the South Staffs and Central Squash League. Although the Stafford team came away with a win, it wasn’t quite as comfortable as they’d hoped.

Peter Matthews and Rob Robotham were first on court and it was clear from the first few exchanges that the matches would be closely contested. Matthews, although clearly the more skilful, appeared nervous as he struggled to find a consistent length. After a fortunate and scrappy 10-8 win in the first, Matthews did relax and begin to play with greater authority and dominate his opposite number and earn a good 3-0 victory. Robotham, on the other court, was finding it hard going. His opponent quickly adapted to Robotham’s unusually heavy shots and the big man was unable to change tactics, going down 0-3.

Paul Faulkner and Richard Smith were next on for Burton Manor. Both are in good form this season and they didn’t disappoint. Faulkner’s match was the closest of the evening and, as a result, got increasingly fractious towards the end with both sides disputing points. However, Faulkner’s consistent play culminated in a close win in the third followed by the worst display of racket abuse seen on court for years. Smith’s match was a much more orderly and one-sided affair. Mixing the game up with fast attacking drives and a growing confidence in his drop shots, Smith kept his opponent guessing throughout. In the end he had no answers and Smith earned the team a valuable 3-0 win.

With the match now secure at 3-1 to Burton Manor, Alan McDonald was last on court in an entertaining final. Starting slowly his opposite number appeared unsettled by McDonald’s style. However as the games progressed he looked more and more accomplished as his shots became tighter and more difficult to attack. McDonald continued to fight for every point, but the Sprintz number one’s accuracy and consistency proved too much as he clinched a deserved 3-0 win. Final result Burton Manor 3, Sprintz 2.

30th May

Burton Manor turn up the heat against Halesowen

The opening match of the summer South Staffs and Central Squash League season was a one-sided affair as Burton Manor comprehensively outplayed visitors Halesowen.

Ross Beck got proceedings underway for the Stafford team. Beck looked comfortable in the opening exchanges and swept through the first game with some ease. His opponent, however, managed to assert himself in the second which saw Beck producing a string of unforced errors. At 8-2 down, and Beck looking up to the skies for inspiration, spectators anticipated a long, hot evening for the Stafford player. But inspiration did arrive and Beck clipped winner after winner past his frustrated opponent, clinching the game 10-8. Despondent, his opposite number capitulated in the final game giving Beck a well-earned 3-0 win.

On court 2 Peter Matthews produced a flawless display against an opponent who was never allowed to settle. In a match that lasted little more than 15 minutes, it was a decisive start to the season for the young Burton Manor player.

Rob Robotham and Paul Faulkner were next on court. Robotham immediately made his presence felt in the hot, humid conditions as he thrashed the ball ferociously. His bemused opposite number tried heroically to stay with the powerplay Robotham brought to the game, but failed dismally as he was swept aside without winning a game. Faulkner, on the other hand, displayed his usual steady approach, running for everything and forcing his opponent to go for winners. His method works consistently well and once again, in a game of attrition, his fitness saw him through to a deserved 3-0 win.

It was left to Alan McDonald to gain maximum points for the Stafford club. He obliged with a steady paced 3-1, leaving Burton Manor with a fantastic 5-0 start to the season.