Burton Manor Sports Association

Based on previous encounters, Burton Manor travelled to close neighbours Cannock 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 Peter Matthews representing the Manor.

Robotham got proceedings underway with his usual blistering pace. However, his opponent anticipated the Stafford player’s tactics and countered with an array of simple drop shots. With so little pace on the ball, a mystified Robotham persisted with his big hitting approach and gradually got among the points and snatched a game. The contrast in styles could not have been more different as the Cannock man began to dictate the points with angled drops from all parts of the court. Gradually, frustration got the better of Robotham forcing errors and earning his opposite number a 3-1 win.

On court 2, Matthews was involved in a lively contest. Although showing promise throughout the season, his match temperament has, at times, been suspect and here was a match to test it. Both players were willing to play long, tight rallies – working hard for every point. However, all too frequently, Matthews handed the initiative to his opponent with loose mid-court shots. Unable to manage his own irritation, his game became progressively more error ridden and his shots were picked off, going down 0-3.

Trailing by 2 matches so early in the evening, the Stafford visitors looked vulnerable. Gavin Burton and Alan McDonald set about their matches determined to even things out. Burton is never short of enthusiasm and effort but found himself up against a skilful opponent and was soon trailing by 2 games. In the third Burton began to find his range, putting pressure on his opponent and forcing errors to drag one game back. However, despite his heroics in the fourth, his opposite number’s accuracy paid off and his challenge ended with Cannock taking a deserved 3-1 win.

McDonald appeared to have the measure of his younger opponent, pushing him around the court and picking off points at will. However, the Cannock player responded well, running down everything and forcing McDonald into playing more adventurous shots. Having dictated so much of the match, the Stafford number 2 found he was in a scrap. Most of the spectators had shifted to the viewing balcony as the two went head to head – McDonald’s skill against his opponent’s retrieval power. At two games all and 10-10 in the fifth, both players looked exhausted, but McDonald’s last gasp cross-court drive forced an error and earned the Stafford player a hard-earned victory.

With the tie already over, it was down to Richard Smith to try and bring some respectability to the scoreline for Burton Manor. However, his opposite number had other ideas as he set about dismantling Smith’s game. Looking calm and composed, he handled everything that Smith threw at him, playing a percentage game with flawless accuracy. Smith fought hard till the final point, but his opponent eased to an impressive 3-0 win.