WHITE WASHED
Matt Suckling watches his EPC side go down ...
but not out ... to Nottingham

Knowing that Peter Barker wasn’t available to play due to tournament duty early on, I knew that just one player missing would put the pressure on winning the match, but one turned into three! David Palmer was extremely reluctant to withdraw but had no choice if he was to rest sufficiently from a shoulder injury to recover for the Worlds in Qatar next week and he is only hopeful that he will be fit enough for that event. Then Adrian Grant was to step forward and lead the team, but was called up to tournament duty which left us with a real problem to field a side to do any sort of damage to the strength of Nottingham.

Edgbaston Priory and Birmingham University have very strong ties and are linked together to accommodate a centre of Excellence for young aspiring athlete’s, currently the only one in the country and we had two of them playing in tonight’s match. They were Steve Coppinger who has definitely now made a name for him-self as has Phil Nightingale as they both had extremely tough tasks ahead of them.

Phil Nightingale had to play against a very inform Nick Douglas and as Phil went 8-4 up you could just see Nick turn the screws on him as Phil’s bit of inexperience started to show as Nick stole the 1st 10-8. Phil again looked strong and worked the ball well as he held the T and pushed Nick back going 5-1 up, until he lost his length which gave Nick room to take control at the front of the court, 9-6 to Nick. The third was to follow in the same suit as Phil looked good, then as the rallies got that bit harder Nick became mentally stronger to finish them off 9-4 Nick and 3-0 to Nottingham, but a great learning curve for Phil.

Realising that Steve Coppinger (who has never played National League before, or in front of 120 supporters) was well up for the challenge of playing squash legend Simon Parke and world number 25 we decided to play him on the show court with which he jumped at the chance! No nerves, just wanted the opportunity. Steve was obviously going to struggle with the mental and physical strength of Simon, but that didn’t even enter Steve’s head. He could have, and maybe should have won the first game leading Parke for most of the first game and displaying that he can also hit a nick when needed but not well enough as he lost 9-6, 9-5, 9-4 and the crowd were impressed with the character that Steve had. If there was a bottle of Champagne for Man of the Match it would definitely go to The University of Birmingham student playing for Edgbaston Priory, Steve Coppinger.

We had set our hopes on Isabelle pulling off a win and giving us something to shout about, but when the chips are down they just stay down. Isabelle Stoehr didn’t get going like we know she can as she struggled to hit a good straight length. Pam Nimmo on the other hand was playing well and moving well and she got to game ball before Isabelle mounted a comeback which she just couldn’t pull off, 9-7 to Pam. The second was very similar apart from Isabelle could feel the tension in the crowd which made her nervous to perform, 9-6 Pam. It wasn’t until match ball down that Isabelle realised we needed some points even a game to cheer about and she did it pulling back 10-8 and a comeback was taking shape. Yet again I spoke too soon as Isabelle just couldn’t find the form she needed to keep the comeback alive as she lost the fourth 9-2 and the match 3-1.

On the subsidiary court Gregory Gaultier eased to victory against Adam Stevenson. The speed of the Frenchman to the front of the court caused errors from the home player who tired rapidly. The timing and precision of Gaultier was too good for Stevenson who struggled to keep up. Clearly a world beater there was only ever going to be one winner; unfortunately it was the Nottingham player.

At 4-0 down on home soil the crowd had little to cheer about, that is until John White walked on court. The first rally had at least 10 low, hard skid boasts, 5 cork-screws and a dead nick and a slightly happier crowd. By the end of the match the crowd were ecstatic with display of natural talent and entertainment. White was certainly the right person to pick up a deflated home crowd and send them home entertained, but empty handed. Unfortunately Hadrian Stiff was on the receiving end of the White’s whip, but he rallied, worked and gave an extremely professional performance.

Special thanks to our match night sponsors CROWN JULES 0121 233 3387 who supply Quality Diamonds and Watches bought and sold in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Thanks Jugsy!

We are down at the bottom of the table but that’s how things are for the moment, we won’t be there for long though. Edgbaston will be producing World class squash at every opportunity in the New Year, watch this space!

Matt Suckling

WEEK FOUR
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Matt Suckling
 

Phil Nightingale

Steve Coppinger

Pam Nimmo