Round ONE, Tue 3rd October:
PSL crystal ball preview
from Brian Hargrave
 With several
unfamiliar names in the reported line ups the crystal ball is a little
murkier than usual.
However there should be some great rubbers particularly at the top of the
orders. The Pontefract v Nottingham tie could go 3-2 either way depending
on the fitness of James Willstrop. The visitors, who give debuts to Ong
Beng Hee and Hardeep Reel, Kenya No 1, probably just have the edge
Group A:
Pontefract v Nottingham
James
Willstrop v Ong Beng Hee
Saurav Ghosal v Simon Parke
Ryan Thompson v Jethro Binns
Andrew Cross v Hardeep Reel
Shelley Kitchen v Dominique Lloyd Walter
University of Birmingham v
Esporta Oxford
Joey Barrington v
Scott Handley
Jonathan Harford v Rob Sutherland
Joel Hinds v Kristen Johnson
Steve Coppinger v Dominic Hamilton
Laura Lengthorn v Deon Saffery
The University team is at full strength, with the 'three Js' at the top of
the order (plus Jonathan Tate and Jaymie Haycocks in reserve!), with
South African Steve Coppinger at four and world number 11 Laura Lengthorn
providing a tough task for Oxford's Deon Saffery.
Lining up for Oxford, making their PSL debut under the guidance of Jason
Martin, are Oxfordshire stalwart Scott Handley at number one string with
Rob Sutherland at 2 and local boys Kristen Johnson and Dominic Hamilton at
3 and 4. The Chris Lewis Security Services sponsored team are expecting an
exciting but tough inaugural season in the Northern division.
Despite Cameron Pilley and Mark Cairns not being available for this first
match, expectations will still be high to get something from the visit up
the M40 to Birmingham Uni.
With established Esporta club Surrey Health and Racquets in the southern
division, Jason’s dream season would surely culminate in an all Esporta
final. If that is to become a reality then surely the Oxford team must win
this.
Group B:
Tinos Homes Chichester v
UniSport Guildford
Alex Gough v Stacey Ross,
Ben Garner v Stephen Meads
Pete Genever v Jesse Engelbrecht
Tim Vail v Alex Ingham
Line Hansen v Alison Waters
This is Ben's last match before he goes to the states to coach in
Baltimore. Ben can be proud of his achievements and his sportsmanship of
the highest order. He always gives 100% and will hope that he will bow out
of the PSL with a victory against the evergreen Stephen Meads
Sorry Ian, but I think that your old rivals just have the edge for a 3-2
win but it should be a great night on the south coast.
Luxfords St George’s Hill v
Surrey Health & Racquets Croydon
Alister Walker v Anthony Ricketts
Daryl Selby v Peter Nicol
Tom Richards v Davide Bianchetti
Joe Lee v Chris Simpson
Sarah Fitzgerald v Lauren Briggs
The match of the night as far as famous names goes with former world No 1
Sarah Fitzgerald making her home debut for newcomers Luxford's St Georges
Hill. The formidable strength of the top three men for the visitors should
steer former world No 1 Peter Nicol’s team to at least a 3-2 victory
although Tim Garner is hoping for 4-1 and looking forward to the ladies
rubber.
Danny Lee, Luxford’s manager, must be hoping for a full house and possibly
praying for some shock results from his promising young men on a night
when the future of England squash is very much on parade.
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Round ONE
Group A:
Pontefract v Nottingham
Birmingham v Oxford
Group B:
Chichester v Guildford
St George's v Surrey |
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