Richie Fallows from Essex was one of the heroes as Duffield, losing Premier Squash League finalists for the last two years, made no mistake at the third time of asking as they beat St George’s Hill 3-2 in the 2015 PSL decider at Hunts County last night.
The Derbyshire club, who lost last year’s final after being 2-0 up against Surrey Health & Rackets and were last-gasp semi-final winners against the defending champions this year, eased to their fourth title and first since 2007 by winning the first three rubbers.
The Division A winners were missing their top player, Nick Matthew, who failed a fitness test on his injured ankle, but they were able to recall their other world champion, Laura Massaro, after her mini-sabbatical – and it was the Lancastrian who gave Duffield the lead by beating young Egyptian Yathreb Adel.
Adel, who missed Tuesday’s semi-final because of her involvement in the Egyptian League finals, started strongly, taking the first game 11-7 and she had a game ball at 10-9 in the second, but Massaro, improving as the match went on, saved that and went on to win in four, taking the last game without conceding a point.
“This is the exact type of atmosphere and match you’d want to make a comeback in after a lay-off,” said a delighted Massaro.
“Regardless of the result, it feels really good to be back in the competitive environment and that’s what I was missing at the beginning of the year.
“I felt a bit match-rusty at the start, but I improved as the match went on, so that’s all positive.”
On the outside court there was more good news for Duffield as Richie Fallows beat Charles Sharpes 3/1 to put Duffield 2-0 ahead. Sharpes fought back after losing the first two games, but Fallows was not to be denied as he took the fourth 11-7 to his and the team’s delight.
“I’ve lost to Charles in a couple of recent events, but this was the big one. I really wanted to win this one,” said Fallows. “I haven’t done so well in the PSL matches this season, so I wanted to show Felix (Frixou) what I can do.”
In the next pair of matches everything was looking rosy for Duffield as Declan James and Chris Simpson both took their first games within seconds of each other. That was when the St George’s fightback started, though, as Joe Lee and Borja Golan both hit back to level.
The crucial match turned out to be the fiercely-contested and sometimes contentious James-Lee battle. James regained the lead, but Lee levelled again to a roar of delight, only for the Duffield man to hold sway in the decider, taking it 11-5 after 79 minutes to clinch the trophy.
“I felt pretty relaxed on there,” said James. “I tried to focus on just playing squash. Joe was getting a bit agitated with some of the decisions, but I tried not to let that affect me and tried to let my squash do the talking.
“It’s great to get the win to finish off a good season and it feels good to win it for Felix.”
By then the top string match on the show court was also into the fifth, but here it was Golan who took it after 98 minutes to put St George’s on the scoreboard.
The last match, between second strings Joel Hinds and Tom Richards, was an entertaining best-of-three, with Richards winning.
Team manager Felix Frixou was understandably elated with the result. “I’ve been involved for 23 years as sponsor, but this is my seventh year as manager, so it feels great to win the title for the first time in that role,” he said.
“The key to this win is the players. The team have been fantastic all season. They gave me everything they had from the word go and no manager could ask for more. They’ve done our supporters, me and themselves proud.
“We didn’t know what to expect at Hunts County, but it’s a great venue and a fantastic club, superbly organised and we can’t wait to play here again.
“It feels like lifting the FA Cup … it’s coming home!”
RESULTS
Benz Bavarian Duffield 3-2 Luxfords / 9 Group St George’s Hill
Chris Simpson 2/3 Borja Golan 11-8, 9-11 , 7-11, 11-3, 7-11 (98m)
Joel Hinds 1/2 Tom Richards 8-11, 11-5, 8-11 (26m)
Declan James 3/2 Joe Lee 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (79m)
Richie Fallows 3/1 Charles Sharpes 11-5, 11-1, 9-11, 11-7 (51m)
Laura Massaro 3/1 Yathreb Adel 7-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-0 (39m)
