In a tense Premier Squash League (PSL) final in Nottingham, Croydon club Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets beat former champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield 3/2 to win the fourth title in a row – and extend their record to five titles since 2008.

It was a dramatic climax to the 2012/13 season of the world’s most prestigious squash league, supported by Dunlop, which hinged on the final match on the Nottingham Squash Club showcourt between the two clubs’ second strings Adrian Grant and Karim Ali Fathi.

England’s world No2 Laura Massaro had given three-time champions Duffield an early lead with a straight games win overNada Elkalaawy, a 17-year-old from Cheam in Surrey who was a late replacement for Surrey Health’s Alison Waters – the world No4 from London who, with Massaro, had helped England to victory in the European Team Championships at the weekend in Amsterdam.

The Egyptian-born teenager tested the experienced Massaro, but the 29-year-old from Preston prevailed to win 11-9, 11-9, 11-2.

Impressive wins by Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad and British U23 Champion Adrian Waller put Surrey Health in front – but the Derbyshire club’s other world No2 Nick Matthew, the two-time world champion from Sheffield, brought Duffield back into contention with an 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 win over his England team-mate Peter Barker.

“It wasn’t the best match for either of us tonight,” admitted Yorkshireman Matthew when interviewed courtside afterwards. “But I did what I had to do tonight.”

The win not only extended Matthew’s own unbeaten PSL record for Duffield to 34 matches – but also set up a decider!

The clash between English international Grant, the 32-year-old world No22 from London making his third successive PSL final appearance for Surrey Health, and rising Egyptian star Fathi, the 19-year-old world No43 from Cairo, was the pair’s first meeting.

Pre-match gossip suggested that the Egyptian teenager was nursing a hamstring injury and had been out of action for the previous two months. However, the youngster delighted the packed crowd with his trademark Egyptian shot-making and led in both the first two games.

But Grant’s experience and match fitness ultimately shone through as he stormed to a title-winning 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 victory after 37 minutes.

“I’d heard he had an injury, and I was thinking of that too much in the first game,” admitted Grant later. “But it’s been a massive team effort this season – it’s a great achievement.

“And let’s hope Richard Branson has been taking notice, especially now that we have extended the PSL record to five titles,” added Grant, making reference to the club’s full ‘Virgin Active Surrey Health & Racquets Club’ name.

At the trophy presentations, the club’s top string Peter Barker paid tribute to Surrey Health’s team manager Pete Smith: “The fifth title is pretty special – but this is for you Pete,” said the world No7 from London. “He puts his heart and soul into the team and we are all indebted to what he does.”

Barker also paid tribute to opponents Duffield, champions in 1998, 2006 and 2007. “It’s a long time since we’ve played such tough opponents. They will be worthy winners ……… one day!”

Smith was understandably delighted with his team’s performance: “To win the title five times – and four times in a row – is pretty magnificent. The team spirit is so good.

“Nights like this are amazing for squash – just what we need as we work towards getting the sport into the Olympic Games in 2020.”

RESULTS: Premier Squash League, Nottingham Squash Club, Nottingham

Final:
Integrity Surrey Health Racquets 3 Benz-Bavarian Duffield 2
Peter Barker lost to Nick Matthew 8-11, 9-11, 4-11 (43m)
Adrian Grant bt Karim Ali Fathi 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 (37m)
Karim Abdel Gawad bt Joel Hinds 11-6, 11-8, 14-12 (43m)
Adrian Waller bt Andy Whipp 11-3, 11-6, 13-11 (39m)
Nada Elkalaawy lost to Laura Massaro 9-11, 9-11, 2-11 (24m)

Integrity Surrey Health & Rackets retained their PSL title tonight at Nottingham, but it went to the deciding tie as Duffield pushed them all the way …

The final, blow by blow

Duffield took the lead when Laura Massaro beat late stand-in Nada Elkalaawy in straight games. The teenager from Surrey held her own for the first two games before Massaro ran way with the third.

Meanwhile on the showcourt Karim Abdel Gawad got the better of Joel Hinds in a fast-paced match to put Surrey level. After taking the first two games the Egyptian let a 5-1 lead slip in the third, couldn’t convert two match balls at 10-8 and had to save a game ball before eventually taling it 14-12.

The fourth string match finished with an uncannily similar scoreline, also for Surrey, as Adrian Waller took the first two games, couldn’t convert a match ball and had to save a game ball before finishing off Andy Whipp in 39 minutes.

Peter Barker may have beaten Nick Matthew in their last meeting, but the Duffield number one still went into the fourth match of the night with a 25-2 winning record, and once again made it tell as he beat Barker in three tough games to set up a decider for the title.

That left Adrian Grant, Surrey’s perennial late-night finisher, taking on Duffield’s Karim Ali Fathi for the title. The young Egyptian competed well for the first two games, but it was the experienced Englishman who took both games before running away with the third to make it four in a row and a record fifth title for Surrey.

Full report to follow …

Photo Gallery

Some fish-eye views of Nottingham Squash Club

The two most successful clubs in the 29-year history of the Premier Squash League - with seven titles between them – go head to head for the 2013 title on Tuesday 7th May in Nottingham in the final of the world’s most prestigious squash league, supported by Dunlop.

Croydon club Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets, the defending champions who are marking a record fourth successive appearance in the final, face Benz-Bavarian Duffield, the Derbyshire club celebrating a sixth final appearance since 1995.

Duffield, champions in 1998, 2006 and 2007, are looking for a record-equalling fourth title – while Surrey Health, winners of the trophy in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012, will be aiming to become the first club to win a fifth title.

Both teams will be at full strength: Duffield will be led by England’s two world number twos, Yorkshireman Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro from Preston – while the Surrey Health attack will feature British champion Alison Waters [update: Waters withdraws with illness, replaced by Nada Elkalaawy], the world No4, and Peter Barker, the world No7, both from London.

Matthew, in his tenth season for Duffield, boasts a record 33 match unbeaten PSL run since October 2007 – and will be marking his 28th career clash with England team-mate Barker since 2006.

“I always love playing for Duffield,” said Matthew of the eve of his 67th appearance for the club. “But it’s been a while since we have been in the final! We have been the dominant northern team in the past few years but been unable to break the southern stranglehold!

“Surrey & St. George’s have both come to fortress Duffield in the past two semi-finals – and won – so it would be nice to put an end to the southern dominance this year. We have strengthened this year with the addition of Laura – and her match with Alison should be a great one, and being first on could really set the tone for the night.

“Obviously with the final being in Nottingham we are lucky to have a sort of home advantage so if it did come down to mine and Pete’s match I’m sure our supporters will raise the roof!”

Duffield team manager Felix Frixou added: “The importance of winning this game has never been such a strong passion, not just for me as manager, but I feel we are ready to bring back the title to Derbyshire.

“This season the support, not just from Duffield but throughout our county, has been phenomenal. I can honestly say there won’t be another club like ours that share their passion with so many supporters.

“I won’t say that I fancy my chances, but this game has the making of possibly being one of the greatest finals ever, especially as all my top players know it’s tough at the top – and I know how tough my top players are!

“I am convinced players that are expected to lose their rubber will come out like the true Spartan heritage I have installed into them all, and most of all they are capable.

“The entertainment value of this event could go down in history, especially as we have East Midlands TV covering the whole evening, and what a great opportunity to raise the awareness of our sport and more importantly with emphasis to the Olympic bid.”

The Surrey Health team manager Pete Smith is clearly also proud of his squad: “To win the title for the fourth year running and five times overall would be an incredible achievement by my team. They are an excellent group of Individuals that have come together as a strong and spirited team and to reach the final again is fantastic for them, for the Club and all our supporters.

“We take on a very strong Duffield team on Tuesday and it will be a very strong and tight match contested to the limit. They too have had a great season and I know will be determined to win, so I’m expecting a fantastic contest.

“The matches look tight and Waller v Whipp will be a crucial match,” added Smith. “Also two outstanding matches at 1 with Nick v Pete, and at 5 with Alison against Laura, could prove crucial. Matches at 2 and 3 for Grant and Gawad again will be tight so will be crucial to the match result.

“I’m looking forward to a great spectacle of squash that will be played in good spirit – and may the best team win.”

Barker, the only member of the Surrey Health team to have played in all four winning line-ups, concluded: “It’s been a privilege to play for Integrity Surrey Health for many years and to have the opportunity to win our fifth PSL title is a testament to both Pete Smith and Virgin Active – Croydon.

“I think the final this year is between the two strongest teams in the country and every match on Tuesday is expected to be close. I hope my team will seal the tie before I step on court, as they have all season, but if not, I’ll be ready to give it everything to bring the title back to its rightful home!”

Despite being some 150 miles apart, Commonwealth Games Doubles gold medallists Nick Matthew and Adrian Grantclinched places for Benz-Bavarian Duffield and Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets, respectively, in next month’sPremier Squash League (PSL) final after dramatic semi-finals in the world’s most prestigious squash league, supported by Dunlop.

Matthew, the two-time world champion from Sheffield, was representing Derbyshire club Duffield for the 66th time since October 2003 – and the world number two found himself playing the decider when the tie against visitors Exeter Diamondswas tied at two-all after the first four matches.

It was Matthew’s team-mate Laura Massaro, the women’s world number two, who put Duffield into the lead with an 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 win over Irish champion Aisling Blake. But underdogs Exeter, the Devon club making its debut in the event’s semi-final play-offs, struck back to move 2/1 ahead following wins by British Open O35 champion Tim Vail and Finnish number one Olli Tuominen.

However, much to the packed Duffield crowd’s delight, club stalwart Andy Whipp recovered from a game down to topple Exeter’s Joey Barrington 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7.

Matthew went into the decider boasting a 10-0 career head-to-head lead over his opponent Laurens Jan Anjema, the world No16 who recently won his eighth successive Dutch national title. Twice Matthew led, and twice the tall Dutchman powered back to draw level.

The crowd were on the edges of their seats as the visitors sensed a shock victory when Anjema led 8-4 – but the hugely experienced Matthew was not about to surrender and held his nerve to claw back the deficit before closing out the match 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8.

The win extends Matthew’s remarkable unbeaten PSL run to 33 matches – and takes three-time champions Duffield into their sixth final, but their first since 2009.

“That was the closest contest in any sporting arena you will ever get to see – especially considering that Nick was 8-4 down in that deciding game,” said a relieved Duffield team manager Felix Frixou afterwards. “There was perhaps even more pressure on Nick tonight than for a world championship final – the whole crowd was willing him to win – and we had the biggest crowd I’ve seen here in the 20 years I’ve been involved.

“But I can tell you, we were worried during that last match – but nobody other than Nick could have done what he did.

“Proud of the team? That goes without saying, but I always knew it would be close.”

Exeter manager Adam Lings was undoubtedly disappointed, but full of praise for his team’s efforts: “I can’t put it into words; we assumed Tim and Olli would win, so when Joey lost, that was that – but LJ played out of his skin and, to be fair, should have won!

“At 8-4 up, myself and Felix said ‘this this is the point’ – a cross-court nick was so close to rolling it’s not even funny ….. but it didn’t and that was that!

“What a night, what a match! I could not ask for more of my players. We will be back!”

Over 150 miles south, in the Croydon suburb of London, title-holders Surrey Health & Racquets hosted Oxford Health & Racquets in a repeat of the 2010 final.

After making history last year by becoming the first club to win the PSL title a fourth time, Surrey Health were keen to make a further entry in the record books by reaching the final for a fourth successive year.

And after 16-year-old Georgina Kennedy – a late replacement for the injured world No4 Alison Waters – dropped the opening match to Oxford’s experienced Irish international Madeline Perry, hosts Surrey Health stormed back with straight games wins by British U23 champion Adrian Waller and fast-rising young Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad to move 2/1 ahead.

All that was now needed was a win by the Croydon club’s second string Adrian Grant – but the Londoner ranked 20 in the world faced Cameron Pilley, the Australian number one ranked thee places higher, and with whom he shared a 4/4 career head-to-head record.

Pilley took the opening game, but left-hander Grant took the next two to lead 2/1. The Australian led throughout most of the fourth, but Grant fought back and, after saving a game-ball, clinched a popular 11-13, 11-4, 11-9, 14-12 to take Surrey Health into the final for the fifth time, and the record fourth year in a row.

In the dead rubber that followed, Spanish number one Borja Golan gained some consolation for the visitors by beating the Croydon club’s top string Peter Barker, the world No8, 11-6, 11-13, 11-7, 11-3.

“We’re really privileged to be in the final again,” said Surrey Health & Racquets team manager Pete Smith. “We’ve got a great team and we’ve had another great season.

“We’ve also had great crowds all season – it’s good that the club members are really enjoying our success.”

The final will take place on Tuesday 7 May at a venue yet to be confirmed.

RESULTS: Premier Squash League, semi-finals, Tuesday 9 April 2013

Benz-Bavarian Duffield 3 Exeter Diamonds 2
Nick Matthew bt Laurens Jan Anjema 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8
Joel Hinds lost to Olli Tuominen 6-11, 7-11, 4-11
Andy Whipp bt Joey Barrington 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
Adam Murrills lost to Tim Vail 11-3, 9-11, 6-11, 7-11
Laura Massaro bt Aisling Blake 11-5, 11-4, 11-7

Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets 3 Oxford Health & Racquets 2
Peter Barker lost to Borja Golan 6-11, 13-11, 7-11, 3-11
Adrian Grant bt Cameron Pilley 11-13, 11-4, 11-9, 14-12
Karim Abdel Gawad bt Scott Handley 11-6, 11-7, 11-5
Adrian Waller bt Ben Coleman 11-9, 11-5, 11-8
Georgina Kennedy lost to Madeline Perry 4-11, 3-11, 3-11

After ten rounds of league action it was down to the semi-finals as group winners Duffield and Surrey played host to runners-up Exeter and Oxford respectively.

In the end it was the two home teams, both no strangers to PSL finals and titles, who progressed, but it wasn’t all plain sailing …

Final, 07-May : Benz-Bavarian Duffield v Surrey H&R … Nottingham SRC

Oxford finished in second place in Group A, behind former champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield, while Exeter claimed runners-up position in Group B behind title-holders Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets.

Derbyshire club Duffield will host Exeter in the semi-finals on Tuesday 9 April, while Croydon-based Surrey Health will entertain Oxford in the other semi.

Exeter went down 3/2 at Team Chichester – but the 10 points the team claimed were enough to secure the Devon club a semi-final berth for the first time in ten appearances in the league since 1988.

Chichester had a play-off place in their sights, but needed an emphatic win to achieve this. And the home side soon made sure of the tie win when Hannah Wright-Davies, Robbie Temple and Olivier Pett survived their matches against Exeter opponents.

But the visitors’ breakthrough came when Tim Vail beat Chichester’s Alex Gough in his first full-length match win over the former world No5. And in the top string clash, top-ranked Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema consolidated Exeter’s important points haul from the clash by beating the home side’s number one Jonathan Kemp 11-6, 4-11, 11-5, 15-13 to send the team into the play-offs.

“Although it looked easy on paper, I knew that it was not in the bag,” said a delighted Exeter team manager Adam Lingsafterwards. “Robbie Temple has the ability way above his ranking, as does Kempy, so we knew it was going to be tough.

“A gutsy two points from Barrington and Castagnet eased the worries a bit, but even then I didn’t relax. Alex Gough is always capable of a result, so I was a happy camper when Tim won 3/1! Bring on the semis!”

Oxford reached the final for the first time in 2010, but have failed to reach the play-offs since. And it was a tense night at former champions MB Nottingham – especially as the East Midlands club, winners of the title in 1999, won three of their matches in straight games.

But impressive performances by 16-year-old Alison Thomson, the recent English U17 Championship runner-up who beat experienced Scot Senga Macfie 11-3, 4-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, and Kristen Johnson, who saved three match-balls to beat the hosts’ Douglas Leslie Kempsell 6-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10, gave Oxford the six points they needed to take second place in the group

“We always knew it would be very close tonight and that our best chances were at four and five – but it was so close on the night,” said a relieved Oxford manager Jason Martin. “Kristen is our man of the match, saving three match balls with such incredible retrieving.

“He may be off to Canada soon, but his input this year has been terrific,” Martin added.

Nottingham finished the season just two points behind Oxford – as did Chapel Allerton, the Leeds club that beat Yorkshire rivals AJP Pontefract 5/0 to finish off the season in style.

But elsewhere in Group A, Benz-Bavarian Duffield were already assured of a place in the semis, but needed a strong home win over University of Birmingham to give themselves home advantage in the play-offs.

It was far from plain sailing when the visitors’ Deon Saffery and Chris Tasker-Grindley scored victories and Duffield hero Nick Matthew, the two-time world champion ranked two in the world, was taken the full distance by the Birmingham number one Chris Ryder.

Matthew steadied the ship, however, by winning 12-10, 4-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6 – and Aqeel Rehman and Chris Fulleralso came out on top to give Duffield a 3/2 win and a 23-point cushion at the top of the group tables.

It was a similar tale at the top of the Group B table where Surrey Health & Racquets beat Winchester Racquets & Fitness 4/1 away from home to ensure a convincing 17-point lead over rivals Exeter.

TWP St George’s Hill, runners-up for the last two seasons, stormed to a final 5/0 win over UWE Bristol – but the Surrey club had a mountain to climb to make the play-offs again and this season it was just too far out of reach.

RESULTS: Premier Squash League, 10th round, Tuesday 26 March 2013

Group A:
Benz-Bavarian Duffield 3 University of Birmingham 2
Nick Matthew bt Chris Ryder 12-10, 4-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6
Joel Hinds bt Jaymie Haycocks 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5
Chris Fuller lost to Chris Tasker-Grindley 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 7-11
Aqeel Rehman bt Oliver Mapp 11-6, 13-11, 11-6
Fiona Scott lost to Deon Saffery 3-11, 9-11, 5-11

Chapel Allerton 5 AJP Pontefract 0
Alister Walker bt James Willstrop 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9
Chris Simpson bt Lee Beachill 11-6, 11-3, 11-3
Shaun le Roux bt Thoboki Mohohlo 11-9, 11-3, 11-7
James Earles bt Adam Taylor 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4
Carrie Ramsey bt Katie Smith 11-8, 11-4, 11-4

MB Nottingham 3 Oxford Health & Racquets 2
Eddie Charlton bt Scott Handley 11-9, 11-8, 11-9
Lewis Walters bt Mark Cairns 11-8, 11-7, 11-8
Declan James bt Rory Pennell 11-5, 11-5, 11-6
Douglas Leslie Kempsell lost to Kristen Johnson 11-6, 10-12, 11-4, 9-11, 10-12
Senga Macfie lost to Alison Thomson 3-11, 11-4, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11

Group B:
Team Chichester 3 Exeter Diamonds 2
Jonathan Kemp lost to Laurens Jan Anjema 6-11, 11-4, 5-11, 13-15
Robbie Temple bt Mathieu Castagnet 11-8, 5-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8 (76m)
Olivier Pett bt Joey Barrington 11-7, 11-7, 4-11, 7-11, 11-9
Alex Gough lost to Tim Vail 7-11, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11
Hannah Wright-Davies bt Rhianne O’Donnell 11-8, 11-5, 11-8

Winchester Racquets & Fitness 1 Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets 4
Gregory Gaultier bt Peter Barker 12-10, 11-8, 12-14, 11-8
Robert Downer lost to Adrian Grant 11-7, 5-11, 4-11, 6-11
Alex Phillips lost to Adrian Waller 3-11, 10-12, 5-11
Scott Fitzgerald lost to Davide Bianchetti 12-10, 8-11, 6-11, 7-11
Rachel Willmott lost to Georgina Kennedy 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 6-11

UWE Bristol 0 TWP St George’s Hill 5
Hadrian Stiff lost to Daryl Selby 9-11, 8-11, 6-11 (26m)
Thomas Ford lost to Tom Richards 7-11, 3-11, 11-7, 8-11 (32m)
Sam Ellis lost to Joe Lee 3-11, 3-11, 9-11 (24m)
Peter Joyce lost to Charles Sharpes 6-11, 8-11, 9-11 (21m)
Emma Chorley lost to Dominique Lloyd-Walter 11-8, 6-11, 4-11, 9-11 (30m)

PSL TABLES (after 10th & final round):

For all the latest news, visit the official website www.pslsquash.com

Favourites confirm their PSL semi-final places, but not without a few jitters…

The tenth and final round of PSL action started with two teams confirmed semi-finalists, but two places remained up for grabs.

In Group A Duffield, who led the table all season before a couple of late defeats set their nerves jangling, needed 8 points at home to bottom of the table Birmingham to make sure of home advantage in the semis. They got there, but not without some more nerve-wracking moments as Birmingham took a 2-1 lead, and with Chris Ryder taking Nick Matthew into a fifth game the packed Duffield crowd were on tenterhoooks.

Matthew took the fifth, and Jaymie Haycocks secured the remaining point needed on his way to a 3/0 win that gave Duffield the match 3-2.

At Nottingham the home side needed a good win to overhaul second-placed visitors Oxford, and for a while they had a chance, taking a 2-0 lead. However a fine performance from Alison Thomson, coming from 2-1 down to beat Nottingham’s experienced stand-in Senga Macfie gave Oxford the points they needed to make the semis.

The other group A match saw Chapel Allerton beat local rivals Pontefract to put themselves into joint third place with Nottingham.

Group B leaders Surrey needed just a few points away to strugglers Winchester to guarantee themselves home advantage, and they quickly went 4-0 up to do just that. Greg Gaultier beat Peter Barker in an entertaining finale to make the final score 4-1.

Second placed Exeter travelled to Chichester knowing that avoiding a 5-0 defeat would be enough to see them through to the semis. The home side had a sniff of an big upset as they went 2-0 up, but former Chichester favourite Tim Vail put paid to those hopes as he beat Alex Gough to put Exeter into the semis. Chichester finished up 3-2 winners.

St George’s Hill were finalists for the past two seasons but a poor start put paid to their hopes, finished with a flourish, beating bottom of the table Bristol 5-0, a result which left them just one point below Chichester in fourth place.

So the 9th April semi-final lineups are: Duffield v Exeter and Surrey v Oxford

With a round still to go, former champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield and reigning champions Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets confirmed their places in the Premier Squash League (PSL) play-offs after contrasting fortunes in the ninth round of the world’s most prestigious squash league.

Croydon-based Surrey Health did so in fine style in Group B, despatching UWE Bristol 4/1 at home to secure a place in the end-of-season semi-finals for the seventh year in a row.

Frenchman Lucas Serme, ranked 98 in the world, claimed a career-first victory over Londoner Adrian Grant, the world No17, to save Bristol’s blushes – but the two games won by Grant resulted in a 19-point win for the home team, and a nine-point lead at the top of the Group B tables.

Second-placed Exeter Diamonds strengthened their bid for a place in the semi-finals for the first time with a resounding 5/0 home win over Winchester Racquets & Fitness – eight-time Dutch champion Laurens Jan Anjema ensuring maximum points for the Devon club by wrapping up the night with an 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 win over the visitors’ world junior champion Marwan El Shorbagy.

TWP St George’s Hill, runners-up for the past two seasons, staged a late bid for the knockout stage by beating Group B rivals Team Chichester 5/0 at home - Daryl Selby and Tom Richards avenging defeats by Jonathan Kemp andMohd Nafiizwan Adnan, respectively, in the earlier meeting in the season – and Charles Sharpes stemming a fight-back by Olivier Pett in the fourth string clash to beat his Chichester opponent 11-4, 11-2, 10-12, 12-14, 11-9 in 73 minutes.

But despite their success, the Weybridge club – in fourth place with 117 points – can now only sit back and watch Exeter (137 points) and Chichester (122) fight out a tenth round clash to see which team joins Surrey Health in the semis. Exeter can still top the group tables to have home advantage against the second-placed team in Group A.

Unbeaten this season in Group A after the first seven rounds, Benz-Bavarian Duffield suffered their second defeat in a row at Oxford Health & Racquets – but the five points earned were enough to clinch their place in the play-offs.

It was Austrian number one Aqeel Rehman who made the biggest contribution towards the Derbyshire club’s modest points tally when he beat Oxford stalwart Mark Cairns 11-9, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8.

But wins by Madeline Perry, Ben Coleman, Scott Handley and top-ranked Spaniard Borja Golan gave the home side a 4/1 win and cemented Oxford’s position in second place in the Group A tables with 123 points – 13 behind Duffield.

A 4/1 away win by former champions MB Nottingham over AJP Pontefract kept the East Midlands club’s play-off hopes alive. Victories by Emma Beddoes, Greg Lobban, Declan James and Lewis Walters gave Nottingham a vital 17 points to take third place in the tables behind Oxford.

And Nottingham host Oxford in the crucial tenth round tie in Group A which will produce the group’s second semi-finalist.

The other tie in the group also ended in a 4/1 away win – when Chapel Allerton beat University of Birmingham to strengthen their hold on fourth place in the tables. Sarah-Jane Perry was the Leeds club’s surprise winner, beatingJenny Duncalf 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 in a career-first win over the former world No2.

But, despite being only two points adrift of Nottingham in the latest tables, Chapel Allerton can do nothing to stop Oxford and Nottingham battling it out for the group’s second semi-final slot.

RESULTS: Premier Squash League, 9th round, Tuesday 5 March 2013

Group A:
AJP Pontefract 1 MB Nottingham 4
Siddharth Suchde bt Eddie Charlton 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 (38m)
Lee Beachill lost to Lewis Walters 11-9, 4-11, 9-11, 8-11 (38m)
Thoboki Mohohlo lost to Declan James 6-11, 11-5, 7-11, 14-16 (53m)
Alex Hodgetts lost to Greg Lobban 5-11, 3-11, 8-11 (24m)
Julia Lecoq lost to Emma Beddoes 7-11, 7-11, 6-11 (20m)

University of Birmingham 1 Chapel Allerton 4
Chris Ryder lost to Ong Beng Hee 12-10, 6-11, 2-11, 5-11
Peter Creed lost to Chris Simpson 7-11, 6-11, 7-11
Jaymie Haycocks lost to Shaun le Roux 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11
Nathan Lake lost to James Earles 14-12, 11-13, 6-11, 8-11 (73m)
Sarah-Jane Perry bt Jenny Duncalf 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 (30m)

Oxford Health & Racquets 4 Benz-Bavarian Duffield 1
Borja Golan bt Andy Whipp 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-3
Scott Handley bt Adam Murrills 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (31m)
Ben Coleman bt Chris Fuller 11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-4
Mark Cairns lost to Aqeel Rehman 9-11, 11-2, 6-11, 8-11 (45m)
Madeline Perry bt Lily Taylor 11-7, 11-4, 11-2

Group B:
Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets 4 UWE Bristol 1
Peter Barker bt Arthur Gaskin 11-2, 11-7, 11-5
Adrian Grant lost to Lucas Serme 4-11, 5-11, 11-8, 14-12, 8-11
Adrian Waller bt Thomas Ford 11-6, 11-8, 11-8
Richie Fallows bt Sam Ellis 12-10, 11-8, 11-4
Alison Waters bt Emma Chorley 11-5, 11-2, 11-1

Exeter Diamonds 5 Winchester Racquets & Fitness 0
Laurens Jan Anjema bt Marwan El Shorbagy 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 (38m)
Olli Tuominen bt Robert Downer 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 (35m)
Tim Vail bt Scott Fitzgerald 12-10, 8-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-1 (42m)
Michael Harris bt Phillip John Bull 11-1, 11-4, 11-9 (24m)
Aisling Blake bt Jane Allman 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (21m)

TWP St George’s Hill 5 Team Chichester 0
Daryl Selby bt Jonathan Kemp 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-1
Tom Richards bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
Joe Lee bt Robbie Temple 11-7, 11-5, 11-7
Charles Sharpes bt Olivier Pett 11-4, 11-2, 10-12, 12-14, 11-9 (73m)
Dominique Lloyd-Walter bt Annabelle Collins-Ballands 11-5, 12-10, 11-8

10th & final round fixtures (26 March):
Group A:
Benz-Bavarian Duffield v University of Birmingham
Chapel Allerton v AJP Pontefract
MB Nottingham v Oxford Health & Racquets
Group B:
Team Chichester v Exeter Diamonds
Winchester Racquets & Fitness v Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets
UWE Bristol v TWP St George’s Hill

PSL TABLES (after 9th round):

The ninth and penultimate round of the Premier Squash League saw two teams confirmed for the semi-finals, but left some questions to be answered in the final round of group action.

Duffield limp into semis,
Oxford almost there …

In Group A leaders Duffield travelled to second-placed Oxford. The visitors suffered travel delays and things got no better after the delayed start as Oxford quickly took advantage, going 3-0 up before Duffield fought back to limit the damage to a 4-1 defeat.

That earned Duffield enough points to guarantee themselves a semi-final place despite losing their last two matches, but the top two positions will be determined in the next round, with Oxford in pole position to join Duffield in the last four.

Nottingham and Chapel Allerton started the evening in third and fourth place, and 4-1 away wins at Birmingham and Pontefract, worth 17 points each, kept both in with an outside chance of making the playoffs.

Duffield will go into the last week needing eight points at home to bottom of the table Birmingham to clinch top spot, while Oxford will travel to Nottingham knowing that seven points will be enough to see them through to the semis – however should Nottingham win well enough to deny them there’s an outside chance that Chapel Allerton could pip them both!

Standings: Duffield 136, Oxford 123, Nottingham 109, Chapel A 107, Pontefract 89, Birmingham 76

Round Ten Fixtures: Duffield v Birmingham, Chapel A v Pontefract, Nottingham v Oxford

Surrey through, Exeter one win away …

In Group B leaders and defending champions Surrey entered the home stretch with matches against the bottom two clubs to come, and a 4-1 win at home to Bristol guaranteed them a place in the semi-finals.

Second placed Exeter did themselves a power of good with a 5-0 home win over Winchester, which leaves them needing to win one of the five matches at home to Chichester to secure their semi-final place.

Two-time runners-up St George’s Hill saw their outside chances disappear despite a fine 5-0 home win over early pacesetters Chichester.

Standings:
Surrey 146, Exeter 137, Chichester 122, St George’s 117, Winchester 60, Bristol 40

Round Ten Fixtures: Chichester v Exeter, Winchester v Surrey, Bristol v St George’s

Despite suffering their first  loss of the season, former champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield are already virtually assured a place in the end-of-season play-offs after taking points from each match againstMB Nottingham in the eighth round tie of the world’s most prestigious squash league.

The East Midlands derby always brings out the best in both teams – and Nottingham stalwart Emma Beddoes paved the way for the hosts with a stunning 11-5, 5-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-6 victory over the visitors’ Laura Massaro, the world No3 from Preston who competed in her third successive British National Championship final on Sunday.

It was world No31 Beddoes’ first win over the England number one in seven meetings in the last six years.

Inspired by his team-mate’s unexpected success, Scot Greg Lobban dug deep to earn his first win over Duffield’s Chris Fuller – delighting the packed Nottingham crowd with a 106-minute 13-11, 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-8 win to extend the home side’s advantage.

When Nottingham-based Eddie Charlton survived the third five-game match of the day to beat Duffield’s Joel Hinds 11-6, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, it signalled the end of Duffield’s season-long unbeaten run.

But the Derbyshire club won the other two matches to reduce the margin of defeat to 3/2 - Andy Whipp beating Declan James in four games, and the new record five-time British National champion Nick Matthew clinching a straight games win over the top-ranked Scot Alan Clyne.

Duffield have in fact extended their lead at the top of the Group A tables to 26 points, as second-placed Oxford Health & Racquets also suffered a 3/2 defeat away from home at Chapel Allerton.

The Leeds club’s England international Jenny Duncalf made up for the disappointment of a semi-final exit at the National Championships by beating Oxford’s Irish champion Madeline Perry 11-9, 11-6, 11-13, 17-15 – but the real star of the Chapel Allerton line-up was Channel Islander Chris Simpson.

With the tie poised at two-all, the top string from Guernsey beat Oxford’s Cameron Pilley 13-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-5 to record his first ever win over the Australian number one.

Elsewhere in the group, Yorkshire club AJP Pontefract kept their play-off hopes alive with a 4/1 home win overUniversity of Birmingham, with victories from Saurav Ghosal, Siddharth Suchde, Lee Beachill and Sarah Kippax.

A change of order came in the other group after reigning champions Integrity Surrey Health Racquets crushed Exeter Diamonds 5/0 to replace the Devon team at the top of the Group B tables.

The Croydon club supporters were treated to a fine display by the home team, led by the newly-crowned British National champion Alison Waters, and followed by Adrian Waller, Gregoire Marche and Karim Abdel Gawad. A courageous performance by the Surrey Health number one Adrian Grant saw the Londoner recover from two games down to beat Dutch international and fellow left-hander Laurens Jan Anjema 11-13, 4-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9 in 82 minutes to give his team maximum points.

Exeter drop to third place in the tables – making way for Team Chichester to move up to second place following a powerful 5/0 away win at UWE Bristol. The Chichester star turn was Jonathan Kemp, the semi-retired former world No20 who overcame a two-game deficit to the Bristol number one Mohamed El Shorbagy to beat the world No6 from Egypt 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8.

Last season’s runners-up TWP St George’s Hill kept alive their slender hopes of a place in the playoffs by beatingWinchester Racquets & Fitness 4/1.

RESULTS: Premier Squash League, 8th round, Tuesday 19 February 2013

Group A:
MB Nottingham 3 Benz-Bavarian Duffield 2
Alan Clyne lost to Nick Matthew 11-13, 11-13, 7-11
Eddie Charlton bt Joel Hinds 11-6, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9
Declan James lost to Andy Whipp 7-11, 11-13, 11-4, 6-11
Greg Lobban bt Chris Fuller 13-11, 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-8 (106m)
Emma Beddoes bt Laura Massaro 11-5, 5-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-6

AJP Pontefract 4 University of Birmingham 1
Saurav Ghosal bt Peter Creed 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
Siddharth Suchde bt Jaymie Haycocks 13-11, 12-10, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7 (88m)
Lee Beachill bt Nathan Lake 12-10, 11-5, 11-8
Taminder Gata-Aura lost to Chris Tasker-Grindley 5-11, 3-11, 2-11
Sarah Kippax bt Sarah-Jane Perry 15-13, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7

Chapel Allerton 3 Oxford Health & Racquets 2
Chris Simpson bt Cameron Pilley 13-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-5
Dylan Bennett bt Scott Handley 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-2
James Earles lost to Ben Coleman 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 8-11
Matthew Sidaway lost to Mark Cairns 8-11, 11-7, 4-11, 8-11
Jenny Duncalf bt Madeline Perry 11-9, 11-6, 11-13, 17-15

Group B:
UWE Bristol 0 Team Chichester 5
Mohamed El Shorbagy lost to Jonathan Kemp 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 8-11 (42m)
Lucas Serme lost to Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan 9-11, 6-11, 14-16 (43m)
David Haley lost to Robbie Temple 7-11, 5-11, 3-11 (29m)
Thomas Ford lost to Anthony Graham 7-11, 8-11, 11-6, 5-11 (48m)
Emma Chorley lost to Lauren Briggs 6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 3-11 (35m)

Integrity Surrey Health Racquets 5 Exeter Diamonds 0
Adrian Grant bt Laurens Jan Anjema 11-13, 4-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9 (82m)
Karim Abdel Gawad bt Olli Tuominen 11-8, 11-7, 7-3 ret.
Gregoire Marche bt Joey Barrington 11-3, 14-12, 11-5
Adrian Waller bt Tim Vail 11-6, 11-4, 11-2
Alison Waters bt Victoria Temple Murray 11-3, 11-1, 11-6

Winchester Racquets & Fitness 1 TWP St George’s Hill 4
Marwan El Shorbagy lost to Daryl Selby 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 5-11
Stacey Ross bt Tom Richards 11-1, 4-3 ret.
Robert Downer lost to Joe Lee 5-11, 5-11, 6-11
Adam Auckland lost to Charles Sharpes 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 5-11
Rachel Willmott lost to Dominique Lloyd-Walter 8-11, 7-11, 9-11

PSL TABLES (after 8th round):