Title Favourites Show Class

Another packed balcony were entertained by some truly top class squash on Tuesday as title favourites, The Northern were the visitors to Hyde. The Northern were fielding one of their strongest sides so far this season and despite some battling performances from the Hyde lads The Northern's strength shone through giving them a 5-0 victory over Hyde.

Hyde CSC 1st Team 1 2 3 4 5 The Northern 1st Team
1 George Parker 1 11-5 3-11 7-11 10-12 | 3 Nafiizwan (Wan) Adnan [A]
2 Julian Tomlinson 0 6-11 9-11 9-11 3 Andy Whipp
3 Joshua Taylor 1 14-16 6-11 13-11 10-12 | 3 Ashley Davies
4 Steve Gregory 1 11-5 7-11 4-11 3-11 3 Alex Hodgetts [A]
5 Steve White 1 7-11 2-11 11-9 9-11 3 Jim Brown
Team Pts 4 15 Team Pts
Bonus Pts 0 5 Bonus Pts
Total Pts 4 20 Total Pts

Getting the night underway for Hyde Steve White took on Jim Brown. Despite a much improved performance from Steve throughout the match two inexplicable service faults in the 4th set cost him that set and the match., 3-1.

Steve Gregory was on next against Alex Hodgetts. This was another good performance from Steve, who took the first set. However, the physical effort to come out on top of some long rallies in that set and the start of the second game eventually started to take its toll, Steve eventually losing to the younger Alex Hodgetts 3-1.

Third on court was Josh Taylor, up against the world number 129 Ashley Davies and knowing that only a win would keep Hyde in the game. Josh played some of his best chances and will feel that he should have won the first set having had three game balls. Josh did take the third but narrowly lost the 4th set and therefore the match 3-1.

So that left Julian and George to play for pride and extra points for Hyde. Julian was up against Andy Whip, one of the leagues most consistent performers. Julian played with his usual high enjoy and gamely chased every ball down. His constant retrieval did trouble Andy at times and Julian had chances to take at least one of the sets. However Andy's consistency and power saw him through to a 3-0 win.

Last on, in what was the highest quality of games ever seen on Hyde's courts, were George Parker, the world no 80, and Wan Adnan, the world number 34. George played his best squash so far for Hyde through out the match and took the first set. Wan's experience got him back in to the game however and he took the next two sets. The fourth set swung from one to the other with some increadible rallies from both players and George will feel that he had chances to take it but it wasn't to be for the Hyde man, with Wan just taking it and the match 3-1.

So a 5-0 defeat Hyde, but by no means a hammering. The fight, desire and skill on show from Hyde will stand them in good stead for the second half of the season as they set their sights on a top 5 finish.

Next week sees the Hyde lads travel to Liverpool CC. Matches start at 7:30pm and all travelling support is appreciated.