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IN A tightly-fought encounter, York did not quite manage to produce the consistency required to prevail over their combative opponents and were edged out 1-2.
First on court was Nanz Dixit. He made a promising start; winning his opening game 11-9 thanks to some intelligent placement. playing the ball down the line on a number of occasions to leave his opponent with little room for manoeuvre.
However, he went down 6-11 in the next game, the Leeds player producing several punishing shots which proved impossible to return.
Forceful play from his opponent also proved Dixit’s undoing in the third set, which he lost 4-11.
With all the momentum with his the Leeds man, it looked seriously unlikely that Dixit would be able to get himself back in the match and he was defeated 5-11 in the fourth set. His despairing dive at the end was not enough to return his opponent’s drop shot. He lost 1-3.
John Perolls, conversely, was able to overcome his opponent 3-2 in a thrilling encounter on court 2.
The Leeds player made the brighter start, playing some accurate shots to claim the first set 8-11.
Yet, Perolls turned it around in the next two sets, demonstrating his reach, control and pace to prevail 11-5, 11-6.
His opponent, however, would not be defeated so easily. He cannily mixed up his game in the fourth set, making Perolls chase the ball around the court on a number of occasions to triumph 11-7.
Nevertheless, Perolls was determined not to lose the match and thwacked the ball ferociously, but most importantly accurately, to demolish the Leeds player 11-5 in the final set.
Last on court was Sam Westmoreland. He made a slow start allowing the Leeds player to amass points at a rapid rate. He lost the first two sets 5-11 and 6-11 in the blink of an eye.
However, at a threatening 3-7 down in the third set, his play improved dramatically. He won eight points on the bounce to take the set 11-7, his superb placement forcing his opponent into error.
Yet, the Leeds player, much like his teammate, was cunning in the fourth set- running Westmoreland ragged. He prevailed 11-8 to take the match 3-1, despite one particularly sweet drop-shot from the York man.
All in all, York had played some quality squash but only in patches and it was this inconsistency that cost them the match. Their opponents were decent squash players but if they had all been buzzing from the outset there may have been a very different result. As it is, York’s 2nd team are still lying at the foot of the table in the Northern 3B BUCS league.