Squash: Premier League champs are too strong for Chichester

Chichester's Premier Squash League team found the going tough when they travelled to Croydon for their first away fixture of the season against defending champions Surrey.
Anthony Graham was Chichester's only winnerAnthony Graham was Chichester's only winner
Anthony Graham was Chichester's only winner

Lauren Briggs was first on court for Chichester and was up against world No4 Alison Waters. Briggs battled well in the first and third games but the pace and intensity of Waters’ game proved too much and Waters took the match 11-7, 11-1, 11-7 to put Surrey one up.

On the adjacent court, Alex Gough was having a battle royale against fellow veteran Ben Ford.

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The pace was frantic and something had to give. This, however, did not transpire until midway through the fourth.

Gough took the first before Ford replied with two tight games to take a 2-1 lead. In the middle of the fourth game, fatigue caught up with Gough and Ford grabbed this advantage to run away with the game 11-2 and give Surrey a 2-0 lead.

Chichester’s Robbie Temple played world No 30 Adrian Waller, who is at the top of his game. Temple fought well but Waller was resolute and the 3-0 victory gave Surrey an unassailable 3-0 lead and the match.

Anthony Graham took the court next and played British junior No1 Richie Fallows. An incredible match ensued which had everything - breathtaking squash, astounding retrieving, good temperament, amazing attitude and 100 per cent effort from both players.

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Fallows won a tight first game 11-8 but Graham was determined to put a Chichester win on the scorecard. He was unwavering in this aim and squeezed out the next three games to record a fine 3-1 victory and pull one back for Chichester.

Finally, Jonathan Kemp (world 50) took on Adrian Grant (world 20). Chichester player Kemp won the first on a tie-break before Grant comfortably took the second to draw level.

In the third and fourth Kemp had leads of 9-6 and 9-3 respectively but failed to convert and Grant ran out a 3-1 winner. Surrey finished the evening with a 4-1 victory and in top spot.

Chichester host Bristol tonight (November 19). For tickets, call 01243 785664.

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