National Racketball Club Championships 2010/2011

UK Racketball is hoping to get reports for all semi final and quarter final matches so check back here for the results as they come through.

Round 1, Notts vs Boston - Quarter Finals, Notts vs Edgbaston -

Quarter Finals Chapel A vs Hallamshire

Semi Finals Hallamshire vs Edgbaston

Semi Finals – The Hallamshire vs Edgbaston Priory - Sat 2nd April

Last Saturday two of the biggest racketball clubs in the UK battled it out for a spot in the National Racketball Club Championship Finals. Both sides fielded incredibly strong teams with great depth all the way down. With the World Squash No. 1 Nick Matthew playing at one for the Hallamshire against one of the UK’s best up and coming squash professionals Joel Hinds it was always going to be a great match to watch.

The Hallamshire Team - Left to right, Chris Mills, Nick Matthew, Tim Burton, Adam Langham, Dan Lawrence

The Edgebaston Priory Team - Left to right, Anil Ram, Lee James, Joel Hinds, Ashley Harris, Matt Pugh

The matches started with the number 5 seeds...

No 5 seeds:  Chris Mills vs Matt Pugh

Chris Mills from the Hallamshire came out strong in the first looking sharp and immediately hitting the ball well. Matt did not respond and struggled to find his game giving a rather lethargic performance. Chris showed no mercy and took the first 11-6.

In the second Matt had managed to focus and made a solid start playing some great racketball and putting away some clinical finishes, which in the first would have been in the tin. Matt goes 6-4 up and the pressure was on for Chris to respond. Some intense racketball ensued and Chris pressured Matt with some great length forcing a mistake only to give it away with a tin in the next rally. Matt took advantage and pushed on playing some incredible front court touch shots effortlessly finding the front court nick. 9-6 to Matt. Three brutal rallies with good racketball from both players and a cross court nick from Matt to take the game in style. 11-7.

Matt had clearly found his stride and settled in, again playing some great touch shots at the front. Chris was not about to give up and responded well hitting a punishing length and bringing the game to 4-4. With both players looking very evenly matched it could go either way....... After some quality racket ball and some great racket skills Matt pushed on to take the third 11-7.

A brutal 4th game ensued with both players working hard and the game again looking like it could go either way. 8-8. Fatigue hit Chris causing an unforced error 9-8, but then he responded with a cracking drive kill into the backhand nick 9-9. Another brutal rally and a tin from Chris allowing Matt to take the game 11-9 and the match 3-1.

No 4 seeds: Adam Langham vs Anil Ram

Both players came out well with Adam preferring to take a very steady and consistent approach not giving his opponent any openings. In contrast Anil looked to move the ball about much more with a huge array of shots. The very close game first game, which could have gone either way, saw Adam take the win 12/10.

The second followed suit however Anil started to look a little fatigued towards the end and with some great quality error free racketball Adam who took the win, 11-7

Now 2-0 down Anil had his work cut out to come back. He started strong and took the game to Adam, the score levelled at 8-8, it was crunch time. Adam continued with his solid racketball and consistency closing the court down limiting Anil’s attacking shots and forcing mistakes from his tiring opponent. Adam took the game 11-8 and the match 3-0.

No 3 seeds: Tim Burton vs Lee James

The third string match saw Tim Burton from The Hallamshire vs Lee James. Lee got off to a good start hitting a powerful and solid length to take the lead. Tim battled hard responding well and moving the ball around the court, but to no avail. Lee continued to play a very solid all round game bringing the ball into the front well taking the first game.

Tim came out fighting in the second looking to get a good start, but Lee matched the pace and managed to suppress all Tim’s efforts to take the lead. It was a close affair but in the end Tim could not seem to find that winning formula.

The third game took a similar form to those of the first two with Lee proving just too strong and consistent for Tim. Lee battled on to take the third and the match 3-0.

No 1 seeds: Nick Matthew vs Joel Hinds

The seating was packed out and the crowd was eager to see the World Squash Number 1 Nick Matthew from the Hallamshire battle it out with Joel Hinds, one of the top up and coming squash pros in the UK.

It was going to be an interesting match with both players being relative newcomers to racketball.

Nick started hitting a great ball from the start. He played a punishing length and Joel looked like he was on the back foot, taken back by Nick’s intensity and struggling to adjust his game to that suited to racketball. Nick powered through the first taking the win 11-2.

At this point it looked like it may be a very short one sided match unless Joel could start to pressure Nick and make an impact.

This time both players came out well with Joel having clearly taken his game up a gear. Nick was still pressuring well with an intense pace on his drives and throwing in the odd triple boast to really try and work his opponent. Joel responded matching Nick’s intensity and after two long rallies and a near perfect drop shot from Joel clinging to the wall the score was level at 1-1. A number of errors from Matthew, and Joel continuing to play some great length hitting his targets at the back of the court and bringing the ball into the front with clinical precision took Joel into the lead 5-1. The game was now on with the pressure on Nick to now not to let Joel pull away. A number of long rallies ensued with Nick unwilling to give Joel anything and really trying to pressure him. Nick was playing some incredible flat, hard drives to the back magnifying the effect of his front court attack and keeping Joel working hard battling back into the lead 6-5. After another intense rally and Joel finally managed to stop nicks advance and bring the scores level again 6-6. Both players were now becoming more accustomed to the racketball and really started to mix up the play and open up the court for some exciting rallies. An attacking length from Nick which just stayed glued to the wall saw him take the lead 7-6. Matthew continued to his error free form pressuring his opponent and only allowing him to claw back a single point before taking the win 11-7.

Joel was now 2-0 down and the pressure was really on. After a good start in the second but losing his lead it was clear that it would take all his skill and concentration to come back in the third.

Although both players came out attacking looking to take an early lead it was Nick who came out on top effortlessly slotting two forehand nicks to take him 3-1 up. Some great play from Nick and another long rally finishing with Nick spanking out a backhand nick from behind the service box with such pace you could barely see the ball until it was rolling to your feet. The crowd cheered, they liked that one from their fellow Yorkshire man. Joel was not about to give up though playing a great rally and taking advantage of an uncharacteristic error from Nick to get back to 4-5. Nick was unfazed, however and responded with more outstanding length and high pressure to race away to 9-4. Joel was now looking in trouble, but a good bit of digging in and three tins from Matthew saw Joel fight back to 9-7. With both players now sensing that there was a possibility the game could go either way they knew that now was not the time for a mistake. A brutal rally ensued with neither player giving their opponent anything to feed off. A number of good lengths from Nick combined with well timed cross courts to move Joel out of position allowed him to close the game out 11-7 and the match 3-0.

Apparently Nick is not just good at squash....... watch out Daryl for the squash and racketball exhibition match against Nick at Lexden Squash Club on 4th May!!!!!

No 2 seeds: Dan Lawrence vs Ashley Harris

The first game kicked off with a brutal pace and some great racketball from both players. Dan’s racketball experienced showed through with some great holds and attacking shots really pressuring Ash who looked a little awkward at times and seemed unable to contain Dan’s racket skills. Dan’s hard work and perseverance paid off and he took the first 11-9.

With the first string match having now been won by Nick the match level at 2-2 and both players knew it all came down to their game to fight it out for victory.  It was clear that it was going to be an epic match.

Both players returned to court looking focused but Dan was already looking more fatigued, having worked hard to take the first, compared to his fresh faced opponent. Ash, now looking more settled, took the initiative going 2-1 up. Dan responded playing some great touch shots at the front and a well timed cheeky triple boast to take the lead 3-2. Ash was now moving well with incredible speed and still looking fresh. A number of long brutal rallies with some great pressure shots from Ash saw Dan start to struggle under his opponents superior fitness and outstanding movement. Ash moves 7-4 up. Dan refocuses to battle back to 7-6, again utilising some clinical touch shots at the front. A break in concentration from Dan, managing to serve out, and some outstanding play from Ash moved him into a position to take the win. 10-7 to Ash. Dan unwilling to give up gets back in the zone to bring it level at 10-10. Ash with steely reserve and a level head pushes hard to take the win 12-10.

An unimpressed Dan Lawrence gives standers by some light hearted tips.... “Try not to serve out at a critical point in the game.” Sound advice, thanks Dan.

The third saw some solid and relentless racketball from both players, both cautious not to open up the court too much. The score levelled at 3-3, but it looked like Dan was already having to fight to keep up with the pace of game from Ash. With Dan now on the backfoot and trying to conserve his energy Ash played some clinical racketball and started to turn the screw forcing mistakes from Dan and accelerating to a 10-4 lead. A last minute ditch attempt from Dan, throwing everything he had at his opponent saw him claw back a point, but Ash stayed in control closing the game out 11-5.
It was clear that unless Dan could find some more energy for the 4th then it would be tough for him to make an impact on Ash.

On the verge of exhaustion Dan makes a heroic effort to get a good start in an attempt to combat his opponents fitness staying in the long rallies and working hard. Both players were retrieving well and not making any mistakes. However Ash came out on top to take an early lead 2-1.  Ash, now accustomed to Dan’s trickery and moving at lightning speed looked like he could sense victory as Dan’s legs started to give way. The shots that were catching Ash out in the first were no longer having an impact and Dan was in trouble seemingly unable to find any shots that could win a point. Ash goes 8-1 up. Dan now hanging on by a thread continued to work hard but was unable to match the punishing pace of Ash who was now in his element and had his eye on the prize and did not look like he was going to back off. Ash stormed on to take the game 11-1, the match 3-1 and the semi final win 3-2 for Edgebaston.

Overall Results:

Hallamshire vs Edgebaston 2-3

Nick Matthew vs Joel Hinds, 3-0
Dan Lawrence vs Ashley Harris, 1-3
Tim Burton vs Lee James, 0-3
Adam Langham vs Anil Ram, 3-0
Chris Mills vs Matt Pugh, 1-3

Round 1

Nottingham vs Boston

Mark Fuller from UK-Racketball and Nottingham Squash Club reports:
 
This was Nottingham’s first year in the competition with racketball only recently taking off at the club.

Chris Slade (Notts, 5) vs Gary Fitzsimmons (Boston, 5)

First up on the show court for Nottingham was Chris Slade one of the clubs oldest racketball members who has been promoting racketball at the club long before UK-Racketball came on the scene. He started well, controlling the ball with tight drops and working boasts and raced to an early lead in the 1st set before Boston number 5 Gary Fitzsimmons fought back extending the rallies and tiring Slade.

The 2nd was a one sided affair with Slade looking progressively more tired, eventually conceding the game 11/4. With the match looking over though Slade managed to get the momentum back and as is so often the case in racketball this was enough to carry him through the game (11/8) and open Nottingham’s account on the night.

The 4th was close all the way through with Slade almost edging it right at the end, but Fitzsimmons stamina was the deciding factor, 1-0 Boston!

Gaz Hodkinson (Notts, 4) vs Stewart Dunlop (Boston, 4)

Nottingham’s number 4 Gaz Hodkinson has only been playing a few months (since watching the UK Racketball series event that was hosted by the club at the end of the summer) and has made rapid progress in turning his squash shots to use on a racketball court. He adapted to team play slowly only really hitting his stride in the 3rd game but despite slotting some great straight drops (must have a good coach) didn’t have enough on the day to compete with Stewart Dunlop, it was 2-0 to Boston.

Will Bennett (Notts, 2) vs Andy Mitchell (Boston, 2)

The 2nd string match was a one sided affair with Will Bennett coming out on top of Boston Captain Andy Mitchell 11/1, 11/7, 11/8. Mitchell did everything he could but Bennett played error free racketball from the start and whenever the game got close managed to defend with consistency and gave Mitchell nothing. 2-1 Boston.

Leckie Dow (Notts, 3) vs Johnathan Hull (Boston, 3)

Leckie, who finished 4th in the over 40’s UK-Racketball Series, has been coaching relentlessly (squash and racketball) but might have not had as much competitive racketball play as he would have liked. This didn’t show in the first game though as he raced to an early lead and closed it out 11/4.  In the next two though Hull battled back and was pouncing on any short ball that Leckie sent in with no pace and blasted it to the back, 11/7, 11/8 Hull and Boston were one game away from the quarterfinal, it was all down to Leckie to turn Nottingham’s fortunes round.

After a team talk from Coach Fuller, Leckie was back to the form he found in the 1st game, finding length and putting pace on the ball. He took Hull by surprise with the change and took the game 11/6.

It was 2-2 with all Nottingham’s hopes of staying in the competition now resting with Leckie. As the game progressed it became clear that it could go either way, both players had cut out the mistakes and were digging deep. Mid way through the game they both looked tired and at 9-9 they looked exhausted. Leckie was still trying to extend the rallies and attack his length and in the end this tactic played dividends with a cross court deep nick to go 10-9 before pinning Hull behind him on match ball with deep drives and slotting the winning drop.

Mark Fuller (Notts, 1) vs Ady Proctor (Boston, 1)

The match was level at 2-2 but Fuller was too strong for Proctor, who despite hitting some great winners at the start of the second game to take a lead in the set, Fuller ended up winning the match 3-0 and clinching the tie for Nottingham.

Below are the final results and match card:

Quarter finals for Nottingham next, against the traditional powerhouse of English Racketball Edgbaston Priory. A racketball battle between the countries biggest squash clubs, bring it on!

Quarter Finals

Nottingham vs Edgebaston Priory

UK-Racketball Nottingham knew they would have their work cut out away at one of the countries big racketball strongholds Edgbaston. This was Nottingham’s first year in the event but after sneaking through the first round against Boston, and knowing that they were 1 match away from a finals weekend on home turf the team was fired up and ready for the challenge.

Experienced racketballer Matt Pugh, Edgbaston Priory Club Champion 2 years ago, faced up against Nottingham’s last minute substitute Ernest Radford in the first match of the clash. Pugh hit hard and low, moved the ball quickly to all corners and despite Ernest fighting right to the end, on the day Pugh just had too much.

The match of the night saw UK-RB Nottingham’s Neil Rossin take on Edgbaston club coach Mike Edwards and turned into a classic encounter of skill vs stamina with both players having to give everything just to stay in the match.

Edwards started the stronger, timing the ball well and right from the beginning it was obvious that he was looking for winners at every opportunity. He utilised his full range of cross court nicks, fading boasts and drive kills, which resulted in an early lead. Rossin dug in, made no mistakes and began to find his way back into the game. The first went right to the wire with both players having numerous game balls before 3 strokes for Edwards finally ended the contest 15/13 in Priory’s favour.

Right from the start of the second it was obvious that the 1st had hurt Edwards a lot more than Rossin, early tins quickly lead to a one sided game (11/4) and the levelling of the string. With the momentum all Rossins way he took the 3rd the same way as the second and it was not until the deep in the 4th game and leading 8/2 with the match looking all but over that Edwards finally managed to find a way back. With a last throw of the dice Edwards went for some shots, they came off and the game seemed to change instantly with Rossin now being the one struggling for find any rhythm or consistency. 6 straight points in a row to Edwards and the game looked like it was heading to a 5th set but at 8-8 Rossin found his second wind and set up another tense tie break. Several game and match balls later this time it was Rossin who was victorious 15/13, squaring the fixture and setting up the last 3 matches.

The 3rd string’s first game seesawed one way and then the other before finally being claimed by Underhill (Nottingham) 11/7. Harris however always looked the fitter (and leaner) of the two “athletes” and this began to show at the start of the second. After a racket change at the start of the 4th Underhill tried to find a way back and despite 3 awesome dives on match ball down, (that I failed to get on camera, sorry Rich) in the end Harris was just too strong, 2-1 Priory.

In the 4th string Will Bennett from Nottingham was up against Rob Alger. The first game was close and it could have gone either way, but with a strong finish Alger closed it out taking the game 11/8. It was to be an uphill battle for Notts from here on with Alger looking completely fresh and Bennett already stating to struggle. Alger stepped up the pace in the second hitting a good powerful length on the backhand whist moving the ball around the court well when opportunities arose. Alger went on to continue his top form and consistency taking the next two games and the match with relative ease.

Fuller started well in the final match of the night going 7-3 up in the first before Graham pegging him back, taking the game 11/9. The match went one way then the other with Fuller taking the 2nd, Graham the 3rd and Fuller the 4th. The 5th was close all the way but Graham seemed to have just a bit more in his legs and always seemed to be one step ahead looking to volley at every opportunity. A last minute fight back from Fuller was not enough and the match was Grahams 3-2 and Priory’s 4-1.

A great days racketball but in the end Nottingham didn’t have enough to topple racketball veterans Edgbaston. It will be a great finals weekend with Hallamshire and Edgbaston set to meet in the semi finals.

Final Results

Antony Graham vs Mark Fuller - 11/9, 8/11, 11/5, 9/11, 8/11
Mike Edwards vs Neil Rossin - 15/13, 4/11, 9/11, 13/15
Ashley Harris vs Richard Underhill - 8/11, 11/5, 11/6, 11/7
Rob Alger Vs Will Bennett - 8/11, 6/11, 6/11
Matt Pugh vs Ernest Radford - 11/3, 11/0, 11/3

Quarter Finals

Chapel Allerton vs Hallamshire

Two of the biggest racketball clubs in the North came to battle it out at the Hallamshire in Sheffield for the chance to go through to the semi finals. As expected it was going to be a close match with both teams looking very strong, but it was The Hallamshire who finally prevailed winning the match 3-2 showing great strength all the way down their team. Next Hallamshire have to play the equally strong Edgebaston side which will no doubt be another great event.

Dan Lawrence from the Hallamshire lost to Dominic Hamilton, 6/11, 6/11, 6/11. Tim Burton lost - to the Chapel Allerton 2 string, 7/11, 8/11, 5/11.
Alex Cutts won for the Hallamshire 11/9, 11/9, 11/4. Adam Langham from the Hallamshire won 11/4, 11/4, 11/5 and Dave Coffey secured the victory for the Hallamshire wining 11/6, 11/8, 11/3.