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Team Match reports - submitted by Market Harborough Junior Team Members!

Market Harborough vs Kettering

Harborough squash club’s junior team secured an emphatic 5-0 win against Kettering squash club last Saturday.

Megan Sadd kicked off the match playing at number 5 against Kettering’s Robbie Jempson. In the first match Sadd won by keeping her shots to the back hand side, using drives and lobs to beat her opponent, 11-4. There was no easing off from Sadd in the second game which she won 11-4 making Sadd very happy. In the third game, Jempson fought had but Sadd, brimming with confidence, won 11-6, bringing the match to a close at 3-0.

At number four, Harborough's Sean Reuthe was pitted against Kettering's Suraj Kumar. The two played a tightly contested match with the first game going to Reuthe with a score of 11-5. Kumar managed to turn it around in the second game, his superior speed around the court helping him to pick up any loose drop shots from Reuthe and the second game eventually finished 11-6 to Kumar. An improvement in the third game from Reuthe helped him to an 11-4 victory to give him a 2-1 lead in games over Kumar. The closest game was the fourth and final game. The match was finely balance up to 6-6 when Reuthe managed to pull ahead to lead with match-ball at 10-7. Kumar's service return hit the tin to give Reuthe the game and match 11-7. The final match score was a 3-1 win for Reuthe.

Harborough’s third string player Jack Brown took on Kettering’s Louis Duffy. The first game was hard fought but Brown always managed to keep a nose ahead taking it 11-8. Brown, proving to be too quick and skilful for his opponent, dominated the second game winning it 11-3. Brown started the third well going 3-0 up. Duffy rallied and took seven of the next eight points to go into the lead 7-4. Brown dug deep into his reserves and experience and pulled through to take the third game 11-8 and the match 3-0.

Patrick Sadd played the number 2 player, Ryan Feakin. The first game started off as an evenly fought contest but Sadd then stormed ahead with deep and powerful drives to the back, the first game was taken by Sadd 11-3. With the confidence from winning the first game Sadd used the same tactics as before, going on to win the second game 11-3. Sadd got off to a shaky start when he went down 2 points early in the game. Sadd brushed off this set-back & came back strongly to take the game 11-6 to win the match 3-0.

With Harborough leading 4 matches to 0 it was all down to the number 1, Martin Thompson, to ensure a clean sweep of the match. Playing the hard-hitting & athletic Sonny Flannigan, Thompson dominated the match from the beginning. A combination of punishing drop shots and powerful drives led to him claiming the 1st game 11-3. He continued in equally impressive style to win the 2nd 11-3, again. In the 3rd game Thompson raised his game even more and Flannigan was unable to cope with the ferocious drives resulting in an 11-1 victory for Harborough. Harborough won the match 3-0.

Market Harborough squash club’s junior team, proving to be one of the strongest in the area, are looking forward to their next match against Dallington at the end of the month.

Cripps vs Market Harborough

The start of the Northants junior summer squash league saw the Market Harborough team get off to a fine start. The match was played at the Cripps Centre, Northampton.

Alistair Geear (11) playing at number five started the match off in his first appearance representing Market Harborough. Battling against a bigger, stronger player, Andrew Featherstone (12), Alistair had his opponent in trouble with his deep drives and lob serves. However, any short balls were pounced on by his quick-footed opponent who played some fine drops and kill shots to the front of the court and the match was won by Cripps 3-0.

At number four Sean Reuthe played against the talented Ryan Swadley. The pair were very evenly matched and produced a fascinating spectacle for the packed audience. The first game was tied at 10-10 when Ryan served out giving Sean game ball. Sean won the game with his next shot as his high lob serve could not be returned. The next two games were also very tight but with his punishing drives and better court coverage Sean was able to edge out his opponent to be an eventual winner in straight games 12-10, 11-8, 11-7.

Next on was Megan Sadd playing at number three against a much older Josh Summers. Megan was over-powered in the first game 11-1. After a calming talk by team-mate Martin Thompson, Megan, looking much more composed, turned the tables and won the second game 11-9. The third went to Josh 11-6 who was able to cut out any loose drives from Megan to play some fine drop volleys. Megan dug her heels in for the fourth game and by dominating the centre of the court was able to take the game 11-5. Josh eventually won the deciding game 11-5 with some good serving that Megan was unable to return safely.

With Cripps now leading 2-1 it was up to Patrick Sadd (12) playing at number two to keep Market Harborough’s hopes alive. Playing against Luke Elsby the double-handed Patrick dominated the match from the start. Hard, tight drives buried his opponent in the back of the court and any weak returns were quickly punished with drops and boasts to the front of the court. Patrick won in very impressive style 11-2, 11-4, 11-1.

With the match poised at two-all it was all down to Martin Thompson playing at number one against Tom Shaw. The first game was fiercely contested but eventually won by Harborough 11-7. Martin, who this month has reached the premiere league at Market Harborough, stepped up the pressure and dominated the next two games to take the match 11-7, 11-1, 11-3 and leading the team to a 3-2 victory.

The next team match is expected to be on June 27th at Market Harborough against a side from Kettering.

Next Junior Squad Training Session details.