Matthew Beats Barker But Surrey Health Extend PSL Title Record To Five
by Howard Harding
May 7, 2013 - In a tense Premier Squash League (PSL) final in Nottingham, Croydon club Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets beat former champions Benz-Bavarian Duffield 3/2 to win the fourth title in a row - and extend their record to five titles since 2008.
It was a dramatic climax to the 2012/13 season of the world's most prestigious squash league, supported by Dunlop, which hinged on the final match on the Nottingham Squash Club showcourt between the two clubs' second strings Adrian Grant and Karim Ali Fathi.
England's world No2 Laura Massaro had given three-time champions Duffield an early lead with a straight games win over Nada Elkalaawy, a 17-year-old from Cheam in Surrey who was a late replacement for Surrey Health's Alison Waters - the world No4 from London who, with Massaro, had helped England to victory in the European Team Championships at the weekend in Amsterdam.
The Egyptian-born teenager tested the experienced Massaro, but the 29-year-old from Preston prevailed to win 11-9, 11-9, 11-2.
Impressive wins by Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad and British U23 Champion Adrian Waller put Surrey Health in front - but the Derbyshire club's other world No2 Nick Matthew, the two-time world champion from Sheffield, brought Duffield back into contention with an 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 win over his England team-mate Peter Barker.
"It wasn't the best match for either of us tonight," admitted Yorkshireman Matthew when interviewed courtside afterwards. "But I did what I had to do tonight."
The win not only extended Matthew's own unbeaten PSL record for Duffield to 34 matches - but also set up a decider!
The clash between English international Grant, the 32-year-old world No22 from London making his third successive PSL final appearance for Surrey Health, and rising Egyptian star Fathi, the 19-year-old world No43 from Cairo, was the pair's first meeting.
Pre-match gossip suggested that the Egyptian teenager was nursing a hamstring injury and had been out of action for the previous two months. However, the youngster delighted the packed crowd with his trademark Egyptian shot-making and led in both the first two games.
But Grant's experience and match fitness ultimately shone through as he stormed to a title-winning 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 victory after 37 minutes.
"I'd heard he had an injury, and I was thinking of that too much in the first game," admitted Grant later. "But it's been a massive team effort this season - it's a great achievement.
"And let's hope Richard Branson has been taking notice, especially now that we have extended the PSL record to five titles," added Grant, making reference to the club's full 'Virgin Active Surrey Health & Racquets Club' name.
At the trophy presentations, the club's top string Peter Barker paid tribute to Surrey Health's team manager Pete Smith: "The fifth title is pretty special - but this is for you Pete," said the world No7 from London. "He puts his heart and soul into the team and we are all indebted to what he does."
Barker also paid tribute to opponents Duffield, champions in 1998, 2006 and 2007. "It's a long time since we've played such tough opponents. They will be worthy winners ……… one day!"
Smith was understandably delighted with his team's performance: "To win the title five times - and four times in a row - is pretty magnificent. The team spirit is so good.
"Nights like this are amazing for squash - just what we need as we work towards getting the sport into the Olympic Games in 2020."
RESULTS: Premier Squash League, Nottingham Squash Club, Nottingham
Final:
Integrity Surrey Health Racquets 3 Benz-Bavarian Duffield 2
Peter Barker lost to Nick Matthew 8-11, 9-11, 4-11 (43m)
Adrian Grant bt Karim Ali Fathi 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 (37m)
Karim Abdel Gawad bt Joel Hinds 11-6, 11-8, 14-12 (43m)
Adrian Waller bt Andy Whipp 11-3, 11-6, 13-11 (39m)
Nada Elkalaawy lost to Laura Massaro 9-11, 9-11, 2-11 (24m)
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