Six on the trot for Whitchurch Squash (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Promotion and a cup still on the cards for Whitchurch Squash

3:10pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Andover

Whitchurch Squash Club welcomed fellow promotion hopefuls Avenue from Havant who had strengthened their team for what promised to be a tight match.

Mark Franklin at five had a better quality opponent and lack of match practice to overcome to maintain his unbeaten record and at 2-0 down it looked game over.

He fought back to claim the third game but sadly lack of fitness told and his proud unbeaten record disappeared with a 3-1 defeat.

At four, Nathan Routley, who is still carrying a leg injury, started nervously winning only two points in the first two games but won the third and encouraged by the team found his form to take the next two games comfortably to complete a remarkable comeback and take the match 3-2. Captain Dave Adamson at three, despite playing a slightly unorthodox player with an awkward service, dominated and the constant pressure produced a simple 3-0 win.

At two Tim Harding faced a young, improving and well coached player with some notable scalps already this season but he started brilliantly, taking the first two games with great recovery work and excellent rallies.

Unfortunately the match swung in the third as the Avenue man improved and soon the scores were level 2-2, Tim started slowly in the decider then rallied hard to pull the points back but was eventually edged out 9-7.

The match was poised at 2-2 with the team relying totally on young Brett Farmer to secure the match. He shared the first wo games but his punishing training sessions and recent coaching paid dividends as he upped the pace and confidently won the next two games for a 3-1 victory.

Whitchurch first team have now won six games in a row to maintain the promotion chase with three matches remaining, as well as a cup semi-final against Totton next week so the season is far from over.

l The Vets’ second team, who haven’t won since December, hosted Avenue Vets this week with both teams affected by injury.

At one Richard Baker trailed 2-0 before a very close third game which he narrowly lost. Dave Hicks at three maintained his current confident play winning well 3-0 leaving the match balanced at 1-1. Captain Mike Strong at two, having won the first game then lost the next two to trail 2-1 but improved concentration recovered the situation for a 3-2 win and much needed team victory.