Sept 27 Nash Cup 2014
Day 6–2014 NASH Cup
PSA Final
Some Notable Moments Over the Past Week
Reflecting on the past 5 days of squash some notable things come to mind. The highlight for me was certainly the way Thomas Brinkman in the first round of qualifiers showed wonderful sportsmanship when, at match ball down, he conceded a stroke against himself when the referees had only given a let – a true gentleman.
The most bizarre moment during the entire week, surely, was our 4 tournament referees taking the opportunity during a break from professional play to try hardball doubles – never have I seen a game with as many lets and so little effort made to get to balls!
And the most endearing moment was our WSA Champion Kanzy El Defrawy joining some club members for a game of 3’s, just for fun, and then watching helpless as one club member hit winning reverse angle boast time after time!
And in many ways you could say the real competition is only beginning with 9 amateur draws starting last night. There’s nothing like amateurs, inspired by watching some of the worlds top players, donning compression socks, stretching until their muscles pop in the gym beside the worlds elite and making every effort to be the best they can be, be it in the PSA, WSA, Open or beginners division.
The Pre Final Warm Up
The evening began with a number of professionals and club members taking part in a unique players challenge. One off rallies were played for each ‘challenge’ which included playing with a racket strung with only 6 strings, having to touch all 4 walls in a rally, playing with an American Hardball, a junior ball, a tennis ball, hitting a slew of cork-screws, phillies, backwall boasts, etc… Raphael Kandra prevailed not that anyone was really counting and with the emphasis on fun it was a great way of warming the crowd up for the main event.
Jens Schoor (GER; WR 87) beat [4] Eddie Charlton (ENG; WR 55): 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (37 mins)
First blood to Jens with a wonderful knick in the first point. Jens served, Eddie returned with a lob which Jens jumped and plucked from the air powering it towards the knick with the fizz audible from the slice he managed to put on the ball. Fantastic start! Beyond any doubt Jens was up for this.
Points were traded in the early stages with both players working good lengths and taking opportunities when they presented themselves. But, at 4-4 Jens pulled away from Eddie by consistently hitting his superb backhand drops and forcing Eddie into defensive play and then capitalizing with great offensive shots. But another overhead that Jens spins fizzing towards the left wall knick just clipped the tin by a hair giving a lifeline to Eddie. 8-5 to Jens at this point. Can Eddie find a way back? That was the immediate question on my mind and this would be the most opportune time. But after a no let decision that Jens benefited from and an unfortunate back wall knick Jens took the first game 11-5.
The second started very brightly for Eddie. Feathering the ball with an open racket face, coming under and sideways across the ball and sending it into the right hand knick just like we’ve all seen Gaultier do time after time. Then at 2-0 to Eddie a big no let/strike situation. Some discussion between the players referees followed by two hotly contested exchanges both of which go to Jens. 2-2 and more lets and more discussion. The decision goes in Eddie’s favour. But Jens retaliates with his go to shot, firing in the backhand drop for a winner and a 3-2 lead. And again for 4-2. A tin from Eddie makes it 5-3 and yet another backhand drop brings it to 6-3. Another huge rally ends in a stroke bring it to for 7-3 for Jens. Now the higher pace beings, more hotly contested rallies, more depth and assertiveness from both players but again that deadly backhand drop from mid to back court from Jaen does so much damage. Jens’s metronomic backhand drop making all the difference. He takes the second 11-4.
And here’s the bizarre thing, first back on court before the 3rd is Jens to practice what else but that back hand drop!
And now for drama, a request for a change of ball. Discussion from the referees and the players of course. Obviously it suits Eddie and well Jens, things are going well, so why change anything?
In any case it was allowed and the third started with a new ball. Wonderfully Eddie showed Jens that he too can put in a great backhand drop with precision, slice and deft touch knocking one dead at the beginning of the third. But Jens retaliates. Great positional play followed by cutting drops and volleys taken in with great slice. Jens leads 4-1 and again he does that backhand killer drop. More points to Jens. 6-1 becomes 9-4 and boom! And huge forehand kill for 10-4. 6 matych balls for Jens!
After one irretrievable thunderous forehand from Eddie Jens takes the next point and the title.
NASH Cup winner 2014 , Jens Schoor!
Eddie: Jens played the better squash today and deserved the win.
Jens: My billets hand washed my shorts today because of my superstition of playing in the same clothing as last night when I had that great win over Karim. So, I guess I owe my win to my billets.
Report by Karlis Zauers