Congratulations to Benz Bavarian Duffield who won the PSL title last night in the final against St Georges at Hunts County.
Runners up last year after loosing to Surrey, Benz Bavarian Duffield narrowly beat the defending champions in the semi-final despite being without their 2 top players, Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro. They went on to play winners of Division B St George’s in an eagerly anticipated final which didnt disappoint.
After failing his fitness test following an ankle injury, Nick Matthew was unable to join the team, however Laura Massaro was back and on form as she took the initial lead for the Derbyshire side beating Yathreb Adel, who had just flown back in from the Egyption League Finals, 3-1.
Richie Fallows put Duffield two nil ahead beating Charles Sharples 3-1. Richie took the first two games, then Charles fought back winning the third, but Richie took the match in the forth. A timely achievement for Richie having lost to Charles in recent events.
As Declan James and Chris Simpson took to the courts in their matches winning their early games, Duffield looked to be in a strong position however St George’s soon started to fight back with Borja Golan and Joe Lee both levelling their matches.
Declan regained the lead and Lee levelled it again but Declan pulled it back winning the 79 minute decider 11/5, taking the match 3-2 and putting Duffield into a comfortable lead of 3-0 as top string Chris Simpson was entering the fifth. Golan however took the match putting St George’s onto the scoreboard.
Joel Hinds and Tom Richards took to the final match, a best of three, with Richards taking the match and making the final score of the night to Duffield 3, St George’s 2.
Duffield’s victory comes after an eight year wait for their fifth title and Manager Felix Frixou and Benz Bavarian Duffield took the trophy and the title – PSL Champions 2015.
Felix said “I’ve been involved for 23 years as a sponsor but this is my 7th year as manager, so it feels great to win the title for the first time in that role.”
“The key to this win is the players, the team have been fantastic all season, they gave me everything they had from the word go and no manager could ask for more. They’ve done our supporters, me and themselves proud.”
Photos courtsey of PSL Squash