Last night Benz Bavarian Duffield faced reigning champions Virgin Active Surrey HRC in what was set to be a nail biting and eventful semi-final PSL match of world-class squash played in front of a packed audience.
Despite being the ‘underdogs’ without their 2 world champions on the team, Duffield Benz Bavarian played at the top of their game to clinch the win 3-2 taking them through to the final.
Declan and Piedro kicked off the match on the show court, however an accident early on saw Declan rushed off to a local hospital to have treatment for a nasty cut before returning to court later on in the evening to win his game.
Millie played Alison Waters and held her ground as the match went to a decider won by Alison. Millie however, played to an excellent standard!
Joel Hinds and Adrian Grant took to the show court where the Duffield player took the first 2 games however Grant came back to take the next two and the decider.
Richie Fallows played Lyell Fuller winning 3 straight games.
The match decider was between top strings Chris Simpson and Peter Barker which was a closely fought game between two incredibly strong players. There was very little between them before Barker took an injury time out and offered his hand resulting in Duffield going through to the final!
“It’s always a shame when a player has to retire with injury,” said Duffield manager Felix Frixou, “but what a night’s entertainment and what a great performance from the team, I’m proud of them all.
“In all the 23 years I’ve been involved with the PSL that’s probably the most tense, exciting, on edge match ever. Only against Surrey can this happen, and almost a role reversal from last year.”
Match results
- Benz Bavarian Duffield 3 – 2 Virgin Active Surrey HRC
- Chris Simpson 3 – 2 Peter Barker
- Joel Hinds 2 – 3 Adrian Grant
- Declan James 3 – 0 Piedro Schweertman
- Richie Fallows 3- 0 Lyell Fuller
- Millie Tomlinson 2 – 3 Alison Waters
The final due to be held on the 7th May will determined following the semi -final between Coolhurst and St George’s being held just 2 days before.