Windscale Junior Squash Exhibition featuring Matt Sidaway and Tom Ford

Tuesday 17^th August 2010.

Photo l to r; Matt, Hannah, Mike, Jess, Bob, Tom

Possibly the first junior exhibition in the N. West to feature local talented juniors against England standard players took place at Windscale Squash Club on Tuesday 17^th August. Matt Sidaway (16) from Manchester and Tom Ford (16) from Gloucester ranked England under 17's numbers 2 and 3 respectively, took on the four finalists from the Windscale Club Men's and Ladies Championships from last season. Three of the four players are under 18, with the oldest 22.

First on court was Hannah Crichton (16) against Tom, and it was the more experienced Tom that opened up a healthy lead, gaining nine clear points before Hannah bothered the scorer. Taking her chance she then produced a series of winning shots that even the quick footed Tom couldn't retrieve. However she had given him too much of a start and as the rest of the points were shared he ran out a comfortable winner 15 points to 6.

Jessica Winder (15) followed on court against Matt and she too gave him a good seven point's start, meaning that she too was playing catch up. This she did, warming to the task and pressuring Matt into unforced errors. He reached twelve points without losing his scoring advantage but then over elaborated and Jessica was in like a shot, hitting tight drops and clinging lengths, which he couldn't return. As Matt went for the winners it was Jessica that gained more points and at fourteen all, it was sudden death, pulling it out of the bag Matt hit the winning point to win 15/14, and save himself from a seasons ribbing from Jessica.

Tom followed on court against Bob Priestley (18) and once again it was the visitor that pulled out a good lead as a nervous looking Bob struggled to read Tom's game, with the added 'local rule that Tom had to hit 5 nick winners' in his tally of points, the shots were hitting the angles with regularity. Bob was soon ten points to four adrift, before he really took a hold in the match, and try as he did he couldn't chip away at the points difference, and it was Tom that claimed the game finally with his fifth winning nick point to run out the winner 16/8.

Matt re-entered the court to play Michael Hetherington (22) in what turned out to be a fast paced hard fought game. Once again the 'local 5 nick winners' rule was invoked for Matt, and saying as though he goes for the odd one or two in a game his chance was there. For the first time in the evening it was the local player that stole a point's lead and Matt was soon four points behind, as he struggled to match Michaels speed around the court and weight of shot. Although Matt was scoring some points Michael retained his cushion and was leading eight four. Matt then reeled off two nick winners in a row to put pressure on Michael for the first time, and it was now Matt in the ascendency as he pulled ahead to lead twelve points to nine. Michael dug in to level the score at twelve all and as Matt still needed a couple of nicks he was going for shots that were costly to him as a few errors crept into his game. Michael was first to match ball but Matt levelled, and then went on to claim a moral victory by winning his 15^th point, however he still hadn't claimed the elusive 5^th nick and the scoring went on as Michael pushed to reach 15 points. Matt couldn't find a nick in the final rally and as Michael claimed the final point, reaching 15 points he was declared the winner in what was an epic encounter, and a great scalp.

The main event of the evening, Matt versus Tom didn't disappoint the large crowd, as they witnessed first hand the fitness and skill levels these two players possess. Their court coverage was great, as was their accuracy and tight ball hitting, and consequently both players pushed each other in the first game. It was no surprise knowing their previous encounters that the scoring was tied in the opener at ten all, and with sudden death it was Matt that claimed the game with the next winner 11/10. The second game saw Tom pull away as Matt tired, and with Tom extending the rallies whenever possible with good lengths and well flighted lobs, often followed by nagging drops, Matt couldn't keep up to Tom's pace and lost the second game 11/8.The third saw a recovered Matt, after sharing the first ten points, pull away to a nine five lead, but Tom pushed on and got within a point of his opponent, only for Matt to take the third game 11/9.

Matt's all court coverage to cover Toms shots was taking it's toll once again in the fourth game as Tom went ahead four nil and kept the points differential through to eight four. He then increased the pressure on Matt, with great accuracy and effort to see him home in this game 11/6, to tie up the match at two games all. Into the fifth game they went, and the enthralled spectators were treated to possibly the best rally of the night on the first point, as both players appeared to cover every inch of the court as each tried to outwit the other with well positioned shots, or great touch. Tiredness was creeping in for both players now, and after a lengthy breather for both after that rally it was Tom that eeked out a slight game points advantage with a four two lead. Matt attacked the points in a big last effort (obviously the tough match with Michael had taken it's toll), levelling at four points all, however it was Tom that made least errors, and hit more winners, and he was a worthy winner of the fifth game 11/4, and the match 3 games to 2.

Both players were warmly acclaimed as they left the court and once towelled down and rehydrated they proceeded to answer some intriguing questions about their lifestyles. How to combine school, squash, training and fitness as well as all the travelling etc, required to keep up the fantastic standard that they set themselves. They are two fine ambassadors for English Junior Squash, and Windscale were proud to be able to showcase the talent that junior squash players up and down the country possess, to their large junior contingent and interested adults.