Squash: Coll keeps cool for Chichester triumph

The fifth round of the Premier Squash League saw Chichester earn a thrilling victory at home to St George’s Hill.
Chichester and St George's Hill ready for PSL actionChichester and St George's Hill ready for PSL action
Chichester and St George's Hill ready for PSL action

Chichester went into the game third in the league but No1 string Adrian Waller was missing through injury.

Lauren Briggs was in good form for Chichester, using a good variety of drives and boasts and deceptive holds in the front of the court to defeat former Chichester player Dominique Lloyd-Walter 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.

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Nathan Lake got off to a great start against St George’s world No51 Joe Lee, controlling the game with a good variation of shots to win the first 11-4. Lee started to make strides and began hitting a better length as well as controlling the front of the court.

Lake was unable to keep his opponent behind him and Lee eased through to win the next three 11-8, 11-4, 11-4.

Next on court Kyle Finch, British under-17 junior champion for the second year, played Charlie Lee, who won the English under-17 championship in March.

The first two games were extremely tight with both players taking turns to dominate. Finch had the edge in the first two games and in the third he forged a good lead and despite a slight lapse in concentration towards the end he closed out a good 3-0 win for Chichester.

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Robbie Temple followed on with a tough encounter against world 23 Tom Richards. Temple started well and took control in the first to win 11-8.

A lapse in concentration in the second gave Richards the chance to take control and dominate the game which he won 11-3. In the third both players rallied well, but Richards played the big points well and won 11-4.

In the fourth Temple established a good lead which he held 10-7. Richards fought back with conviction to force a tie-break and finally pulled through to edge a 15-13 win.

Chichester had again forced their tie to a decider – and this time they triumphed in spectacular style.

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The final match on the championship court was between the number-one strings.

Chichester’s Paul Coll of New Zealand, the world 39 and current Australian Open champion, played world 17 Borja Golan.

Golan started well and masterfully controlled the middle of the court. Golan took full advantage when Coll made a few mistakes and won the first 11-5.

In the second Coll started well, although it was close. Coll’s continual retrieving and explosive speed served him well and he won the next two 11-8, 11-7. In the fourth it was nip and tuck but again it was Coll’s retrieving which proved decisive. He won a magnificent and thoroughly-entertaining match, which lasted 68 minutes, 15-13 to give Chichester a well-deserved 3-2 victory.

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