BUCS Northern Conference Cup Final: Lancaster 1sts 2-3 York 1sts

The University of York men’s squash 1sts capped off a successful season campaign by beating Lancaster 3-2 in the final of the Northern Conference Cup in Preston. Representing York was Edward Shannon, Matt Lewis, Jon Holden, David Potter and Myles Knight.

‘Duracell’ Dave Potter, 4th string, got York away to the perfect start comfortably beating Luke 3/0. Dave’s dynamic reach helped him run away with the first game 11/6, winning 5 points in a row from 6-all. Superb attacking squash in the next game, with some fantastic winners helped Dave win the next 11/3. With his opponent visibly demoralized by Dave’s excellent attacking play, Dave eased out the last game 11/6 giving York a 1-0 lead over Lancaster going into the next rubber.

Next up was the Ed ‘the Cannon’ Shannon, 1st string, who helped York to a commanding 2-0 lead with a devastating 3/0 win over his opponent. In the first his opponent gave some resistance, but with an overhead backhand crosscourt nick (the point where the wall and floor meet) off of the serve that got the crowd going Ed took the game 11/7. Clearly shaken, his opponent struggled to cope with the ferocious pace of Ed’s game in the next, and when sent completely the wrong way by Ed’s deception at the front of the court seemed to throw in the towel, with Ed taking the game 11/2. Some clinical finishing in the next d helped him to round off the match 11/2.

Then into the fray stepped Jon ‘the Lighting Bolt’ Holden, 3rd string, who had added interest in this match since his older brother had played for Lancaster a few seasons previous. An error strewn game in the first meant Jon’s opponent Tom took it 11/6. Jon rallied in the next and took it in a tight game 11/8. Some superb winners in the next, especially at 10/9, lead to Jon taking the game 11/9 – giving him a 2/1 lead. However, the lighting failed to strike in the next as a tiring Jon lost it 11/3. Seemingly saving his energy for the 5th Jon gave it everything he had, but unfortunately came up short against a spirited opponent who claimed the game 11/7, taking the match 3/2. This meant York had a 2/1 lead with 2 matches to go.

Matt ‘the Slayer’ Lewis, 2nd string, was up next. Matt known for his slow starting lost the 1st game 11/4 to his opponent Louie.  Louie was a pest for Matt in the next game beating him 11/4. However, the Slayer finally came out of hibernation in the next and started hunting down Louie’s boasts and took the game 11/5. A 4th game with more up’s and down’s than a roller coaster ended with Matt taking the game 14/12, and in the process saved 4 match balls with some nail-biting defensive play. The next was a game of attrition, with the players trading points. But, unfortunately the Louie overcame Matt’s hearty defence and took the 5th 11/8. As a result of this marathon match the score was now levelled at 2 rubbers apiece. It now came down to a one-match shoot-out.

Myles ‘the Dark’ Knight entered the court knowing what he had to do. However, in a first game marked by some unforced errors at crucial points, Myles’s opponent Rob took the game 11/8. However, ‘the Dark’ Knight was not ready to lie down, and came back refreshed in the next game. Taking it 11/4 with deception that Batman could take note of, Myles levelled the match at 1 game all. A titanic struggle in the next with some long, punishing rallies ended with Myles losing the game 11/8. Myles now had to win the next 2 games to claim the match and cup. The 4th game continued on in the same fashion with some tiring rallies. But, Myles was able to cut out the mistakes and took the game 11/7, thereby taking the match to a 5th game decider. Clearly hyped up in the 5th, Myles entered the court and shot off to an early lead – going 5/1 up. Looking comfortable, all of a sudden his opponent Rob produced some un-returnable winners and the game levelled at 5 all. Myles weathered the storm, and calmly took the next 5 points to give himself 5 match balls. With a reverse-angle winner Myles took the game and match 11/6.

After being runners-up in 2011, York finally claimed the Northern Conference Cup to cap off a superb season for York Squash. The University 2nds got promoted in their BUCS division, while the 1sts finished runners-up in their division Northern 2B for the second year in a row to add to their Northern Conference Cup triumph.