First team match report
Southgate - February 2006
Neil Rossin
Result: Won 3-2.
Plus's: Managed to beat (an unfit) Steve Waters.
Minus's: Ticker, serves, should have been a lot more comfortable.
Verdict: On Paper a great win for the very agile looking Rossa, however convincing leads blown in every game gave the captain cause for concern, particularly when he insisted on serving straight to Waters forehand volley for the 13th time, which he was promptly picking out of the nick. Should have had it wrapped up in 3.
Rating: 3/5
Ali Murphy
Result: Lost 2-3.
Plus's: Doggedness, great squash in the 3rd game.
Minus's: Concentration, consistency, fitness, arguments with referee.
Verdict: Tough match for Murphy up against one of the grumpy Manning brothers. Did very well to get to 2-1 playing some great squash but concentration was jarred by some dodgy calls and subsequent ranting. Getting better all the time, needs to work on hitting consistent good lengths.
Rating: 3/5
Pete Baird
Result: Won 3-0.
Plus's: Speed, low drives.
Minus's: Numerous miss-hits, needs new trainers, some awful backhand volleys.
Verdict:Continued his remarkable form despatching his opponent to 10 pts. Lost rating points because he gave a away 10pts.
Rating: 4/5
Ali McGill
Result:Won 3-0.
Plus's: Didn’t argue with the ref, won.
Minus's: Backhand is awful.
Verdict: Suffering from Monday nights punishing 2 on 1 session, McGill went thought the motions and cantered to victory despite the obvious pain he was in – never seen someone grimace so much on court during the warm up thus displaying the ponceyness than we expect from our captain. Victory was never in doubt though.
Rating: 3/5
Damian Smith
Result: Won 3-1.
Plus's: Fitness on the way back.
Minus's: Backhand in general, shot selection esp when doing a crappy lob serve to the left-hander to smash for the 30th time.
Verdict: Like young McGill, Smith was suffering from the previous evening’s marathon 2 on 1 session and consequently lost the 2nd game 10-8 after being game 9-6 up. To the masses in the gallery Smith looked like he was on his last legs but inside the clapped out Fiesta engine on Xmas time is now bordering on an Alpha (resilient, quick off the mark but still prone to the odd wobble and question marks over efficiency).
Rating: 2/5