It was expected before the match began that York would win the four points up for grabs in the men’s 1st squash, given their perceived dominance in racquet sports, and win they did by four matches to one.
Due to the women’s matches having finished earlier than expected, two matches were played simultaneously throughout. Although some were disappointed not to have the chance to see all five matches, there was still a strong crowd of supporters and spectators from both York and Lancaster.
The first match was between Lancaster’s fifth player, Joe Reeds, and Dave Potter of York. The first two games began evenly but Potter edged ahead towards the end to win both games 11-7, 11-9. In the third game it was Reeds who edged ahead, winning 11-7, but Potter was stronger in the fourth game, winning five points in a row to take the score to 8-3 and, despite a surge from Reeds towards the end, eventually took the game 11-7 and won the match.
Lancaster’s fourth player Arnie Dunning, the only player to win his match, was on court at the same time as Reeds. After losing the first two sets Dunning battled back to take the next three, winning 13-11 in the fifth to cheers from the Lancaster supporters in the crowd.
In the third match, Dave McGovern of Lancaster played a very tense first game against Matt Lewis of York, coming from 10-4 down to eventually triumph 13-11, but then ran out of steam, losing the next three games 11-0, 11-1, 11-3.
Lancaster’s second player, team captain Ben Holden, lost his match 11-5, 11-7, 11-6, giving York overall victory before the final match, Jez Boardman of Lancaster against Fraser of York, was won by Fraser 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.
“We had some good preparation, I was disappointed we couldn’t pull it off but the team all played to the best of their ability,” Holden said after the match. “We were up against a very good York side, they were a good team this year.”
