Event1

The East Glos first team faced Cleaver in the last 16 of the
National Club Championships last Saturday.   Despite losing to the
same team last year and being without number one Chris Tasker-Grindley
a closely fought match was anticipated. A win would see the victors
face the might of Bishop Stortford with their team of world top 20
players including Peter Barker and Wael El Hindi.

Nathan Lake produced the dream start beating junior James Mead 9-0,
9-0, 9-0 at fifth string.   On court at the same time was number two
Tom Elgood. He was involved in a five game battle fighting from 2-1
down to win the fourth game 9-6 and the fifth 9-1 to give East Glos a
two match lead. The away team from Leicestershire hit back with two
quick wins of their own. Jonathan Gallacher was no match for their
number one player James Bowden losing 3-0. Ian Bloomfield put up more
resistance against their captain Andy Pallett with the third game 10-8
but ultimately lost 3-0.

With the team scores two matches all and Dan Loton losing the first
two games 9-3, 9-2 it was not looking good for the home team.
However, showing a return to the form that has deserted him in recent
months Dan produced some superb squash winning the third and fourth
games 9-3, 9-4. The fifth was close all the way but Dan pulled away
to reach match ball at 8-6. Some very tense exchanges followed with
Loton thinking he had sealed victory when he was denied the stroke
decision on one of his match balls. His opponent Mark Soule recovered
to 8 all where Loton setted 'one' to give Soule his first match ball.
The best rally of the day followed with some tremendous shots and
recoveries but ultimately it was Cleaver who took the victory by the
smallest of margins.

The junior side remain the last hope of success for East Glos in the
National Club Championships. They are in the quarter finals where
they will meet Top Warwickshire side, Kenilworth for a place in the
semi-finals. This could be a fascinating encounter with Nathan Lake
possibly facing British U17 Champion Chris Fuller and Julianne
Courtice playing Sarah Jane Perry the England U19 no.3 . An early
March date looks likely for this tie.