Welsh Wizards were rocked by selection problems for their Karakal Premier Squash League trip to play RAC away in Pall Mall, London.
Cardiff-based Wizards were led by Egyptian Marwan ElShorbagy, while India’s Joshna Chinappa was their women’s number one.
But a number of players, including Peter Creed, Emyr Evans and Tesni Evans were unavailable because of World tour commitments.
Former British Open champion David Evans, now aged 45, organises the Wizards team and played at men’s third string, losing 11-5, 11-6 against 26-year-old Ben Coleman from Essex.
Wizards also called up English teenager Jack Mitterer, an 18-year-old who played at second string and was defeated 11-5, 11-9 against Daryl Selby, who is at number 21 in the World rankings. That is a massive 454 places above the emerging Mitterer, who plays out of the Park Langley club in Kent.
Tough night at the office tonight in London. Congratulations to @RACPSL on the win and superb hospitality. Big match on 7th Jan in Cardiff to get the show back on the road👍
— David Evans (@djevs24) December 11, 2019
RAC defeated Wizards 5-1 and the visitors earned only one point, thanks to Bristol-based Chinappa.
The big news for Wizards fans, though, is that team manager Evans will send out the strongest team he can when Warwick come to South Wales on Tuesday, January 7 (7.20pm).
RAC 5, Welsh Wizards 0 (13-1):
Men (RAC players first):
Paul Coll beat Marwan ElShorbagy 2-0 (11-4, 13-11)
Daryl Selby beat Jack Mitterer 2-0 (11-5, 11-9)
Ben Coleman beat David Evans 2-0 (11-5, 11-6)
Women:
Alison Waters beat Joshna Chinappa 2-1 (16-14, 10-12, 12-10)
Haley Mendez beat Anna Kimberley 2-0 (11-6, 11-8)
It was a good night for home teams as the first half of the 2019-20 PSL concluded with all four matches ending in emphatic defeats for the visitors.
In the Northern Division last season’s runners-up Team Pontefract, the only unbeaten team at the start of play, were beaten 5-0 by University of Nottingham at Park Squash Club.
Scotland’s Alba Storm made it two wins in a row when they beat ‘noisy neighbours’ Northumberland Club/Newcastle University 5-0 at Hamilton Squash Club. Storm’s all-Scottish line-up of Greg Lobban, Alan Clyne, Rory Stewart, Lisa Aitken and Alison Thomson lifted them level on points with Nottingham.
The Southern Division also closed up as defending and 2018 champions RAC and Ab Initio St George’s Hill both went into the break with home wins.
Defending champions RAC – playing on two courts – were first to finish as they eased past a weakened Welsh Wizards lineup, the visitors’ solitary point coming as Joshna Chinappa lost out in three close games against Alison Waters. RAC go top of the table, five points ahead of Warwick/Kenilworth.
St George’s Hill, where the packed crowd enjoyed an on-court interview with former British Open Champion Lisa Opie, were already 3-0 up when Coolhurst‘s Nathan Lake produced a stunning comeback to beat World #2 Mohamed ElShorbagy in three games.
Home favourite Tom Richards made it 4-1 for a first St George’s win of the season.
PSL results this week
Nottingham 5, Pontefract 0 (13-3)
Declan James beat Chris Simpson 2-0 (11-1, 11-8)
Nick Matthew beat Patrick Rooney 2-1 (9-11, 11-8, 11-6)
Richie Fallows beat Sam Todd 2-1 (9-11, 11-1, 11-7)
Millie Tomlinson beat Hollie Naughton 2-1 (3-11, 14-12, 11-6)
Tinne Gilis beat Sarah Campion 2-0 (11-5, 11-6)
Alba Storm 5, Newcastle 0 (13-1)
Greg Lobban beat Robbie Downer 2-0 (11-5, 11-5)
Alan Clyne beat Owain Taylor 2-1 (11-4, 11-6)
Rory Stewart beat Max Forster 2-1 (11-7, 11-6)
Lisa Aitken beat Lucy Beecroft 2-1 (11-7, 11-3)
Alison Thomson beat Sam Ward 2-1 (7-11, 11-7, 11-7)
Ab Initio St George’s Hill 4, Coolhurst 1 (12-4)
Mohamed ElShorbagy lost to Nathan Lake 1-2 (14-12, 7-11, 7-11)
Tom Richards beat Rui Soares 2-0 (14-12, 11-9)
Joe Lee beat Tom Walsh 2-1 (11-3, 9-11, 11-3)
Joelle King beat Bruna Marchesi 2-0 (11-3, 11-1)
Torrie Malik beat Margot Prow 2-1 (7-11, 11-2, 11-5)
Tickets for Welsh Wizards next home fixture:
Tue 7 Jan 2020, 7:20PM
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Welsh Wizards website – www.welshwizards.com