The South African Knights Premier Squash Team recently returned to play the Isle of Wight’s top 5 players at Westridge Squash Centre during their 30th tour of the United Kingdom.
The Knights were well honed having played some 19 games around the country day after day. The large group of spectators had a profound effect applauding and calling encouragement to the home team, who raised work rates and rally play to new levels in response. Tensions mounted, hushed silences and urgent shouts punctuated match play towards the end of hard-fought games.
Number 5 string Chris Green started off the proceedings and found the going tough from the outset. His opponent, Gerard Mitchell, had great retrieval skills and Chris found it difficult to win points eventually going down in straight games 6-11, 5-11, 6-11.
Amelie Haworth, 19, already ranked 141st women in the world, was up against a fellow youngster Jarrod Cousins, with a great pedigree. In front of a packed crowd waiting to watch the former British Junior Champion, Amelie fought hard in all the games always challenging but also lost in straight games 12-14, 8-11, 9-11.
Adam Dominey was next to play knowing only a win was needed to keep the match alive. The Island coach lost the first 2 games 13-15, 8-11. Adam then started to go for more shots that troubled his opponent Gareth Craigen and encouraged vocal support winning the next game 11-6. The nail-biting 4th game eventually went the way of the Islander, 12-10. The younger legs of the Knights player proved too much for Adam who eventually went down 5-11 in the final game.
George Shoulder was on next and got off to a flying start winning the first game 12-10. George made some unforced errors in the second to lose quickly 3-11 but bounced back winning the third 12-10 showing his usual grit and determination. The Knight, Warren Bower, seemed to raise his game from then winning the next 2 games and the match 5-11, 6-11.
The final match of the day was always going to be a close contest. Islander Joe Pannell, 19, also making his Knights debut, got off to a great start but made crucial errors at critical times losing the first game 8-11. Joe found some form in the second to win 11-6. The retrieval from both players was a real spectacle for the large crowd.
Joe lost the third game 5-11 but bounced back again to take the fourth 11-8. Joe trying hard to get the only Island victory, found himself at match point, then 10-10, the match on a knife edge. Ultimately it was Dan Cloete, the Knight, who prevailed to win the final game 10-12.
Prior to the match, the South African players worked with Island Juniors in a coaching session. The visiting internationals proved competent at providing motivational routines and long challenging rallies. The local Juniors responded with 100% commitment, sometimes winning rallies.
Analysis, camaraderie and refreshments followed matchplay before the Knights left the Island for 11 more fixtures in the UK before flying home to South Africa.
Isle of Wight v South African Knights – 2024
Joe Pannell v Dan Cloete
8/11, 11/6, 5/11, 11/8, 10/12 2 – 3
George Shoulder v Warren Bower
12/10, 3/11, 12/10, 5/11, 6/11 2 – 3
Adam Dominey v Gareth Craigen
13/15, 7/11, 11/6, 12/10, 5/11 2 – 3
Amelie Haworth v Jarrod Cousins
14/12, 11/8, 11/9 0 – 3
Chris Green v Gerard Mitchell
6/11, 5/11, 6/11 0 – 3
Well done South Africa