I can’t remember the last time I was in a Premier League Final ... matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been in one. Tuesday the 25th of March was a very exciting night with my team Northern Suburbs Squash Centre (NSSC) becoming the Northside Summer 2013/2014 Premier League Champions.

It was a big night for everyone involved. I was fortunate to have gotten back from Penang just in time for the finals. We played the final against Stafford 1. The individual match ups were:

Number 1: Andrew Fraser v’s Nathan Stevenson
Number 2: Lisa Camilleri v’s Lynnford Stephenson
Number 3: Mark Golden v’s Mike Eyles
Number 4: David Clegg v’s Dave Cooper

Although we won 3 rubbers to 1, it was much closer than the scoreline suggests. First on were the number 4's. Unfortunately, our player David ended up injuring himself in the 3rd game and was forced to retire. This left us 0-1 and in a very unexpected position. We were counting on winning that rubber.

Next on were the number 3's. This match up soon became a real struggle with Stafford's Mike Eyles employing a very tactical approach to the game, trying to make the match as difficult as possible for our player Mark Golden. I was very proud of how Mark kept it together winning a very mentally exhausting encounter in 5 games with the 2nd game ending at 24 points to 22! They effectively played 6 games!

It was then my turn and I had to try and win in 3 games to put our number 1 in a position to only need 2 games for us to enjoy a team win. Given Andrew had lost to Nathan at their previous 2 match ups it was essential that I won and won well. I started off a little slow with my opponent Lynnford leading 7-2 but I soon clicked into gear and began to play some fantastic squash to achieve my goal and win 11-7, 11-3, 11-7.

That meant our number 1 Andrew only had to get 2 games to give us the premiership! Andrew was 2-1 down and things were looking bleak but Andrew kept playing patient squash which eventually saw him win the all important 4th game. To our surprise he then went on to win the match in 5! A great effort given the pressure of the situation.

All in all it was a very exciting night with some great squash played by both teams. I was very proud of my NSSC team and what was a very successful season. 

NSSC Tuesday Night Premier Team

Mark Golden, Me, Andrew Fraser & David Clegg

Mark Golden v's Mike Eyles

Andrew Fraser v's Nathan Stevenson

Shake before the match - Good luck!

Dive attempt by Andrew Fraser