by Bruce Bowering
Last week saw Baw Baw Squash semi and preliminary finals were played.
In the elimination final between the Sixers and the Scorchers all match results were consistent with the players' grading.
In a very even contest each team won two matches and the same number of points. However, it was the Scorchers who prevailed on the basis of winning one more game than their opponents.
In the first match new player Kerry Proctor managed to secure a game for the Scorchers against Joel Sargeant. Then, in the next match Bruce Bowering took the first game against Clio Milsome to negate Kerry's effort, but Clio won the next three games to give the Scorchers a single point lead at half time.
Terry Milsome, for the Sixers, had Wayne Hewitt's measure in the third but conceded the first game following a "short" call in a tiebreak.
Steve Mooney needed to win at least one game to give the Sixers hope against the more-fancied Chris Cameron, but it was not to be as, in a hard-fought game, Chris proved to be too strong and consistent. Final results: Sixers 2/6/194 defeated by Scorchers 2/7/194.
The qualifying final between the Royals and the Blasters was a more one-sided affair.
Unfortunately, the Royals' top two players were unavailable which required lower-ranked substitutes.
The first match went against rankings with the ever-improving Matt Jehnsen prevailing in five sets against the very experienced Jeff Lyon. This was a handy start for the Royals, but that's about as good as it got.
The second match was between the two veterans Bjørn Hestdal and Russell Jackson. The lob serves and guile of Bjørn present problems for most opponents but not Russell, whose ability to capitalise on his opponent's compromised mobility proved successful. One match all and a single game advantage to the Blasters.
In the third game Tom Ciz had a convincing three-set win over Anthony Walker which sealed the night for the Blasters.
The final match was an entertaining affair between the contrasting styles of Daniel Meyer and Y.D. Singh. In the end Y.D.'s power and crispness of shot proved the difference and secured the win for the Blasters. Final scores: Royals 1/5/193 defeated by Blasters 3/11/216.
Later in the week the preliminary finals followed a similar pattern to the semis.
Jeff Lyon got the Blasters off to a good start in his match with a three-nil win against Kerry Proctor for the Scorchers. Kerry's speed around the court was no match for Jeff's front court control and excellent lobs to a perfect length.
In the next match Russell Jackson was able to win a vital game against Clio Milsome. The match was a fascinating duel between two players who are very strong overhead.
In the end it was Clio's consistency that proved to be the difference. Clio's win helped the Scorchers' cause but Russell's strong resistance gave the Blasters a significant points lead in addition to his game.
Tom Ciz for the Blasters dominated the match against Wayne Hewitt.
The three-set win gave the Blasters an unassailable advantage going into the final match.
Y.D. Singh, playing his first tournament as a number one, competed strongly against the more highly fancied Chris Cameron.
Both players hit the ball crisply and with great control, but Chris' court coverage gave him the advantage of being able to reach Y.D.'s shots that fell short. His response with a drop shot then became a winner.
In the end Chris' three-nil win brought the teams level on two matches each, but it was the Blasters who moved through to the grand final by virtue of Russell's critical game. Final scores: Blasters 2/7/173 defeated Scorchers 2/6/156.
In the other preliminary final, Hurricanes, who finished first, came up against the Royals.
In the first match Matt Jehnsen, for the Royals, was too good for Sue Henderson, who was playing in her first final in her first season.
As a beginner she is enthusiastic, receptive to advice and keen to put it into practice. Her opponent is also relatively new to the sport and has shown similar characteristics.
Matt now serves well, is good at hitting lobs to die at the back wall, and uses drop shots appropriately. This extra development in his skills gave Sue little chance and a three sets to love lead for the Royals.
Youth prevailed in the next match between the Hurricanes' Al McArdle and Bjørn Hestdal. Although the scores were close Al won in four sets.
Royals had a four games to three lead at this stage but the Hurricanes had the advantage in the subsequent games.
In the match of the night Terry Milsome raced to a two-game lead for the Hurricanes after winning the first in a tiebreak. He dominated the second, but Dave Dzur stormed back to win the next two convincingly.
There were few errors from either player but Terry is playing the best squash seen from him for many years. He has developed subtleties of pace and direction as well as improved mobility and this was good enough to secure the final game and another win for his team.
In the final match Daniel Meyer was faced with having to beat the virtually unassailable Mike Griffith, the club's best player.
It was not to be but, nevertheless, the gallery was treated to a fine match of repeated extended rallies, something that is rarely witnessed at the lower levels.
Once again, Mike's Hurricanes have yet again made it through to the grand final to be played on Thursday. Final scores: Hurricanes 3/9/192 defeated Royals 1/6/191.