Possibly one of the greatest nights in North West Counties history, with many believing the final match of the night (which finished at 11.30pm) to be one of the best matches they've ever seen!
Liverpool have consistently been our toughest opponents, and last night was a true epic. The evening started with a straightforward win for our ever-calm Lewis Doughty who dispatched Lewis Harding, and despite a few "niggly exchanges", Lewis remained stoic and was too good for his name counterpart (below).
On the side court Josh was soon 2-0 down to former world top 100 player, Connor Sheen. Connor was too controlled for Josh, but when Josh started to hit harder and lower, taking the volley away from Connor, he began to find some joy and a comeback begun, with our man winning the third game. At 10-8 down, Josh played two sublime rallies involving a perfect, fearless volley drop. The two players exchanged points constantly, with Connor winning match point after match point, only for Josh to keep fighting back. Unfortunately it was not to be, as Connor finally pinched the 4th game. We should have realised that this nail-biting match was just a warm-up for what was to come...
Ollie Hudson followed Josh, and made quick work of his opponent, so all spectators could focus their energies onto the show court, where a couple of memorable matches were about to take place.
The PSA's 'One To Watch For 2025', Sam Osborne-Wylde was up against world no.90, Lwamba Chileshe. Last week Sam beat Lwamba and his brother Temwa on consecutive nights, so Lwamba had a family score to settle. After a strong first game by Lwamba everyone was saying it's the best they'd seen the kiwi play. He always goes above an beyond when he plays for his Liverpool team. Sam's a fighter and took a brutally tight second game, and we were already watching a mammoth battle. At 9-all in the third game, Sam twisted his knee, and although he hid it from his opponent, Lwamba just pipped it 13-11. It really felt that the match would be over as Sam's movement was hampered, but he pushed through extreme discomfort and chased every possible ball down. The rallies were fast and furious and somehow Sam won 11-9 to force a deciding set. The pace of the game never relented and these two guys went point for point all the way to 9-9. Lwamba won 2 massive rallies to take the match 3-2, and with it gave a huge roar to his vocal travelling fans (below).
As if that wasn't enough, we had one final match to play with the tie level at 2-all. This was always going to be tasty between two top Englishmen, Jonah Bryant and Pat Rooney. Jonah had just flown back from America where he'd had three 3-2 battles, reaching the QF of a major event. Nothing separated the two players until 5-5, and then Patrick started to volley much more, and his trademark control took over, and Jonah didn't have the answers to his quality. Jonah would always fight back which is what he did, taking the second game 11-9 to level at 1-all. I felt Patrick was close to being knackered, and a few tough rallies from Jonah could have finished him off - but Pat is an amazing competitor and his skill levels shone through.
Patrick lured Jonah into his game, and the rallies in the third game were full of delicate angles with both players covering every inch of the court, every single rally. This open style of play suited Patrick and he took it 11-4. Now Jonah looked exhausted and the toils of last week suddenly hit him. Jonah pushed himself to limits I doubt he knew he had. Tired and weary, he fought and he fought, and he played much more sensible squash. Patrick pushed for winners but Jonah constantly would get the back into play. Jonah won an incredible game, scraping it 13-11, after Patrick had 3 match balls!!! Then here we go again - point for point. Both gladiators like punch drunk boxers, neither willing to give in, and both desperate to get the win for their team and for themselves. The quality remained high, with some incredible counter-dropping in the front backhand corner, and some outrageous shot making by both players. Jonah led 10-6 but Patrick somehow fought back to 10-all. The crowd couldn't believe what they were watching - and then to the delight of our crowd, Jonah maintained his composure to win the final two points. Both players received a deserved standing ovation.
This was with-a-doubt one of the greatest matches ever witnessed in our leagues 70-year history. The quality and desire shown from the players was out of this world.
So, our Warrington Warriors claimed the most dramatic of wins against a fantastic Liverpool team. This is what our wonderful Court 5 was built for - nights like this are why squash is the best sport on the planet.
Andy Whipp
Photos: Richard Bradbury