With the first half of the Premier Squash League (PSL) season now behind them, both LEBC Group Chapel Allerton and TWP St George's Hill remain unbeaten - and have extended their leadership of Groups A and B, respectively, after the fifth round of the world's most prestigious squash league.
Yorkshire club Chapel Allerton, winners of the PSL title in 2009, celebrated a 3/2 home win over Group A rivals CLFS Esporta Oxford. Frenchman Renan Lavigne clinched a valuable win in the tie decider in his maiden appearance for the Leeds club.
In a fine battle between two 36-year-olds, former world No17 Lavigne - now retired from the Tour - recovered from two games down to beat Oxford stalwart Scott Handley 1-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-1.
Meanwhile, in a packed St George's Hill in Weybridge, Surrey, the home side also relied on a veteran newcomer this season to pull the side through in a 3/2 win over Group B rivals Exeter Diamonds.
After eight seasons for nearby Guildford, 40-year-oldStephen Meads made a significant home debut for his new club by beating promising full-timer James Snell, aged 22, 11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8.
Later St George's regular Tom Richards, fresh from two successful runs in PSA Tour events in the USA in January, clinched victory for the hosts with a 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 win over Exeter's New Zealander Campbell Grayson.
"It was a fantastic performance from Steve, who has only just returned from coaching duties with the Hong Kong national squad," said St George's Hill team manager Danny Lee.
"We're enjoying a great run this season – and it's down to a good depth of squad we have, which is the envy of the rest of the teams in the league."
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