Temwa takes first match in four as Jack dives all over the XL court
By DAVE WORSLEY – Squash Mad Correspondent in Auckland
Series leader Temwa Chileshe won an entertaining contest as the second week of the Unsquashable Premier League launched at the Squash XL club in Auckland, New Zealand.
Chileshe beat top seed Joel Arscott to win last week’s historic event that signalled the end of the coronavirus lockdown.
This time, Chileshe had to play at a high level in a thrilling contest against Jack Conder, who once again threw himself around the court and left nothing to chance.
The more experienced player won the contest in four games but even then was pushed to a ‘short or long’ call at 10 points each in the fourth game. Chileshe called for the short, winner-takes-all and won on a clever and unorthodox flick from his feet.
Other victories went the way of 17-year-old Elijah Thomas, ranked at 257 in the world, who showed no mercy as he played a ruthlessly efficient game to account for Michael Shelton Agar, who appeared off-key during their match. Thomas won in straight games.
Top ranked Arscott (ranked 235) put paid to the challenge from 15-year-old Mason Smales in easy fashion and will now play Leo Fatialofa, who defeated Glenn Templeton in a good four-game encounter 11-9, 3-11, 11-9, 11-1. The other semi-final will see Chileshe take on Thomas.
The eight-player league at the SquashXL Club in Auckland will again be broadcast on PSA Squash TV YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/psasquashtv).
Unsquashable Premier League, Squash XL, Auckland, New Zealand.
Week Two, Round 1:
Joel Arscott bt Mason Smales 11-3, 11-1, 11-5,
Leo Fatialofa bt Glenn Templeton 11-9, 3-11, 11-9, 11-1 ,
Elijah Thomas bt Michael Shelton Agar 11-5, 11-1, 11-2,
Temwa Chileshe bt Jack Conder 11-4, 8-11, 11-4, 11-10