The 2009/2010 season saw a great improvement for the UCLan Men’s Squash team as they came within a whisker of league and cup glory.

Their season began with a rout against Manchester Met 1sts as UCLan were rolled over in a 5-0 scoreline at Ingol Squash Club, prompting hard work with England Squash coaches.

The progress was immediately apparent as UCLan stormed into a ten-match unbeaten run and romped into the upper echelons of the table as well as the cup semi-finals.

The team’s greatest moment came as they exacted revenge against Manchester Mets 1sts. 

Fearing defeat again, UCLan raced into a 4-0 lead and only a defeat in the final game saw them fall short of a whitewash. 

Northumbria 1sts were the visitors in the semi-finals but there was to be no victory as UCLan fell lost 3-2.

However a second 5-0 victory over Liverpool 3^rds left UCLan level on points with table-topping Manchester Met 1sts but cruelly fell short of the title with an inferior points difference.

“It’s obviously disappointing coming so close but we can take a lot of positives out of what we have achieved and build on the achievements next season,” said Captain Asif Din.

“I think the team will go on to achieve even greater things next season and will hopefully bring home the title and the cup.”

By Liam Geraghty

UCLan 5-0 Liverpool

Nailing Liverpool 3rds ended a fantastic season for UCLan Squash Club finishing second in the BUCS Northern Conference.

The 5-0 landslide saw a scintillating performance from the home side.

Utilising their experience, raw talent and pride has given UCLan great stature this season.

Chairman James Bryne has taken the team from strength to strength.

Craig Smithies began the onslaught winning 3-0. He slammed home an easy victory to take away the initial pressure.

Next on for UCLan was Craig Biccy, ready for his second start of the season.

Biccy lavishly opened up space on centre court. Neatly tucking away delicate drop shots, cementing another 3-0 win.

Mark Campbell, a new edition to UClan squash, started the game hard; smashing the ball into the nick with utter conviction. Pin point serves helped provide a third win on the bounce 3-0.

Bryne, had to give a little added extra to continue UCLan’s clean sweep.

Both players put in some screaming shots. Liverpool’s best performance so far, but Bryne charmed his way to a landslide 3-0 deficit.

Afterwards he said: “I had it covered, but I am never going to the gym again!”

Matt Davies delivered a textbook display, making it a famous five whitewash. Delivering in stone that UCLan squash are on the map and a force to be reckoned with.

By Will Vickers

UCLan 4-1 Manchester Met

UCLan’s Squash team advanced to the semi-finals of the BUCS Northern Conference Cup with a surprising 4-1 demolition of Manchester Met 1sts.

Manchester Met had won the league fixture between the two sides 5-0, but an improved UCLan banished memories of that encounter with a dominant display.

The character of the performance was personified by Captain Asif Din, who was furious to find himself 2-0 down.

After losing the second game 11-0, Din put his racquet-throwing antics behind him and channelled his disappointment, spurring him on to a fantastic 3-2 comeback victory.

Matt Davies also demonstrated the same fighting spirit with a 3-0 victory in his match, finally clinched a gruelling opening game 23-21 after trading the lead with his opponent throughout.

This proved to be the turning point in the match as the UCLan player took advantage of a fatigued opponent to take the spoils by a 3-0 margin.

Craig Smithies and James Byrne also claimed victories by the same score line to ensure that the home team remained on top at Preston Grasshoppers.

Sam Shuttleworth battled hard, but ultimately suffered a 0-3 reverse that gave Manchester Met a consolation.

Despite the final setback, Din is confident that the cup could be heading to Preston this season.

Byrne also hailed the performance, paying tribute to the team’s work with guest coaches; including the new head coach at the National Squash Centre.

By Liam Geraghty

UCLAN 3-2 Lancaster

UCLAN Squash took on local rivals Lancaster1sts in a new year Northern battle.

From rags to riches UCLan squash have come from nowhere last season, to being joint top of the BUCS league in an astounding season so far.

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The new and improved UCLan squash club scored emphatic win 4-1 away at Keele University.

UCLan have now played four and won three in the BUCS squash- Northern Conference and are now challenging for top spot, which is currently held by Manchester Met Uni.

Number one seed Matt Davies took to the arena first, playing well, but not at his peak. The frustration of his performance was grinding him down, until there was no return, eventually losing the match 0-3.

Next up was Chairman James Bryn who out thwarted his opposition with accuracy, skillfull shots and experience. Gracefully showing the avid viewer that it’s not about pace, but placemant and back to basics squash winning 3-0

Sam Shuttleworth bounced onto the court like a kid in a Rhoald Dahl candyshop explaining half way through his match: “I love squash, if you don’t theres no point of being here.”

Taking his Keele opponent on with his racket seemingly just an extension of his arm he played and toyed his opponent into submission winning 3-0 in a rapid paced match.

Tom Brearley, thinks hard played hard. In a game, which was like the battle of the Titans, lobs, drives and drop shots coming in from all acute angles? Brearley kept his calm, which was a match of endurance, winning a closely fought game 3-2.

Last on for UClan was Craig Smithies. The game was deadlock in the beginning, fighting for supremcy on the court. The match was at two games apiece, and with both players both looking tired, Smithies in his final game fought back from 7-0, down to take it 9-7.

In the end Smithies showed a marvellous display and conquered the last of Keeles finest in prominent fashion.

UCLan Squash club’s next match is away at Manchester Met which should be one of the games of the season.

By William Vickers

UCLan Squash’s motto, “play better, win more points”, is starting to take hold as they made it two wins on the bounce with a 3-2 win over Lancaster.

Following a remarkable 5-0 win away at Liverpool in their last fixture, UCLan quickly fell behind as Captain Asif Din and Craig Smithies both succumbed to hard-fought 3-2 defeats.

Din was cruising at 2-0 until he was narrowly defeated 9-11, 10-12, 10-12 in the next three games.

While “disappointed” at conceding a two game lead, he demonstrated a “battling spirit” that was indicative of the rest of the team.

The comeback began with a ruthless 3-0 demolition courtesy of James Byrne.  This was swiftly followed by a comfortable victory for Sam Shuttleworth by the same scoreline.  The deciding game was down to Matt Davies.

In a match of high quality, the UCLan number one outfoxed his opponent to take the match after an epic final game.  Leading 2-0, Davies clinched the game by 15 points to 13 after three times having the chance to clinch victory before being pegged back.

Din was “delighted with the comeback” from his side and indicated that James Byrne’s dominant performance earned him the man-of-the-match award.

By Liam Geraghty

A 5-0 DEFEAT to Manchester Met for UClan’s Squash team does not tell the whole story.

Marking their inaugural fixture after moving to Ingol, UCLan showed considerable improvement against more reputable opponents.

Captain James Byrne indicated that his “man-of-the-match” was Craig Smithies, who narrowly missed out on victory. Continue Reading