Winchester still bottom, but confidence growing …

Doug Revolta reports

Winchester’s  Premier League squash  team remain rooted to the  foot of the table, tut they are growing in  confidence after a 3-2  defeat to Chichester.

That loss represents  Winch’s best result this  campaign after struggling  all season.

Winch’s world no.26  Emily Whitlock beat Lauren  Briggs 3-1 and two times  World Junior champion  and Winchester’s number  one seed Marwan El  Shorbagy produced an  exquisite display to beat  Jon Kemp 3-0.

“It was a good night and I  was pleased with how I  played. It was unfortunate  that we couldn’t get the  result but we are getting  there,” world number 24  Shorbagy said.

“Winchester’s my  favourite place to play my  squash, I love it here. The  crowd is amazing and it’s  always packed out.”

Daniel Poleshchuk was  dismissed 3-0 by Oliver  Pett and Scott Fitzgerald  allowed a 2-1 lead to slip  against Chichester’s  Robbie Temple.

Fitzgerald remained  focused as Temple lost his  concentration following  some controversial refereeing decisions but was  unable to get a result in  the fifth game.

That loss meant  Winchester’s hopes lay on  the shoulders of Greg  Lobban and the young  Scot battled terrifically against world number 67  Rex Hedrick.

Lobban lost the final  game 6/11 to concede a  match which lasted a staggering 82 minutes.

Winchester’s next home  fixture is on Tuesday,  March 18 against Bristol.