Squash - Students field strongest side

Feb 19 2008 By Nick Pullen

UNIVERSITY of Birmingham coach John Tate will take no chances by choosing his strongest side for tonight's Premier Squash League clash at local rivals Energie Fitness Redditch.

Success for the students would almost certainly send them through to the end-of-season play-offs.

But much-improved Redditch remain the biggest threat to the students' prospects and Tate is well aware of the danger they pose.

Even without their top seed, Frenchman Renan Lavigne, Redditch are still capable of picking up a win and Tate admitted: "We should have enough in the bank, but it could be close. That's why it's important we have the strongest side possible available to us.''

Students' top seed Joey Barrington faces a tough test against Jonathan Kemp, who reached last week's British National semi-finals.

There could be a tight game at No.2 where the students' 16-year-old Egyptian Mohammed El Shabagy takes on Australian Scott Arnold.

But Tate is confident Jon Harford can beat former Birmingham University player Jaymie Haycocks at No.3 while South African Steve Coppinger should prove too strong for Adam Stevenson at No.4.

Laura Lengthorn-Massaro will be looking to bounce back from her defeat to Alison Waters in the British National final when she faces New Zealand's Jaclyn Hawkes.