Unfortunately I couldn't get the last 2 points of the match in my Australian Open final against Stewart Boswell. The match went the distance and at 9 all in the 5th it was there for the taking. In the end, Boz played the final 2 points better and got the win. It was 98 mins of solid squash and although there weren't too many lets, there were a few stoppages due to the slippery floor. Boz took the first then we traded games for the rest of the match. It was a good clean match with only poor refereeing getting in the way sometimes. Boz now has 4 Australian Open Titles to his name which is pretty bloody good! I think he won his 1st in 2002.
I somehow copped a conduct stroke at 6-5 in the 5th for trying to get the refs to make a call. It seems like a growing habit of refs to not call a ball that is out, down or double bounce. They seem to wait and see what the players are going to do about it. Example: Boz clips the out line on a straight drive. I look out at the refs as I'm going back to play it. The refs stare back blankly. Boz hits the next one in the tin because he knows it was out. Boz gets up the ref for not calling it out, I'm frustrated too so I start getting up them once Boz is done having his say. 'Conduct Stroke Mr Pilley'. Oh ok, cheers. I'm not sure if the refs just aren't confident in their calls - which seems to be the case - or they simply don't know what going on. They've got the best seat in the house to watch the game so there shouldn't be any excuses of, 'I couldn't see it'. Anyway,that's my 2 cents worth.
I have just finished playing in the World Games here in Chinese-Taipei (formally Taiwan). After winning my first 2 rounds I went out to Azlan 3-0. The game scores weren't too bad but to be honest he was all over me. Want a re-match soon!!!
