NICOL AND MARSHALL STAGE A BEAUTY

Marshall finally runs out of steam...

MARSHALL THE MASH MACHINE

It was hard to believe that Peter Marshall had played two five set matches, the second lasting 130 minutes and finishing at midnight the day before. Against Nicol he lost the first game15-3 in 12 minutes. But Marshall is a hard man and a determined man. That first game was merely his warm-up and in the second he took charge, sucking Nicol into his mechanical game of high length and forcing of most of the rallies.

"You have to play Marshall low or high- he hates that," Nicol told me after the match. "And I did that in the first game. But in the second he was playing to good length and you can't do too much with him, so I started making mistakes."

Not only did Marshall win that game 15-7, it looked as though Nicol had lost heart. Furthermore Marshall continued his dictatorial role in the third. It was frustrating to watch this mechanical squash in one way but gripping in another even though many of the rallies followed a totally predictable course of shots.

The packed Vanderbilt Hall didn't move as the fascination of this battle caught the imagination and many freshmen to internation squash wondered just how long these incredible athletes continue at this pace.

ERROR RATE CREEPS UP

Marshall showed small signs of fatigue as he went for winners but he still managed to get to game point at 14-11. I too began to wonder how long this incredible hitting machine could last. A drop and boast by Nicol and a Marshall error attempting a volley drop put the score at 14-all and Marshall called no set. This was a gamble - he was tired and wanted a quick end. Nicol hit a low drive and Marshall's shot was called 'not up' by the referee which brought a scream of objection from Marshall but the call was upheld and Nicol led 2/1.

SHEER FATIGUE

The fourth game saw Nicol constantly hoisting the ball high to push a very tired Marshall to the back and Nicol was finally in charge. There were times when Marshall could barely stand up straight and Nicol finished the match with a 15-10 fourth game after 80 minutes of pure grind.

"Even if I'd lost the third I knew I would win it in five. I know Peter and he was living on pure adrenaline. I started hoisting the ball and I should have done that earlier. I could see how tired he was he will never give up, " Nicol commented as he left to prepare for his all-Scottish semi-final against Martin Heath.