Former Champions In Final Battle For PSL Play-Offs

Former champions Manchester/Pontefract (2004) and Benz-Bavarian Duffield (1998) go head-to-head tonight in the final round of the Premier League (PSL) in a battle for second spot in the North Group - and a place in the end-of-season finals play-offs.

Just two points separate the two clubs - but a simple win will decide the outcome of the team which will join North Group leaders Churchill Edgbaston Priory in the play-offs against the top two teams from the South Group, Team Chichester and Oberthur Strings Tewkesbury. Whilst Tewkesbury have completed their 'qualifying' campaign, Chichester are also in action tonight - taking on University Sport Birmingham in a bid to win at least six points to go ahead of the current Group leaders to be sure of avoiding Edgbaston Priory in the play-offs.

The National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester will host the Manchester/Pontefract & Duffield tie - which boasts no fewer than five players ranked in the top 10 in the world, and seven players who competed in the recent Commonwealth Games. Manchester's home advantage, and full-strength squad, makes them clear favourites.

The travelling loyal band of Duffield supporters will be hoping to get their just reward - provided that Nick Matthew has fully recovered from the sickness which forced him to retire last Tuesday. The world No7 from Sheffield takes on higher-ranked fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, the home team's No1 whom he beat twice last month.

The women's rubber will see England team-mates Jenny Duncalf and Tania Bailey face each other. Duffield's Bailey is ranked two places lower than world No8 Duncalf - but Bailey is in fine form having just won her first WISPA World Tour title in six years at the Vassar College Class of 1932 Open in the USA.

The other North Group tie taking place tonight sees title-holders Wolverhampton entertain Nottingham. The full-strength hosts will be led by Australia's world No5 Anthony Ricketts, while long-time Nottingham star Simon Parke will hope that his win in last week's Colets Open in Surrey will inspire him and his team to their first PSL victory of the season.