KINGS’ showcourt with its steep terraces has witnessed some fantastic matches down the years. Some of the world’s top players have graced court one, or in the old days when the home of local squash had such a number, court six.

On Saturday, Guernsey’s modern-day star Chris Simpson featured in another memorable encounter, going head-to-head against Welshman David Evans and received a bit of a kicking from the one-time world number three and former British Open champion.

Evans, now 32 and 13 years a professional on the world circuit, recently moved to Jersey in a coaching role.

Tall and with a superb array of shots, Evans did not let down the visiting support who were so keen to watch their new recruit see off the man who, in recent times, had become too good for the sister isle’s best ever home-grown player and former pro, Michael Hopkins.

Evans triumphed in straight sets, 9-0, 9-6, 9-3 in 43 minutes, and in so doing demonstrated that Simpson still has much to learn if he is to move into the heady ranks of the world’s top 30.

Nobody was more impressed with Evans than the player whom many rate as Guernsey’s most naturally talented male ever, Mark Roberts.

He had come along to see Simpson play Hopkins but was not disappointed to see Evans walk on court and give a masterclass.

‘I was overawed by that guy. He’s a superb player – a class act.

‘Guernsey should be privileged to see a player like that. That was one of the top games we’ve seen for many a year,’ said the old maestro.

Evans was feeling quite pleased with himself, too, although disappointed to learn that while he was seeing off Simpson, his beloved Wales rugby team were being beaten by Italy.

‘I don’t play too much these days but I find myself hitting the ball better than when I was playing full time,’ said Jersey’s new number one.

Evans was happy with his performance.

‘I knew what type of player he was and it was a case of controlling him.

‘It went perfectly to plan.’

The match opened with a marathon rally that suggested spectators were in for their own physical test.

Evans ultimately won the point as the Guernseyman hit the tin, as he did so often. After 10 minutes on court Evans had the set wrapped up without the loss of a point.

Simpson was scurrying around and unable to dominate the T, but he made a better fist of things in the second and led 5-4 at one stage.

But from 5-5, Evans moved to game ball and although he was twice denied at 8-5, the visitor took it 9-6 with his third game ball.

The game had lasted 21 minutes and as they headed out of the door on their short break, one sensed that Simpson’s chance had gone.

And so it proved.

Evans took the third without too much trouble, the end coming with a forehand boast in the frontcourt to wrong-foot the younger man.

Simpson was critical of his own performance but was still pleased to have taken on Evans and not Hopkins.

‘I said to Bridgee [coach Peter Bridgeman] a couple of weeks ago that if we could get Evans to play we should.

‘I wasn’t happy with the way I played at all.

‘I started off really flat and he’s such a good racket player that if you are not positive enough, he will be all over you.’

Simpson said the switch to a 19in. tin troubled him.

‘I’m used to playing with a 17in. tin now. I was quite tentative with my drops.’

But amid the disappointment, he was respectful too.

‘He’s done everything in his career that I would like to achieve.’