Team manager Jason Martin has hailed his Oxford Esporta side as they reached the final of the Premier Squash League for the first time with a stunning 4-1 semi-final win against TWP St George’s Hill.

It meant that Oxford, in only their fourth season in the PSL, finished top of Group A by a point.

It sets up a showdown with 2008 champions and fellow Esporta club Surrey Health & Racquets, who triumphed 3-2 against MB Nottingham, in the final on May 4 at a venue to be decided.

“There's something about wanting to win in front of a home crowd,” said Martin.

“Chris Ryder was just awesome – he came off after losing the first game, and you could see that he knew he needed to get back and get in front, for the sake of the crowd.

“Once he got the bit between his teeth, he was unbeatable – and Simon Rosner was the same. They were two incredible performances.”

Oxford’s Irish No 1 Madeline Perry gave Oxford the perfect start with an 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 win over Julie Peachey.

But they were rocked when Hungarian Mark Krajcsak levelled with a four-game success against Oxford stalwart Scott Handley 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6.

No 3 Chris Ryder restored Oxford’s lead, coming from behind to beat Switzerland youngster Nicolas Mueller 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6.

It was sweet revenge for Ryder, who had lost to Mueller in their previous meeting.

Oxford's top-ranked German Simon Rosner continued the rout by beating top England prospect Tom Richards 11-6, 14-12, 13-11 in 50 minutes to book their place in the final.

Australian international Cameron Pilley wrapped it up with a 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 victory against the Weybridge side’s world no 9 Daryl Selby.

Martin added: “When we first came into the competition, we always wanted to win – and knew we could.

“And the fact that it will be an all-Esporta final is incredible. Of the 55 Esporta clubs around the country, only 11 have squash facilities.”