Finals Night. Friday 21st April.
Bill Johnson had a good few companions on the balcony to watch 2 entertaining games of squash.
First up was Chris Brock against Dan Cusack.
Dan was always going to be up against it facing a (relatively) young and fit opponent who relishes long orthodox length exchanges. And so it panned out.
Dan spent forever at the back of the court retrieving length ball during many 20 and 30 shot rallies. Dan worked very hard and occasionally got the opportunity to cut out the drives and play some good drops. Unfortunately for him, Chris picked many of them up and so the rallies went on.
Many on the balcony were pleased it was Dan and not them.
3-0 to Chris but lets not take anything away from Dan, he stuck in and battled to give us a game to enjoy watching.
In the A competition Matt Guthery had the unenviable task of playing our 9 times club champion who although hasn’t played a lot of squash this year, is still as strong as ever.
No disrespect to Matt but the first game was both a surprise and a credit to him.
Tony Hedley started steady enough and appeared to be prepared to let a few drops go, I’m guessing just easing into the game for fear of over doing it early on, Tony is getting on a bit now and old squash players do this !
Matt had a different approach and took full advantage of what could be called a ‘cagey’ start. Matt attacked the ball and took it as early as possible every time, cutting it out with effective drops and he did this throughout the first game. 15-10 to Matt and a bit of a wake up call for Tony. Very few in the club manage to take a game from Tony so this was no small feat.
All change in the next 3 games where Tony came back on court with a few amendments. He worked on his length with a little added pace and found the width. Some lobs thrown in for good measure meant Matt couldn’t volley anything.
From mid way through the 2nd game Matt often found himself at the back of the court and vulnerable to the drop shot.
Curiously Tony didn’t play too many of those until later in the game working Matt very hard with accurate length and line squash ending with the inevitable loose one which Tony dispatched. Matt played well and worked very hard to help provide a very entertaining game.
3-1 to Tony but there is much promise from Matt.
Beer and curry followed and a good night was had by all.
Just a note on the weeks event as a whole.
Some great squash and good social interaction. For me it was good to see some new players, Eric Tolman and James Templey and a much improved Dave McCrae. Of course there are the usual ‘die hards’ (you know who you are) who always make the competitions what they are.
Look forward to doing it all again.
A handicap competition is scheduled for 7th July where I hope all the players in all of our leagues will get stuck in. Playing squash is what it’s all about.
Thank you to all those who marked games this week, to Andy Silver and Graeme Sneddon for their help with the Monday night conundrum and to the ever present (and wise) Bill Johnson who watched and supported every encounter this week.
Ian Mc
Bill Johnson had a good few companions on the balcony to watch 2 entertaining games of squash.
First up was Chris Brock against Dan Cusack.
Dan was always going to be up against it facing a (relatively) young and fit opponent who relishes long orthodox length exchanges. And so it panned out.
Dan spent forever at the back of the court retrieving length ball during many 20 and 30 shot rallies. Dan worked very hard and occasionally got the opportunity to cut out the drives and play some good drops. Unfortunately for him, Chris picked many of them up and so the rallies went on.
Many on the balcony were pleased it was Dan and not them.
3-0 to Chris but lets not take anything away from Dan, he stuck in and battled to give us a game to enjoy watching.
In the A competition Matt Guthery had the unenviable task of playing our 9 times club champion who although hasn’t played a lot of squash this year, is still as strong as ever.
No disrespect to Matt but the first game was both a surprise and a credit to him.
Tony Hedley started steady enough and appeared to be prepared to let a few drops go, I’m guessing just easing into the game for fear of over doing it early on, Tony is getting on a bit now and old squash players do this !
Matt had a different approach and took full advantage of what could be called a ‘cagey’ start. Matt attacked the ball and took it as early as possible every time, cutting it out with effective drops and he did this throughout the first game. 15-10 to Matt and a bit of a wake up call for Tony. Very few in the club manage to take a game from Tony so this was no small feat.
All change in the next 3 games where Tony came back on court with a few amendments. He worked on his length with a little added pace and found the width. Some lobs thrown in for good measure meant Matt couldn’t volley anything.
From mid way through the 2nd game Matt often found himself at the back of the court and vulnerable to the drop shot.
Curiously Tony didn’t play too many of those until later in the game working Matt very hard with accurate length and line squash ending with the inevitable loose one which Tony dispatched. Matt played well and worked very hard to help provide a very entertaining game.
3-1 to Tony but there is much promise from Matt.
Beer and curry followed and a good night was had by all.
Just a note on the weeks event as a whole.
Some great squash and good social interaction. For me it was good to see some new players, Eric Tolman and James Templey and a much improved Dave McCrae. Of course there are the usual ‘die hards’ (you know who you are) who always make the competitions what they are.
Look forward to doing it all again.
A handicap competition is scheduled for 7th July where I hope all the players in all of our leagues will get stuck in. Playing squash is what it’s all about.
Thank you to all those who marked games this week, to Andy Silver and Graeme Sneddon for their help with the Monday night conundrum and to the ever present (and wise) Bill Johnson who watched and supported every encounter this week.
Ian Mc
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