1st and 2nd Round of Concordia Squash Club Closed 2018.
Ever more complicated lives threw up more anomalies in this years competition. Organising the event on what turned out to be the second week of the Easter break didn’t help with entries down on last year. Defending champion Tony Hedley didn’t enter this year either due to injury.
With the preliminaries out of the way, the last 16 played on Monday night.
To be fair all the games went to form, no shock results or even ‘near shock’ results.
Simon Long gave Mark Knott a thorough run around although Mark said he enjoyed the game.
Steve Goldie beat Dave Hall, Ian Morton beat Martin Davison who, by his own admission was below par with some uncharacteristic errors.
Jonny Woodhouse made sure he offered up nothing to Bill Johnson who can kill the ball given half a chance, Bill‘s return of serve not working so well on the night either.
Despite many closer Monday night encounters, Rob Owens switched to his ‘A’ game and dispatched Keith Grey to 10, 5 and 5, perhaps Rob preserving his energy.
For about the 10th season in a row, Robin Ritchie was drawn against a very tough opponent, this time it was James O’Neill. 3-0 to James.
A strong Gary Story made life hard for Peter Edney who battled hard, alas to no avail. 3-0 to Gary.
Even with much improvement this season, Peter Archbold could not knock Jamie Morton out of his stride, Jamie blasted the ball all over the court, the pace unsettling Peter at times, Peter still battled and the scores (15-12, 15-13 and 15-11 ) demonstrated that Jamie didn’t have it all his own way.
A bonus match was offered up this Monday night when Gary Story and Jamie Morton decided to play their 2nd round match early. Both wanted to burst the ball so it was a fast and furious exchange. Jamie looked in control always holding the lead in the first 2 games, 15-9, 15-10.
Gary came back strongly in the 3rd and took it 15-8.
The 4th could have gone either way with the marker calling “game or match ball” - nothing like a bit of tension.
Gary took it to a 5th game and the pace didn’t falter. It was neck and neck up to 10 all before Jamie opened up a lead with a super nick and a dead length. Gary pulled it back to 12-14 but that was as good as it got. 15-12 to Jamie.
A great game to watch and those who stayed were well rewarded.
2nd Round of the A Competition.
Once again there was no need to re-write the form book.
Simon Long’s accurate and controlled squash just had the edge over Steve Goldie, a good match for the purists, both playing excellent shots from all over the court.
Ian Morton’s ability to keep the ball away from his opponent meant very hard work for Jonny Woodhouse,
3-0 to Ian.
Rob Owen’s energy saving wasn’t enough to keep up with James O’Neill who looked comfortable in the main. Rob still managed some good shots which had James scratching his head at times but still 3-0 to James.
(Jamie Morton beat Gary Story on Monday night)
1st Round of the B competition.
Mark Knott took a leaf out of Jonny Woodhouse’s book and made sure he kept the ball well away from Bill Johnson during their match. Bill’s return of serve was better, as was his vocal cords, expressing much appreciation for Mark’s winners-erh…sort of.
Dan Cusack, in the B because of an unforeseen drop out played a hard game against Martin Davison. It was close in every respect up until 2 all however Dan came out stronger in the 5th with some reserve energy. Too strong for a tiring Martin. 15-5 to Dan.
It seemed Peter Edney was always on court this week and last and here he was again against Keith Grey. Peter really can put the ball away if he gets to it, tricky shots and they are no fluke. Despite losing the 2nd game, Peter always looked comfortable with an ability to anticipate many of Keith’s shots. 3-1 to Peter.
Dave Hall and Robin Ritchie served up a real war of attrition, both playing similar style squash. This match was simply about who made less unforced errors, nothing in it.
2 all was no surprise and the 5th game was equally close.
Dave took it 15-10 in the end. Good match for the spectators.
The semi finals to be played on Wednesday 11th April,
6.40pm start.
Ian Mc
Ever more complicated lives threw up more anomalies in this years competition. Organising the event on what turned out to be the second week of the Easter break didn’t help with entries down on last year. Defending champion Tony Hedley didn’t enter this year either due to injury.
With the preliminaries out of the way, the last 16 played on Monday night.
To be fair all the games went to form, no shock results or even ‘near shock’ results.
Simon Long gave Mark Knott a thorough run around although Mark said he enjoyed the game.
Steve Goldie beat Dave Hall, Ian Morton beat Martin Davison who, by his own admission was below par with some uncharacteristic errors.
Jonny Woodhouse made sure he offered up nothing to Bill Johnson who can kill the ball given half a chance, Bill‘s return of serve not working so well on the night either.
Despite many closer Monday night encounters, Rob Owens switched to his ‘A’ game and dispatched Keith Grey to 10, 5 and 5, perhaps Rob preserving his energy.
For about the 10th season in a row, Robin Ritchie was drawn against a very tough opponent, this time it was James O’Neill. 3-0 to James.
A strong Gary Story made life hard for Peter Edney who battled hard, alas to no avail. 3-0 to Gary.
Even with much improvement this season, Peter Archbold could not knock Jamie Morton out of his stride, Jamie blasted the ball all over the court, the pace unsettling Peter at times, Peter still battled and the scores (15-12, 15-13 and 15-11 ) demonstrated that Jamie didn’t have it all his own way.
A bonus match was offered up this Monday night when Gary Story and Jamie Morton decided to play their 2nd round match early. Both wanted to burst the ball so it was a fast and furious exchange. Jamie looked in control always holding the lead in the first 2 games, 15-9, 15-10.
Gary came back strongly in the 3rd and took it 15-8.
The 4th could have gone either way with the marker calling “game or match ball” - nothing like a bit of tension.
Gary took it to a 5th game and the pace didn’t falter. It was neck and neck up to 10 all before Jamie opened up a lead with a super nick and a dead length. Gary pulled it back to 12-14 but that was as good as it got. 15-12 to Jamie.
A great game to watch and those who stayed were well rewarded.
2nd Round of the A Competition.
Once again there was no need to re-write the form book.
Simon Long’s accurate and controlled squash just had the edge over Steve Goldie, a good match for the purists, both playing excellent shots from all over the court.
Ian Morton’s ability to keep the ball away from his opponent meant very hard work for Jonny Woodhouse,
3-0 to Ian.
Rob Owen’s energy saving wasn’t enough to keep up with James O’Neill who looked comfortable in the main. Rob still managed some good shots which had James scratching his head at times but still 3-0 to James.
(Jamie Morton beat Gary Story on Monday night)
1st Round of the B competition.
Mark Knott took a leaf out of Jonny Woodhouse’s book and made sure he kept the ball well away from Bill Johnson during their match. Bill’s return of serve was better, as was his vocal cords, expressing much appreciation for Mark’s winners-erh…sort of.
Dan Cusack, in the B because of an unforeseen drop out played a hard game against Martin Davison. It was close in every respect up until 2 all however Dan came out stronger in the 5th with some reserve energy. Too strong for a tiring Martin. 15-5 to Dan.
It seemed Peter Edney was always on court this week and last and here he was again against Keith Grey. Peter really can put the ball away if he gets to it, tricky shots and they are no fluke. Despite losing the 2nd game, Peter always looked comfortable with an ability to anticipate many of Keith’s shots. 3-1 to Peter.
Dave Hall and Robin Ritchie served up a real war of attrition, both playing similar style squash. This match was simply about who made less unforced errors, nothing in it.
2 all was no surprise and the 5th game was equally close.
Dave took it 15-10 in the end. Good match for the spectators.
The semi finals to be played on Wednesday 11th April,
6.40pm start.
Ian Mc
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