Individual Handicap Competition December 2017
The now regular first round 3 man ‘Round Robin’ format saw two nights of good banter and some great squash.
With matches being played as and when players were available there was no real pattern or order of play. In brief, nearly all the group winners went through with maximum points having won both their games.
Group 1.
Keith Grey got off to a shocking start in his match against Rob Owen but as you would expect, came back strongly. The game went right to the wire ending 21-20 in the 3rd. They don’t get any closer. Keith will have to look to next year.
Keith and Rob’s game was effectively the decider for the group because a below par Peter Archbold struggled to get going against either of his opponents. His calf injury definitely played it‘s part and I for one am grateful he has soldiered on playing magnificent squash for the 2nd team throughout. Next time Peter.
Group 2.
A slight mess this one.
John Ormsby put much effort into both his matches against your’s truly (standing in and still crocked) and Chris Brock however John lost both encounters.
The game between Chris and I didn’t finish. A keen Mr Ormsby had sufficient points to go through.
Group 3.
Fiercely contested this one. Les Carr, Martin Davison and Peter Irlam all battled against each other in equal measure. Despite having a cold which he did mention once or twice, Martin did what Martin does- getting a lot back and putting the ball in unexpected places. Martin went through with maximum points.
Group 4.
Firstly a big thank you to Mark Knott and Harry Smith for standing in at relatively short notice to make up this group. Both were up against the terrier Andy Lawrence who just wouldn’t lie down. Both Harry and Mark have great drop shots from the back of the court and they won many points with them- but not enough. To his credit Andy picked up what he needed to get through. Maximum points.
Group 5.
The first of our 2 juniors in this one. Young Luke Fecitt was up against Dan Cusack and Phil Gibhard, both experienced players.
Neither of the old timers (Dan has earned that description, he turned 50 last week) had it their own way, Luke showed his promise and kept them going in some long rallies. Their experience and a few unforced errors from Luke saw them triumph. Dan won the group with a steady and convincing win over Phil.
Group 6.
Adam Rowe was the other junior in the show and after a shaky start demonstrated that he will be a handful very shortly. Adam was up against Dave Hall in his first game and for a time held his own however at 10-12 down Dave changed tack and began to mix it up with reverse angle boasts and some other quirky stuff which threw the youngster. A run of 10 points resulted. 21-14 to Dave.
2nd game- Adam found his feet and started to move. A real battle and the 21-20 score tells all. Dave was smiling with relief (and a fantastic shade of red) when he came off court not having to play a decider. 2-0 to Dave. With his squash head now firmly in place Adam gave Nick Fecitt a good knock. A game played with much mutual respect and grace, both showed their ability to play orthodox squash. It was very close with Adam just coming out the victor 21-20, 21-19.
Had Nick took the win against Dave the group would be decided on points against, a very close group indeed. As it was, Dave took the game against Nick 2-0 to go through with maximum points.
Group 7.
Steve Lavery’s mobility proved to be too much of a hurdle for Peter Edney and Jonny Woodhouse and Jonny is not slow. Peter played some neat tidy squash to length and threw in some devilish cross court drops, often from a volley but Steve still managed to retrieve.
With 2 wins, Steve went through but this didn‘t prevent a late evening Edney/Woodhouse battle. The game, the last one of the night gave us entertainment to the end. Jonny taking the spoils in the 3rd- 21-14.
Group 8.
Perhaps the mad group of the night, (I just mention Bill Johnson and all know what I mean.) Demonstrating the extremes of handicap squash Bill won’t mind me saying he’s no spring chicken.
Playing off +10 and in possession of a wicked drop shop off serve,
It’s not an easy game against Bill. For s second year in a row Robin Ritchie faced Mr +10 and struggled. Coming back from zero Robin dug in but never quite got there. Good to watch though with the now customary ‘on court’ commentary from Bill, 21-18, 21-15 tells the story. Steve Goldie on -11 was next up against Mr +10 and he too struggled, losing the first game to 16. Steve got tighter and tidier in the 2nd and in the deciding game and with no room for errors, managed to get through. (16-21) 21-18, 21-17.
I’ve saved the best until last, pure fluke by the way. Probably the game of the tournament so far, Robin Ritchie against Steve Goldie was simply a great game of squash which highlighted what handicap squash is all about. It finished 18-21, 21-16, 21-19 but the game ebbed and flowed with spells of confidence, nervy defensive (and loose) ones and some clearly identifiable spells of all out attacking play from both players which provided great entertainment. The fact that both tend to play an orthodox length game helped provide some great rallies. Steve Goldie went through but Robin has to be pleased with his efforts if not the result.
The draw for the final eight followed late Tuesday evening.
Ian Mc
The now regular first round 3 man ‘Round Robin’ format saw two nights of good banter and some great squash.
With matches being played as and when players were available there was no real pattern or order of play. In brief, nearly all the group winners went through with maximum points having won both their games.
Group 1.
Keith Grey got off to a shocking start in his match against Rob Owen but as you would expect, came back strongly. The game went right to the wire ending 21-20 in the 3rd. They don’t get any closer. Keith will have to look to next year.
Keith and Rob’s game was effectively the decider for the group because a below par Peter Archbold struggled to get going against either of his opponents. His calf injury definitely played it‘s part and I for one am grateful he has soldiered on playing magnificent squash for the 2nd team throughout. Next time Peter.
Group 2.
A slight mess this one.
John Ormsby put much effort into both his matches against your’s truly (standing in and still crocked) and Chris Brock however John lost both encounters.
The game between Chris and I didn’t finish. A keen Mr Ormsby had sufficient points to go through.
Group 3.
Fiercely contested this one. Les Carr, Martin Davison and Peter Irlam all battled against each other in equal measure. Despite having a cold which he did mention once or twice, Martin did what Martin does- getting a lot back and putting the ball in unexpected places. Martin went through with maximum points.
Group 4.
Firstly a big thank you to Mark Knott and Harry Smith for standing in at relatively short notice to make up this group. Both were up against the terrier Andy Lawrence who just wouldn’t lie down. Both Harry and Mark have great drop shots from the back of the court and they won many points with them- but not enough. To his credit Andy picked up what he needed to get through. Maximum points.
Group 5.
The first of our 2 juniors in this one. Young Luke Fecitt was up against Dan Cusack and Phil Gibhard, both experienced players.
Neither of the old timers (Dan has earned that description, he turned 50 last week) had it their own way, Luke showed his promise and kept them going in some long rallies. Their experience and a few unforced errors from Luke saw them triumph. Dan won the group with a steady and convincing win over Phil.
Group 6.
Adam Rowe was the other junior in the show and after a shaky start demonstrated that he will be a handful very shortly. Adam was up against Dave Hall in his first game and for a time held his own however at 10-12 down Dave changed tack and began to mix it up with reverse angle boasts and some other quirky stuff which threw the youngster. A run of 10 points resulted. 21-14 to Dave.
2nd game- Adam found his feet and started to move. A real battle and the 21-20 score tells all. Dave was smiling with relief (and a fantastic shade of red) when he came off court not having to play a decider. 2-0 to Dave. With his squash head now firmly in place Adam gave Nick Fecitt a good knock. A game played with much mutual respect and grace, both showed their ability to play orthodox squash. It was very close with Adam just coming out the victor 21-20, 21-19.
Had Nick took the win against Dave the group would be decided on points against, a very close group indeed. As it was, Dave took the game against Nick 2-0 to go through with maximum points.
Group 7.
Steve Lavery’s mobility proved to be too much of a hurdle for Peter Edney and Jonny Woodhouse and Jonny is not slow. Peter played some neat tidy squash to length and threw in some devilish cross court drops, often from a volley but Steve still managed to retrieve.
With 2 wins, Steve went through but this didn‘t prevent a late evening Edney/Woodhouse battle. The game, the last one of the night gave us entertainment to the end. Jonny taking the spoils in the 3rd- 21-14.
Group 8.
Perhaps the mad group of the night, (I just mention Bill Johnson and all know what I mean.) Demonstrating the extremes of handicap squash Bill won’t mind me saying he’s no spring chicken.
Playing off +10 and in possession of a wicked drop shop off serve,
It’s not an easy game against Bill. For s second year in a row Robin Ritchie faced Mr +10 and struggled. Coming back from zero Robin dug in but never quite got there. Good to watch though with the now customary ‘on court’ commentary from Bill, 21-18, 21-15 tells the story. Steve Goldie on -11 was next up against Mr +10 and he too struggled, losing the first game to 16. Steve got tighter and tidier in the 2nd and in the deciding game and with no room for errors, managed to get through. (16-21) 21-18, 21-17.
I’ve saved the best until last, pure fluke by the way. Probably the game of the tournament so far, Robin Ritchie against Steve Goldie was simply a great game of squash which highlighted what handicap squash is all about. It finished 18-21, 21-16, 21-19 but the game ebbed and flowed with spells of confidence, nervy defensive (and loose) ones and some clearly identifiable spells of all out attacking play from both players which provided great entertainment. The fact that both tend to play an orthodox length game helped provide some great rallies. Steve Goldie went through but Robin has to be pleased with his efforts if not the result.
The draw for the final eight followed late Tuesday evening.
Ian Mc
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