2014 WannabeEZ Challenge Results

For a number of years, the WannabeEZ Challange (previously known as the Lower Leagues Tournament) has been hosted by the Chamber Exiles squash club on behalf of Central Gauteng Squash. The final results are attached.

There were 3 great finals last night with lots of other good matches as well. The Ladies and Mens A-Section finals both went to 5 sets and both could have gone either way.

The main results were:

Men’s C-Section:             Andrew Berry                    3              Nealon Burger   1

Men’s B-Section :            Danie Visser                      3              Trevor Dudley     0

Men’s A-Section:             Paul Fourie                        3              David Kind          2

Ladies B-Section:              Denise Gardner               3             Belinda Crots      0

Ladies A-Section:             Sunette Schoonraad        3              Robyn Boy         2


There was a great turn-out at the finals last night, must have been 80-100 people there  (I’m sure the free food and booze had nothing to do with it). Well done to all the players who were involved.

Thanks to everybody for making the the WannabeEZ Challenge a success and a special thanks to all the sponsors (see their logo's on the right of this page). Please support them as they support us.



There was also a note of Appreciation from Central Gauteng Squash :



Well done John

Your club and tournament team’s commitment is the driving force behind the success of this event.
It has truly become a major fixture of the Central Gauteng Squash’s tournament calendar.

Thanks once again.

Barry Hendricks
Chairman
Central Gauteng Squash




2nd LEAGUE vs Wanderers




Francesco,Kafula- won 3-0    (yawn)

Jared Rocher won 3-0

Kyle,Schoeman- Lost 2-3 (fell asleep at 2-0 up!!!!!!!!!)

Jared Schoeman won 3-2

Overall result: Won 14 - 5

3rd LEAGUE vs Old Eds



We did it again. We won!

David had a good win against a teenager Yakov 3-1. David was running out of legs and had to win the 4th, and did it!

Ian probably had his worst match in the last few months but pulled thru from getting a thrashing 2-1 down and winning 15-12, 15-13 in the last 2. Ian won an “dreadful” match 3-2.

Phil was not at his best and played against an opponent who was in his way and the marker was ineffective (no, it wasn’t Sven). He got frustrated and his game went down from there. Phil got pumped 3-0.

Jae played ok. Won 3-0 against a tricky old man. Old man learnt that hippo’s can run fast too.

So we won 3 matches to 1 (12 points to 6).


Overall result: WON 12 - 6

4th A vs Saint Stithians



A late afternoon call that Saints are writing exams so no match – strange they didn’t know about these exams earlier!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway a welcome 16 points!

Overall result: Won 16 – 0

4th A vs Bryanston



A re-arranged match from earlier in the season – a good Bryanston team were expected ………………and they arrived.

Gary, up against Neil who had thrashed him in the WannabeEZ a few weeks ago, playing some great squash went 2-0 up. But……….a lot of energy had been used and the match started slipping away. At 14-7 down in the 4th, the marker (me), decide to give a dodgy stroke against Gary just to give him a rest – Gary didn’t see the wisdom in this and an earful was received. The rest didn’t help much though and Gary succumbed in the 5th as well.

Simultaneously Rich was on against Joseph and was 2-1 up, but being a bit rusty after the break eventually went down 3-2. Another close match.

Herkie against Che – Che was too consistent for Herkie who never got into the match – the first time Herkie has lost 3-0 this season.

Silver against a 2nd lge player, Jan, filling in. Granted, he hadn’t played for a while due to injury but was still too good for the Fox – down 3-1 (serving out at 14-all in the 3rd didn’t help much either – Tequila for sure!!!!)

So our fears were founded in fact – our worst result of the season – even the top sides have to have a hiccup along the way – look at the Sharks!!!!!!!!!! 

Overall result: Lost 5 – 15

4th B vs Bryanston



So it was a second and third on the log clash! Pressure match. A win for Chamber would see us moving one giant step closer to a Chamber domination of 1 and 2 on the ladder to ensure 3rd league for both sides next season!

Dave was up first having requested to play at 4 (claiming poor showing at the Wannabeezzz challenge) and arguing that he is very low down on the Chamber ladder. Dave played well to secure a solid 3-0 start against Benj. Benj has had a good season to date being a banker at 4 however struggled with some back issues on the day (excuses?).

Andrew was up at a newer role playing 2 against Brett based on more regular squash and solid recent form. Flew out the starting blocks winning the first 2. Minor stumble in the 3rd however consolidated in the 4th to take Chamber 2 matches up.

Flip was on against Kris at 3. Flip was inconsistent and had a number of unforced errors. A few games could have gone his way but he ultimately went down 3-1.

Ryan was up at 1 having also rediscovered some form and finding less TIN! The match was a seesaw battle against Simon. Simon ultimately ran out of steam and Ryan took it 3-2.

I have NEVER seen a team scatter so quickly after a match as Pirates did! Brett was their only player to join us at JOLLY RODGER for our celebratory dinner and draught!

A solid 13-6 win for Chamber!

Overall result: Lost 13 - 6

5th League vs Bryanston



Judging by the whattsapps, a hiding was received.

Steve,Hughes- vs. Danie,Visser-        15-8 10-15 15-6 15-7

Paul,Siddall- vs. Gavin,Bowes-          11-15 15-9 15-13 7-15 15-10

Alan,Agaienz- vs. Bruce,Bydawell-   15-11 11-15 3-15 15-10 15-13

Peter,Gillies- vs. Mark,van Niekerk-   17-15 15-11 15-7

Overall result: Lost 5 - 16

6th A vs 6B



The previous encounter between these teams had resulted in a 16-2 steamrollering by the 6A’s. This was touted by the 6B’s to be a consequence of good fortune, lack of player availability and underhanded tactics. So, in the second round, the 6B’s came back with plenty of fighting talk, even going so far as to label the 6A’s as Rubbishes (in writing, no less). Did this have any effect on the result of the second round. To this there can be only one answer – a resounding NO. Once more the 6A’s showed character, class, magnanimity, resolve, tenacity and level-headedness under trying circumstances to record another famous and convincing victory. Cue music score: “Weeee are the champions…”.

6A’s had a full team at the club at 6:30 with nary a 6B in sight. Henri was the first of the rivals to arrive and got to choose his opponent. He opted for Kobus, freshly arrived from a traipse through the Franschoek winelands. There must have been cabernet residue in Kobus’ blood stream because the first game was disastrous – loose shots, tin, general mayhem. But this got sorted during the interval with some intense coaching and stern words from the captain. From there on, the discipline was much improved and saw a victory for Kobus from a tough match. 3-1

Manie had arrived in the interim and chose Gary (oh captain, my captain) as his adversary. There was much ebb and flow in this match as the momentum swung between the players. A gargantuan battle pitting Manie’s cut-off and drop versus Gary’s measured length (in a non-phallic sense). The initial plaudits went to Gary, keeping it tidy and going one-up. Manie then pulled a Manie special and took it back to one-all, then two-one. Vigorous discussion and thinly veiled threats from teammates during the intervals saw Gary pull it back to two-all and setting up a grand finale. In the last game Gary was in imperious form, either out of  pride for the high stakes derby bragging rights, or out of fear that his teammates would follow through on aforementioned threats. No matter the motivation, Gary grew progressively stronger and won out a grinding victory. 3-2.

Nigel and Phil played in a rematch of the Wannabeez tournament final round. This was the War and Peace of games – but without the peace. It’s always a measure of how tough the game was when you wake the following morning and have to hobble around as your body protests the punishment it received some hours earlier. The early impetus was with Nigel as a 2 game lead was generated. And then felleth the wheelth from the buth. Mistakes galore cost me the third game and put Phil in a commanding position in the fourth with a 13-8 lead. A fightback ensued which, in terms of its epicness, would make Normandy seem like after school fisticuffs behind the bicycle shed. Alas, the fightback was to no avail with Phil winning 16-14 to make it two games apiece. The final game was neck and neck, but it turned out that Phil’s neck was the longer of the two, bringing him victory and saving the 6B’s another embarrassing 16 point drubbing. 2-3.

Finally, Paul was left to play late arrival Jacques, the latter having been on a lengthy voyage spanning multiple countries and continents. Jacques lack of game time was telling in the first as he let Paul dictate play completely. He started to regain some of his touch in the next two games and put up sterner resistance. But not stern enough to prevent a fit, as always, Paul from using a percentage squash game to score a comfortable win. 3-0.

So, all told, a comprehensive win. Surely the 6B’s regret their bluster and disparaging dismissal of the clearly superior 6A’s. As I’m sure their match report will reflect, they were out-played, out-classed, out-manouvered, out-thought and just plain down-and-out. We expect them to grovel, at least a little, in the presence of the noble 6A’s. We also expect them to pull up their socks and start beating the other 6th league opponents so that we can have a clear run at the top of the log. It’s the least they can do.

Overall result: 14-6 to the mighty 6A’s         

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6th B vs. 6A

The right of reply was refused!!!

Overall result: Lost 6 - 14

7th League vs. Southern Suburbs



Off to the Deep South. We got beaten by the better team; however there was again, one shining light, Peter Le Roux (#3) who came from 2 nil down to win 3-2. Next best was Peter Fillmore (#2) who managed a game. Next was Michael (#4) who got to double figures each game but lost 3-0. Bringing up the rear was our gallant, sacrificial lamb, George who played at one against Kyle Bruchausen who should be in a much, much, much higher league so that everyone can enjoy their squash. This sentiment was compounded by unnecessary, snide, on-court comments by the winner towards the end of the match.
The Southerners, who also have hot water issues (not enough, so the ladies were used, their showers!) bought us beers but did not join us for supper at Gino’s. The food was great and the portions even bigger. We bumped into the Wits team who assured us that they are booking bottom place in the league. Let’s hope it is true!

Squash Tip of the Week
Start with a good serve; it is not just to start the rally!

Overall result: Lost 4 - 14

8th League vs. Bryanston



So near, yet so far!
Up first was Andy against Wiets, full of running and loud exclamations, neither of which really helped! After a number of carefully placed balls to the T for his opponent, Andy succumbed. Quietly
Lost 0-3

Up next Gabriel, up against Brigitte, a first team ladies player. A real tight affair with Brigitte taking the first 2 games narrowly. Against all odds, and by some miracle Gabriel took the next two to level matters, and much to everyone’s surprise, including Gabriel’s, the fifth. This included being match point down in the fourth and a few interesting calls by the marker, Nealon
Won 3-2

Next Clin Tin Tin (Clinton), our quiet assassin, who won 3-0 in a matter of minutes
Won 3-0

Finally Anthony up against Nealon, full of running and loud exclamations. Another ding dong battle with Anthony coming back from two down, only to lose the fifth. Anthony had some choice words for the marker at the end of the game, Gabriel!
Lost 2-3

So, matches two all, games 8-8, we commenced the points tally

We lost by 211 points to 219. Aaargh!!

Overall result: Lost 10 - 8

9th vs CCJ



Terrible


Nic,Kerkman- vs. Gerry,O'Connor-                           15-6 15-4 13-15 15-2

Rossi,Alex- vs. Richard,Pritz-                                       15-10 15-13 15-9

Prior,Digby- vs. Matium,Van Antwerpen-             15-8 15-11 15-12

Langton,Rogers- vs. Jannie,Oberholzer-                15-11 15-7 15-13

Overall result: Lost 1-16

10th OMT (Old Mans Team) vs Southern Suburbs


OMs’T played Suburbs at Suburbs

The usual dinner at Manny’s Madeira Del Sol in Regent’s Park was, as usual, absolutely phenomenal. And they paid. What a super bunch of Porras. Manny and Sergio whom we know well, and Albert and Carlos

Thanks Des for supporting the team of Keith, Paddy, John F and JohAn

Enough said

Match score 0 - 16

Overall result: Lost 0 - 16