Last week’s match reports/results are below. Last years Scribe of the Year (SCROTY) winner has re-emerged invigorated– See ladies report below
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RESERVE LEAGUE vs Wits
??
Overall result:
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3rd LEAGUE A vs Chamber B
3rds Derby Match Chamber A (in log position and name) vs Chamber B
Jae was up first against Peter. Jae had a battle on his hands in the first against Peter with Jae taking it 16-14. In the second, Jae ran away with it with Peter seemingly feeling the after effects of his monster final against Jeff in the National Masters on Sunday. Peter put in a huge effort in the third sneaking in 16-14 and the fourth was equally tight ultimately going to Jae 18-16. (3-1)
Rich up next against Heinrich. From the start Heinrich was hitting the ball sweetly and eased past Rich in the first. The second and third were both tight affairs with Heinrich having his chances but Rich ultimately shaving them. Roles were reversed in the fourth as Heinrich ran away with it and he was too strong in the fifth. (2-3)
Our undefeated banker, Vevek, than came up against the newly crowned national champion in the Masters age 55-59, Jeff Davidson. Jeff was quickest out of the blocks taking the first but roles were reversed in the second as Vevek warmed to the task at hand. Jeff’s lobs got higher and tighter in the third, while Vevek managed to turn around the fourth but ultimately Jeff was too strong in the fifth. There went Vevek’s undefeated record. (2-3)
Andrew was up late against Ryan (well very late being Sat afternoon). It was always going to be a ding dong hard hitting battle. Andrew raced into a 2-0 lead however Ryan made no errors in bringing the match back to 2-2. The last game took 15 minutes with Andrew taking it 16-14 in the 5th. The 55 minute match ended with a sweaty hug in true Chamber spirit! YES – a hug ;-)!!!
Another EPIC Chamber battle showing the depth and amazing rivalry within the club. A team going up by 1 game
Jae 3 Peter 1
Andrew 3 Ryan 2
Vevek 2 Jeff 3
Richard 2 Heinrich 3
Overall : Won 12 - 9
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3rd LEAGUE B vs Chamber A
See above
Overall result: Lost 9 - 12
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4th LEAGUE A vs Jeppe
Overall result: Lost 4 - 13
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4th LEAGUE B vs Bye
Overall result:
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5th LEAGUE 04 vs Crusaders
Another first - my first visit to St. Stithians and since we were being thrashed by the youthful opposition and the squash was really crap, I don’t have much material to work with. So, instead, I got to thinking about the role of the “father figures” at our club and what a valuable role they play. The elder statesman & women at our club who, in their own way, help steer the ship that is Chamber Exiles.
Whilst I was playing my impressive young Crusader I realized that my behavior and attitude on court might rub off on him to some degree and help form the squash player that he grows up to be one day and which club he might join and make his own in the future – so best I show him my “better” side! Yes - I know it’s debatable whether I actually have one!!
The point is – I have had my fair share of fatherly figures help shape whom I have become at the club and I would like them to know that they are valued and respected. They might not be perfect, few people are, but they have their strengths and it is in our own best interest to try and learn from them the lessons they have to teach – to glean from them the wisdom that they have acquired along the way and in so doing, become better role models ourselves.
So, take a bow yea elderly folk of Chamber Exiles – some of you teach us squash skills, some of you teach us life skills, some teach us diplomacy, mutual respect, appreciation for that which is good, human socialization & interaction, passion, fair play, sportsmanship, generosity of spirit, compassion for others, supportive help, happiness with others and love.
If you are one of these old guys or old girls - Thank you!
You are the backbone of Chamber Exiles.
~
Our expedition was all at sea without our true number one, our captain, our chairman, our team’s backbone and our seasoned campaigner who decided to trek to Jeppe to play an easy game with the fourth leaguers instead and lost.
John – you were missed and would have made a difference to the outcome and the encounter.
~
I was exhausted by my opponent Sebastian who just got to everything and I still don’t know how to play a runner properly. (Lost 1-3)
Kobus won a war of attrition against an equally competitive and argumentative Matthew. (Won 2-3)
Darren had a nightmare come true and scare the shit out of any spectator and he would have beaten Kristen any other day of the week but just not today!!! (Lost 0-3)
Nick had a tough old-timers battle against the team coach and put up a good fight but Mike had a skilled hand and drove the sword into his side at the death. (Lost 2-3)
We got a purple Poweraid for our troubles.
“Ear-Ear”
Gary
Overall result: Lost 6-14
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6th LEAGUE vs. Northcliff
Overall result: Lost 11 - 8
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7th LEAGUE vs Western Rackets
Overall result: Lost 13 - 5
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8th LEAGUE vs Wits
Match score: Won 16 - 3
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9th LEAGUE YMT vs UJ
Postponed due to Ramadan
Overall result :
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9th LEAGUE OMT vs Wanderers
Match Score 0 - 16
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LADIES LEAGUES
LADIES 2nd LEAGUE 01 vs Randburg
Helena won 3-1
Hannah - won 3-0
Megan lost 3-1
Ashley won 3-0
TOP OF THE LEAGUE (Just)
Overall result: Won 13 - 4
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LADIES 2nd LEAGUE 02 vs Randburg
??
Overall result:
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LADIES 3rd LEAGUE 03 vs Old Eds
Overall result: Won 12 - 5
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LADIES 3rd LEAGUE 04 vs Chamber 05
See below
Overall result: Won 10 - 8
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LADIES 3rd LEAGUE 05 vs Chamber04
This match was probably the most insanely nerve wrecking one that has been played to date.
Games kicked off with some banter that friends were playing friends and former team mates had inside knowledge and could use that information to their advantage.
Marisa and Mandy took to court with their fast becoming trendy habits; Mandy chewing an endless supply of Mentos gums and Marisa suckling on her bottle of Energade, like it was mother's milk.
The M&M duo rapped through the first set with a sketchy beat that saw Mandy take an early lead. Lights, camera and action in set 2 and the audience joined in the chorus calls of "Come on M, you got this!" So Marisa, the other M won the second set. In the third set, both M's showed their muscle and powered through a 13-13 nail biter; until M, Mandy that is, mustered the might to win the set. The fourth was more of the Irish lass's magic and Mandy mouthed her way to 3-1 win.
Jenny and Roshael had a hard act to follow. They launched the 1st set, each lady digging deep inside her own head for fortitude. Jenny's head won and Roshael, in true Roshael fashion, stormed off court begging for a conduct warning. Jenny went a begging in the second set, with Roshael seeming to have reigned in her demons. The third set provided the audience with more reason to shout and jeer. Thankfully, we don't allow accosting players with bruised fruit. We might have had to resand court 2! Jenny's superior headgame and technical prowess sealed Roshael's fate, with Jenny winning the third and fourth.
Jana and Sonelle were next on stage when the curtain opened. And this act was a genuine reflection of how squash should be played, with grace and elegance, and a natural flair for shot selection. Both ladies played beautifully, pity that there are no points for poetic squash. Jana's perfectly timed winners clinched the match and CE05 were back in business, trailing with 1-2, in game scores with points at 144 vs 152, in favour of CE04.
The fourth and final game started with a warm appreciation for Belinda and Chrisna's long standing friendship. The pair fired off some classy serve, return rallies but Belinda got the better of Chrisna, taking the 1st set; 15-11. Set 2, and Chrisna nailed Belinda to the wall, their friendship proving to have boundaries on the court with Chrisna in the lead at 15-10. Several pep talks with different team mates and deep mining of internal reserves helped the friends claw back some vestitude of great squash and Belinda sailed to a winning 3rd set.
In the 4th set, the crowd was on its feet with loud shouts of where and how to hit the ball. Chrisna fell victim to Belinda's devious lobs and was constantly caught at the front of the court. Belinda was unable to read Chrisna's looping serves and found the tin, on those occasions that her racquet actually managed to find the ball. At 14-14 both girls were duelling on adrenaline fumes. Chrisna served, and "Out of Court" cried the ref. Belinda took to the servers block at 15-14, on match point. "Out of court!" cried the ref. And the audience groaned in agony. Replay, both players were now at 15-15. Chrisna was back at the service block. Composed and focused, she served. Belinda pounced and took the point, and the game to her match point advantage again. Belinda served, the crowd was hushed. The commentator blinked, and Belinda took the match, 17-15.
The curtains fell at 8 games each.
Point scores were in favour of CE04, 202 to 201. Hard luck CE05.
Overall result: Lost 8 -10
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LADIES 4th LEAGUE 06 vs Randburg
Overall result: Won 9 - 6
