6ththLeague “B”(Best) vs Bryanston
Off to Bryanston to play against the team that the 7th league managed to skip in the second half of last year. Once the league was finished and the 7th league team had won Colin was still trying to arrange this game that we missed earlier in the season.
Arrived at the club and the German stalwart was there, Reiner Moosemuller (played at Chamber many years ago). We had a grudge match to play so decided to take the court in the number 2 slot. I was 5-0 down and decided to wake up and take the next 9 points so 9-5 in the first. Second game was similar 4-0 down and then the drives and cross courts took their toll 9-6 to me. At this stage Reiner had all but given up so it was 9-0. Reiner promised a better game on the return. Chamber 3-0.
Flip took the court next at no 3 and questioned whether he was being used as a sacrifice, the answer was no. Now with such faith in the player he had to deliver. The first one seemed quite simple as his opponent kept hitting the tin 9-4 to Flip. The opponent was now getting his range but the old Flip started to emerge with nicks a plenty and lots of running 10-8 to Flip. Now the opponent was turning up the heat but Flip was up to the running, I think Flip had a game point or two against him but held up very well and won 10-8. A good result Chamber 3-0
Dirk on next against a rather large Steve. I think the optical illusion did it for Dirk, he tried to run Steve around and Steve responded by running and playing some good shots. First game 3-9. More of the same in the second but still Steve never tired and this frustrated Dirk 6-9. Time to change strategy and keep the rallies going, big effort in the last game but just came up short 7-9 Chamber 0-3 (Dirk will have to attend the next training session).
Phil on next and the picture changed somewhat with the last match. Phil was determined to prevent Vic from getting a sniff. In superb form Phil outplayed Vic and the match was done and dusted (not sure if either of them managed to build up much of a sweat) 9-3 9-1 9-1 Chamber 3-0
Had a lovely supper with great bunch of guys in a pub around the corner from Bryanston club
Match result : 8-13
6thLeague “A”(Absolutely Awesome) vs Old Eds
Ron fought hard to share the first two games but faded away badly in the final two games (1-3).
In the match up of the two number ones, Tony from Old Eds saw his grey haired opponent (John) and promptly put on a long sleeved shirt, scared that he might catch a chill. How wrong he proved to be in the first two games as he did well to scrape 4 points together. Unfortunately John went walkabout for the next two games and gifted them to his opponent (including a humiliating game to love). One severe reprimand later and a determined John reversed the downward trend and took the final game quite comfortably (3-2). (In an early contender for the COTY award, John tries not one, but two shots through his legs in the same point and misses them both and then has the temerity to ask for a let!)
On next, Richard, against old codger, Jeremy. There was only one player in it in the first game and it wasn’t Jeremy. As I am wont to do, every second shot seemed to find the tin and the second game was lost. In a war of attrition and countless hands in and out, I eventually managed squeeze the next two games for a 3-1 win.
With the games 7-6 in our favour going into the final match any result was possible. No pressure on Gavin as he turned on the class in the battle of the big hitters taking the first two games in some style. With a match point in the third game, Gav looked to wrap it all up smartly but his opponent had other ideas and the game was eventually lost 9-10. A demoralised Gavin was hammered in the fourth. With the pressure now really on and, for the second week in a row, the result of the match overall hung on the outcome of the final game. A quick sum and the answer was clear – Gavin needed four points to secure a win. Now what does one does his team do in this situation?
- Not tell Gavin anything in case it puts too much pressure on him or;
- Tell Gavin he needs four points or;
- Tell Gavin he needs five points
Final result 11-9. (Ron tried his best to explain that he knew that his one game was all he needed to get but the rest of us were believing none of it).
With the time at almost 23:00, dinner was out of the question and everyone headed their separate ways.
PS. Squash lesson no 153 – never trust your team when they tell you how many points you need to win in the final game. Just make sure you win the game.
Match result : 11-9
5th LEAGUEvs Bryanston
Trevor won 3-0
Vevek won 3-1
Dave won 3-1
Chris won 3-1
Dave went on first and pulled on all his depleted reserves to prevent the match going to 5, and so in all likelihood losing.
Chris was forced to play after his tough Argus. Actually playing well, coasting a win (pun?)
Trevor powered out an off form Quinton.
Vevek's match plan was to run for everything to exhaust their usual, but unfit, no. 1 Jan. Which he achieved after the first game, even though he lost it. I'm sure my saying that Jan was playing the fittest man in the club (sorry Loake) saw Jan go down from there.
Match Result: 16-3
Vevek won 3-1
Dave won 3-1
Chris won 3-1
Dave went on first and pulled on all his depleted reserves to prevent the match going to 5, and so in all likelihood losing.
Chris was forced to play after his tough Argus. Actually playing well, coasting a win (pun?)
Trevor powered out an off form Quinton.
Vevek's match plan was to run for everything to exhaust their usual, but unfit, no. 1 Jan. Which he achieved after the first game, even though he lost it. I'm sure my saying that Jan was playing the fittest man in the club (sorry Loake) saw Jan go down from there.
Match Result: 16-3
3rd LEAGUE vs Old Eds
Francisco played Mark, who became the first player to get a game off our champ. At 1 all, Mark was 8-1 up in the 3rd, but Francisco managed to run Mark down and win 3-1.
Willem played Wayne and played with a purpose; having a longish first he then cleaned up in the next 2 to win 3-0.
Jeff played Paul who started terribly and was making many mistakes. Jeff can’t bring himself to win in 3 and made a game of it by losing the 3rd and 4th to make it 2 all. But he held the final game after running Paul’s battery flat and won 3-2.
Gary played Chris, and after being 2-0 up ended up losing 9-7 in the 5th. Pity, this cost the team 2 points.
Match Result: 14-6
Willem played Wayne and played with a purpose; having a longish first he then cleaned up in the next 2 to win 3-0.
Jeff played Paul who started terribly and was making many mistakes. Jeff can’t bring himself to win in 3 and made a game of it by losing the 3rd and 4th to make it 2 all. But he held the final game after running Paul’s battery flat and won 3-2.
Gary played Chris, and after being 2-0 up ended up losing 9-7 in the 5th. Pity, this cost the team 2 points.
Match Result: 14-6
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