9th LEAGUE vs Old Parks

Down to the business end of the season with our quest for a top placement taking some knocks. How is it that teams we’ve beaten comfortably are ahead of us on the Gauteng log? Is there some trick to the new e-logging system that I’ve not cracked. This week up against Bryanston though. The first leg was no walkover and was drawn – down to the last point. We were set for revenge this time.

3. Nigel vs Gerald: Nigel managed to get through the match without reverting to invalid status. His gammy ankle wasn’t tested too much with a pretty straightforward win in three despite an averted hiccup in the last game. For good measure, some of this was recorded by our resident cameraman (Brennan) and can be viewed on:

http://qik.com/video/2911080

1. Brennan vs Nolan: Yowser, but could this Nolan dude hit that ball! The thinking goes that there are some latent issues that he works out with the squash ball bearing the brunt of it. Brennan is no slouch on the power stakes himself and, between the two of them they commenced to take a good few millimeters off the court paint coat. First game to Nolan with a display of pinpoint dropping and T domination. Brennan comes right back to take the second game, but is shot to pieces in the third. We thought he had Nolan’s number in the fourth though as he went 10-2 up. Not to be though as Nolan rattled off the points to win it 15-12.

2. Phil vs Jason: Almost a repeat of Nigel’s game, Phil wasn’t bothered too much by his opponent apart from the last game where there was a bit of a points hemorrhage before he realized that he’d need to seal the game quickly if he wanted to catch the Champions League match later in the evening. This he duly did to seal the match 3-1 and the evening for Chambers. Again putting the SABC to shame, Brennan was first to get coverage:

http://qik.com/video/2911663

4. Naren vs Sven: Naren’s opponent had a habitual position at number two, but was coming back from injury and had elected to play down the order in the hopes of an easy game. Naren was having none of that and cruised through the first game hitting great length while setting up for the drop. In the second game Sven turned the heat up a bit to take the game. Naren’s response was to let his boast live up to its name, crafting some shots that he can deservedly boast about. So 2-1 to Naren and looking good. But no swansong from Sven. He took the fourth game with some masterful strokeplay to even it out. The court was simmering in the spring heat and the tiredness showed a bit in the final game despite some entertaining rallies. Alas, this game and the match went to Sven.

Next week it’s battle against the log leaders – Jeppe. Unbeaten this season. A situation that we will attempt to remedy.

Summary

1. Brennan: 1-3 (6-15; 15-13; 8-15; 12-15)

2. Phil: 3-0 (15-10; 15-6; 16-14)

3. Nigel: 3-0 (15-10; 15-5; 15-11)

4. Naren: 2-3 (15-4; 10-15; 15-9; 6-15; 9-15)

Final result :11 - 6

8B - Chamber vs *A Ruffians

Match result 16 – 5

To echo Sir Winston Churchill…………who famously said somewhere on mud island………..”we will fight them on the beaches………..we will fight them in the air……………..we will fight them in the trenches…………….we will fight them at CCJ………………but we will NEVER surrender !!!!!!!!”

Quite simply we “The mighty B Span” will never surrender the bragging rights………….not now………and not in the future.……………let me tell you why…………..plain and simple……………….the ruffians are not worthy of such a prestigious accolade.

Well then what happened on the court……………..I remember listening to rugby commentator Gerhard Viviers way back when on the radio, and it was common knowledge that when SA were being given a hiding of note, he could cundger (spelling) up such a story, so much so that anyone listening would have believed that SA were about to win or only lost by a whisker.

Well you might ask………….what is the point……………

It happened…………..the most unlikely result…………..The Ruffians sneaked in by the skin of their teeth………..very very lucky indeed………in fact ………….OK no fact………….we……..that is “The mighty B Span………..just ……… No I can’t say it………..

We should have won……..but……….plagued by injury……….and maybe…………………….let be said………………age………..things didn’t turn out as planned.

Anyway Cappy Pete Filmore played OK but………l*#t narrowly to Captain Bowen

Nick Papa ……….played way beyond his prowess………..and sneaked in against the never say die Big G Gavin Martin.

Mr Fitness Bruce Bydawell outran a ‘round’ Dave Hamilton, and finally…………sad to say…..

Mark van Niekerk had no respect for “our man” GV…………who took the first 2 games quite comfortably………..but then……….lost focus………….or was it………..get me to the church on time………..what am I going to say in my speech at the reception………..and got pipped at the post………………only just.

The scores are immaterial……………..why………….who cares…………

However, the evening was rounded off with splendid dinner in the CCJ snooker room…………our partners joining us.

Match result : 5 - 16

8th League “A” vs. Chamber B

The great club derby second round played itself out on Wed.

At no 5 and first out of the hat was Fillmore vs Bowen. As a participant in this little showdown I can assure you it was memorable enough with Pete F putting up much unwelcome resistance. A good game ensued which in fairness was well balanced. However the snot snivelers captain eventually succumbed 1 -- 3.

Next up Doc Fallon and Digby at no 3. Diggers gets going like a bat out of hell and there's no stopping him. Two zip up and Doc doesn't have a clue. But he digs deep and next thing its two a piece. Then Diggers pretends to pull a muscle he doesn't even have but nevertheless plays on. Another excellent match and eventually Doc pulls it off 3 -- 2. So the snivelers are up against the ropes but not out it.

At the same time at no 4 Nick Pappa and Gavin M are also having a similar ding dong with Nick also going 2 up. But big G says this doesn't feel right losing to a Greek and a very good match develops. Next thig its 2 all and Pappa must make a plan. So he decides to also pull a muscle but at least his is genuine. But he too decides to play on and next thing its all over with Nick 3 -- 2 up.

Bruce then takes on Dave Hamilton at no 2. Also some good squash on display but Bruce manages to edge him out 3 -- 0.

On last at no 1 is Graham V vs Mark V N. Played in front of a full gallery of assorted wives from both sides including his own to be in a couple of days. Its Grahams last league match ever as a free man before the chains get put on. So no doubt sensing his up coming loss of freedom, he decides to play one last great game in the name of freedom. And a very good game he played. 2 nil up he goes. But Mark himself is an old freedom fighter with his own having been restored, and he's equally determined. So yet another epic match unfolds. Mark fights back to 2 apiece and then takes it 3 -- 2. Quite a spectacle and no less than the 3rd five setter of the night.

As per tradition all names then went back in the hat and the first 4 drawn at the supper table count. Paul and Digby failed to emerge but it made no odds. The cause was already won and lost.

So 16 -- 5 to the "A" side and the bragging rights solidly back where they've always belonged.

Postscript --- match again played in fine Chamber spirit and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Pub did exceptionally well and was probably the overall winner.

And one last thing as Pete Le Roux says --- theres only one truth and all other reports, rumours etc in whatever form are to be strictly ignored.

Match score: 16 - 5

7th League vs. Wanderers

Another good win for the 7^th

^12-5

Keeping our I on the ball (please Stu), we had a good win against a very different Bryanston team.

No1 – Duncan Played Peter and won 3-1 – Duncan’s down the wall shots too fast for the lob and drop game Peter wanted to play

No 2 – Jacques played Ian and lost 0-3 - No comment as I have not witnessed this game

No3- Gerhard played Che (think Guevara) and won 3-1 – Che smoking too many Cuban cigars and me focusing on upping my average.

No 4 – Stuart played Kirsty and won 3-0 – Cant say anything about this game apart from the fact that Stu showed no mercy to this very lovely young lady.

No pizza’s or beer due to lack of interest (must be that time of the year……)

The Scribe

Match score: 12 - 5

6thth League vs Edenvale

After much begging and scrambling, a motley bunch of Exiles was assembled for a FAMOUS WIN (few and far between this year)

First on was Manie at 3: 0-3

Got a little taster of life in the fast lane and got bliksemed so quickly that he even forgot to sweat.

Gavin G at 2: 1-3

Has a confidence problem this year and has forgotten how to perform his sweet boast

Gavin B vs Chris Grainger at 1: 0-3

Despite 15-17 and 19-21, got a pakslae (note the Afrikaans theme)

Dirk at 4 : 3-2(he insisted on 4 as all i could get from him re playing was "tentative - i may be sick - i could be sick - smacks of a bit of hypocondria")

Nice win at the end albeit 2-0 up

4-14 and a back to the drawing board

Match result : 4 - 14