Hi readers .
The weather has been somewhat of a soggy disposition of late (hence my tardy reporting -- trying to move my sleeper stock to my new site has been a tad challenging and time consuming !!). However the current level of squash being played by our "dream team" is super dry , crisp and enthralling, as all who came to support the home game on tuesday will attest.
The programme looked rather interesting -- top team by a stretch (Park Club -- the stats team will no doubt be providing full current league analysis to accompany my musings herein) versus thrusting Knole with ambitions of promotion and glory. The stage was set for, at the very least, an interesting confrontation, possibly with the often colourful and unpredictable Carlos factor with which to contend (those in the "know" may well smile at this observation). It appears that Carlos has, however, had some "political misunderstanding" with his team mates and was not available for us all to enjoy; yea even to mark !!!
So this outing was populated by about the best team both clubs could muster and not an injury in sight ..
Mike (at 5 string !!) played a rather lack lustre Andy Lewin and it would not be harsh on his opponent to say he was cruising. Andy is in fact a rather difficult handful since he is such a big lad and does not always clear the ball quite as cleanly as one might wish. Mike made it look more pedestrian than it actually was and never gave his opponent a sniff (win 3/0). This result was, of course, aided and abetted by superior racket performance just re-strung by yours truly within a very impressive three week time frame..
Niall had a long tight match which maybe pivoted on the second game slipping away 8/10. The third game looked good for Niall to the mid point but Phil pinned him back and ran out 3/1 (loss 3/1) . Some do or die rallies by Phil made this an exciting match to watch, if somewhat unconventional!
James had a very gritty encounter with John Hogwood (who playing on one leg in the first half), who looked down and out at the end of the fourth having nicked the 3rd 10/8. John took an early lead in the fifth but James showed admirable resilience to pull himself back into contention, but it was not enough and the 3/2 losing score line was probably a fair reflection of the run of play. It is good to see James moving fluidly again and apparently with no fitness issues despite the long lay off. By his own analysis James will be looking to build his mental toughness for good opposition like this since everything else is in place. Success cannot resist hard work, application and discipline so the wins will most certainly come champ !!
David also had a gritty encounter which could also have swung a different way with nip and tuck close games all through to a 3/1 loss which could easily have pushed into a fifth set. The mobility and recovery of this (much) younger opponent was as impressive as David’s abilty to stay with him practically all the way.
Pete "lifted off" after a dowdy first game and surprised George with a display of shot making and fitness that we all enjoyed watching. These matches are, unfortunately,normally, all male affairs so it was great that Peter was supported by his delightful partner who is most welcome for all future matches.
All in all a very good match which could easily have resulted in a win for Knole rather than a close 3/2 loss and 10 points accrued.
Very well played all. Watching squash of this standard played in such good (albeit highly competitive) spirit is a privilege that we hope more members may wish to avail themselves of -- at least for home games.
The team is back in action again 18th Feb to Cobdown away.
PS -- Hope you have all managed to avoid being flooded!!
Regards Mark Johnson..
[Ed - stats analysis to follow and sadly no pictures as the photographer was too excited by the standard of squash to get his finger out]
