Hi readers .
Well, we said that being top of the league would draw some good opposition and indeed Nuffield pitched up with Ted.
Nuffield basically came along with their bestest team and caught us a little light without Niall. This loss 3/2 however keeps us top by 3 points and represents a most creditable effort with some all-round excellent squash played - where were all the groupies??, this was a home game and if you haven’t seen Ted Jeal play you don’t have any real understanding of how good this game can get!
Mark F gave it his best at five, nicked a game and looked intermittently threatening but ultimately the short rally, low percentage game has to be firing on all cylinders to make a really telling impression on somebody of Alan Saxer’s experience. [Cruel – but fair – Ed]. Thanks for stepping up Mark ..(3/1 loss)
I saw little of Mike’s game but understand he had a significant coming together with Darren, which both walked away from fortunately. Mike didn’t quite manage to turn the match round in the later stages as he so often does but his oppo was a seriously proficient player who was hardly likely to wilt given his obvious physical stature. (3/1 loss)
As Jolly John (Creek) observed, both James (3/1 win) and David (3/2) really gave it some stick this week - were severely tested and came through with flying colours. I regret I saw little of David’s game but what I saw was impressive against an eager young blade who (dare I say fortunately) was a little discombobulated with the court - with rather little justification one felt. Maybe we should have suggested using the Wildernesse courts which, of course ,his squad colleague, Mandy Akin, always enjoyed so much - especially in past tussles with the maestro !!??
James is now back ‘on it’ and we look forward with heightened anticipation of what he may be able to carve out playing at 2 next week away to Poultwood (in David’s absence). This was an ultra-physical match with both players fighting for central court position and doing so in a most sportsmanlike fashion. I had a ‘good’ night marking, made very easy by the good natured attitude of both players.
Pete really had his work cut out against Ted who apparently beat Guy Olby. So Pete has played two seriously good oppos back to back and would not come across better protagonists even at the top order of division 1 (loss 3/0). Mike spiced up the proceedings with some ‘interesting’ marking in the fifth which Ted chose not challenge seriously - with the loss of only two points in the match it might have been deemed churlish to do so !? There are sports writers out there who opine that there is no such thing as ‘talent’ - a view with which I vehemently disagree. Most players could play 10 hours a day with the best possible coaches and never approach the inventive genius of sportsman like Ted. Dear reader - If you think you play squash get yourself along to a Priory match and cast an eye over his performance – it’s likely to be something of a revelation if you have never viewed a game at this level .
Excellent stuff, chaps. The leader board has tightened up dramatically so this second half is sure to produce more exciting matches. See you next week away to Poultwood .
Stay healthy. Best wishes MJ.
[To see the Division 3 league leaders while they last, go to: