Hi all
I have become accustomed to reporting on convincing wins of late but fear that no such interpretation could be placed on the battle at Bexley last night.
Just three points in all (5/0 loss) does not however do any justice to a sterling effort by all involved. It is clear, though, that Pete Sykes' input, this season, was invaluable - as we already knew!
Bexley had their top team out and there were no weak links to attack. There is little to comment on individually since everybody ‘left it all on the court’ as Jimmy Connors
often said (that shows my age - maybe somebody could think of a current squash player with similar views to insert here!). Suffice to say that David, at 1, played his ‘socks’ off (why haven't I used that one before!?) to gain two games and the majority of points on the night.
This Bexley side is a mainly young collection of talent who ‘stayed with’ the complete physical commitment of a very focused Knole1 side which, we thought, had one hand on the league trophy. The last match now is really set up to be a hum dinger and ‘stato’ jolly John Creek will ensure that everybody knows exactly what is required to gain promotion (which is very likely, but not nailed yet) and win the league (definitely not a ‘done deal’).
We were very pleased to welcome a ‘packed’ balcony. Mr Creek was able to engage with some interesting discussions on the politics of a Bexley/Park Langley altercation over points allocation - the details of which are somewhat arcane - but resolution will likely be achieved by common sense and common consent rather than by a computer, with which I would heartily agree.
Karl Pople was most welcome having been a sturdy participant mainly in the lower league battles at Wildernesse. His return next year may see him re-joining the fray, but maybe, like myself as a Knole 2 squad option? We were both marvelling at the court coverage and fitness of Knole 1 and questioning whether we ever reached such lofty levels of performance even at our best!? Glad the back is behaving itself Karl.
Ralph Abbott also joined us and revived memories of his distant squash past with Rob (the Bexley 5) when he was a junior babe in arms. With dodgy knees and a few extra ounces it may well be a stretch to call Rob one of the ‘mainly young’ Bexley side but he sure is still impressively talented, as Chris SB found out.
All in all then no complaints and the better side won on the night to set up Beckenham 1 at HOME on the 16th Sept. Groupies, as always, welcome. The match at number one between Guy Olby and Ben should be an enthralling tussle. I am regrettably away but look forward to hearing some positive news on my return.
Stay healthy .MJ
P.S. I promised to keep you in the loop on my progress back to some competitive action. I am pleased to report that I secured a 3/0 win v BLTC, a match in which ‘stato’ excelled himself and beat Brian Ford convincingly (needing to play some rather better squash than was demanded of myself) for an overall 3/2 loss.