It was nearly a perfect end to the Summer of Squash. The handicaps were close – only two points between them so it’s almost a straight fight to the death…..It was the young buck Chris against the silver fox Jerry. Would a 2 point lead suffice for Jerry….
Chris had caught up on the handicap within the first 4 points but first game started off pretty even from there with only a couple of points between them until it Chris hit game points at 14-11. Jerry then mustered a min-run to win 15-14 on the last point. Jerry’s accuracy won it.
The second game was a different story. Chris seemed to have warmed up now, stepping further forward hit to quicker returns seems to have changed the game. A few long rallies aside Chris steam rolled into a 9-2 lead. Jerry got his second wind and rallied back and hit another few good shots but Chris chipped away…. 12-7 to Chris…. Who then got his eye back in with early returns and there was only one winner – 15-8 to Chris to even it up.
Redbull and Sanatagen consumed they started again. This game followed the first as Jerry kept Chris in check opening up a small lead of 4-1. Chris was having none of it and fought back to be 8-5 up. Jerry then huffed and puffed to level up at 10-10. From there the younger man took the game to win 15-11.
Now Chris just had to repeat this to take the crown. Jerry went off like a train with his consistency to lead 4-1. He kept the lead all the way until it evened out at 10-10. From here Chris has the measure of Jerry and again hitting those returns further up the court proved the key and it finished 15-12 to Chris.
3-1 to Chris and plenty left in the tank.
It only remained for Chris to be united with his Trophy (Shield) taking it over from last year's winner (Mike Wright). Unfortunately, Mike's trophy shelf is so full that he brought the Club Championship (one-handled) Cup instead of the Handicap Shield.
It has taken a few week's of painstaking research and negotiation by the curator - but the correct trophies can now be restored to their new and old owners and the presentation photograph retouched (below).
Wrong Cup (Left) Right Plaque (Right)