KP1 v The Park Club 4/02/2014

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]

KP v PC.png

Senior moment

David Falconer got another pleasant  surprise today.  But it was tinged with mixed emotions.  First, he was presented with his trophy for the 2013 Seniors Open; only recently recovered from storage.  It is a model of Stephenson's Rocket - perhaps a tribute to David's speed around the court.

The sad news, though, is that David will not be able to defend his title in 2014 - the cut-off age for Seniors has been raised to 55 from 50.  Never mind, David.  Your time will come again.

KP1 v Sundridge Park 2 - 28/01/2014

The dream team gathered in their resplendent new tee shirts to engage in another bruising bid for promotion glory.   It would seem that we have the current impressive line-up for at least next week then maybe we will have to do without Mike W.

Fitness First, now rebranded as The Park Club, may find their numbers depleted by non-travellers next week (we can hope, since they are league leaders by a considerable margin).  We can anticipate a balcony full of support, I trust, since the second team are not playing that night.

I digress.  The future awaits but the past is now fixed in history and the arrow of time weaves its inexorable path..

You want a squash report, I hear, but (maybe) a morsel of poetic prose adds colour and texture to the literary (??) endeavour..

Pete secured a very hard fought 3/0 against an unorthodox opponent who looked like he had no right to be in it.  Looks however are deceptive, as Niall found out in the first half.  Such was Dave’s tenacity that one felt he deserved to nick a game but it is just as well that Pete kept him out because he was looking capable of sustaining a possible come back from 2/0 down.  The match wound up 3/0 to Pete but it was mighty close despite the score line and court coverage was exceptional..

David looked his dominant self for a straightforward first game but then found himself down 8/4 in the second.  That kind of margin at this level, when both are fresh, would lead to a 1/1 situation nine times out of ten, however, much like Pete’s game, David was cognisant of the very real possibility that the match could turn and he snuffed out the threat 10/9 to go on and win the match
3/0.   [We had a great example of my perennial gripe with markers calling strokes off balls off the front wall rather than judging the interference level when the striker CAN actually put a racket on the ball (by which time the opponent has maybe cleared the line of sight to the front wall).  David’s (restrained) reaction to this poor calling confirmed my evaluation of situations like this.]

Their new number 3 should probably have been playing at 2 and it will be interesting to see where he ultimately ends up in the team.  James had his work cut out against this rather good opponent and, coupled with a lacklustre night he came out the wrong side of a disappointing 3/0. The tight slow ball tactics down the back hand were nicely coupled with an impressive change of pace cross-court and a very tight boast; good to watch and food for nourishment of James’ improving game..

Niall made hard work of putting the first game away and thereafter dominated his physical opponent without drama.  Basically, what more can one ask than a 3/0 win, even if it was not that pretty..

Mike never looked in trouble against an inconsistent but fit opponent who just didn’t have the weapons for the job. This is only reasonably what one might expect from our former number one playing at 5th string – this should, and does, scare the hell out of the current opposition(s).

The very convivial post match social was accompanied by a delicious thai curry that definitely hit the mark..
 

Thanks to David for driving..   Well played all and we should saviour the prospect of next week’s match.

Regards  - Mark Johnson..
 

Home Player             Away Player   Result         Games

Dave Hanson v Peter Gavin Sykes  0-3   6-9, 7-9, 8-10

James Barry v David Falconer       0-3     4-9, 9-10, 4-9

Mark Mink v James Hall                3-0     9-6, 9-2, 9-4

Andy Raby v Niall Anderson       0-3     8-10, 2-9, 2-9

Chris Wilson v Mike Wright        0-3      2-9, 4-9, 5-9

KP2 v Bromley Lawn 2 28/01/2014

A tough night for KP, who failed to keep alive their winning streak against the chart topping Lawn Club.

Great effort by the diminutive Mike against a fired-up Mark Winkless.  And a comfortable win for the classy Mark Fleming against a bemused Gary (who should have worn the new Lawn shirt).

Pete's good news is that Keith (Coach) Palmer didn't charge for the session.

Home Player                      Away Player       Result   Games

Peter Brightwell               Keith Palmer      0-3          1/9 6/9 2/9

Jerry Staffurth                   Hugo Feitor        0-3          4/9 7/9 6/9

Mark Fleming                    Gary Velvick       3-1          5/9 9/2 9/0 9/2

Mike Stuttard                    Mark Winkless  2-3          1/9 9/5 7/9 9/2 3/9

John Creek                         Tim Smith            1-3          9/3 4/9 2/9 1/9

Club Champion Gets his Cup

James Hall, the 2013 Club Champion, was finally united with his Cup today after restoration, repairs and cleaning had delayed the presentation.   James will only have a few more months to enjoy his triumph, though, as the 2014 Championships are well underway.    James is recovering slowly from an injury and should have a good chance of retaining the trophy this year, in spite of the entry of new challengers and the return of old rivals. 

James Hall 2013 Champion.png

KP1 v Waterfront 21/1/2014

Hi everybody


Maybe this version will be twice as good as the first that I managed to delete having spent a valuable hour or so being creative.  Ho hum.  Just goes to confirm my status as the IT dinosaur of the century. Well, there has been great activity and excitement around team activity recently and justifiably so.
 
We have just picked up a fit young blade to take the heat at number one and thus give us the benefit of driving the whole order down.  Who would have thunk it, a year or two ago "maestro " Mike was bemoaning the lack of new blood from his lofty position at number one.  Last Tuesday he played at FIVE.
 
Peter "wings " Sykes had a great bash with Korin which went to the wire.  When they were not covering corner to corner with commendable strength and fluidity they were battling for prime "T" position, which Korin was very loath to relinquish.  Although the last game got away from Pete I would not fancy Korin's chances next time round -- this did not look like a man who has not played for a year (in fact an allusion to the proverbial butcher's dog (1) would not seem out of place !!) - and stories of praying to god on the big white telephone after these impressive excursions seemed somewhat fanciful ??.. (3/2 loss)
 
Olly looked like he was going to get a lesson from David "socks" Faulkner, in his usual imperious dominance for two games, but the match strung out to a five set decider, not that surprising considering Olly's pedigree.  The marker was either unsighted or suffered from selective blindness in the middle of the fifth calling a ball in that I saw as inches out. David showed admirable restraint and kept his cool to then benefit from a call for no let going his way a couple of shots later. They say the bad marking decisions even out during a match but "they " say a lot of dubious things and a single grossly poor decision often decides outcomes, especially at the end of a gruelling five setter.  Great attitude David and a worthy win. (3/2 win)
 
James and Simon could have been an interesting match up (as David might agree having had a close one with him last time round ).  James, however, has come back strong from his extended injury issues and was in no mood to allow Simon to weave his unorthodox magic. Simon was forced to try to do more than he was comfortable with and made many apparently uncharacteristic errors . This match up however suits the "champ's" game and going forward to the short stuff is his forte. He informs me that his training thrust is to improve movement around court and nail the long hard cross court stuff -- a work in progress !! (3/0 win)
 
Niall did as much as he needed to do to stifle Steve's improving game and would have been comprehensively dominant  with a more accurate short game. With more effective use of the whole court Niall would hammer all and any competition in the middle order and challenge most number ones (3/1 win)
 
"Maestro" Mike returned tanned and plump (I am allowed to say this about my own team members) to the fray having over-indulged and travelled the world for three weeks. To put in a shift like this with the many conflicting facets of his current busy existence is to be admired and we welcome him back to the fray.  Unfortunately the Wednesday coaching will have to take a rest unless somebody else will pick up the reins.
 
So this outing generated 19 points and puts the team back in the fight for promotion.
With Peter, by his own judgement, unfit, James just getting back to shape with his saw paw, Niall going through a bit of a lacklustre patch and Mike right under the proverbial hammer from all directions,  I feel sorry for the future opponents if everybody kicks into top form.  David can keep doing what he is doing and everybody should be delighted !!
 
Very well played all. The next outing is away to Sundridge but no doubt we can look forward to eager groupies swinging fron the rafters to enjoy the following week of match play at home to The Park Club.  Regards and best wishes Mark

(1) As fit as a butcher's dog 

Meaning - Very fit

Origin -The allusion to a butcher's dog is to a dog that would be expected to be very well fed from scraps. Why that is considered to epitomize fitness isn't clear, as it might be thought more likely that the dog would be overweight than fit. John Camden Hotten, in A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words, 1859, defined 'butcher's dog' this way:

"To be like a butcher's dog, that is, lie by the beef without touching it; a simile often applicable to married men."

That's clearly a different meaning, that is, butcher's dog was then a metaphor for 'something we are close to but cannot have'. That meaning has gone out of use.

 

Korin Knights v Peter Gavin Sykes  3-2    9/2 4/9 4/9 10/8 9/1

Oliver Hui v David Falconer             2-3          1/9 6/9 9/4 9/2 3/9

Simon Malcolm v James Hall          0-3          7/9 1/9 2/9

Steve Taylor v Niall Anderson        1-3          9/5 4/9 4/9 3/9

John Flavell v Mike Wright              1-3          7/9 9/3 2/9 3/9

 

Pete v Korin 21012014.jpg
Pete appeals v Korin

Pete appeals v Korin

David chases the breeze

David Maslin has been looking after the Squashers at Knole - dispensing drinks, balls and advice for many years.  This week he bids farewell, to sail off into the sunset.  To mark the occasion, we persuaded him to pose in a made to order Knole Park Squash Club t-shirt.

David goodbye.jpg

KP2 v Tunbridge Wells SRC 4 21/01/2014

Knole Park 2nd team finally recorded their first win of the season, strengthened by the addition of 2 surplus 1st team squad.  4-1; 19 points to 7 was a good haul, in spite of Chris Shepherd-Barron just failing to stretch his wounded knee over the finishing line.

Chris went down 2-3 to a classy Steve Martins, who showed years of experience and a silky touch in slowing down Chris's slam-bam game. 

Good wins for everyone else - Pete Brightwell 3-2 after a ding-dong with tricksy John Pitt.  Mark Fleming's cuts and flicks too good for a floundering Chris Beale.  Jerry Staffurth's touch and accuracy also too good for the long reach of Joe Challis.

Finally, Mike Stuttard's search for confidence after an injury lay-off was rewarded with a solid 3-1 win over quick but inexperienced Will Burke.

The new Club T-Shirts (pictured below) went on sale and they were a lot easier to shift to a winning team, especially as news of the 1st team's triumph away at Waterfront began to emerge. 

Shirts Mk1.jpg

KP1 v Blackheath2 14/01/2014

Hi all
 
Last week’s 20/0 walkover presaged our potential successful progression to the golden gates of possible promotion to div 3.  Bit of a shame therefore that Blackheath were able to pitch up with pretty much their best possible team facilitated by the fortuitous positioning of other fixtures in their calendar  and some shady, but legal (Mr Creek assures me), nomination shenanigans !!!


The score aint pretty at 4/1 loss and only three points gained however that did not reflect the true nature of some of the scintillating squash played.


Jerry gave it his gallant best against a very smooth operator who seemed able to play well within himself. Recovery from extended periods of injury is always difficult and one always hopes to meet an oppo similarly challenged in order to ease oneself back into the fray --- better luck next time Jerry. (3/0 loss)


Pete felt he didn’t quite tick the boxes against Nico, who has previously had great tussles with "maestro" Mike. No shame with this one – it was a good battle that would have favoured Pete to go on a bit longer and challenge his opponents fitness (3/0 loss)


Niall had a very in and out game and looked much disheartened at 2/1 down having lost the third 9/0 -- mistakes from mid and front court kills were rampant and the initiative was often painfully lost. Squaring it at 2/2 was a sterling effort. Early in fifth marking altercations
imposed on proceedings and Mr Creek withdrew his services. Such events invariably benefit one protagonist more than the other and Niall took his opportunity to seal a fine victory which looked decidedly unlikely at the mid point .(3/2)


The "champ" flung himself back into the fray having fortuitously gained another week’s worth of recovery for his sore paw when OE’s bailed out last week.  James played a very accomplished cookie and was nose to nose with full court squash for two long games.
Nice to see the controlled pace variation and surprisingly nippy front/back movement considering such a long layoff.  Always good to see a player getting right through a game like this without, apparently, suffering recurrent damage.(3/0 loss)


"Socks" was pofoundly up against it with one of Blackheath’s first team guys. I just caught the end of David’s match which was distinctly tight at 10/8 in the fourth and marvelled at the application and accuracy of the squash from both players (3/1 loss)


Very well played, it was a pleasure to view and mark.. Next week v Waterfront should be mighty interesting..
 
I am pleased to say that the two teams didn’t present one single fat gent to slag off , even though Nico is perhaps a little podgy !!!.

KP1 vs Old Elthamians1 07/01/2014

Maximum 20 points for KP1 as Old Elts are unable to raise a team.  Frustrating for the players keen to get back in action following the holiday break, but good news for promotion hopes as rivals Waterfront slip up.

Some players took the opportunity to practice their skills.  Here, David Falconer and James Hall demonstrate the close-quarter counter-drop.

Some players took the opportunity to practice their skills.  Here, David Falconer and James Hall demonstrate the close-quarter counter-drop.

KP1 vs Sydenham1 10/12/2013

 

Hi readers.

The last match this half, for the warriors of Knole 1 last tuesday 10th,unfortunely finished with a 4/1 loss.

This cannot however be deemed a disappointment since James remains indisposed with his sore paw and Neill was out on the raz somewhere. Had we fielded our full complement (as did the opposition) we would almost certainly have pipped it i think..

Mike S played up from the seconds and was well on his way to reeling in his oppo but ran out of games. With a fully fit shoulder and a bit more match practice I would fancy him to have pulled this one off. Thanks for filling in Mike.

Pete had a messy game against an in and out oppo who seemed a little uncertain about whether to commit fully to the task before him. His evident  discomfort was manifestly expressed latterly in the match by a forcible re-design of his racket and a distinct challenge to the integrity of the  wall plaster on court. Pete took full advantage of the drama and nailed it in 5.

Chris --" what has losing the last game 9/0 got to do with it" -- SB, could not quite re-capture the heroics of his recent endeavours and by his own judjement, played rubbish to go down 3/0. It didnt look like rubbish to myself or the rest of the team, and groupies, who routinely ponder what diet stokes his formidable grunt and "never say die effort".

Maestro Mike W looked destined to wear down his fast , skilful but willowy opponent but even a full on 5 sets did not knock him off track and the match slipped away in the fifth. Mikes speed on occasions seems to defy gravity and "dead" balls often prove to be available for continued rallying. When this raw speed and enviable fitness is more closely mated to more technically efficient movement the combination will be unassailable.

Last, but not least, by a very long shot, was "Socks" Faulkner playing at one, who should be doing some Gillette ads for christmas he was so sharp. This was again a thrilling match which should not have produced a loser such was the work rate and skill.  This was a match from which to draw great satisfaction and confidence and certainly to look forward optimistically to the return game next year at home. These days the balcony is packed and the adoring fans are very vociferous so members would enjoy a great night out supporting the knole team(s) -- and you might even wangle a spot of fluid sustenance and fodder at the pub with a small donation to team funds if you are lucky , as Messrs Skiller, Pople and Willis and others have done in the past..

It only remains for me  to re-iterate how successful the Wilderness/ Knole integration has proceeded and particularly in respect of the two club teams. We look forward to a successful second half with,hopefully , a full team. I wish everybody a happy Christmas and new year and hope everybody can remain fit and healthy and that those who are at present not playing will shortly find themselves able to participate..

Best wishes to all . MJ

 

KP1 vs Bexley 4 03/12/2013

Hi gladiators!
 
Such has been the comment generated from last nights game that my job may appear to have been done but no he says loudly..

We have already had one dedicated Berkowitz memorial match but last night surpassed that by a stretch. This was not so much a win nicked from the possibility of a close loss as a majestic do or die victory positively ripped from the jaws of almost inevitable defeat.

I was absolutely knackered by the end of the evening and I was only marking !!!!.
David got his moneys worth (as did everybody) by dropping the first two then steaming back to level. Victory looked set, particularly since his oppo was calling for the lucozade very early in the match and was definitely looking sluggish going into the fifth where he promptly perked up and ran out to 8/0 before David rallied and took 6 straight points. The daunting score line was too much to make up
and a most entertaining and good natured game ran out 3/2 to Bexley..

Niall had an in and out game dropping the first from a great 6/0 start. Recovery in the  third (9/0) and fourth looked set to give a straightforward victory. Having witnessed a LOB then winning DROP combination (the amazement on the balcony was palpable !!) to win this fourth everything looked rosy.. BUT again the opposition had different ideas and came back to take the fifth very confidently ..(3/2 loss)
Two down did not feel atall right for the squash we had been watching but there was much more to come.

The maestro (Mike), who has not just been burning the candle at both ends, but a shed load of candles, and some, did his Duracel bunny impersonation 
and chased EVERYTHING down for another famous five set win. It has to be noted that in the course of this feast a very good STRAIGHT DROP was inserted at the very beginning of the match and i am sure i saw another one later as well. So what is going on here ?? lob/drop from Niall TWO straight drops from Mike all in one match-- one positively salivates for future technical and tactical possibilities.,.

Chris was a boring ****** and just bashed Lee with no mercy -- very impressive domination of a handy oppo..

AND last but not least , the match at two all, and enough excitment to keep us going for weeks already, Pete steps up..You guessed, Pete goes two up looking very handy against Andy (!!).  7/1 up in the third -- no sweat. lose the third 9/7  ho hum. Lose the fourth 9/6 -- ho bloody hum my ..... !!. 6/5 in the fifth and nothing in it. This is a six pointer -- no pressure methinks. Andy has straps on both knees and
is carrying some extra ballast around his midrift but he is still going and moving surprisingly well . But all night Pete had been killing the hard flat 
cross court forhand and finally nails it for another famous 3/2 win.
Match win 3/2 -- 18 points ,, unbelievable.

This was the longest match I can remember for years but Barry dished us up a worthy feast much enjoyed by all. The balcony again was packed with messrs Hall / Pople/ myself / Creek (pub) and all the players and we may well remember this one for some time..
 
Brilliant match guys , great team result . This is why we love playing and watching our sport..  

MJ

KP2 vs Poultwood2 03/12/2013

Match report – Poultwood 2 v Knole 2 on  3/12/13

Having gained - and then lost – Chris Skiller the previous week due to a recurrence of a long term knee injury, Knole 2nd team again had to call on all the available resources for the trip to Poultwood.

They met a team that would have been largely composed of Wiltons, were it not for the injury to father Bruce.  

Poult’s captain Peter Lewis had too much skill for visiting skip John Creek in spite of a second game lapse.  Gary Mitchell showed much of his old art in beating fellow vet John McCue.  Both these matches showed the benefit of straight and accurate play with a cold and unresponsive front wall.

Stefan had a ding-dong first game against the younger Wilton, who unfortunately pulled up lame with a sore throat after narrowly losing it – first blood in the battle of the southpaws to KP.  Then young leftie Alex almost did the same to Gareth, proving too quick and strong for Knole stalwart.

Finally Mark succumbed to the graceful power of Wilton mum Candy.  To quote Mark, ‘if I had been ten years younger’. 

So another low points loss for Knole, who may now be reduced to propping up the base of Division 6 for a while, while acting as a feeder squad for the high-flying 1st team.    Still, relegation is not an option (in the bottom league).

26/11/2013 KP1 vs Cobdown

Unfortunately Cobdown only managed to bring three players due to a bad run of injuries. Well, at 6:45 we had 1. The other 4 (and supporters) were stranded by a fire at London Bridge. Anyway, the match started at 8.20 as David had arrived. Niall turned up a bit later and Chris S-B by just after 9. In the end it was a fairly overwhelming victory with 20 points in the bag by 9:40.

Same team next week - plus Pete and one. League update below:

Best

JC

05/11/2013 KP1 vs Sundridge Park2

This should be entitled the HULK SMASH SLAM DUNK memorial game on account of how much Gary berkowitz would have enjoyed it.
 
Phew, what a week! Monday in Manchester with James to see Nick Matthew move forward to winning the world crown by beating Ramy (albeit due to injury
retirement)  then later Greg Gaultier in the final. Well done Nick --- fortuitous maybe, but you can only play what is put in front of you!!
 
Wed at the O2 to see Rafa do a number on Wawrinka and return to top spot on the tour (and probably to win the whole tournament ??) Also Roger got THREE separate awards for humanitarian work and good sportsmanship (13th consecutive!!) The very close nature of Rafas game just highlighted how small the margins are and explains why just a small drop off by Feds is impacting
so hard on his ability to dominate..
 
And sandwiched in the middle a memorable Knole 1 match !!!..
 
David was at his imperious best and made Jim look flat ordinary , which is some achievement since all the number 1.s i this league have a pretty good idea which end of the bat to hold. The all court game variety and early takes and kills just left Jim standing most of the time and the writing was on the wall well before half time..
 
Niall and Mark were disappointed with their efforts but will live to fight another day and tantalizingly set up what was to follow ( both 3/0 losses)


Very soon the gloom was descending on the possibility of a 4/1 thrashing with the overall score at 2/1 down and Chris s b down 2/0. Chris however had different ideas and carved out a brilliant 3/2 win. Richard had Chris on a string all over the court but his do-or die retrieving and chasing of lost  causes just negated Richards tactical and technical experience and he just ran out of ideas and puff..(3/2 win)
 
Pete entered the fray with uncertainty about his sore paw but it stood up to a thoroughly compelling and rigorous match. Many match balls were 
reached and lost and it went the full distance with no obvious indication of who would finally prevail. A fine all court game (3/2 win). Such was the interest that Chris was literally hanging from the rafters being unable to secure a decent spot on the gallery.


With no away game for the second team the groupie count was most impressive and the protagonists were enthusiastically encouraged by both teams 
as well as Messrs Skiller/Willis/Creek/Hall/Myself all of whom enjoyed the following social.
 
This was a blinding result in the absence of the maestro -- business in Singapore -- pah ! what a pitifull excuse. James has finally had to bail out and let his toes heal properly and clearly the doubt about Pete,s possible durability with his wrist problem was lurking -- hope there has been no adverse reaction since !!??.
 
To mangle a notable soccer term this was definitely a match of (approx) three thirds.
To lift another perennial favourite -- you cannot win the league in the first half but you sure can lose the opportunity to do so-- this kept us in the hunt.
This was "hanging -in" at its very best, well played ALL .. Niall and maybe Mark will no doubt have the opportunity at some later date to be the "heros"
 
Well done all ,and keep up the training !!  Mark Johnson
 
(PS --Gary -- hope you have managed to get yourself involved in some squash fun at home -- best wishes from all)

29/10/2013 KP1 vs Waterfront 1

Welcome result 3/2 win last night with a packed gallery.

Unfortunately we now have two warriors with saw paws. James continues to have toe problems but valiantly pitched up again to push everyone
down the order and we needed that assistance to win . The slow thoughtful game with more attempted kills is working well and almost nailed the third game. A fully fit Mr hall will certainly be able to mix it with all these guys. (3/0 loss)

Didn't see any of Petes game but the wrist was a real hindrance I believe -- hope its good for next week pete..(3/1 loss)

David had a rather unexpected marathon v Simon who played his socks off and put in the best performance i have seen from him. I have had some tussles with simon and am well aware how difficult it is to play all those short winners, particularly off service. Great one to win David and you showed great control to nail it in the fifth (3/2 win)

Both Niall and Mike put in sterling mid order wins  ( both 3/0) but had to put in committed effort . A good run was had by all -- well played everybody.
 
See you all next week  hoping the walking wounded feel a lot more capable ..

Best wishes Mark Johnson.

22/10/2013 KP1 vs Blackheath2

Narrow loss last night  v very good Blackheath side. (l 3/2)

John nicked a valuable point against their capable captain but the low percentage attack game rendered too many errors to prevail. (l 3/1)

Pete had a scrappy battle with Shawn who looks difficult to get around on court..

By his own judgement Pete can do better ,, so next week looks tempting ??.(l 3/1)

Mike had a humdinger with Nico and only nicked it in a close 5th -- both players thoroughly enjoying the run out having a somewhat similar game -- good to watch for the groupie onlookers , James and myself.(w 3/2)

Niall played a new guy who could have been a one. Tom was basically a bit too good all round but I didn't see a great deal of the game.(l 3/0)

David gave us an exhibition in taking the ball very early and using the whole court with subtle pace/ direction changes.. -- a joy to watch vs a difficult young player to contain -- a longer match would have been very interesting ! ( w 3/0)
 
Very well played all but we look forward to James getting properly back on the saddle to make a real impression on this league.

Best wishes MJ