Congratulations to Tania for winning the London Open at the weekend.

More tournament info can be found here.

Cambridgeshire Squash League
Premiership/Division 1
Stamford v March
Wednesday 19th October 2011.
Team: Spencer Beresford; Rob Vivian: Alistair Gunn; Simon Barker; Dave Robinson

March, Stomp & Quickstep

Away at March, so we knew we had to have a stronger team than the one we put out for the PDSL on Monday.
Rob Vivian or “The Super Sub” was airdropped in, or so he hoped, after an hour and half car journey from Leicester!
The scene was set.
Robinson hit the court dawdling, having been training the night before down the Green Man, he eventually roused in the third game but by then the horse was in a different country, his opponent Andy Osbourne out-playing as well as out-running him. (0-3)
Barker at number two was an entirely different story, grabbing the first two games like a man possessed. Although with the advantage he was not happy with his play and expecting too high a standard was his downfall. Neville MacNish took the next two in quick succession although Simon had his chances in the third and fourth games. Frustration overcame the “Housewife’s Choice” in the final game, when his opponent caught a couple of nicks. (2-3)
The Gunn took to the court like a man suffering from jet-lag…his legs suffering from DVT and his head at 30,000 feet. He was soon back to his best though taking the second smoothly from the grasp of his younger opponent Avison Warren only to crash out in the fourth. (1-3) Mr Vivian arrived late from his mammoth journey, but just in time to warm-up in readiness to play the young teenager Harry Taylor. The smooth consistent shots from Rob were picked up constantly by the fast and reactive Taylor, leaving Rob frustrated, even though the match was closer than the score belied. (0-3)
When Bez stepped on court the match was already lost. Was this going to quash the enthusiasm and drive of the Stamford No1. No Way. Even when Bez went two games down and was losing in the third he dug deep putting on an amazing display of determination and fitness, even the March number one Matt Fiveash looked stunned, well as stunned as an exhausted, beaten man can look. (3-2) Some gorgeous homemade Shepherds Pie from Harry’s Mum and we were replenished and back on the road homeward bound. Roll on the match against Frank Lee in two weeks time.

Peterborough & District Squash League
Division One
Stamford l v Abbotsley l
Monday 17th October 2011.
Team: Spencer Beresford; Simon Barker; Jon Oakley; Dave Robinson; Simon Morris

Squashed, Stuffed & Simons

All squashed up even before we arrived, the team’s transport for this fixture being a decidedly small car.
As we tumbled out of the miniscule vehicle at the Abbotsley club it took a while for the circulation in our legs to kick in. When it did Mr Morris was the first on court against Tony Barker, the veteran of the Abbotsley team but still fast and accurate. Although Simon actually lost, he was the closest in the team to getting a game from the opponents! (0-3).
Up next was Bez, as his opponent wished to make an early exit the number one entered the arena early. Chris Reeve hit some fast unbelievable volley shots, making Bez seem slightly out of sorts but he still took the game to Chris creating some great entertaining rallies. (0-3). Our third on the night Simon, took to the court against Mark Emery, although, attacking, Barker was kept away from the ball by his talented opponent. The Abbotsley number two giving Simon just three points in the whole match was an indicator of just how strong this team was. (0-3). The number four Robinson, after seeing his comrades be beaten went on court with totally the wrong attitude knowing the match was technically over. His six points in total were hard earned from Matt Nankaville but twenty-one short of a win. (0-3) Oakley, stepped onto the court with the correct attitude regardless of his associates’ losses, nearly managing to take a game off opponent Simon ‘Sparky’ Scott.(0-3)
As we squashed back into the vehicle for the return journey we all felt well and truly stuffed, although the team were still bravely upbeat knowing we had all learnt a lesson that would strengthen the team.

Cambridgeshire Squash League
Premiership/Division 1
Stamford v Hunts County
Wednesday 12th October 2011.
Team: Rob Vivian; Simon Barker; Dave Robinson; Dave Spooner; Simon Morris

Lessons, Long games & Losing

The first home match for Stamford 1 was with a weakened team, due to the noticeable absence of Bez and Alistar, our top two players for the first half of the season.
Up first stepped Morris, who had a hard fought match against Andy Reynolds. In the past Simon has had the upper hand but Andy arrived at Stamford to even things up, with all the games going to the wire with the visitor becoming the victor (1-3). Team captain Spooner made a rare appearance, due to the weakened team, at number four string. Even though carrying an injured, poorly shoulder, the true trooper he is became the hope of the team, leading 2-0 only to be eventually beaten by his worthy opponent Paul Goodwin (2-3). Next up was Robinson, who was taught a squash lesson by Hunts County regular John Mitchley. The consistent retrieving by “Mitch” coupled with Robinson’s lack of fitness made for a short match with the Hunts County number three winning comfortably(0-3).
Barker, also playing up a position, took to the court with the right frame of mind, hunting and chasing the ball down at every opportunity. His opponent Colin Griggs, put his coaching skills to good use moving Simon around into every corner, eventually wearing down “the housewives’ choice” to win in safe margins (0-3). The team was greatly strengthened by the appearance of Rob Vivian at number one. Although Rob starting the match off well being neck and neck at one all, his consistent and quality game was unfortunately still not good enough to overcome the slow, methodical grinding technique of his opponent James Powley that could wear the most patient of men down (1-3).
Next week we are away at March for another challenging fixture, fingers crossed for a win this time!

Cambridgeshire Squash League
Division 1
Team:  Spencer Beresford, Alistair Gunn,  Simon Barker,  Dave Robinson,  Simon Morris

Retorts, Ribald humour and Ripped shorts.

The first Cambridgeshire team match reared its head and it was an away match at Cambridge University Press’ new venue in Cambridge due to their old courts being requisitioned.   The courts were a tadge dusty but Simon Morris coped well in the conditions against Tom Mitchell-Williams, a new team member who plays for Queens College normally.   It was a hard thrash as is always the case with any opponent of Morris’ ending up wih a cliffhanger finish with our man holding his nerve.(3-2)

Robinson played Lewis Robinson, a regular in the Press’ line-up, not the most enlightening of games but there were some good rallies amongst it all with Robinson getting away with it again. (3-0)

Next up was the team driver and stalwart Simon Barker who stepped up to the plate in his match with Mark Mitchell. Although he went down in the first game he quickly composed himself and dispatched the punishment in the next three ensuring the top two players could enjoy their games, sound in the knowledge that the match was won. (3-1)

Alistar Gunn’s match resembled more a game of twister than an upstanding game of gentlemanly sport. Gunn’s opponent Andy D’Alessandro gave as good back in the close contact match, each player trying to dominate the centre “T” resulting in entangled bodies, much posturing, and even a item of ripped clothing!   It went to the wire with Andy just pipping Gunn in a match that should have been under an hour that broke the 90 minute barrier. (2-3) This seems to becoming the Gunn trademark!

Last but not least Bez played old rival Vinod Duraikan in another long match of quality rallies and great shot play. Vinod only dropped one game on the way to a well fought win. (1-3) Nonetheless, although a close team match, it was still a win that started the season off well.

Peterborough & District Squash League
Division One Team:  Spencer Beresford, Alistair Gunn,  Jon Oakley,  Dave Robinson,  Simon Morris

Aces,  ‘Appiness & Apple Crumble.

The first match of the season was an away fixture at Spalding Squash and Racquetball Club.

First on court was Gary Slater against Captain Si Morris.   Nerves were not evident as Morris made short shrift of the number five of the Spalding squad,  frustration at Morris’ retrieval capabilities finally getting the better of him. (3-0)

Up next was Robinson against squash sage Paul Tudor. A scrappy game resulted in Robinson looking dazed & confused as he managed his first ever victory over Welsh Champion Tudor. (3-0)

The court dress code of one un-named team member came close to black-balling the team as he choose the 100% nylon & extra tight “Lord” Coe route of shorts suicide.   Luckily he pulled off a great (3-1) victory over Gary Harrison through skill & distraction.

Up next was the team’s secret weapon Alistair Gunn.   Over the course of an hour and twenty minutes he twisted and turned his worthy opponent Clyde Finch to a very close match and a crowd-pulling victory. (3-2)

From black-balled to white-washed, as team number one Bez in his inimitable, determined style creamed his way to a victory over injured Andy Walsham without dropping a point. 3-0(27-0)

The evening was sealed off with traditional homemade chilli and lashings of apple crumble.  I’m not saying the team was on fire but there was a distinct burning smell in the team car on the trip home!   Here’s to the next match in two weeks time.

Tania has had a tought time with her knee in recent months but was back in action last week.  Unfortunately she had a sinus infection so lost 3-0, you can read more on her website.

She’s back in action next month in Doha, Qatar though as she fallen down the rankings she has to play qualifiying matches.  The full line up of players can be found here…

Good luck!

With immediate effect Conduit Road is closed and there is NO vehicle access to the squash courts for about 2 weeks.

You are requested not to park in Conduit Road and use the School Car Park (display your car pass) when using the Squash Courts.  Also be advised that there will no pedestrian access from Conduit Road to the courts for a period next week, during this time access to the Squash Courts will only available from the School Tennis Courts to the back of the Squash Courts.

Please be reminded that whilst the construction work is ongoing you are not permitted to park outside the squash courts until after 6pm during Monday to Friday.  This includes school holidays.

Squash Club members are permitted to use the Main School car park off East Street and take the short walk up Conduit Road to reach the courts.

A reminder to you all that we hold Junior Squash Coaching Sessions every Sunday with “Beginners” starting at 2pm and “Intermediates” starting at 3pm.   Further details in previous article.

Please encourage your children/grandchildren to come along and join us and have lots of fun.

We will also be holding Parent and Child evenings with a taster session on Friday 24th June commencing at 7pm.

Come along and  play against your child.