Archive for January, 2003

Cruising….everybody won comfortably – a short report!

We are led to believe that before Christmas Michael was in Australia training with some of the best from times gone by. However, with all those beaches, glorious sunshine, plenty of bars and other distractions, is it true? Well, if his match last week was anything to go by – yes! He had a convincing win against Anschul Manchanda from Yale, 9-3, 9-1, 9-1.

However, most of the Trinity team had a convincing win so I’m sure there’ll be some tougher matches to come!

Confidence was high in the team for this return match against Frank Lee after the cup success 2 weeks ago. Richard Barker was unable to play this week due to his THIRD holiday since Christmas so Simon Richardson was called up from the bench.

First on court was captain Simon Barker playing James Richardson. James started well playing a good short game catching Simon napping and took an early 4-0 lead in the first. A step forward from Simon stopped these winners and playing good length squash forced James to the back. Under too much pressure James now allowed Simon a comfortable recovery to take the first 9-4. The second saw James working harder and after an even game Simon lapsed and threw four points away to lose the second 9-7. 1-1 and a close match looked on the cards but Simon upped the pace causing James to struggle. The next two games went to Simon comfortably 9-2 and 9-4. One to Stamford.

Simon Richardson was on next against Dave Savage. After some reassuring words from the team such as “Richard only dropped 4 points when he played at 5 against this team” Simon started well. Playing controlled squash, allowing himself time to settle in Simon played some good rallies, hitting a good length to control the first and take it 9-6. The second started the same way as Simon forged ahead and confidence grew. This brought his downfall. Simon suddenly decided to go for winners from everything and hitting too many tins, Dave was back in the game and with his head up did enough to take the second 9-7. 1-1 now and suddenly Simon was looking in trouble. Dave capitalised on Simon’s errors and continued through the next two games to give Simon a right good savaging to take the tie 3-1.

Jon Oakley was playing Chris Boswell next door. Chris was very fast around the court covering Jon’s “disguised” drops and unorthodox shots. A tight first game saw Jon just edge it 9-7. The second Chris made fewer errors and taking the ball early forced Jon to the back of the court. Struggling to find his form Jon made error after error hitting more tins than a blind man in a supermarket. Chris kept his game steady to take the second 9-6. During the break Jon gave himself a good talking to and unable administer corporal punishment on himself, decided that detention was the only answer if he didn’t pull his socks up. This obviously worked as the errors reduced enough to just gain him the advantage as he took the next two 9-6 and 9-6 to secure the tie 3-1. 2-1 to Stamford now.

Mark Smith on next against Jake Lowber, a somewhat sturdy player. The first few rallies were closely fought and after Mark had bounced off Jake a couple of times attempting to go through him he changed tack and took the long way round. Some nice boasts and excellent retrieving gave Mark the lead as he took the first 9-1. The second went the same way for a comfortable win 9-3. Concentration then failed Mark as he came out for the third in a coma. 3 minutes later it was 9-0 to Chris. Playing Marks favourite track and talking to him softly during the break revived him from his coma. The forth saw a revitalised player as he swept through Jake 9-1 to take the tie 3-1.

Finally Paul York played Terry Reynolds. An old adversary for Yorkie who had had some tough matches a few years ago. Terry though on this occasion seemed to be struggling for fitness and carrying an injury as Yorkie was able to comfortably control the game for an easy 9-1, 9-2, 9-3 victory and the match to Stamford.

The squash fixture for this week was rearranged because a large proportion of the squash team were skiing – so for this week you have a ski report.

The regulars, Simon Barker (captain), Richard Barker and subs Adrian Chappell, Simon Richardson were joined by a couple of other squash players Mark Davis and Martin Brewin. Finally, making up numbers was a snow boarder who many of you won’t know – Chris Wright – but not to worry we all know how snow boarders get in the way on the slopes!

Rich is the lucky chap who gets married, goes on honeymoon, gets back for barely a week and is off skiing with the lads. Not only that but he met Mark Davis on honeymoon!! Who has he spent the most time with?

We all met at Luton airport except for Adrian Chappell and Mark Davis who were going to arrive a day after the rest of us as thay had booked through SAGA holidays at a later date. From Luton we would fly to Zurich at which point a hire car (Golf Estate) arranged by Simon Richardson would enable us to drive to St. Anton, Austria.

After a half hour delay taking off from Luton we were on our way.

Whilst waiting for the luggage at Zurich airport Simon Richardson gave the paper work to Rich to go ahead and sort out the hire car and we would pick up his luggage. Rich glanced at the paperwork.

‘One problem,’ Rich said.

He paused and continued to look at the paperwork before saying again,

‘One problem.’

‘What?’ replied Simon Richardson.

‘You’ve hired the car from Geneva and…’ he paused again, ‘… we’re in Zurich.’

‘No way.’

‘Yes, you have.’

Simon Richardson wiped the sweat off his brow with a very concerned look. The rest of us were wondering how long we were going to be in the airport without a car. Anyway, we sent Rich off to see if he could get hold of a car while we waited for the luggage.

Whilst waiting it became clear this was actually going to be a very entertaining story for the rest of us to bring up over the next 30 years!!

Simon continued to be very concerned, rightfully so – but we consoled ourselves that this was indeed a classic cock up! Once we had all the luggage we headed to the rental car desk to see if Rich had managed to get Simon out of this mess….indeed he had, they had a Golf but not an estate – hmm, 5 of us with our luggage including ski boots, skis etc into a non-estate golf….fortunately, a few minutes later an Audi A6 had been conjured up and we were now far better off than ever. You’ve never seen a man look more relieved than Simon at that moment. So next time you see Mr. Richardson down at the squash club feel free to ask him what the difference is between Geneva and Zurich.

Having stayed over at a hotel half way between Zurich and St.Anton Friday night we were up early the next day and had a full days skiing on the Saturday. Rich led us through some trees, though he claims Chris was leading the way. Yes, through some trees – a little bit away off the piste, but far enough away that we were unable to turn back. He stops and comes to the conclusion that there is only one way forward – to squeeze over and through the trees. Not only that but we had to stop quickly as there were metal avalanche barriers in the way. Rich got through without injuries. We all followed and survived the only casualty being a bent ski pole belonging to Martin. Simon Barker, sweating profusely, appeared to have a tap in his body which gushed out water randomly throughout the day! Later that evening Adrian and Mark arrived and we made sure we got them upto speed on the car hire story!

A historic day – Monday January 12th 4.05pm – Mark Davis fell over skiing, leaving his ski 2 metres above him on the slope. This is the man that hasn’t fallen over skiing in the last 20 years. Unfortunately, I can not repeat his words at the time, though he was definetly not happy!

5 of us hired an Off-Piste guide on the Wednesday whilst Mark (I’ve only fallen once in the last 20 years) Davis and Simon Barker hired an instructor to improve their techniques.

The end of the day with the off-piste guide!

It was an enjoyable day, though the interesting part of the day came toward the end when Adrian struggled to maintain control down a narrow section where a snow plough was required – the guide, who was female, was doing a snow plough as was Martin but Adrian came perilously close to wiping Martin out down a cliff face. His claim was that he doesn’t know how to snow plough. After a day off-piste skiing and Adrian claims he doesn’t know how to snow plough?!

For those that don’t know a snow plough is one of the first things you learn when you go skiing. As defined in the ski dictionary – The SNOW PLOUGH TURN is the first way of turning during skiing. The use of the beginners lift, small runs at the practise area open a totally new perspectives for the learner. Skiing becomes easier and effortless with regards to getting uphill. Satisfaction and pride fulfills the learner about the level reached. Above all the SNOW PLOUGH TURN is the platform for further steps in the learning curve. The coordination of the movements – PIVOTING – WEIGHTSHIFTING – EDGING are the mechanics of the SNOW PLOUGH TURN. These movements will be key elements in the following development of the skier. The ability to hold and control a straight snow plough over at least 5 to 8 meters is the basis for learning the SNOW PLOUGH TURN. The snow plough remains in place when linking turns, the outside leg is flexed in order to shift the weight on to the turning foot. To shift the body weight on to the turning foot, the skier flexes the ankle and knee of the outside leg. The upper body tilts slightly outside over the turning ski, the center of mass remains within the base of support.

There seems to be a lot of shifting of bodyweight, ah yes, this may be why Adrian can’t snowplough – it’s a good excuse to hold on to the guide while she shows him!

In the evening after the meal the day has proved to much for Simon Richardson as he sleeps at the table!

The following day, Simon Richardson (or should I say his secretary) sent flowers to his wife – this then seemed like a good idea to a few of the others. However, those that didn’t send flowers would like it on the record that it was only those with secretaries that sent them!

More skiing the following days with Adrian cursing Chris – the snowboarder – for being in his way, for being in his line, for wiping the snow off the slopes and many other anti-snowboard comments. However, Chris took it all in good heart and continued to moan about nothing!   Meanwhile, Simon Barker was thinking about calling for a plumber as the sweat was constantly dripping off his chin!

As for Martin, he just had major equipment failure through out the week. After the ski pole bending, his sallopates ripped, the skis came to the end of their life, he broke a ski pole and finally his ski boots, well they needed replacing about a century ago!

Now back to the squash!

This was the second round of Cambridgeshire’s premier squash cup competition and Stamford’s hardest test of the season playing a mid table first division team. This would also be a baseline for how we need to perform next year, assuming promotion, which subject to major disasters should be a certainty with our current lead in division two.

First up was the Barker brothers. Simon on against John Ford. As the match got under way it was apparent that this would be a test of Simons fitness as John’s touch had Simon covering every inch of the court. A hard first saw it go to the wire with John just stealing it 10-9. The second carried on in the same fashion and Simon playing excellent squash, hitting a good length and uncharacteristically tight, took a commanding lead to 8-3 up before having a personal crisis and suddenly hitting the tin with a vengeance. John took full advantage and fought back to rob Simon of the second 10-8. 2 down and Simon was in trouble. The third saw a remarkable turn as Simon killed everything and took John apart to take it 9-0. Was the fight back on? The pace was starting to tell now and Simon was again being run all over the court. Using all available bodily orifices to breath through Simon was unable to repeat the third and John took the forth and the tie 3-1.

Richard was on the other court against Dave Goodwin. Both played good controlled squash, playing to length and relying on accuracy over power and as both left handers played the whole match in the backhand court both determined to exploit each others weaker side. Dave took the first two but Richard determined as ever fought back to take the next two to level the tie at 2- 2. The fifth was critical if Stamford were to have any chance of winning the match. The first few points went very evenly before Richard won a quick few points to give him a lead. He never looked back then as he drove on to win the fifth 9-6 and level the match 1-1.

Mark Smith on next against Duncan Colquhoun. Duncan started strongly attacking everything and Mark, playing not at his best, hit tin after tin of unforced errors. After an easy first Duncan remained in control and with Mark suffering from cramp, Duncan took the second 9-6. A fightback in the third gave renewed hope to Stamford as Mark stole it 10-9 but to no avail as Duncan did enough in the fourth to secure it 9-7 and the tie 3-1.

Jon Oakley on next door against Adrian Slade. Both players opting for the touch, drop shot flicky style, some would call squash. It was a test of speed on court and Jon had too much for Adrian. Not pretty squash but very effective from Jon as he cruised through 9-8, 9-4, 9-0 and Stamford were level again at 2-2.

Down to the number ones now to decide the fate. Yorkie on against Andrew Stevenson. Yorkie started strongly massacring everything, volleying well and hitting great width. Andrew battled well but made too many errors as Yorkie dominated the first two 9-2 and 9-3. The third saw Andrew working harder, volleying more and hitting tighter shots. Yorkie seemingly taken his foot off the pedal slightly struggled to step up as Adrian took the third. Finger nails just starting to be bitten by the Stamford lads now as the fourth got under way. Some excellent rallying from both players finally saw Yorkie gain Match ball at 8-5. Surely it must be over- but wait. Andrew playing superbly well picked up everything to pull it back to 8-8. The atmosphere on the balcony was tense then it was over. Andrew had come back to take the fourth and level the tie at 2-2. Yorkie started the fifth head down and unable to cope with Andrews awesome retrieving and at 5-1 down it looked like curtains for Stamford. Much encouragement from the balcony saw Yorkie find reserves from somewhere as he dug immensely deeply and found the desire to get back into it. Playing great squash and rallying superbly Yorkie battled back and after facing match points against him finally clawed it back to 8-8. Tensions were high on the balcony as fortunes turned and after a fantastic match Yorkie finally clinched it 10-8 to win the match 3-2 and put Stamford in the quarterfinals. Come on!!

A fantastic match played in the best traditions of sportsmanship. Many thanks to those that supported us on the night and a pleasurable pint was had afterwards!