Archive for February, 2003
Wednesday night was here again and Ely were our foes tonight; an unknown quantity as they pulled out of the first round match. They did have one known player to us though and he was Galen Lecheminint, a semi-pro playing for “fun” in div 2 and yet to drop a game. Yorkie had his sights set high on giving him a good tonking when disaster happened: Whilst bending down to pick up a squash ball a few days prior to this match Yorkie hurt his leg. After much discussion he decided that amputation was probably not required but it would need complete rest till at least Thursday. So with Yorkie decimated by a pulled shoe lace, sorry calf muscle, it was down to super sub Simon Richardson to stand in again. I should also mention at this point, whilst driving down to Ely across the fens, Jonathon Oakley was clearly heard to say “WHY DO THEY BUILD THESE ROADS SO BUMPY?” After narrowly avoiding a major car crash due to hysteria in the car we explained to him the phenomenon of subsidence!
First on was Simon Richardson playing Ian Travers. Simon, now match savvy, had left any pre match nerves behind, and started well, playing to a good length and moving well. Ian attacked but Simon kept digging in and took the first 9-6. The roles reversed in the second with Simon making a few too many mistakes allowing Ian in 9-5. The third was a monumental battle, both players working hard with Simon taking it 10-8 to go 2-1 up. The fourth started well as Simon continued to work Ian hard and led to the half way point before dropping a few quick points to lose 9-6. Tied at 2-2 it could have gone either way. Ian stormed through the fifth racking up the points to go 7-1 up before finally fitness told and suddenly the tank was empty. Simon took advantage to claw back and finally take the fifth 9-7 and the tie 3-2. Well played.
Mark Smith was on the other court playing Galen Lecheminint. With the ball flying on this court Mark struggled to find his normal control as Galen hit the corners effortlessly. The first slipped way easily from Mark 9-4 as mistakes were abound. The second saw a more confident Mark hitting harder and more accurately to put some pressure on Galen who produced some excellent full stretch drives with a flick of his wrist making it very difficult to know where the ball was going. A better game from Mark but Galen doing enough to take it 9-6. The third started well for Mark taking a 5 point lead. This proved a tight game as Galen, playing continually to a length, had to work to stay in the game. Finally he leveled the score to 8-8 and a battle for the last points finally saw Galen steal it 10-9 and the tie 3-0.
Simon Barker was on next against Fernando Gris. On a hot court with the ball absolutely flying both Simon and Fernando seemed determined to out hit each other. The first game started with the ball hitting mach 2 with each strike of the racket as Fernando massacred every shot. Simon struggled to cope with the speed of the ball and made too many errors losing the first 9-3. The second went the same with Simon battling to stay with the pace of the ball but again was unable to put Fernando under any significant pressure eventually going down 9-6. The third saw better squash from Simon as he fought well and started moving Fernando and causing mistakes from him. Simon saw a glimmer of light and ran for everything but was still unable to tame Fernando’s power as he took the third 9-7 and the tie 3-0. Stamford now 2-1 down and under pressure.
Jon Oakley went on next against Andrew (Ely). As the first got under way this looked like the makings of an excellent match as both players played tight, good length and width and were looking sharp. The first went both ways up to 5-5 when Jon hit a couple of lovely disguised cross court drops to steal a couple of points and suddenly Andrew’s world fell apart. 9-5 to Jon in the first who then ran away with the next two 9-0 and 9-1 for a well needed win but disappointing game of squash. Jon would like it known he then did 7 mins 0.06 secs on the concept 2 rower. A personal best!
Finally Richard Barker was on against Tony Walton. Richard had a flyer in the first as accuracy and a slow ball proved too much for Tony. Richard took the 1st comfortably 9-2. The second started well and Richard, though not flying round the court, retained the advantage and the “T” to take the second 9-5. Things looking good for Stamford from the balcony but little did we know what was to come and a couple of points in the third a recurring calf injury suddenly looked very ominous as Richard began limping around the court. Tony took the fourth 9-7 to recover to 2-1 but at the start of the fourth it was apparent that the calf injury was too much and Richard was forced to retire forfeiting the tie 3-2.
So Stamford suffer their first defeat of the season and with the team in a sorry state in disrepair things don’t look too healthy for the last few games. Fortunately the damage has been done and we have enough points to have all but won the league. Crown lodge at home next week and the “lovely Stephanie” returns.
Last week, whilst the rest of the Trinity players won, Michael lost. So he is human after all – Michael won the first game 9-7 but then lost the next three games – 9-7,9-3,9-1.
For the full team match report CLICK HERE
Mike against Will Evans of Princeton
Meanwhile, Trinity College are National Champions for the 5th year running.
George Chase
He helped establish the Stamford Squash Club and founded the Mens Chase Cup.
A former general practitioner in Stamford, Lincolnshire (b Chesterfield 1914), he died on 15 February 2003. After a brief spell in practice in Newark, Harold moved to Stamford in 1943, where he worked until retirement in 1976.
He was always involved in sport, gaining a half blue for fives at Cambridge, and later in Stamford captaining the Burghley Park Cricket Club and establishing the Stamford Squash Club. After retirement, he lowered his golf handicap by playing regularly.
He had a profound Christian faith that helped him die at peace after a prolonged illness. He leaves behind his wife, Peggy; three children; and eight grandchildren. [Derek Chase]
As the season heads into the last quarter a perusal of the league tables finds Stamford in a very strong position. Currently 53 points with only 5 matches to go including tonight’s. Maximum points tonight would make our position almost untouchable requiring the second place team to take maximum points (20) for the remaining four matches and Stamford to average less than 7 per match.
First on tonight was Simon (super sub) Richardson against Peter Dampney. Simon was looking to avenge his only other appearance for the team when he had a crushing defeat against Frank Lee in January. Simon was exceptionally “fired up” for this one and could be found pacing up and down the balcony area and scowling at people as he focused the mind in preparation for his titanic battle. As the game got underway Peter got into the groove early and playing a good short game forced too many errors from Simon. As the points drifted away, Simon kept his focus which at times was burning holes through Peter, but couldn’t stop the flow, as Peter took the first 9-3. Some exceptionally visionary advice from the captain during the break saw Simon’s game improve and he took control of the second producing some good kills. A valiant fight from Peter couldn’t stay with Simon’s pace. 9-6 to Simon. The third turned into a marathon battle as both players realised the importance of this one. Fortunes went both ways – as the tension rose and the odd error crept in, Simon’s racket could clearly be seen ricocheting around the court as it was propelled with some disgust! Finally though it was Simon that came out on top to steal it 10-8. 2-1 to Simon now and as the fourth began fitness began to tell as Peter started to flag. Simon took full advantage and romped through to take it 9-2 and the tie 3-1. Well played.
Simon Barker went next against Andy Fuller. Andy was clearly not overly confident as he told Simon before the game started “You won’t have much trouble with me tonight – I’m not up to much at the moment.” He did put up some resistance in the first though but Simon did enough to take it 10-8. The next two were comfortable wins 9-1 and 9-5.
Jon Oakley played Dave Moream and as normal Jon had a slow start suffering from lack of energy having wasted much of it explaining to the lads what a stressful day he’d had (again). Never mind Jon – half term soon and another couple of weeks off! Anyway I digress. Dave being that bit sharper to the ball took the first 9-7. The second saw a more active Jon as he started picking up the short balls and put Dave under pressure. Able now to dominate the T Jon took the next 9-3. The next two went Jon’s way 9-7 and 9-5 as Dave was unable to deal with Jon’s game.
Mark Smith on next against Paul Goodman. The first was very lively with both players running for everything. Errors from both players though meant the game could of gone either way. Finally Mark nipped in at the end to take it 9-7. The second went the same way but Mark this time making more errors and allowing Paul to take this one 9-5. The third finally saw Mark playing well and by cutting the unforced errors out was able to take control and dominate the third and fourth taking then both 9-3.
Finally Yorkie was on against John Ford. Yorkie was much too strong and given too much time on the ball demonstrated by his numerous lucky nicks and backhand cut drops from the back of the court. John was unable to get into the match until the third having lost the first two 9-6 and 9-1. He did produce a battle in the third making Yorkie work for his points and produced a game point but was unable to clinch it and Yorkie did the business 10-9 to take the tie 3-0. 5-0 to Stamford and another 20 points in the bag!
Still unbeaten Stamford went into the match confidently. First on court (as they were the only ones to turn up on time) were the Barker brothers.
Richard played Jeremy Hyde. After a good knock up (waiting for the remaining Stamford players to arrive so we had a marker!) the game began only for the first crisis of the night to hit us. First point of the match saw Richard lunge for a shot and tweak his achilles. In true, team commitment tradition, Richard soldiered on venturing only inches from the T going for winners from anything – and hitting most of them. Helped by St Ivo not having their full strength team rich playing a weaker No5 cruised through 9-6, 9-6, 9-4 having moved no more than a step from the T. He then rapidly sped home to his personal physio for some ice and sympathy.
Simon played Jack White (a slip of a young lad). The match started with some vigour as Jack’s pace had Simon in awe. However once he’d sorted Jack out with a few mishits, bodyshots and acceleration rarely seen in a thirtysomething squash veteran, Simon took control and had a comfortable first game 9-4. The second went the same way for another 9-4 win. Jack, still running like Linford Cristie on speed got back into the third but Simon’s experience overcame to steal it 10-8 and take the tie 3-0.
Jon Oakley went next against a tall and wiry Bob Taylor. After a casual start by Jon, Bob built a lead up in the first and forced Jon to start running around. Some entertaining rallies saw Bob working very hard and Jon took advantage to take the first 9-7. More pressure on Bob in the second saw Jon comfortably controlling the rallies and working Bob hard. 9-3 to Jon. The third went the same, 9-6 to Jon as Bob practically imploded the court as he tried to suck more oxygen in. 3-0 to Stamford.
Mark Smith went next against Malcolm White. The game was delayed 5 minutes as Mark reeled of his list of injuries (just on the off chance he might start to lose). Once underway Mark started moving freely once a lead had been established. Good squash saw Mark take the first 9-3. The second saw Malcom sharper as he took shots earlier and Mark started to struggle. Then the second crisis of the night occurred: Mark suffered a twisted sock. After much cajoling and encouragement the said sock was righted and play continued. This setback clearly affected Mark as he lost the second 9-1 and the third 9-7. A strategy rethink at 2-1 down saw all injuries put on hold as Mark stormed the fourth 9-0. Malcolm, somewhat shell shocked that his opponent had been practically in his grave a game ago, couldn’t step up again and Mark took the fifth and the tie 3-2.
Finally Yorkie went on against Nigel Taylor. Yorkie’s power was too much for Nigel and even though Yorkie was looser than a size 16 dress on Maxine from Corrie, he still kept Nigel on the back foot. A safe 9-6 win in the first followed by a struggle in the second with Nigel gaining a couple of game points before Yorkie pulled it back to take it 10-8. Nigel struggling on stamina gave Yorkie an easy third 9-6 and the tie 3-0. An excellent result 5-0 and another 20 points in the bag but probably with the loss of Richard for a couple of games with his achilles injury. Off to the subs bench for me to call up one of my super subs.