Archive for November, 2004

Stamford beaten comfortably….

Diego Asturies v John Hand 9/6 , 9/0 , 9/2 (1sts)
Neil Rossin v Adrian Hargreaves 9/0 , 9/5 , 9/3 (2nds)
Adam Stevenson v Paul York 9/0 , 9/0 , 9/0 (3rds)
Joel Rothwell v Neil Hoskins 10/8 , 9/4 , 9/3 (4ths)
Nathan Mattick v Richard Barker 9/2 , 10/8 , 9/3 (5ths)

Another win for Stamford

James Trewick v Paul Birket 9/1 , 9/6 , 9/4 (1sts)
Paul York v Neville Macknish 9/2 , 9/3 , 9/6 (2nds)
Mark Smith v Nick Sabey 7/9 , 9/4 , 9/7 , 3/9 , 9/1 (3rds)
John Oakley v Malc White 9/1 , 9/7 , 9/0 (4ths)
Richard Barker v Mac Mckenzie 9/0 , 9/4 , 9/1 (5ths)

Confidence in the team had improved after last weeks sound thrashing of Haverhill and we looking for another win away to Crown Lodge.

First on tonight was Smithy playing a very lovely GIRL Stephanie Marriot. Smithy in his haste to get hot and sweaty with her was on court playing when the rest of the team arrived (delayed by the sudden incredible need for James Treweek to get his skis sorted at Tallington?? Rush hour and trains crossing???? And he seemed surprised to receive a barrage of abuse reminding him that he had set the team back by at least 30 minutes causing significant stress to the driver (Richard B). Anyway I digress. We arrived (late) to see Smithy getting a right good tonking by Steph who looked very glamorous modelling her squash kit whilst gracefully moving Smithy from corner to corner, back of the court to the front. Smithy being the gent he is, took it on himself to play some “woeful” squash managing to make Steph look awesome! After being stuffed in the first and second, advice was supplied to step the pace up to which Smithy was heard to say, “my legs have gone”. Fortunately Steph had some nice legs for the lads to admire as Smithy was seen ricocheting around the court in a mad frenzy attempting to save a 3-0 hiding by a GIRL. It was clear now that Steph felt sorry for him as she let him back into the match making a few unforced errors whilst applying lippy. Smithy took full advantage and managed to sneak the next two bringing the tie 2-2. Having had a quick freshen up and manicure (split a nail in the fourth struggling with cap on her lipstick) in the 90 second break Steph was back on court for the fifth looking very fit. Concerned that that her mascara may start to run if she started to sweat too much Steph started strong in the fifth and soon had Mark in trouble again. A few quick kills at the front of the court and it was all over. 9-3 to Steph. Smithy was devastated. Whooped by a GIRL.

Next on court was Richard playing Sammy Chambers – a very useful 12 year old. As they went on court confidence was high for Richard as Sammy struggled to lift an adult racket. Still as they started knocking up Sammy got used to it and managed to hit a couple back. The first game saw Richard floating the ball around the court as Sammy found his form and played some good length, accurate squash. Rich struggling to hit any winners just failed to do enough in the first and Sammy nicked it 10-8. The second and third saw Richard controlling the court and putting Sammy under a lot of pressure (but he didn’t cry or tell his dad) as he had comfortable 9-2, 9-2 wins. The fourth though turned and Richard was again on the back foot as Sammy hit good accurate shots to take it 9-4. Pressure was on Richard now in the fifth. Sammy had to get a move on as it was way past his bedtime but in his haste hit too many tins allowing Richard back into the match for a 9-5 victory and the tie 3-2.

Next on was Simon fresh from a tough competition in Portsmouth playing Mike Watts. From the outset though it was clear that Simon had left 90% of his squash ability in Portsmouth – playing short, loose and in the tin. Hang on though – isn’t that his normal game? Some interesting squash saw Simon attempting the world speed record for a squash ball which he may have attained had he not buried so many in the tin! Mike picked most of the ones that came back to him off for easy winners securing the first 9-3. Simon relaxed more in the second and managed to rally back slowing the pace and with plenty of running took the second 9-4. Another crisis in the third saw Simon fall apart and lose 9-2. Following on from the second the fourth saw Mike having a breather as Simon took it easily 9-1. So into the fifth and the only decent game of the tie as both players played reasonable well together. Some good rallies but Simon finally succumbed 10-8 to lose 3-2.

Yorkie’s turn to do the business as captain. He was playing Robin Attlesey. As the first began this was clearly a mismatch as Yorkie was hitting shots at will, under no pressure and was completely in charge. 9-0 and 9-0 saw yet another 27-0 opportunity for Yorkie. But a couple of errors and it went, as he romped home 9-4 and 3-0. Well-played captain!

Finally on court was James Treweek who having sorted his skis was clearly in a relaxed frame of mind – joshing with the guys on how his boss had threatened to “break his neck”. It’s a tough job running a gym! Anyway I digress again. James was playing Robert Murfett. Rob began playing some nice squash, hitting a good width and moving James well but here James was in his forte as he bounced around the court like a gazelle retrieving some “irretrievable” shots. Rob couldn’t deal with the pace and soon James was able to control the rallies, moving Rob to the front with a hurting boast on many occasions. 9-4, 9-3, 9-3 to James as both players played some very entertaining squash.

So Stamford was victorious and actually only dropped two points from the maximum for another very good win.

Results:
James Treweek v Robert Murfett 9-4 9-3 9-3
Paul York v Robin Attesley 9-0 9-0 9-4
Mark Smith v Steph Marriot 7-9 7-9 10-9 9-2 3-9
Simon Barker v Mike Watts 3-9 9-4 2-9 9-1 8-10
Richard Barker v Sammy Chambers 8-10 9-2 9-2 4-9 9-5

This was Stamford’s 4th league match and we were still looking for our first win. Tonight’s opposition were newly promoted Haverhill so we were optimistic of a good result. As usual first on court were the Barker brothers. Richard was on against Arthur Patrick. After last weeks shocking display from Richard he was in no mood for taking prisoners and went on court with a determined attitude. The match started well with Richard dominating the court and clearly outclassing his opponent. The first was quickly in the bag for Richard 9-4 followed by the next two 9-2 and 9-2. A comfortable win for Richard. His first for the season, with hopefully many more to come.

Simon was on the court next door playing Wayne Bamforth. A slow start from Simon allowed Wayne to control the game putting Simon under pressure. Simon was struggling with Wayne’s awkward style of play and failure to clear the ball completely. This also had an effect on the marker who clearly had no comprehension of the frustration caused, by giving very dubious strokes away to Wayne. This was noticeable by the pained look on Simons face as another point was lost on a stroke. Simon though finally got a grip of the game managed to step the pace up, drilling the ball to the back of the court and began to take control of the rallies. Simon did enough to recover the deficit and took the first 10-8. The next two saw Simon retain control for 9-6 and 9-3 wins to take the tie 3-0.

Next on was Paul York, still smarting from his crushing defeat, costing the team the match last week. He was up against Tony Archer. As the first game progressed Paul was outclassing Tony and it was going to be a one sided match. 9-0 to Paul in the first and it looked like a possible 27-0 was in the offing. Again though, Paul’s killer instinct seemed to desert him as he dropped unnecessary points, letting Tony of the hook. Still, a convincing win for Paul who informed us he would treat us to a demonstration of nicks in the third. After his fourth “framing” in a row though, Paul abandoned the plan and stuck to winning the tie. 9-0, 9-3, 9-4

With the match secured now it took the pressure off the number 1 and 2s. Jon Hand was against Paul Bragg. Jon started strongly, moving Paul around and forcing him to continually retrieve under pressure. A good variation in play from Jon kept Paul guessing and allowed a comfortable first two games for Jon winning them 9-3 and 9-3. A lapse of concentration in the third saw Jon hit tin after tin as Paul took the game 9-1 in about 4 minutes. Jon gave himself a good talking to in the break and was back to form in the fourth to take the game 9-1 and the tie 3-1.

Last on court was James Treweeeek playing Jim Fitzpatrick. Having seen the other players James was in a buoyant mood. The first went well as James concentrated on moving Jim around the court. Some good rallying by both players provided entertaining squash but with James clearly dominating the Tee he began racking the points up. Some more dubious decisions by the marker (same one as marking Simon’s game – short bloke, likes ice cream!) saw James crying out in complete amazement. His “maturity” though, took over and the first went to James 9-2. This was followed by much of the same in the second for James to win 9-0. The third saw Jim seem to find even more speed as he raced around the court picking up everything James hit. Some very big rallies early on the in third saw the points evenly split until eventually mid way through the game Jim hit the “wall”. Suddenly he was half a yard short picking the short balls up and James ran away with the last few points to take the game 9-6 and the tie 3-0.

An excellent result for Stamford, taking maximum points for our first victory. Lets hope there are many more to come.