After an enforced layoff (I won’t bore you with the details), the scribe is back. And with some gossip to catch up on it seems. The team for tonight’s game was James Treweek, Mark Smith, Jon Oakley, Richard Barker and Simon Barker playing in that order.

We all traveled down together and I caught up on previous matches. Played 4, won 2 and lost 2. A good average and seemingly on track to establish ourselves within the league and crucially to remain up in div 1. The matches appear to have gone well apart from the odd hiccup. A welcome new addition to the team this year is James “Psycho” Treweek taking the pressure of Yorkie (still suffering with major twisted sock injury – sorry, calf injury.

We all traveled down together and I caught up on previous matches. Played 4, won 2 and lost 2. A good average and seemingly on track to establish ourselves within the league and crucially to remain up in div 1. The matches appear to have gone well apart from the odd hiccup. A welcome new addition to the team this year is James “Psycho” Treweek taking the pressure of Yorkie (still suffering with major twisted sock injury – sorry, calf injury.

Anyway I digress, on with the gossip. Recently James was playing in the coveted number 1 slot, of which we all aspire to play at and where we often look to our talented players as mentors and ambassadors of our beloved sport. This was a difficult game for James and after some questionable decisions by the marker James became somewhat aggrieved. (Some would say the plot went completely missing). After some stiff exchanges of words between players (with the marker attempting to regain control of the fight match) the game was completed with James finally completely destroying a perfectly good teddy. Less than a week later playing for the second team at short notice again James was not on best form mentally and proceeded to have a very similar game with much teddy destroying. This was followed by a major sulk and no pub visit for food and drinks. 10.00pm now and transport was a major issue as Oakham is a fair way with no car (the team driver of course was at the pub). I’ll catch a train thought James – nope. Next one is 11.30pm. Ah! Taxi. How much?? Finally James managed to get home after catching a lift from a passing Samaritan (luckily). Which brings me to tonight and after some “mild” banter in the car James admitting he was exceptionally embarrassed by his last two matches behavior stated 1. “I will never question a call again” 2. “I’m too embarrassed to play for the second team again” (if ever asked!!!) and finally after overhearing his opponent talking about him in the dressing room saying that he was concerned that James was okay, James said, after slating himself again “……… and he is such a nice bloke”.

So back to the match tonight. Portugal Place were our opponents. Div 1 champions last year. Barker senior was on first against Rupert Jakes. A tough first game ensued with Simon working the hardest. Some good rallies saw a close fist game just taken by Rupert 9-7. The second saw Simon collapse with some dire squash allowing Rupert an easy 9-2 win. The third Simon finally got his act together and stormed through to take it 9-2. Another concentration failure saw Rupert runaway with the first 7 points and under serious self induced pressure Simon found some shots and started to claw back until finally losing 9-6 and the tie 3-1.

Richard was on the other court to tall Neil Raine. Richard never got to grips with the right game plan and played into Neil’s (large) hands. Unable to exert any pressure Richard last 9-1, 9-0, 9-6. The omens weren’t good!

Jon Oakley went next. Yet another disaster. Jon having the same problem could not apply any pressure to his opponent – Andy Whitam, and though some good rallies were played Jon could not get a game and finally went down 9-6, 9-4 and 9-7.

So with the match lost and some long faces about Mark Smith went on against Aqib Kadar. Aqib was a very handy player and from the off it was apparent that Mark was going to get intimate with the court corners. Sure enough, Aqib went on to win 9-1, 9-4, 9-2 playing some excellent squash and keeping Mark on the back foot. Lastly it was psycho’s James turn against a young lad (12 I think) Chris Killyard. This was tough one with some excellent shots from both players. Hard telling rallies with both players working hard saw a close 1st with Chris stealing it at the end 9-6 then going on to dominate the court and take the next two comfortably 9-1, and 9-1.

A great game but a disappointing match as we were well and truly stuffed. A little worrying was their number 1 was not playing!! However none of us really played to their potential – but we will be back. Can anyone afford to sponsor Michael Ferreira jnr a return flight from the States for the return match??