Match reports
16th Sept - 1sts V Datchet and Windsor
by Henry W.
After the Berkshire squash winter leagues were cancelled last year by some conniving bat or crazy lab scientists (who knows?!) the squash season is finally back!
Our first match of the premier league was against the 2nd best team in the county, Datchet & Windsor…….
Stuart Milton was on court first against their no.1 and if there were any spectators not knowing this was a team match, they would have assumed it was a grandfather/grandson bonding through the medium of squash. Despite beaten in every single department such as age, fitness and looks Milts powered his way through to an impressive 3-0 win.
At the same time Jack Turnell put on a ‘Caversham Clinic’ on former pro Anthony Brindle by winning 3-1. He of course attributed his performance to the training and wisdom of his team captain, Henry Withrington, gave him weeks before the match. Keep up the good work!
I was next on court against Simon ‘the mouth’ Rodwell at no.2. With some outrageous shots and gamesmanship Rodwell got the better of yours truly 3-1 in a brief encounter. So much so, I was offered a ‘friendly’ after the match since he was clearly still fresh after the game. However, I won the friendly 2-0…..get in!
Debutant Arron Gosnell was on against Berkshire Champion Gurbhaj……why the hell was he playing at 4?! Was it married life slowing him down? Was he worried about losing to an OAP? Has he lost passion for the game he cherished so dearly? Only he knows…..Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Arron. I did not see his match but losing to the Berkshire Champion (3-1) and getting a game is nothing to sniff at!
Lastly was our super sub Harry Carr who hadn’t played in 2+ years who quite literally looked like he fell out of a bin onto the court. He had gained a bit of………how should I phrase it……..‘artillery’ from when I last saw him, where he went from super skinny to normal looking (here’s to growing into a man Harry). Though there was lots of court rust, he managed to hack his way to a 3-0 win, giving Uni a 3-2 victory over one of the toughest teams in the county!
Well done team on a great start, however, though I did not take any photos on the day (will do next time), here is a photo of me winning a tournament in Wales.
16 Sept - 2nds V Royal Berks
The winter season has started and the second team got off to a flying start with a 4/1 win over Royal Berks.
Highlight of the evening was James getting the score wrong at the most critical point of one my game - but luckily my zen like concentration skills were enough to put it aside and scrape the game.
Apart from that it's like we have never been away.
Vivek smashed the ball as hard as ever sometimes extending the rallies to three shots.
James was measured and accurate, apparently being hung over from the night before heightens this skill.
Jose made an impressive debut with a comfortable win. (We do need to talk about the double handed backhand though)
Didn't see any of Charles match, but I imagine there were skillfull boasts and overcrowded drops.
I of course ran around lots, but didn't convert.
Thanks as always to the excellent food from "The Rajmoni " for the meal after.
Geoff
