It didn’t quite go to plan though. We thought Olly was our ‘banker’ at four, but instead he put in a performance that you could use another, very similar, word for. He succumbed 3-0 to the wiles of Kev, looking extremely lacklustre it has to be said. We have to hope that at some point this season Olly will actually remember how to play squash. It’s not looking promising at the moment though.
Ah, we thought, our Captain Bear has been playing well, and against the increasingly decrepit Trev, he’s an almost certain victor. And things did look good. What we failed to take into account was the Captain’s fragile mental state. And against the maestro of gamesmanship that is Trev, that was always going to be a problem. And once the chat started, Dave’s game went down the toilet. 1-3. We were in trouble – 2-0 down!
We were fairly sure that our superstar No. 1 seed would make short work of Chris, as he did last half. And so it proved. Adam floated round the court and made it look very easy indeed. 3-0. 2-1.
And Dave at No.2 proved his capability by stuffing the Pig to 3 as well. Even if he does throw both his arms in the air when hitting a hard backhand down the line – it’s like some weird kind of flamenco move. 2-2.
So it was all on our illustrious No.3. Phil had proved his mettle with some tough victories this season, and assuming today was a day when he could actually see the ball, we thought he’d make short work of Coops. At 2-0 down though, we were starting to get worried, very worried. But as his unorthodox and frankly (for his opponent) very annoying game started to ratchet up, Jim looked increasingly confused. Phil ground away and Jim seemed to increasingly lose the plot. We Bears began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Could he? Could he really? He only bloody could!!!! 3-2!! And a 3-2 victory to the Bears – grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat. To the bar!!!!
Part 2 of our back to back was a trip up to the affable hospitality of our old friends (literally) at Chesham Bois. The Seniors were one place and six points ahead of us in the league, so it mattered. The heat was also on my captaincy after the team sheet came out: I had rested Adam for the first time in the season (risk?); kept my faith in Olly, even though his miserable run of form had continued against the Bulls (bigger risk?); and played myself with Egan eagerly waiting in the wings, refreshed after his sojourn Down Under (after my craven capitulation against Jones, huge risk). Eyebrows were raised, beards were thoughtfully stroked, and teeth worryingly sucked – would the Captain’s decisions be vindicated against the wily old campaigners in Amersham?
Ah, gentle reader, have faith. The Bears’ spirit is strong since we last tasted defeat way back in October. So strong in fact that Adam decided that he’d come along and support us even though he wasn’t playing – an outstanding and much appreciated effort. The evening kicked off with Lady Bear, foot now intact again, against Neal Gibbons at 4. Jo was at one stage one game down and facing game points in the second, yet showed the grit and determination which has characterized her squash this season to pull through 3-1, winning the 4th 10-9. Thus her remarkable statistic of played 7, won 7 continues.
I was on the other court against Mick O’Sulllivan at 5. I’d beaten Mick a couple of years ago quite easily, but he was coming back after knee surgery then and this time he was a different proposition. The match turned out to be a bit of an epic, with every game closely fought. Mick countered my successful short game by pinning me at the back with a classy lofted high game. I was given wise counsel by Phil and DP inbetween games (“get your work rate up you lazy b******d, he’s 20 years older than you!”) and finally after well over an hour I came from 3-7 down in the 5th to win 9-7. I crawled off court and nearly vomited. Satisfied guys?
Olly up next against Steve Hunt at 3 and we were all very hopeful, especially after he narrowly lost the first 10-8 and cruised the second 9-2. Was this the night for that elusive first win of the season? But then the enigma of why such a talented player can’t win at the moment returned, and the brilliance faded along with his energy levels. Frustrating doesn’t even start to describe it. But he’s too classy not to come good soon. 1-3 loss.
So, down to our big guns to finish the job off. Dave Powell is quality and is getting better every week. I had asked him whether his shoulders were broad enough to carry the grave responsibility of the Number 1 slot. He gave me a long, silent look which suggested that I had all the motivational skills of a dose of syphilis. Sure enough, after a false start in the first game he deployed that howitzer of a backhand to great effect in dispatching Richard Eaton-Hart 3-1.
So, match won and we could all relax and enjoy the spectacle of a Clash of the Titan-ium knee joints: Phil Alexander against Rob Ballingall. I’ve witnessed many a match which was a pissing contest of who could hit the ball the hardest, but I’ve never before seen a match which was a contest of who could hit the most cunning, inventive and outrageous shots in a rally. It was as ridiculous as it was amazing to watch: the ball hardly made it to the back wall. At times it seemed as if they were just hitting it back to each other but it was actually because both men’s Jedi skills of anticipation and mind-reading were cancelling each other out. Eventually, Phil double-twisted Rob once too often and the latter’s leg went, so Phil won the last two games far too easily, sadly for us spectators. 3-2.
So, a hard-fought 4-1 win which lifts us above them into third in the table, which is something to be proud of especially given that we lost our first few matches. Our winning streak now extends to 6 matches and at the moment we are feeling pretty bullish about being a Bear. Next week we will be depleted, however, so let’s enjoy it whilst we can.
