Skipper Joe Budzynski writes:
After a thumping win against Nuffield in their last match, there was much disappointment and gnashing of teeth among the Beaconsfield Warriors when they learned their efforts were for naught. The rulemaster of Berkshire League squash had emerged from his cavern on the top of Mount Dunlop, and reading from the ancient, crumbling dried parchment rules of Berkshire league squash, proclaimed “Hear-ye, hear-ye, judgment is announced forthwith....Beaconsfield hast competed most dishonourably, a first team player being unavailable for his contest in the realm of Herongate due to emergency. Beaconsfield’s second team shall therefore be punished grieviously...their match against Nuffield is forfeit with penalties applied of 20 points.”
(Appeals in progress, but the club is not hopeful.)
“No matter,” shouted the Beaconsfield Warriors, “to Wellington College in Crowthorne we will go to restore honour to the club!”
Match 1: David Tecke v Nicola Hayden
As the first ever team appearance for David Tecke in his Beaconsfield squash career, he was keen to impress. Getting used to a new court and the pressure of an away team match produced some nervousness in the first game, which showed in the result going to Nicola by a score of 9-7. However, David calmed down in the second game and wrung out a win, scoring 9-7. One game all, and fitness levels would play the deciding factor. Continuous running by David wore down the opposition, and he comfortably won the final two games of the match. First match to Beaconsfield, and a good start for David’s team squash career!
Match 2: Joe Budzynski v Dennis Killey
Not a significant amount to write home about for this match. Joe’s power and length, combined with some timely boasts, resulted in the first two games going quickly in his favour, 9-2 and 9-1. However, he then took his eye off the prize and let Dennis into an early 5-2 lead for the third game. Wiley play from Dennis and some silly mistakes from Joe resulted in a surprise third game win for Dennis. Joe then got back in the driver’s seat and dominated the fourth game, winning 9-0. Second match to Beaconsfield.
Match 3: John Bullard v Richard Quartermaine
John took the court with knowledge that his match could result in an overall team victory if he achieved a 3-0 result. The first two games went his way with some brilliant play, John using his trademark quickness and frontcourt play to frustrate his opponent. However, in the third game some quality play by Richard resulted in a 9-5 win for the opposition. John quickly recovered though, and confidently managed the fourth and final game of his match, winning by a score of 9-3. Match three to Beaconsfield, but overall team victory not quite guaranteed...
Match 4: Daniel Joy v Mike Spence
Nursing a sore knee that had been obtained during a match earlier in the week, Daniel did well to hide his injury from Mike and just about everyone else watching. This was a battle of ‘who can hit hardest’, and long rallies were part and parcel of the contest. Both players doing brilliant retrieving and a very hot squash ball acting more like a bouncy ball made for an entertaining view from the gallery. Unfortunately for Daniel, the first two games were close but went to Mike by scores of 9-7 and 9-7. For the third game, Daniel seemed to have found his sweet spot, hitting some wonderful drops on the front left and moving Mike around to force mistakes. But, Mike then began reading the new game plan by Daniel and adjusted. The game went to 8-8, then 8-9, then 9-9....with both players making agonizing mistakes to switch places in the service box, accompanied by loud gasps of shock from the gallery along the way. An ill-advised forehand boast from Daniel clipped the top of the tin, handing serve back to Mike. With one fell service, drifting away from Daniel’s backhand and into the back court, the ball nicked out for an impossible retrieval from the back wall.....third and final game to Mike at 10-9, match four to Wellington. A frustrating loss for Daniel, pushing the team result to 9-6 and ensuring the final match would be the decider, requiring Heather to win at least one game.
Match 5: Heather Joy v Andy Mason
After the entertaining yet frustrating match between Daniel and Mike, Heather took charge of the court in her games against Andy. Businesslike in her shot selection and controlling the game efficiently, Heather cruised to a very confident win. Scores of 9-2, 9-0, and 9-2 showed the quality of her play and delivered the overall team match victory to Beaconsfield.
Final Match Score
Beaconsfield Warriors: 12 Games, 4 Matches won
Wellington 5: 6 Games, 1 Match won
Overall winner: Beaconsfield Warriors
Fixtures and table can be found at:
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