Summer Squash: Warriors at Bracknell

Having had a four week break since their last match, the Warriors were keen to get back to action against Bracknell 4. Well....some of them were. Ok, only two. Three cancellations from the scheduled team members resulted in some last minute recruitment, with only one spot able to be filled by Jez Harrop. Lucky to have managed to get at least three players, the team headed out to try and maximize on available points...

Match 1: John Bullard v Craig Gilbert

A rematch from the first fixture at Beaconsfield, John and Craig started the evening with an exciting first game. Craig seemed a bit out of sorts to begin with and John took full advantage, jumping out to a 8-0 lead. Craig, however, was not going to give up and decided to make it a fight. Slowly working his way back into the game, the mental anguish for John came when scores drew level at 8-8. After coming that far, Craig kept his momentum going to win at 10-8. The second game started more evenly, but John managed a win to equalize with a score of 9-4. In the third, John led the way but a short break was required for injury when John’s tactics suddenly included ‘hit your opponent in the face with a racquet.’ A quick inspection revealed no lasting damage to Craig, and the match continued. John, feeling no sympathy for Craig, won the third at 9-4 again. The fourth game was a bit closer, but John sorted a win at 9-7 to take the first match for Beaconsfield.

Match 2: Jez Harrop v Peter Webb

A new recruit to the team, and having not played in recent months due to injury, Jez was very keen to get on court and see if he could remember how to hit a squash ball. A good start to the match saw some long rallies and Jez seemed to get the feel back quickly, but in the end the first game went to Peter at 9-7. Mentally strong, Jez shook off the first game loss to work his way to a 6-0 lead in the second game. But, then disaster struck and Peter was able to work his way back to 7-7 and continue to a 9-7 win. Jez did well to make the third game competitive, but yet again fell on a score of 9-7. Second match and overall match win to Bracknell 4.

Match 3: Joe Budzynski v Matt Morgan

Another rematch from the first fixture, Joe was confident he could pull out a win. The first game started slowly, with a very warm court making it difficult to end points....serve was going back and forth for the first five or six long rallies. However, a few strings of points and mistakes from Matt ended the game in quick and unusual fashion, 9-0 to Joe. The second game started with Joe pushing to a 5-0 lead, but ended much closer at 10-8 as Matt seemed to collect himself. But, keeping the pressure up, Joe then took the third game on a score of 9-2. Third and final match of the evening to Beaconsfield.

Final Match Score

Beaconsfield Warriors: 6 games, 2 matches won

Bracknell 4: 10 games, 3 matches won

Overall winner: Bracknell 4

Scores, fixtures, and table can be found on the club notice board and at:

http://www.berkshiresquash.org/leagues/summer/

Beyond Chutzpah: Beaconsfield v Booker 1

Tim Westall writes:

Beaconsfield 1 vs. Booker

On a beautiful summer’s evening, what better way to spend a few hours than chasing some bloody stupid mega-bouncy blue ball around a fetid racketball court in High Wycombe?

 Yes, this was our last match of the interclub racketball tournament, and after last week’s wimp-out from Wycombe, this was a double-header we had to win.

 With squad members thin on the ground we called upon Phil Collings and Richard Cottrell from the second team to bolster numbers.

Proceedings got underway with me playing Dave, a lanky ex-squash player who looked like he knew his way around the court. I was still quite jetlagged from my shenanigans in Asia last week so was a bit concerned about being able to focus. Luckily I needn’t have worried as the match quickly zipped past with a 3-0 win in 15 minutes.

Next on was Phil against an awkward leftie (aren’t they all?) and 2 games up in 15 minutes. Phil then had a bit of a wobble (he’d been playing squash earlier in the evening) and was 10-6 down in the third. After 4 game points, Phil rallied and put the match to bed. Another 3-0

Then Richard played Gary – both wearing a fetching combination of red shirt and blue shorts. Very nice boys. Richard was quickly 2-0 up before suffering a similar attack of the Phils, tinning shot after shot and conceding games 3 and 4. Focus returned in game 5 for an unexpectedly tight 3-2 win.

Ches then went on against bandana-wearing Grahame for a very tight match. Ches was suffering from lurgy and the runs – so had conserved energy with just one match earlier in the evening against Lino. He managed to hold it together well for the first couple of games but thereafter was struggling against a determined oppo for nailbiting 2-3 result.

Going against recent form, we then managed to win both doubles matches, leaving us with a satisfactory 15-6 win. That should at least lift us from the relegation zone.

Thanks to all who’ve played over the past couple of months. The schedule and organisation have been horrible but we’ve had some fun.

Beyond Chutzpah: Beaconsfield v Chesham, Booker & Berko 1

Dan writes:

With Capt Tim off to Manilla for a week of work commitments, I took the arm band for the above matches.

The season has see-sawed from several severe thrashings at the hands of Aylesbury A & B, Berko and Tring and a few close matches vs the lower teams, so as the business end of the season approached we were perilously close to the relegation zone.

Cometh the hour cometh the men….

We had drawn 10-10 with Booker earlier in the season when Chez went AWOL to Cyprus so surely with a full team of 4 we would take the victory? With a strong team of Dan, Chez, Trev, Mike we were confident and rightly so as we all won through the singles 12-1. Chez was up against a spiky Bok at 2 who was their best player but despite his protestations he was well marshalled by Chez’s all -court game and Mike as ref. The doubles was another story however…  Quality singles does not translate into guaranteed doubles wins. Chez and I losing 0-2 and Mike Trev 1-2. So a satisfying win 13-5 but more was expected.

Ready for match on Friday 5^th I scrabbled around for players for the re-arranged fixture v Booker. Out of courtesy I put in a call on Thurs lunch just to check the match was on and Booker’s capt very abruptly told me they could ‘never get a team out on Fridays’. Thanks for the notice!

For Berko at home on Mon 8^th (who had stuffed us in the away fixture) Jonny Machin dusted off his short bat, and together with Dan Chez and Mike we were up for it in the 30’ heat. Berko turned up slightly weaker than expected and as we were slightly stronger a close match was anticipated. Jonny played a young buck at 1 whose reputation was fearsome but in practice he was not up to much – more of a no4 than no1. JM coasted to an easy 3-0 victory. I played Mark at 2 who had been playing 1 most of the season and had a humdinger. After an hour we were at 2-2 whilst the other players had already completed both their singles and doubles. Despite letting a 2-0 lead slip I reduced the error count in 5^th to win a close game 11-9. Chez had another great game against Dave their racketball coach who is as broad as he is tall but Chez showing great control and athleticism to win 3-2. Mike at 4 also had a close game, playing Nick who moved well and hit the ball with great aplomb. At 1-1 Mike pulled his calf and the errors crept in losing a tight match 1-3. So at 10-7 on to the doubles. Thankfully Berko were as unco-ordinated in the doubles as we were. Jonny and Chez winning 2-1 and Mike and I scrapped through a close match 11-9, 12-10 : 2-0. Finally a doubles win plus the match victory 14-8.

Last match v Booker (if they bother to turn out!) on Weds 10^th and a win should see us finish mid-table.

Dan

The Hat Club:

We had a bit of a false start with The Hat Club last night... 

Mid afternoon our talent Brian Lopez developed a throat problem that we hoped would clear; it eventually led to him pulling out of the gig at around 7pm... he is currently considering a future in mime...

We carried on regardless with a witless busker and an iPod and still had a great night... about 35 of us in total.

Brian is keen to put right this unfortunate misfire asap.

I really want him to be our first presentation; he's a unique talent and the opportunity is too good to miss. 

I'll be chatting with Brian, Val and Kevin and get back to you as soon as we have a date for your diaries.

Thanks to Alex and Natalie for working the bar so efficiently and for the understanding of all of those who gave up a perfect BBQ evening to be there...

There will obviously be full refunds for those who pre paid. 

Just approach the bar if that's you.

Or... you could leave your money in the hat for next time.

A special 'thank you' should be extended to Paul Austin who provided the PA, doing the 'set up' and 'break down' too...

Onwards!

The Hat Club Launch: Tonight: Brian Lopez: Perfect Music for a Summer Evening

Introducing Brian Lopez, from Tucson, Arizona.


The boy's in town and warming his pipes as we speak.


He's here to kick start 'The Hat Club'.


Have your dinner then head on down to the club.


Doors: Tonight, July 6th, at 7.45pm.


There will be a great selection on our digital jukebox.


And a late bar...


Brian's first set should be at around 8.30 pm.


Get those leather pants out of the attic.


Pull on your dancing shoes.


Don't forget to stretch...

See you there... catch him now before he takes the last train home...

Here's another musical taster of what you can expect.

This is 'Montjuic'.

It's the first track from Brian's debut album 'Ultra', copies of which will be available tonight.

The Hat Club Launch: This Saturday: Brian Lopez

A reminder that we launch the club's musical night 'The Hat Club' this Saturday, July 6.
Fresh from Glastonbury, Brian Lopez from Tucson, Arizona will take time out of his current tour with KT Tunstall to perform an intimate acoustic show.
You will be able to pay on the night but our numbers are limited so...
Book your place in advance by paying at the bar.
- £10 admission
- The evening starts at 7.45pm
- Brian will play two 30 minute sets, the first of which will be at 8.30pm.
Best hat wins a prize...

Click here to see some footage of Brian playing recently at the Pepper Cannister Church in Dublin, followed by an exquisite Lopez original, 'Love Comes Over You'.