Our Captain (Ashers) has been preoccupied somewhat and the deputy Captain Fernandez (Dan who Dares) promptly seconded yours truly (Rhino) to do the team report.
Star- Date: 2-10-2013
Location: Chesham Bois
Players (In ranked order): (Jonny)Running Machin(e): (Adam) Sick Note: Dan Dares: (Chris) Rhino: The Pig
The Running Machine kicked of our season in possibly his first ever showing at 1 in Div1 against a talent that is Phil Taylor and made his mark he did. The result show a 3-1 win to Jonny and that is how it will be remembered. Jonny wanted some perspective with regard to the fact that he has 2 legs and his opponent just the 1½ . But I have told him a win is a win and we a re grateful.
Sick Note eased himself back to squash after a lengthily layoff with a tricky oppo - Mike Thorpe - that manifested an untidy game but the experience and last drops of energy that Adam called on was enough to pull through. 3-2, there is more to come from Adam so a positive start indeed.
I followed on against Neil Hinds. I have played Neil many times in the last 20 years and at best have registered 2 wins and today was not one of them 0-3, I take some comfort in his ranked position relative to ability is probably on the generous side.
The Pig kindly filling in for Ashers tour down under started very well but a combination of the previous nights efforts and then Rob Parry finding his range 1-3
No prizes for guessing the last man up, has anyone ever seen him go on 1st? Anyhow it was worth the wait as this was the game of the night. With Dan cruising through the 1st and the second was well on its way when Simon Ross found his way into the game (and the I cant say before you knew it as it was now pretty late and we were getting very hungry) it was 2-2. As before Dan would run up a 6 point advantage only to find it levelled back up. How often do we find ourselves at the end of the evening with everything hanging on the last game of the last match anyhow Dan Dare did dare to take a few chances that finally paid off and as we all know he who dares……wins! So a tight night with the spread of points 10-10 but the winners spoils of the bonus 4 to the good guys. A good start to our campaign.
Star-Date: 9-10-2013
Location: Beaconsfield
Players (In ranked order): (Mike McLaughlin) The Real McCoy: (Jonny)Running Machin(e): (Adam) Sick Note: Dan Dares: (Chris) Rhino
With two teams back in Div1 some strengthening was required especially at the top order to avoid the Tigers requiring the dreaded parachute payment next season. So welcome with me if you will Mike who kicked of proceedings against young Alex Hartley. The opening salvo were a brace of hand in/outs of 40/50 shot rallies with no ¼ given or taken. It was exhausting to mark but neither player appeared to show any effects. It felt like a good 10 minutes before a point was won and it was Alex's hard worked advantage. The next few went with Alex before Mike finally got on the board but the momentum swung back to Alex to take the 1st game. Mike came out stronger in the second commanding the T bossing Alex around the court. There were still no easy points but Alex was making more errors. 1-1 The same applied to the 3rd with Mike looking more comfortable. 2-1. Expectations from the home crowd were soon vanquished as Alex found his way back into the game, it was brutally hard squash still long rallies with great court coverage both players still attempting to look unflustered and take control but Alex got it back to 2-2. Was Mike spent? Quite the opposite, the 4th game was the best that Alex had to offer and it toll was taken in legs and heart as Mike backed up his squash with his stamina to show us all he is a great asset to the Tigers and yes The Real McCoy. (3-2)
Adam Anderton was gracing court 4 aside Mike and as I was marking I did not see too much. He took the 1st two games before the lack of court time took hold of his game and at this level tiny margins are all that is required for the advantage to swing. But 2 points to add to his 3 last week are a great contribution to the cause. 2-3
I went on next once again vs an opponent that I have played many times in the last 20 years. My record much better here thankfully but any game against Mark Mellett is going to go the distance as he never ever gives up. We had some good exchanges to start but Mark found his stride quicker than I and took the 1st. I was pleased to settle down in the 2nd and took it for 2 points and even happier in the 3rd when I won to love. No surprises to those that know us to hear that Mark fought back strongly in the 4th to level things up but I had run him hard. So here we are again fighting a 5th. I quickly take control and cash in on the 4th to take the final game to love. 3-2
I get back to see that Running Machin(e) is having a ding dong with Tor Stockdale and is 2-1 up. The rallies are tight and the pace is high but Jonny holds on to win in 4. 3-1 and a second win secured.
Can we seal it off in the last match with Dan Dare and Ozzie Mustafa. Ozzie gets the better start and takes the 1st. Dan gets involved in the 2nd but loses 10-8. The odds of Ozzie holding on at this pace are slim but hold on he does taking the final game 10-8, so sadly no icing on the cake but a win against Holmer Green is no mean feat, well done to all.
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