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Home | Return to Division Fixtures
| Nom | Home Player | Nom | Away Player | Result | Games |
| 2 | Alan Briscoe | 7 | Keith Hibberd | 3 | 2 | 7,9 7,9 9,2 9,5 9,5 | | 7 | Chris Humphrey | 9 | Justyn Perkins | 3 | 0 | 9,6 9,3 10,9 | | 11 | Graham Beale | 10 | Mehmet Yusuf | 3 | 2 | 9,5 9,3 6,9 3,9 9,5 | | 12 | Kevin Jacques | 12 | Mick Harrison | 2 | 3 | 9,3 9,4 8,10 0,9 3,9 | | 22 | Dave Johnson | 14 | Richard Mason | 3 | 2 | 7,9 9,4 9,5 5,9 9.7 | | | | | | | | | | | Games: | 14 | 9 | |
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| | | Bonus: | 5 | 0 | |
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| | | Result: | 19 | 9 | |
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| Report: | This was a closely contested match where the score line doesn’t really tell the whole story. This 4-1 victory for Cobdown could so easily have been a 4-1 win for Old Elthamians. 4 matches went to 3-2, which resulted in a long evening of competitive squash
FYB had some explaining to do to his teammates, as they demanded to know whom he thought would lose. It would seem more people than I thought take an interest in the Courtspy challenge where FYB had predicted a 4-1 win for Cobdown. He diplomatically nominated Cagey who, as it turned out, duly lost (5-0 to Cobdown in future predictions then!)
First match up saw BB, resplendent in his ‘Cabbage’ shirt (soon to appear in the site gallery) take on Mehmet. Determined not to retain the shirt he put in a commanding performance, playing some neat squash to go 2-0 up. At this point the old BB returned and with Mehmet upping his game the next 2 games went the way of the visitor. Didn’t see any of the 5th but BB dug in to turn the match his way eventually running out a worthy 3-2 winner.
DJ against Richard on the other court also proved to be a tense affair. With DJ thinking that tight to a length somehow means 4 foot from the wall and half court, Richard was in his element and took the 1st with a number of excellent backhand drops and boasts. DJ turned it around and tightened up his game to take the 2nd and 3rd with Richard starting to tire. However DJ is never one to win easily and is always likely to open the gate for his opponent. This he duly did in the 4th returning to his style of play of the 1st. 2-2 and teammates frustrated! However DJ is never one to duck out and took a 7-2 lead in the 5th before the expected mini-collapse, which allowed Richard back into the match. DJ held his nerve to take the 5th 9-7.
Slim against Justin was the quickest match of the night with Slim racing into a 2-0 lead. Justin didn’t get into any sort of rhythm and errors at crucial points in the rally enabled Slim to play his game under no real pressure. He still had to play his shots, which he did with some style. However in the 3rd Justin cut out the errors and with some excellent front-court play started to get the upper hand. Slim fought back and saved several game points against to win the 3rd 10-9 and take the tie 3-0
No real candidates for the cabbage shirt at this point put the pressure on cagey & FYB to perform.
Cagey against Mick looked like it was going to be another relatively safe win when Cagey also took a 2-0 lead. His willingness to chase the ball always keeps him in the rally and when he throws in some of those wonderful volley drops, he often take his opponents by surprise. However with Cagey starting to tire in the 3rd Mick played some impressive squash to edge a tight 3rd 10-8. With the crowd actively supporting both players Mick had the upper hand and controlled the game from thereon in comfortably taking the 4th and 5th. Cagey disappointed and teammates looking for suitable comments to further ensure he wallows in self pity!
FYB and Keith renewed rivalries from previous seasons in another close contest. With FYB ‘fresh’ (not) from the Priory A tournament making unaccustomed errors Keith took full advantage and had FYB on the run with a selection of shots which used the court to its full. The 2nd went pretty much the same way with Keith capitalizing on any loose shots, putting them away with style, much to the enjoyment of his teammates. The home crowd was beginning to wonder if FYB had ‘shot his lot’ with FYB 2-0 down and looking haggard. The customary betting then started as FYB fought his way back into the match by cutting out the errors and tightening up on his serves. Keith had no reply to some of the serves in the 3rd & 4th which clung to the sidewalls and died in the back corners. FYB was back in the match at 2-2 with few betting against him winning in the 5th. Clever use of shots and tactics of putting the ball where your opponent isn’t saw Keith starting to tire and FYB finally closed out the 5th for a victory which hadn’t looked on the cards.
A match thoroughly enjoyed by all players ended with a belated trip to the bar and many ‘if-only’ discussions. Unfortunately the Old Elthamians players couldn’t give us a steer on what Real Ale they were offering for the return but DJ gamely volunteered to drive (didn’t he?).
Cagey’s performance in losing a match from 2-0 up saw him nominated as the weeks worst performer and will see him proudly don the ‘shirt’ for the next league outing.
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| Author: | FYB |
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