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 | Fixture Details | |  | | |
Home | Return to Division Fixtures
| Nom | Home Player | Nom | Away Player | Result | Games |
| 1 | Tim Garner | 2 | Mark Aldridge | 3 | 0 | 9/6 10/8 9/5 | | 4 | Steve Harsum | 4 | Gordon McManus | 1 | 3 | 9/4 2/9 0/9 6/9 | | 3 | Duncan Marlow | 6 | Mark Lennox | 0 | 3 | 8/10 6/9 8/10 | | 5A | Andy Moore | 5 | Andy Wilde | 0 | 3 | 2/9 6/9 5/9 | | 6 | Ian Armstrong | 8 | Ray Bushell | 2 | 3 | 9/6 3/9 9/2 5/9 8/10 | | | | | | | | | | | Games: | 6 | 12 | |
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| | | Bonus: | 0 | 5 | |
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| | | Result: | 6 | 17 | |
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| Report: | With the Division 1 league table virtually on fire with competition, Biggin Hill knew a defeat against DulwichSki (name donated by graceful loser Ian McMeckan), would diminish a large chunk of the lead Biggin Hill had crafted. The bad news was that regular number 4 John Lane, was away taking part in the semi final of the MET Police tourney (bad priorities lead to demotion down the playing order); and regular number 5, Simon ‘the whippet’ Wanford was lording it up on the slopes of Chamonix – and the hills of a few ladies I’m sure. The good news however was that it opened the door to ‘big gun’ Mark Aldridge, and ‘old gun’ Andy Wilde.
The current lead as it stood was just 19 points above 2nd place rivals Cannons, then Bexley 22 points, and with their last 4 successive wins, DulwichSki were soon becoming the banana skin of the league – a slip here could be costly..
The Biggin Hill team turned up nice and early (not Gordon though – fashionably late of course) and were greeted by a rather attractive bar maid (according the our resident debt collector (Bushell) – my girlfriend reads these, yours doesn’t, sorry mate). Also greeting us, apart from the pretty little thing behind the bar (and she really was lovely), were the DulwichSki team who were evidently up for battle and knew they were in with a chance of turning over the humble Hill team.
First on court was DulwichSki’s number 3 (switched from 2 – fed up of getting beaten by Gordon), Duncan Marlow against Biggin Hill’s Team Captain and day to day smashing guy Mark Lennox. This tie had a little history after the two had played at Brixton in Surrey Cup – Lennox was the 3-1 victor last time after a tough ‘barging’ battle.
The first went to Lennox 10-8 despite being well up in the game and conceding a number unforced bad boys. The second was far more comfortable, and the third actually had Marlow serving for game point - although short lived as Lennox hit a dead nick followed by the same on match point. 3-0 to Lennox.
Meanwhile on the other court, Biggin Hill’s stand in (and a good stand in at that) ‘old gun’ Andy Wilde had stepped up, taken on, and defeated opponent Andy Moore. Whilst Lennox was still in the 2nd game, Wilde could be seen in the gallery supping down a good honest pint. Good work Andy, you deserved to have a beer in your hand by 8pm!
Next up was the tie that was always going to secure the points, Biggin Hill’s Debt Collector Ray Bushell v DulwichSki’s resident David Seaman lookilikie Ian Armstrong.
Seaman saved the first game only to have the debt swiftly recovered back to 1-1. The 3rd game was caught by Seaman with ease as it looked like the Debt Collector would collect no more.. until he duly stole the fourth to bring it back to the fifth and final game. Fortunately (for Hill that is), the Debt Collector declared Seaman insolvent as he finally won the 5th 10/8.
With the victory in the bag, any other points would be a well earned bonus.
On the other court, possibly the strongest fixture the priory has seen in years. Ex World No. 26 Tim Garner (reason for DulwichSki), v Over 35 Surrey champion Mark Aldridge. I’d love to report on this one but by the time I left the gallery to grab my pint, some bast*rd had robbed my vantage point – so much for press cards!! Anyway from what was seen, the squash was outstanding and from both players. It finally finished 3-0 to the bionic man (Tim Garner) – although previously unbeaten Mark Aldridge amassed a very respectable 19 points.
Might I say that it is fantastic to see the Priory attracting such great players to the league – very impressive stuff.
Last up, was Biggin Hill’s Gordon (I’m going to drop the first game out of principle) McManus v Steve (The Doctor) Harsum.
McManus dropped the first game.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, saw McManus back to his superior self dominating the court with speedy movement, deadly accurate attacks, and deceptive trickery that only McManus will ever understand. 3-1 to the old faithful and it looks like the Doctor’s game could do with a bit of old fashioned nursing..
Overall 4-1 to the mighty Hill.
We came, we saw, we went home – with a smile.
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| Author: | Mark Lennox |
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