Broadberry Sports

I travelled the mile-and-a-half to Whitecraigs Rugby Club to play the early match against Garry McKay (you know Garry, from Inverness). And with an 6.30pm start and a veggie meal already secured, it was going to be a good night!

Now, I remember Garry playing for Broomhill about 10 years ago and he was pretty good then and guess what he’s pretty good now as well. Well, far to good for me at any rate and handed me a choppin’ at No.2. Didn’t even give me a run!

The normal weekly scenario happened next, when none of the available players match up, so we have to play ‘squash puggy’ and wait for a couple of Bells. End ing this game was Andrew Glen and he was on next at No.5 against Allan McKay (you know Allan who hails from Inverness!). Andrew is on a roll at the moment, with 2 West League wins out of 2. Tonight, he once again played a really solid game and even in the tight moments managed to hold his nerve (helped somewhat by a few mistakes by Allan it has to be said). Three more points to the total and Andrew’s 100% record is still intact.

Next on at No.3 was Finlay McGhee for DLWE against Dougie Emery. This was always going to be a tough one with Dougie on his home ‘Banbury-style’ courts (no not the Inverness courts). Could Fin get on the volley quickly enough? The result was 3-0 to Dougie, so the answer was ‘no, he couldn’t’ – however as I say, it was a big ask, against a very good opponent and on the different style courts.

Next on were the No.1 with Craig Valente-Wallace for us, against Andy MacBean (fae Inverness!). This was the match of the night with Andy going 2-0 up and Craig, going from defence to attack, evening things up at 2-2. And so to the 5th! Both men were pretty tired now, but Craig got what looked like a winning lead, with a brilliant backhand volley at 8-6; he was going to be difficult to catch from there. At match ball Andy was given a ‘let’ and then he magnanimously refused to take it on reflection.  So another M.O.T.M. performance from Craig this week – it’s great watching him play like that.

So 2-2 in the match (just like a Wednesday West League should be) and last up were the No.4s with Paul Treon for DLWE and Scott Hay for the Rugby club. This was a good match especially early on when Paul was fresh! Paul was hitting some tremendous winning shots, followed by the odd tin (or 3), followed by another cracker of a shot. On the other hand Scott was getting everything back and really piling on the pressure. The 1st game was very close and the 2nd game was close-ish, but as the match proceeded Paul made more mistakes and Scott looked like he had plenty left in the tank. So a 3-0 win to a very fit looking Scott (who has been to Inverness on his holidays).

Close, but no cigar! A 3-2 loss and just the 6 points in the bag. Still a pint and a veggie curry later and it didn’t seem as bad. There was a sighting of Ewan ‘Nessie’ Hearns at the club as he joined the team meal and he’ll strengthen the WRC line up when he returns.

A week off next week and then onward to Christmas! (10 weeks to go! I know!)

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DLWE Musketeers Paulthos, Fintagnan & Swing-amis

Well Giffnock 1 are always a tough proposition and as I’d moved to No.2 at the moment I thought ‘at least I wouldn’t have to get tonked by Owen Hadden….. again!’ However he’s also up to No.2 so nae luck there either!

First home match of the season and when I arrived early I found Ken McBrearty knocking up (for Newlands 3), so I joined him for a tune up. The hit soon deteriorated into squash-teckers with each of us trying to play a more ridiculous shot! (It was a draw! Topspin-forehand-volley-nic versus lob-boast-roller!).

Owen soon arrived to break up these shenanigans and although I started well in our match the inevitable soon kicked in and Owen was well in control. The gulf was so big that we ended up playing a sub-conscious training game, by pumping everything to the back (but he won this as well!).

Next on was ‘Andrew (100% record) Glen’ at No.5 against Calum Stout. I was only half watching this and every time I glanced at a rally, I saw it Calum winning in the main, but all the rallies were hard and Andrew was definitely playing well. When I saw Andrew later I said “Unlucky” to which he replied, “What do you mean I won!” (maybe MOTM again this week for Andrew? Still with his 100%-win record!).

Paul Treon was on next v Matt Stout and Paul lost a very one sided 1st game, but played much better after that and although it was 3-0, the last 2 games were much tighter and he made his opponent work for it.

On next were the No.1s with Craig Valente-Wallace v Stu George. Craig wanted to borrow my Harrow Vapor racket, so what could I say! But I’m glad I did; what a game this was and an unbelievably gutsy performance from Craig. Stu took the 1st reasonably comfortably, but Craig countered with a much more attacking game and some unbelievable physicality; he was throwing himself around the court like a man possessed. The 2nd was tight, but Stu edged it – and the 3rd was another ding-dong, but Craig won that one (great team point!). The 4th was more convincing for Stu, as Craig was like the proverbial burst-baw! (having said that he still chased everything he could). I could easily give MOTM to Craig for that performance, fantastic to watch.

Last on was Finlay McGhee and after last week’s heroics, he was really up against it this week v Chris Murphy. Unfortunately there was just too much of a gulf between the two players, but it didn’t stop Fin playing really well, especially in the 2nd game. However Chris was in control of the match and won 3-0.

So a loss of 4-16, but realistically quite a good performance against one of the Division’s top teams.

Both chicken & veggie pasta for dinner and it was hot, great and there was plenty of it! Result!

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