Broadberry Sports

Newlands came calling last night and on paper it looked like this could be a close match up, it was certainly the longest match we’d had this season.

I was on first at No.4 against Damien Whelan, all the way from Carlisle and I have to admit I didn’t fancy my chances against Damien’s pace – and when James ‘helpfully’ turned on the two extra heaters, I was even less sure! However, I was able to slow the pace down and get some height and action on the ball, and this helped me to accumulate points one-by-one. Having said that I was down at the end of the 1st game and was lucky to sneak home 12-10 and conversely I was up in the 4th and was lucky to hold on 12-10. Damien was obviously frustrated at losing to an old yin like me and the racket got the full treatment (send it back to Technifibre and say it’s a ‘manufacturing fault’?!?!?!).

Next on was Harry (Anderson) at No.3 v Vicky Bell (also up form Carlisle). Harry had some success against Vicky the last time they met so we were hopeful of some points from Flash, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be tonight. Vicky was ruthless on the volley and used all her match experience to keep Harry at arm’s length for the first two games. It looked like The Flashman was back in the 3rd game as Harry started to get into his stride and zip about the court, entertaining the crowd with multiple reverse boasts, that no one had the brass-neck to applaud (they were funny though)! However, Vicky shut the door in the 4th game, to bring the tie home 3-1.

Next up was ‘2 James Sings’ v Matt Bedwell at No.1 – now James and Matt play/train regularly and they generally have a tough hit, but on the other hand, have you seen Matt’s results this season! He’s flying!! (beating Andrew Glen and John Meehan). No one was anywhere to be seen when a ref was needed, so muggins here had to take the board! I needn’t have worried though, as although there were a couple of testy moments, I was able to negotiate them with the goodwill of both players. Matt was dominant tonight and although it was an exhaustive match with lots of excellent shots and great recovery from both men, ultimately Matt added James to his list of scalps 3-0.

The No.2s stepped up on court next, as Chris (Murphy) took on Fraser McCann all the way from Edinburgh (this team don’t half put the miles in!). This was the match of the night with Fraser going two nil up and Chris evening things up in the 3rd & 4th…….. and so to the 5th! Well, both players were looking a bit white-around-the-gills from all the hard work they’d already done – Chris had to retrieve the relentless pressure and Fraser had to retrieve all the holds and volleys (although he didn’t get the backhand Mizuki boast!). The last game was 12-10 to Fraser with an uncharacteristic tin from Murph at the end, but both men were burst and both thoroughly deserve MOTM tonight.

Last up was our new man Angus Forester (so new, he’s not even on the SSq system yet!) against Carrie Hallam, who is now doctoring in Glasgow (why didn’t you join Whitecraigs Carrie? Probably just as well as I’d have been in the 2nd team!). Carrie was dominant tonight and Angus wasn’t really able to get into the match as Carrie is lethal at the front and difficult to shift off the ‘T’. So an impressive 3-0 to Carrie and the latest finish to an evening’s squash so far this season, with lots of really competitive matches.

A quick shower and then straight into the back-bar for (veggie) chili and a pint or 2 of Erdinger! It was a good atmosphere last night as most of the players stayed for food, exactly as a Wednesday West League Match should be (unless you have to travel home a hundred miles!).