Broadberry Sports

We go again! SSRC 1 came calling tonight and they brought with them the PSA World Ranked 124^th player, so this was going to be a tough one!

After coaching a young 10 year old lad, who is on his way to Aberdeen for the Scottish Nationals this weekend (watch out for the name Glyn in the coming years) and sweeping the courts I was ready to go.

Chris (Murphy) was first up tonigh as he was dying to get away to party with his mate who was away to Oz. I said bring hime to the Back Bar for a proper send off, but that was only the stand-by option! Anyway Chris played Dan Wearing at No.2 and this could have be a real tough one as Dan is an excellent player – just look at his recent results this season. However Murph is also playing well and has really hit his stride in January, I even caught him training this week (there will be a hefty punishment for that at the end of the season night oot!). Anyway, tonight Chris had two mates there to watch him, so he had some extra motivation and he used it to full effect as he reduced Dan’s chances with every shot and kept a really good player at arm’s length. So a magnificant 3-0 win to Chris (but no way am I giving him M.O.T.M. again).

Next up was Flash-Harry (Anderson) v Jessy Mills at No.3. This was a tough watch tonight as the mecurial FFFLLLLASH was right in it when he was 1-0 and also up in the 2nd, but unfortunately he just couldn’t hold on to take that game (I reckon if he had won the 2nd, he would have gone on to win the match!). These two players are rapid around the court and it was great to watch the physicality, however Jessy wrestled the game back and gained the confidence to go on and take the next two as well, and win the tie.

Angus (Forster) was on next at No.5 against Chris Holt and before they had even hit a ball, I thought Angus would have a great chance, as both men play similar, hard hitting games but Angus had 40+ years on Chris, so his extra pace and speed were surely going to make a difference, and so it proved. Chris wasn’t happy with the way he played tonight and he saved his best run of points for when he was match ball down, for an unlikely comeback! But Angus fell over the line and won the tie 3-0 with a good strong overall performance.

I was on next, and this tie was probably going to decided the match! I don’t mind this, as usually I’m playing someone with less experience than me, so it gives me a decent chance. So who was I playing tonight? ………… only Brian Robertson………….. the one person with more experience than me! Ho-hum, do your best even though things haven’t gone well against Brian for a while.

In the 1st game my serves were poor and Brian hit some great soft drops to keep me at arm’s length – 1 game down…….. watch out for his soft cross courts that are winning points every time he plays them – 2 games down….. and at 9-5 down in the 3rd, although I was still determined….. I also felt that maybe this match had passed me by.

However Angus was in my corner and his Churchillian motivation kept me going. Fortunately Brian put a few shots down, which helped me come back to take the 3rd – and Angus was in my ear from then on stratagising and motivating me (AND I changed rackets from my Harrow Vapor to my trusty Spark – must be the racket, couldn’t possibly be me!). I won a tight 4th game and after that I took control of the tie – and the crowd helped me across the finishing line in the 5th (especially when I got annoyed about a decision…… grow up you fool!). So I was delighted to turn this one around and bring home the extra 3 team points, being cheered on by Glyn, who was allowed to stay out late to watch the match!

So courtside for the last tie, as the P.S.A. ranked 124 in the world – Ali Prott – took centre stage. To say this was a tough one for James was a bit of an understatement! Having said that, James was up 6-4 in the 1st game and was looking very good. Unfortunately for us, Ali then ramped the pressure up 100% and won 18 of the next 22 points and was soon 2 games up, and well in control of the match. The 3rd game saw James really make it tough for the man who made his full Scottish debut in December at the WSF World Team Championships in New Zealand. However, ultimately Ali’s full-time training was just too much for James tonight and the power he has at his disposal, along with great length and good touch at the front made him a great player to watch as he took the tie 3-0 (and annoyingly he’s also a really nice guy!).

So into the Back Bar to see the last minutes of the Liverpool match, which I would have loved to see, but obviously, squash comes first! The spicy (veggie) chillie for dinner was excellent (the 2nd portion was even better!) and despite the fact that we were two men down for dinner, the SSRC boys made up for that and were a great bunch.

The team were delighted with the 13-8 win. A great team effort, as we wouldn’t have sneaked this one without all 5 of us playing our parts! (PS – is that January over already?)