Broadberry Sports

Someone asked me why I don’t do a racketball match report and the quick answer is because there is not the same buzz as a Wednesday squash match. But I though I’d give it a go anyway as we have played 2 matches (in a massive 5 week season) already, I thought I’d do a ‘buy one get 1 free’ match report!

Last week we played SSRC at our place and although we won 4-0, all the matches were all keenly contested. I played Jack Fenton at No.2 and we had a great ding-dong. Jack was far younger and fitter than me, but he said he felt like he was ‘taxied’ on every shot we played. Not true, but it was nice of him to say that as every game was extremely tight and maybe just a bit of experience helped me at the crucial times.

Meanwhile James (Singh) was having his own ‘back and forth’ against Jesse Mills at No.1 and Jesse admitted after, that whenever he got a sniff of winning, James just refused to make any errors and ended up winning…don’t you just hate it when your opponent does that! #bloodyrunners

Ollie (Millen) was on against Scotty (tin foil hat) Mowatt at No.3. I didn’t see this match, as I was on court, but I like to think that Ollie asked if the moon landings ever happened in the 1^st game and while Scotty was in full flow Ollie sneaked the game. Then at the start of the 2^nd Ollie asked if Princess Diana died as a result of a simple car accident, and Scotty went into overdrive about the CIA or MI5 or something like that –  and lost that one as well, then when Ollie brought up ‘Covid 19’ at the start of the 3^rd game, Scotty’s head just exploded …..! 🤣

At No.4 Paul (Geri) played Big Al McKenzie, and this was another tight one. Again a 3-0 to us, but if Al had not let Paul get 5 points ahead at the start of every game then things could have been very different. The game scores were all quite tight, so this crucial lead at the start of each game made the difference (a good home win to kick the season off).

This week we played ‘Newlands 2’ and Ollie had been waiting since about 5pm so obviously his opponent didn’t turn up til 8pm!

I was on first against Mic Cockburn tonight, and as the ball was flying off Mic’s racket at 150mph in the knockup and as I’d been flittin all day, I knew I’d have to get the legs moving to stand any chance.

You know there is never a ‘good’ time to hit a tin, but there is definitely a ‘bad’ time to do it! So anyway, I remember being 4-6 down and thinking I could do with Mic hitting a tin here! Mic never does things by halves… and 4 tins later I was 8-6 up and fortunately the next game went my way as well. I was soon 2-0 up, however in the 3^rd game Mic was dominant – he was up about 9-4, but just then I got him on the end of a really long rally and with that I managed to turn the tables. I fully expected Mic to tie his shoelaces for 2 mins or play for time some other way, but fortunately Mic is a gentleman and despite puffing, he kept the pace high and I was able to claw the match back and win the 3^rd (Jase wins on fitness again!! I’m only one vowel away from being fit!).

James was on against Gavin Mach at No.1 next, and this match was only ever going to go one way. Apparantly Gav was particurly annoyed about James being so consistent and let the crowd know all about it! But it didn’t change anything and James sailed home emperiously!

Paul (Geri) was on at No.4 against Alan Susskind. I took over the marking a 1-1 and not long after Alan was 2-1 up……… well I’ve played Alan loads over the years and so I offered Paul some advice, and he was able to implement it really effectively to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat and win 3-2.

Last on was Ollie Millen against Andrew Morris (although James said ‘This looks like Ollie is playing himself!” 😂😂😂). This turned out to be a great game with plenty of lovely touch shots (as well as the odd duffer into the floor!). Both men were puffing and panting, but equally both retrieved some improbable shots to make the match highly entertaining. Ollie won the tie 3-0 but both players were looking a bit red around the gills by the end of the tie. So another good win in Match week 2 and a week off next week.

James and I watched the footie and talked all things squash (57 or otherwise!) and the Doc joined us later, to tell us some jokes! The best medicine!

Why are the racketball leagues not quite as good a Wednesday night out as the Wednesday squash leagues? Well having thought about this for quite some time, I can only put it down to the food afterwards. What else can it be? Racketball is just a version of squash (same court, same rules (ish), same players, same day!). The only difference is that after every racketball match everyone leaves, but for squash most players make an effort to stay for a drink and food. Maybe it’s just my chat!