Archive
Optical Express D.L.W.E. v Hamilton (away) 27th Sept. 2017
1st game back and where are the most unusual courts in the West to go and pay on? Whitecraigs RFC you say – well maybe, but I was thinking about the Hamilton saunas.
Still things were looking up as we had an early start with 2 games on before 6pm. And what’s more we were 2-0 up, so it would be a short night at Hamilton right? Well you’d think!
The 2 matches in question were our new No.5 Andrew Glen & our old No.1 Craig (4-team-shirts) Valente Wallace and both did the on-court business. Andrew had his first ever victory in Division 1, with a 3-0 over Norman Patterson (so MOTM surely to Andrew!) and Craig beat Calum 3-1 (surviving a game ball to Calum in the 4th).
All it would take was for me to win at No.2 and secure the points! Right? Wrong! Chris McGeady had other ideas and was up 2-0 and 9-3 before you could say “What’s the ****ing temperature on this court!” Then an unlikely comeback began as I won the 3rd 12-10 and then the 4th as well – but Chris recouped just at the right time to take a tough 5th game and the match.
Well Paul Treon would definitely bring the match home! 11-3 in the 1st – easy! But Steven Healey had other ideas as well! He won the 2nd 13-11 and then the next 2 as well! Disaster!! (MOTM to Stephen)
Finlay McGhee v Colin Towers were on last at 2-2 in ‘The Battle for Hobbiton’ (!)
Great start for Fin going 2-0 up with some punishing rallies, but Colin fought back in a lung busting 3rd to take it to 2-1 and in the 4th he was in charge as well. Was there a nail-biting 5th to look forward to then? Just then, Fin got back into the match with some much straighter play and an amazing run of points, from 1-7 down, to 12-10 up, which meant he won an unlikely game and the match victory was ours (and he secured the bonus points as well!).
Quote of the Night from Norman:
Fin “As the home team, do you find the courts hot, Norman?
Norman “Well they’re good for growing tomatoes in!”
Calum remembered I was a veggi so a very nice meal for me and curry for the lads (and rice only for Colin T – only the 2nd time I’ve seen him eat after a match, in about 25 years!).
Discussions on the intricacies of the “Hamilton Ladder Challenge” system ensued! Turns out you can be 1 one week and 5 the next! But you must accept the challenge!
It’s good to be back on a Wednesday night – especially with a 15-8 team win.
(checkout ‘Broadberry Sports’ on Facebook to see some video clips of the match)
2017-18 West Leagues Start Tonight – let the fun begin! Here’s the 1st Division line up
Optical Express DLWE v Giffnock 1 (away) on Wednesday 10th March 2017
Just a quick report this week as we had the pleasure of playing Giffnock first team on Wednesday and so probably suffered the same fate as most teams this season, which was a chopping!
First on was Doglas against Stuart Pitt. A good hard match but Stuart was just too good when it mattered. 3-0 to Stuart (after Douglasses remarks about my terrible serve two weeks ago it was particularly funny to see him serve into the floor this week! Mind you at least he didn’t split his shorts again!). He did have a game ball mind you!
Next on was Finlay against Niall Morris. This was a lung busting match with both the first and second games going on for ever. After numerous game balls Finley manage to secure the second game and secure of the team point as well! Man of the match to Findlay for that!
The third and fourth games were not as tough as Finley was tiring so 3-1 to Niall (best shot was a corkscrew that Niall managed to hit out ! I didn’t think he had that shot in his armoury. Obviously he doesn’t 😄
I was on next against Owen and not much to say about this except chopped 3-0. Shot of the match was my chip onto the massive peice of missing plaster, which turned my lob into a drop!
Craig was ill, but turned out anyway, but too tough to run around the stick man that it James Singh. James seemed to have misplaced his fishing racket tonight and was as quick as quick thing from quicksville!
Last on was Jason Lang v Stu George at No.1. Stu was always going to dominate this one and the scoreline would suggest that he did. However there were plenty of times that Stu had to show how good he was at retrieving, with Jase dominating many rallies. Having said that Stu got Jason with a couple of great taxis!
So 3-0 to Stu and 18-1 to the Champions. Although it was 18-1 to me in terms of slices of pizza eaten in the bar! And as Barca stuck in their 6th goal the place erupted- didn’t know this was the Glasgow Branch of the Barcelona Supporters Club!
Optical Express DLWE v Strathgryffe – Away Match Report 1st March 2017
Strathgryffe 2 tonight away and with all their upcoming juniors Strathgryffe “are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get!”
We got an early start this week and when I arrived at 6.50pm the No.1s were on. Jason Lang had just finished his 1st game v Calum Carswell, which he won 11-9, so Calum obviously started really well, but Jase went onto dominate this one and won 3-0. I didn’t see much of it as I began marking Doug Macmillan v Neil Richardson at No.4. Again Doug was well in charge of this one, although whenever Neil got it on the left hand side (his forehand) he was causing all sorts of problems, but a good 3-0 win for the big Doug and he didn’t even rip his shorts this week! (must be on a diet! 😉 )
I was called on court whilst marking Doug’s 2nd game so I didn’t see the end of that either, but when I told my opponent (15 year old Ruadhri McDougal) who had been knocking up for a good few minutes, that we were playing he said “I haven’t done my warm up yet I’ll be back soon” – to which I replied “I haven’t done mine either that’s why I’m here!” must be a generation thing?!?!
Well, you know this could potential banana skin when the coaches & sponsors start watching the young prodigy, so I was happy to get off to a good start 11-6. But after a few sage words from his coach (Martin Woods) Ruadhri came back a different player and only a few of his mistakes at the business end of the game saved me – 2nd game 11-9. The 3rd was much more convincing for me, as I slowed things down and played ‘old man’ squash against the youngster! So a good 3-0 win for me and it will probably be the last time I ever beat him!
The other match was Strathgryffe 1 v SSRC, but due to late arrivals Finlay McGhee had snuck onto the other court and was playing Gary McIlree at No.3. This was a good one to watch with Fin putting in a good shift as ever, but Gary had taken the 1st game 11-9. However Fin came storming back to win the next two. The 3rd was 12-10 and both men had game balls, but eventually Fin eked the last couple of points to take it 3-1 (MOTM to Fin I’d say & Gary for them).
So last on at about 8pm (!) was Paul Treon v Steve Archibald (who was looking good since playing in the ’82 World Cup!). Steve made things difficult, but Paul won this 3-0 and although there were long rallies Paul ended up on the right side of most of them.
With all the early matches, we were in the bar for 9pm and I’m beginning to wonder if pizza is sponsoring the West Squash Leagues? It seems to be a Wednesday staple these days! And despite telling myself not to eat as much as I can, I always do! Especially when there was 50 slices between 7 of us!
So a good 18-1 win for the team (and without Craig at no.1!) which is just as well as we’ve got Giffnock 1 and Newlands 1 coming up, so not many points in the last games I reckon!
Optical Express DLWE v Whitecraigs Rugby Club – Away Match Report 15th February 2017
Doug v Nairn (Craig in the chair)
Tricky away fixture to the south side as we visited Whitecraigs Rugby club (although it’s more of a home fixture for me!).
Doug (Macmillan) v Nairn McMaster were first up at No.5 and knowing how difficult a player Nairn can be I feared the worst. But Doug is getting back to some serious form and was playing the game that suited him most. Nairn was doing his best to upset this, but by the 5th game you couldn’t get a Rizla between them. At 8-5 down Doug was almost out of it, but he went on a great run to take the game 11-8 and the match 3-2 (M.O.T.M. very probably)
With 2 courts Finlay (McGhee) was on at the same time at No.4 v Harry Anderson. This went a similar way to the No.5 match with the ebb and flow taking it to a deciding 5th end. The game was excellent to watch with Flash Harry playing all sorts of shots I’d never seen before and Fin digging everything back (unless it was a nic – which it often was!). Anyway Fin was also down in the last 7-4, but he too went on a match winning run to clinch it 11-7 (and win 3-2). M.O.T.M. – well with the effort he put in, it was very close between him and Doug.
Craig (Valente-Wallace) and I went on next against Andy MacBean and Allan McKay respectively. Craig was 1-0 up when I went on court, and he was moving the ball well – with some lung busting rallies, but 3 markers later he came off having lost 3-1. Tough one and Andy must have dug in well.
My game was much the same, in that I lost 3-1. Allan was just too good on these Banbury courts – he really whipped the ball hard and low on the forehand. I tried to neutralise his game by playing on the left and slowing it up. However at 1-1 and 9-6 down it was slipping away from me! Mind you a couple of minutes later at 10-9 up (in the same game) I needed to get a lucky one. Unfortunately I just couldn’t eek out another point, lucky or otherwise!
In the 4th I think I played the worst serve I’ve played in about 40 years, to give Allan match ball, but he was well in control by then and I lost 3-1
So 2-2 and last on was Jason (Lang) v Ewan Hearns. Ewan was looking a bit the worse for wear and although the result was never really in doubt Ewan fought well and pushed Jase in the 1st and 3rd games. However a good 3-0 win from Jase and (not for the first time) gaining the team the 3 bonus points.
So a very close 14-10 win (3-2) to DLWE and we retired early for chilly and veggie pasta. Great scran and we watched Bayern give Arsenal the squash equivalent of a 11-1 hammering! (whilst discussing Trainspotting 2 – which I romantically took my better half to see for Valentines!)
Jason B
PS from Doug – Hi all, just a quick add on to Jason’s very literate and detailed match report. Small detail he managed to forget somehow, even though it’s still engraved into my head sadly! In the 4th game at 8-10 match ball down, Jason did something I’ve not seen in quite some time and proceeded to not only put his serve not just down below the line but completely into the tin-but that’s not it, the ball also managed to hit the floor before hitting the tin. High skill shot, therefore Jason C.O.T.M. (from Douglas Macm)
PPS – It’s a good point Doug –although I did mention it……………… in passing! (with a fair amount of gloss over it!) – But it does remind me of something else I forgot, that happened in your match. You know that really baggy pair of shorts you used to wear (that look almost skin tight these days) where are they now? In the bin I hope after ripping them whilst playing last night!! Were they a bit tight!?!?! 😉 Jase
Optical Express DLWE v Giffnock 2 – Away Match Report 8th February 2017
Fin v Gazza at no.4
First team did well tonight with a tricky away fixture against Giffnock 2.
Doug was there inexplicably early and was on again Jonathan Brady at No.3 – a good match with both guys pure meltin’ the baw! Seemed to suit both of their games and it was a good run, but Giffnock won this 3-0. Never saw Doug again – must have been a big night out arranged.
Next on was Paul Treon v Graham “The Mugger” McAinsh at No 4. Paul had just finished his dinner, so was a bit tentative in the 1st game. It was as close as it could be at 14-12, but Paul was on the winning side. Then things got considerably easier as Paul worked out Mugger’s game and at the same time digested his tea! So a 3-0 to us.
I (Jason Broadberry) went on next against Mark Coyle at No.2. I’d lost to Mark previously, but now he has got a proper job and is working hard he’s not able to play as much squash, so things have evened out. I was like a ‘Bolt’ out of the blocks (yes! Me!!) and took the 1st comfortably, but Mark got going in the 2nd a evened things up. The 3rd was ‘the cruncher’ and I was game ball down….. twice, but managed to hold onto my bottle just at the crucial time and won 14-12. The 4th was much easier and I brought home the match 3-1 (M.O.T.M. again for me? Maybe!)
Finlay McGhee was on next v Gary Blanchflower at No.4. This was a great match up of youth v experience or shots v movement or even little v large! Fin won the 1st quite easily, but after that we had 3 tie-breaks. The match was very entertaining and ‘Angry Fin’ managed to motivate himself and frustrate himself in equal measure! Garry was getting very tired toward the end, but still managed to dominate many of the rallies, but Fin was right up for this and after losing 3 match balls in the 3rd, he also saved 2 match balls in the 4th and brought home the tie 3-1 (M.O.T.M. for Fin? Maybe!)
Last on was Jason Lang v Daniel (the baby faced assassin) O’Sullivan. I missed the first 2 games but Jase was well in charge and although Daniel was really quick and very dynamic, Jase was a cut above him and won the match 3-0
So 15 more points to the total and we all wolfed down 5 massive pizzas for dinner – seems to be the food of choice for the squash athlete!
(check out ‘Broadberry Sports Ltd’ on Facebook to see some clips of the matches or just click here)
Optical Express DLWE v Whitecraigs Rugby Club – Home Match Report 9th November 2016
Well we were missing our talisman at No.1 tonight and so playing a good Whitecraigs Rugby Club side was going to be (another!) tough one!
First on was Doug (Macmillan) v Dougie Emery at No.3 (battle of the Dugs!) – Whitecraigs Dougie took immediate control of this match, with good length and a high tempo which meant he was soon 2-0 up. However DLWE Doug fought back hard in the 3rd and although he was behind for most of the game he was solid at 11-11 and won the game 13-11! Unfortunately Doug was solid as a blancmange after that and Whitecraigs Dougie took the 4th to secure the match 3-1.
I (Jason Broadberry – in case you’re wondering!) went on next against Ewan Hearns expecting a tanking and at 9-7 down in the 1st I wasn’t surprised. However I managed to scrape that one and noticed that Ewan was going for a lot and not running that well. The 2nd was even closer at 12-10 but I piped him again and now I was more confident of upsetting the bookies. And so it proved, as I won the 3rd more easily (and not a moment too soon as my calf tightened up more and more). A really surprising result for me and I think I was lucky to catch Ewan on a bad day, but then he’s a student so has probably been partying non-stop for Firework nigh or “Bevvy-vember” or maybe just Tuesday night!
Next on saw Paul (Treon) making his comeback match at No.5 against Harry Anderson. Harry was his usual flamboyant self, with his racket flashing cross-court nics, top-spin drops, & mizukies galore and he won the 1st game 13-11. However Paul started to turn the screw at this point and was happy to absorb the pressure before making his move. Then when he kept the ball away from Harry’s flashing volleys he was well in control (well as much as you can be against Flashman!). A good 3-1 win for Paul
The penultimate game at No.4 was Finlay (McGhee) against Allan McKay and what a dynamite match this was. When Fin was 2-0 up it looked like this was a going to be a easy win, but out of nowhere Allan woke up and started moving, volleying, and probably more importantly reading Fin’s game much, much better. After that, the tables really turned and despite a close 4th, Allan played great squash to come back and win the tie 3-2 (and send the match into a decider!)
So the No.1s took to the court as Jason (Lang) took on Andy MacBean. This was a tough encounter that went to 5 game and I missed some of this as I hit the showers. However a lot of pushing, shoving, back stretching and arguing with the ref later, Jason won a very narrow 5th to take the tie 3-2
And so we won the match 3-2 (194 points to 182 according to Sporty HQ!), so we hit the bar for pizza and chips! Ya dancer!!
Optical Express DLWE v Giffnock 2 – Home Match Report) 2nd November 2016
Who said Doug is headless!
Quick report this week as I’ve been dragging my heals writing this one. We played Giffnock 2 the ‘Young Guns’ this week and it was all going so well…..
First on was Craig (Valente-Wallace) against Stuart Pitt (the younger!) at No.1. The lads got this one on very early and I only arrived as the final game was being played, so I can’t really comment on the match, but Stuart won the tie 3-1. He was buzzing around the court retrieving everything in sight when I was watching, so I imagine this was the theme of the night and he must have frustrated Craig with his movement.
Next on at No.4 was Doug (Macmillan) against Mark Coyle. This was an even match up with Doug winning the 1st and Mark the 2nd , but Doug managed to take the opportunities with some good physical work in the next 2 and brought home the match 3-1. Another good performance from Doug this week and I’m looking forward to him challenging me so I can play lower down the teams!
I was on next against Chris Murphy and this was another tough one against another youngster. Chris played a very mature game and was able to get all my shots back. The advice was to hit a better length, but the problem was actually doing this as Chris kept me at arm’s length. I won the 2nd, but didn’t really feel like I deserved it. All the games were close and I reckon, that had I not been given a dubious ‘stroke’ against me on match ball, I’m sure it would have gone to a 5th (….well maybe not! OK probably not! Fine – it wasn’t that dubious!?!). A good 3-1 win for Chris.
Next on was Finlay (McGhee) against Daniel O’Sullivan at No.5 – Fin only dropped 3 points in the entire first 4 games! However he still he found himself in a 5th game decider! Both players were blowing hard at this point, but Daniel must have tired more, as the last was an 11-6 win to Fin, but a great match from both and they would have slept well that night! MOTM to Fin for me and I’m looking forward to Fin challenging me so I can play lower down the teams!
So with the match finely poised at 2-2, last on were the No.2s – Jason (Lang) v Matthew Stout. Jason was the pure squash player and Matthew was the squash/tennis player so this was going to be interesting. There was nothing in the first 2 games 11-13 and 11-9 and the difference in styles was very noticeable. Matthew thrived on any cross-courts and Jase needed to play a little straighter, but unfortunately Jason lost the 3rd 8-11 and now the momentum was with Matthew. He converted the 4th as well to win 3-1 and give Giffers the match 3-2. Great game though and Matthew admitted that he couldn’t have played any better (MOTM to Matt).
Pizza for dinner – including 1 veggie one which I dared anyone else to touch! Yum!
Great match though and 9 more points to the total!
Optical Express DLWE v Hamilton – Home Match Report) 12th October 2016
Hamilton came to call last night and it was one of those Wednesdays when everything goes well. We had 2 courts all night; the team T-shirts arrived; the food was good and we won – amazing!
Jason L – Jason B – Craig V-W – Finlay McG – Dougie Mac
First on court was all 5 of us as we posed for the team photo in the brand new Optical Express sponsored team tops!
But other than that Finlay (McGhee) v Scott Hay were first on court at No.4 – Fin was catching Scott with his cross-court drops, mixed in with good length. I didn’t see much of the game, but I did hear Scott’s coach (John Kirby) tell him to watch out for ‘this shot’ and ‘that shot’ and I thought I know exactly what you mean as he does it to me all the time as well (and it’s bloody annoying!). 3-0 to Fin
Next on was Craig (V-W) against Calum Phillip at No.1 – a good 1st game for Craig, but Calum started hitting his straps in the 2nd and with the really high swing, power and deception was having a lot of success – so much in fact that he won the 2nd game! But Craig was ready for him after that and was reading all of Calum’s tricks and keeping him tied to the back. So Craig brought home the match 3-1 to a more and more resigned Calum.
I was on next against Chris McGeady at No.3. Now we had a real hum-dinger of a match last time on the Hamilton ‘Sauna’ courts. I’d just managed to pip Chris in the 5th and I’d definitely used up my ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card during that encounter. Fortunately for me I dominated proceedings this time, on the colder courts and I volleyed particularly well (for me). Chris changed tactics in the 2nd game and I was happy to trade a few shots with him. The upshot was a 3-0 win for me – I was very satisfied with my performance (although Chris had a glint in his eye as he said “I look forward to the rematch in the Sauna!”) .
Doug (Macmillan) was 1-0 down and faffing about in the 2nd when I took over marking this match (against Stephen Healy at No.5). Fortunately he faffed his way to a 12-10 win in that game and so at 1-1 it was still anyone’s. Also at 8-8 in the 3rd, it was still anyone’s, but it was about here that Doug put the pedal to the metal and took the initiative with some much more positive squash and good length. So the eagle was landed and 1-1 soon became a 3-1 win to Dougie.
Jason (Lang) was last on against Colin Towers at No.2. and this was a mismatch in many ways, such as in height and also in age of racket! Not only was there was about 4 foot separating the two of them, but Jason’s brand new Harrow Vapor was gleaming next to Colin’s 20 year old antique of a racket! Unfortunately for Colin the game was a bit of a mismatch as well because Jason was playing well and was just too sharp for Colin.
So a 3-0 win for Jason meant the team got an excellent 18-point haul. MOTM to either Fin or me I’d (modestly) say and to Stephen Healey for Hamilton.
And the jacket spuds were baked to perfection. Everyone enjoyed them – even me (who doesn’t like potatoes!) and even Colin Towers, who I’ve never seen eat anything at a team match for 25 years, had half a potato!
Optical Express DLWE v Newlands 2 – Away Match Report) 5th October 2016 (amalgamated match report with week 1 v Glasgow Uni)
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Well two weeks into the season and the roller-coaster that is ‘The West Squash Leagues’ are back with their weekly outrageous fortune. One week everything is great and the next is a tragedy!
We had a great trip to the University last week and a wonderful team win – I had a lucky win at No.3 against a young Egyptian guy called Omar (who I suspect I’ll never beat again!) who managed to get cramp in the 4th game so I snuck home 3-1 (winning on fitnesss!). However this week I was unceremoniously thrashed off the court 3-0 by Angus Woodward – mind you Angus was playing No.4 in their 1st team last week (and I was awarded two individual points for one outrageous cross-court volley nic! #shotofthematch)
It’s annoying when you play any 2nd team and they have got the full 1st team out (and players returning) because of a big match they have. Thus making them about 4 players stronger than normal! (#newsflash Newlands 1 beat Giffnock 1 last night 15-6 – could The Division 1 Title be returning to Newlands?)
Anyway back to the important stuff! Craig (Vallentie-Wallace) had a good solid win against the Uni at No.1 v Dan Wareing (winning the match with a flat nic!), but lost this week to Brendan Forrister and although I didn’t see it, it appeared that he was chopped a bit like I was.
Doug (Macmillan) joined the 1st team this week at No.5 and it was a massive move up from playing Parklands last week. He was also chopped 3-0 (by Dave Morrison) I’ve seen him play better than that! Mind you it made my terrible performance look a bit better! It’s all relative eh!
Finlay (McGhee) was chopped at No.4 this week; after a great first week against the Uni winning 3-0 at No.5 v Jesse Mills with a really good performance. But this week he was up against a very much improved Fraser McCann (who I sponsor via Harrow Rackets, so it was good to see Fraser in action and playing well). This was always going to be a tough one for Fin and I’m afraid his opponent was just too good (Fraser was 2nd in last week’s Danish Junior Open and leaving tomorrow for the Nordic Junior Open in Malmo! Tough life eh!?!). MOTM to Fraser I’d say.
The silver lining last night was Jason (also sponsored by Harrow….Lang!). A good win in week 1 v Terry Lau against the Uni and an even better win this week (I reckon) against Lisa Aitkin, Scottish No.1.
I could only admire Lisa’s wonderful volleying and movement, but Jase was making life very difficult for her and he managed to keep her stretching into the back corners and then getting on the volley early. Jase played really well to neutralise Lisa’s game and he thoroughly deserves our man of the match (although MOTM was a bit of a shoe-in this week!)
6pm start and curry for dinner meant we were all in the bar about 8.30pm – very nice!
So ‘The Good’ was the win v the Uni last week – ‘The Bad’ was last night’s drubbing and ‘The Ugly’ is…………….. Doug!
(and ‘yes’ I realise I’m on shaky ground with that gag!)
Jason Broadberry
-
broadberrysports
- Match Report 22nd October 2025 v Newlands 1 (away) – West Squash Division 1
- Match Report 8th October 2025 v Glasgow Uni (away) – West Squash Division 1
- Match Report 13th November 2024 v Craighelen (home) – West Squash Division 2
- Racketball Match Reports 2024 v SSRC & Newlands (home) – West Squash 57 Division 1
- Match Report 28th February 2024 v Hamilton (home) – West Squash Division 1
- Match Report 21st February 2024 v Newlands (away) – West Squash Division 1
- West Junior Leagues – Match Day 3 at Whitecraigs LT&SC as Western 1 & 2 came to Compete Against the Whitecraigs Tigers
- Match Report 7th February 2024 v Giffnock (home) – West Squash Division 1
- Match Report 31st January 2024 v S.S.R.C.1 (home) – West Squash Division 1
- Match Report 24th January 2024 v Strathgryffe (away) – West Squash Division 1
Broadberry Sports 