Hart Squash

Paul (5) did what he does more often than not – won 3~0, after taking a game to sus out his opponent.

Pete (4) was flying 2~0 up  – but then things got a whole lot tighter. The third was edged 10~8 by RFF but Pete kept going well and edged the 4^th by the same score giving him a 3~1 win.

Ash’s (3)  game was ‘topsy turvey’ – lost the first, walked the next 2 (9~0 9~2) but then he lost the last 2 (9~4, 9~0). If that isn’t topsy turvey, I don’t know what is!!

Tom, back from Africa after an unexpectedly long stay, played a good game at one, but he has not quite found his sharpness yet. It was a tight 3~0, with the second being critical, slipping away 10~9.

2~2 – and all down to Phil (again), playing at 2, …. and again he weaved his magic. A fairly comfortable 3~0 which gave the match to Hart 3~2

Rob was up first trying to set the tempo for the night and get off to a good start.  In a close match, his opponent simply had the luck of the court.  For example at 9-9 in the second, having a very lucky frame shot go into the nick. Not the best start and a 3-0 defeat.
Gareth was up against a surfer-dude, 15 year old ish looking young boy, who only just lost to Dan at 1 in the Winter.  Although Gareth lost 3-0, this was a close & entertaining match, every game going to 9-7. 9-8….
Simon on his favourite Helmand province court fought a close game.  This could have gone either way, but mistakes cost him dearly.  At 2-1 down, the fourth was a non-event.  Simon being shot by a sniper in the hamstring causing Simon to concede the match.
Amr Shabana was up against a 17 year county player.  This was a very tight match and at 2-2 it could have gone either way.  Unfortunately the element of youth was on the teenager’s side and Amr could not get across the finishing line.  Good game though & a fine performance.

Chris was on last against the world deaf champion.  Likewise, Chris was trying to claim to be world ginger champion!  Anyway this was not really a contest as Chris did not get going against a more skilful opponent. Chris losing 3-0 and then straight home.  Again, no shower for Chris.  Rumours are that he had his one shower per year after the previous match against Fitness First.
Overall a 5-0 defeat (3-20)

After a longer than expected journey to Greenacre we (Hilmar, Elliot, Mac) arrived a bit late.  In fact we never even got to watch the first match as it was over before we arrived. Fortunately it was a Hart walkover and that gave us hope that we might have a chance.

Next up was Paul at 1 playing the Scottish ladies champion, an opponent who relied on amazing drops.  Paul won a tough first game by not allowing her to use her weapon effectively, but in the second he went more into the lobs and the Scottish champion liked it. She was slicing the ball, hitting just above the tin; often rolling out of the nick and even though Paul worked hard she took the second game. In the third game Paul changed his strategy and went for harder balls in the corners and that worked, nicking it 10~9. It was a turning point and Paul ruled the rest of the match, an excellent 3-1 win.

Next up was Mac who has (by the way) lost quite a bit of weight.  It is not clear whether it was 3 stones or 3 Kg‘s but either way he was moving on the court like a teenager not knowing what to do with all those hormones. Mac showed no mercy and never allowed his opponent to participate.  Mac actually played a few good drops.  There is a rumour that he is secretly taking squash lessons instead of going to the pub. His next goal is to smoke 15% less. Mac won 3-0.

Next up was Elliot who was in prime form.  He kept his temper in check and simply played good squash even though his opponent was playing good shots and moving well. Despite a tight 3rd game, Eliot managed to maintain control of the game and won 3-0.

Next up was Hilmar who is still working on building up his fitness after his skiing accident and knee operation. But after replacing the crutches for the squash racket it has only been getting better. Hilmar won the first game with relative ease 9-6; the second game was really close but he managed to keep his cool (with only the occasional roar) and won 10-9. After the roar, the 3rd was more of a formality, Hilmar winning 9-2.

Overall a very good result for the second team winning 5-0 and 20-1.

Hart has played Bracknell 2 quite often in recent times and the result has always been close, but with Bracknell seemingly having the edge. Could we turn that round today?

Ash and Paul played first and they gave us the best platform with 2 solid 3~0 wins, but given the form they are in, I was not too surprised. The battleground was going to be at 1, 2 & 3.

Take to the stage, Kerry and Phil. Kerry was playing Dave, both slightly heavier than in their prime (the floorboards creaked), but no less tenacious. And the match was not the prettiest but it was absorbing as the players battled for ascendancy. It was one of those matches where, having won a game, the player relaxed and lost the next! Dave had the advantage of winning the first and third, Kerry the 2^nd & 4^th. He threatened to change the course of the match with a match point in the 5^th, but it was saved and unfortunately for Hart, Dave then finished it off.

Phil’s match was longer with the outcome equally uncertain come the 5^th. Phil’s opponent was showing signs of knackeredness in the 2^nd after some of the rallies, and because Phil kept those rallies going throughout, making few unforced errors, all the indicators were that he would crack. Having lost the first Phil took the 2^nd comfortably – back came his opponent for the 3^rd so now, Phil had to make his superior fitness count. And he did!. Into the 5^th and Phil got to 7~4, but his opponent was still on his feet (though he looked ready for a trip to A & E). Finally at 8~6, a match ball; The Prof contemplated the serve, focused on the target; ready, aim…………, fire! Perfect! A dead nick. All over!

Unfortunately things did not go well for Mac at 1, wrong court, wrong marker, wrong result! Last week “awesome”, this week “not happy”. He started well taking the first but his opponent was more consistent and ending up taking the match 3~1.

But Hart won 3~2 overall, and a very satisfying win.

First onto the court was Gareth (5), against an opponent who it was claimed to be faster than both Chris and the Stanton sisters.  Not fazed by some incredible pick up’s Gareth held his nerve to take the match 3-0, though managing to keep the visiting Hart supporters on their toes, taking the third 10-8.
On the other court, Robbi (1) was up against Adrian Jaski.  Knowing he was in a fair bit of trouble the Stanton sisters recommended he write his game plan on his forearm just in case he forgot, 27 nicks.  Unfortunately he failed to find them and no sooner had the match begun than it was over.  Perhaps a waterproof pen would be a good investment – to stop the sweat removing such vital advice.
The Stanton sisters were on court next; Ash (3) was up against his Uncle, and still to claim a ‘competitive match’ win over his elder. However, prior to the match it had emerged that ‘Uncle Dave’ had underestimated his young advisory and had already played a tournament match in Collets mere hours before.  Dave was slow off the mark and Ash capitalised with some high tempo squash to close out the first 9-0 before either player had managed to break into a sweat.  The game was now on however as Dave started to play some beautiful drops and trickle boasts that even the younger legs couldn’t pick up.  Ash dug in however and managed to close out that game but Dave was not finished as he staged a comeback in the third pushing the match further.  Tiredness started to really show in the 4th with Ash racing to a 7-2 lead, but Stanton Senior pulled it back and the game was nearly levelled at 7-6. Ash managed to up the pressure and gain his first match point.  A poor lob saw Ash potentially under a lot of pressure, his uncle however kindly attacked the nick closest to Ash and with the ball kindly bouncing up in front of him, even he couldn’t miss the drop to take the match.  A very entertaining 3-1 win
Next door Stef (4) was making a real dogs dinner of his match and on the balcony Dad, Kerry (desperate to watch the family affair that had just taken place), looked on in disbelief. “You know Dave is only a level above what I’d be if I lost the weight, I was above him in the order of merit when I played here.”  Thankfully Stef didn’t embarrass himself too much and took the match 3-1
With the match already in the bag Chris (2) was next on to try and rub some salt into the wound.  Unfortunately there was not much he could offer his opponent who’s superior shots were just too much for him, Chris going down 3-0

Overall a 14-8 victory for the Firsts.