Grange Squash

Grange 3 vs C-Rooks 2 16/10/2008

The night began in the now-traditional confusion with some of the opposition turning up at the Grange instead of St Georges (this despite the C-Rooks captain having emailed a confirmation the day before that he knew the venue...) but eventually the match got under way.

Doug Brown opened proceedings at No 2 against the young bandana-wearing Sean Robinson. The contrast of (a) court attire (b) headgear and (c) age couldn't have been marked, but then again neither could (d) the final score. Wily Old Fox 3 vs Young Pup 0.

Mark Dutton then took on Gordon Robertson at No 4 and just like last week, played exactly into his opponents hands by letting him unleash his one killer shot (hard, low drive from the T) over and over for a 2-9 first game loss. Spotting the blindingly obvious tactical blunder the ball was then placed to the back of the court for the next three games which generated endless opportunities for simple point-winning drops and boasts (simple game, squash..) and a regulation 3-1 win ensued.

Pete Cockburn took the court at No 1 against the speedy and hard-hitting young jack-in-a-box Euan Robinson and judging by the warm up he was going to be in some difficulty. Unfortunately for Euan it takes a bit more than speed and jack-in-box-ness to beat a wily old fox like Pete Cockburn (hang on....isn't he our youth policy?) who just pushed him all round the court with some solid tactical shot placement which very often drew the error out of his opponent. Pete took the first two game very comfortably (the second with only a single hand-out) but Euan showed what he'll do when somebody takes him aside and teaches him a little slow squash and beat Pete in the next. The fourth game was tightly contested but Pete once again used his greater experience to dominate and took the match 3-1.

In the best match of the night Russell Langley took on the tricky Mike Halpin at No 3. It looked very much like it was going to be a very short match indeed with Russell playing (by his own assessment after the match) a shocker in the first game. The real Russell then turned up and in three more very hard fought games levelled proceedings at 2-2. The final game was a very good spectacle with chances both ways and Mike looked like he was going to take it but for some scurrying saves by Russell. Mike missed an easy drop to give Russell the serve back at 7-7 and allowed him to close out the match 9-7, ending with a particularly audacious nick. 3-2 to Russell.

Robin Pollock at No 5 put in a completely flawless performance in his 27-0 walkover. Nuff said.

Grange 3 beat C-Rooks 2 by 18 points to 4