The cream of Grange squash was out in force for the long awaited showdown between Grange 2 and Grange 1. Grange 1 were the clear favourites for the evening, coming into the match with an unbeaten team record, and sitting pretty at second place in the division. The Grange 2 underdogs have had a mixed start to the season, winning only one out of their five matches, yet have managed to cling onto a mid-table position. The Grange 2 players, clearly a little peeved at having missed out on those cherished first team slots had everything to play for, and came out with all guns blazing.
First on court were the number 4 seeds, Langley (GRG2) and Steel (GRG1). With the ball practically melting after being battered into the front wall by the two of the clubs hardest hitters, it was always going to be an endurance event. Lacking Robin's long legs to stride from corner to corner, Patrick was always going to have to run his heart out to stay in the match. Trading points back and forth in the first, Robin narrowly seized the game. The second game was keenly contested, and evenly matched between the two, with Patrick just edging out. As the match progressed, Patrick grew increasingly dominant, forcing some excellent retrieving from Robin from the back of the court. Constant pressure from Patrick saw him seize the third, and then romp home in style to take the fourth set to secure the upset. The result, Patrick "Giant Killer" Langley (GRG2) beat Robin Steel (GRG1): 8-10, 9-7, 9-5, 9-2.
The two Ians (Green - GRG1 and Forbes - GRG2) were up next at number 3.Green was modelling the latest in his extensive range of 1970s XXXL T-shirts on court, providing plenty of amusement for the assembled crowd. Unperturbed by the fashion faux-pas, Forbes got down to business. Green kept Forbes pinned down in the back of the court for most of the first game, but Forbes fought hard to stay in the game, dropping in some nice short boasts & drives to catch Green out, but eventually losing out. Persistent running & retrieving from Forbes saw him seize the second. A closely fought third could have gone either way, but Green eventually won through. Changing tactics in the fourth, Green drove the ball low and hard to the back, frustrating Forbes and finishing the match. Ian Green (GRG1) beat Ian Forbes (GRG2): 9-6, 7-9, 10-9, 9-0.
The battle of the baldies was next up with Will Kerr (GRG1) against Mike Hall (GRG2) at second seed. The similarity of the two players, when viewed from above in the balcony was striking, and the ref struggled todifferentiate between them, calling strokes, lets and points seemingly at random. The players somehow managed to ignore these distractions, and put on a great display of squash. Will used his reach from the T & clinical finishing to keep Mike under pressure, while Mike's tenacity and good length kept him competing in a closely fought first game, won in the end by Will. Will stepped up the pressure to seize the second, conceding only four points. This obviously got Mike's attention, as he came back to win the third in a close game. In the end though, Will's pressure and finishing got the better of Mike, and he took the finalgame. Will Kerr (GRG1) beat Mike Hall (GRG2): 10-8, 9-4, 7-9, 9-7.
Next up were the number 5 seeds, Al Gordon (GRG1) and our new Kiwi import, Steve Eyles (GRG2). Making full use of the home advantage, Al seized the first two games, losing only a couple of points. Steve woke up in the third, to narrowly steal it, before Al sealed his fate by
winning the third. Some beautiful squash with tight drops and good recovering from Al, and a promising start to the Scottish season fromSteve. Al Gordon (GRG1) beat Steve Eyles (GRG2) 9-2, 9-1, 8-10, 9-6.
Last on court were the number 1 seeds, Rob Pfab (GRG2) and Allan Hamer(GRG1). Allan has had a strong start to the season, having won all hismatches without losing a single game. Robert, on the other hand, had yet to win a match! The first game got off to a cracking start with somelong and hard fought rallies, seeing both players attacking and
recovering well. Sustained pressure from Allan, and too many errors from Rob, let Allan run away with the first game. A more focused Rob emerged for the second game, where they traded points back & forth. Rob failed to convert his game ball at 8-6, and Allan quickly caught up to take the game. The third, too, could have gone either way. At one point, Rob had a 6-0 lead, only to see Allan grit his teeth, run harder, and fight his way back to take the game. The end result: 9-3, 10-8, 9-7 to Allan and GRG1.
Overall, a competitive performance from GRG2, but a strong result for the GRG1 side (4-1 in ties). Food was Franco's finest, and the beer flowed freely. (Ed: Overall, GRG1 18-8 GRG2, I make it) (Pfabuluous report)
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