Wednesday 26 March 2014

GRG2 vs TYN1 - 19 March 2014

GRG2 vs TYN1
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> The last game of the season saw GRG2 trot out trusted war horses and salty veterans of the ESSA scene, Whitelaw (4), Stokes (5) and Gore (1) - and for looks and charm field youngsters Kerrin (3) and Wallace (2).
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> Note:  The author isn't in full possession of the opponent's names and scores so some creative license has been taken.
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> *         At  2nd string, Young Wallace took the first 2 games easily only to lose the next 2.  Veteran Stokes has a word after the 4th and shares pearls of wisdom.  Wallace adopts and closes the match out 3-2.
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> *         Kerrin at 3rd string plays Donald With The Beard and closes him out 3-1.  Didn't see much but having played Donald in the past he is fast and awkward and worst of all a really nice guy.  Aoife persevered to close out producing some lovely volleys in the final stages.
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> *         Whitelaw vs. Graham the Robot produced some astonishing and dangerous rallies which was fun to watch.  Crazy and unbalanced stuff at times but Whitelaw triumphs 3-1 when he switches his game to shot-making rather than keeping up with a much fitter opponent.
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> *         Heated dialogue and ranting leads me to believe Captain Gore has stepped onto the court as 1st string against Alan...With More Grey Hair Than Mike.  I didn't see any of this but Mike clinches a valuable game from Alan who I remember is a nightmare to read and much fitter than his frame suggests, losing 3-1.
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> *         David and Goliath battle next as Stokes plays Waldermar.  Stokes customarily does not try in the least, losing first 2 games, but tempts us all by stripping off one item of clothing per game.  It is a fine thing it is the best of 5 games.  Stokes takes 3rd, 4th and 5th games to win.
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> GRG 4 matches vs TYN 1
> GRG 18 points vs TYN 11
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> GRG2 secures their position in Div 3.  That's it for this season!

Monday 24 March 2014

Grange 4 versus Abercorn 2 – Tuesday 18/03/2014; Venue – Edinburgh Academy sports centre


We turned up at the Accies for the last time this season for our last match of the current campaign.
Jon Fraser and Mike Douglas were first up and Jon playing Bernard Starkey found himself 2 down again before winning the third set from 2 match points down 10-8. This seemed to break Bernard as Jon ran out to win the rubber 3-2. Mike had to dig in against a lively Marek Rak and slowly took control of the match in the third set and went on to win the rubber 3-1.
2 up after the first set of rubbers was a great return but unfortunately Myself and Pete Young were unable to get on the scorecard and we were both beat 3-0 to allow Abercorn to level the tie 2-2 going into the last rubber.
Andrew Claymore was playing number 1 against Graeme Caughey. Andrew raced in a 2-0 lead before Graeme took the third set to make it 2-1. Andrew got to match point at 8-5 and we were all waiting for the fat lady to sing, but Graeme had other ideas and got the set back to 8-8, points swapped and another match point to Andrew, but unfortunately for us, Graeme managed to take the set to level the rubber at 2-2, The last set was a tight affair with several swap of serves before the first point was registered, Graeme got his nose in front and stayed there to take the set & match.  
Match result 15-8 to Abercorn 2, disappointing to lose our last match of the season, but a very creditable third place in league, means a promotion to division 4.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who turned out for the 4th team this season; your efforts were greatly appreciated.
 
Pos
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points
1
Andrew Claymore 
0
2
35
Graeme Caughey
1
3
35
 
2
Pete Young
0
0
15
Alistair McKenzie
1
3
28
 
3
Neil Love
0
0
11
James Irvine
1
3
27
 
4
Mike Douglas
1
3
30
Marek Rak
0
1
20
 
5
Jon Fraser
1
3
40
Bernard Starkey
0
2
34
 
Total
2
8
131
3
12
144
 
Competition Points
8
15
 
 

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Grange 4 versus CCS5 –Monday 10/03/2014; Venue – Colinton Castle

Tonight game was against the league leaders and we needed to get a minimum of 4 points to secure third place in division 5 and swap places with the third team for next season.
Myself and Dave were first up and I managed to win 3-0 and Dave lost a tight match 3-2, with a lot of muttering about some disputed decisions from the balcony.
Next up was Pete Young and Andy Claymore. Pete lost 3-0 to a very determined opponent and despite some good retrieving, it was hard work to score points. Meanwhile Andy was on the wrong side of a five setter and lost the match 3-2.
Lastly Andrew Beames played Kevin Keane and Kevin quickly won 3-0 retrieving and scoring winners of anything that Andrew could throw at him. Andrew obviously wanted more and they then played a best of five friendly after the match was completed, unfortunately the score of this game was not recorded.
Match result 15-7 to CCS5, which secured our promotion to division 4. We were treated to bridies, beans & chips (although the odd chip was just past frozen), and our choice of beverages.
 
Pos
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points
1
Kevin Keane 
1
3
27
Andrew Beames
0
0
6
2
John Brown
1
3
37
Andrew Claymore
0
2
34
3
Stephen Wallace
1
3
27
Pete Young
0
0
9
4
Derek Wilson
1
3
36
Dave Grieve
0
2
33
5
Mark Crease
0
0
12
Neil Love
1
3
27
Total
4
12
139
1
7
109
Competition Points
15
7
 
 

Monday 10 March 2014

School of hard knocks for the 2's

Grange 2's made the journey to the home of Scottish Squash on Wednesday night: Heriot-Watt's 2nd team our hosts. Whilst we were neighbours in points going into the match, we were given a tough lesson, taking just 6 points and effectively cementing our position in Division 3 once again next year.

I managed to see Wallace's match - a real cat & mouse affair on court 2... Wallace running out of cheese in the 5th! Others struggled to adjust to court 1 (not that we're looking for excuses). Myself running in a reasonably tight game but unable to close out in the 5th. Plenty of reminiscing at The Union by yours truly (it's not changed in the many yrs since I graduated albeit the food has improved & you can guarantee good craic from the home side).

A tough couple of fixtures remain - starting with a visit to Edinburgh Uni this week in the penultimate match of the season. Almost there -  albeit hobbling towards the finish line.

> Sloan Ranger