Thursday 29 January 2015

Grange 4 versus Dean 2 –Tuesday 27/01/2015; Venue – Grange club

Tonight we were playing host to league leaders Dean 2, who duly turned up with a strong looking line-up.
4 of the 5 rubbers went to 5 games with a lot of perceived injustices from the players on both sides towards the referees on the gallery, unfortunately for us we lost 3 of the rubbers 3-2 and won the other 3-2. First up was myself and Dave Grieve and both of us were on the wrong side of the 3-2 score line, with Dave fading badly after injuring his shoulder and myself squandering a 7-0 lead in the fifth game, the phrase “it ain’t over until the fat lady sings” springs to mind.
Jamie Helme and Mark Dutton were next up and Jamie was playing David Thompson, unfortunately Jamie never found his rhythm in the match and was completely swamped as David won 3-0. Mark was playing James Birkhead and after finding himself 2 games down he managed to find a way into the match by taking the third game 9-0, Mark gradually found some nice touches to the front of the court and began to dominate, eventually winning the rubber 3-2.
Lastly Rocco was playing Craig Wallace and a seesaw match which had a touch of everything; saw Craig coming out on top 3-2.
Match results including ref points was 19-11 to Dean 2. We then retired to the bar for the usual delights of Franco’s Pizzas and soft drinks.    


Pos
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points

        
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points

1
1
3
35
0
2
27
2
0
0
6
1
3
27
3
0
2
28
1
3
42
4
0
2
25
1
3
29
5
0
2
26
1
3
38
Total
1
9
120
4
14
163
Competition Points
9
17

Thursday 22 January 2015

Mamma's pay Grange a visit...


Grange 2’s delivered another win on the new courts – this week seeing off a strong challenge from Mamma’s Pizzeria.

Playing at 5th string, Grange’s Catherine John pulled through in five games vs. John Davidson… a great standard of squash in what was an important match for the home team.  Good to see King Colin Williamson back in the fold at 4th string – winning in three solid games vs. Stuart Williamson (no relation).  Matt Ross at no. 3 – fresh from holiday and owning his position in the team.  A relatively comfortable win in three games with Scott Cary struggling to keep up with the fast pace. 

From here it turned sour.  Stuart Moffat and Neil McAllister had a game of who could hit the ball hardest.  Neil took it in three games (credit due) – giving Moff plenty to consider during his Winter hibernation to the Caribbean.

Perhaps most alarming was yours truly versus the old fox with the bushy tail - John Rae.  John edged me out easily in the first half of the season and I was keen on revenge.  Cruising in the first game, the wheels soon came off and Mr Rae played it cool to close it out 3-1.  Whilst there’s always next year, I’m not holding my breath - the East of Scotland’s very own Benjamin Button is likely to be in even better shape come next season!
Anyway, good result for Grange 2s and more much-needed points (now safely in the top half of the table).

The Sloan Ranger.

Monday 19 January 2015

2nd team give students a lesson

2nd team give students a lesson
 
Wednesday 14th January saw the 2ndteam start the 2nd half of the season in style.
Edinburgh Uni 2s were the visitors and a look at their first half results suggest a Jekyll & Hyde outfit (much like Grange 2s…) in need of points. Sloaner sniffed an opportunity early doors and an attempt at a motivational email or two got Messrs Ross, Cockburn, Sloan, Moffat and Wallace, hungry.
There’s little to say, aside from the fact we raced to 27 points in every match – a full haul of 20 points and a much needed swing to get us back up the table. Students evidently struggling to get a consistent team out and unable to repeat the 1sthalf result (a victory for the students back in October).
Franco’s Finest Pizza was gone in a flash (some things never change) but we didn’t mind – there could be new Grange recruits in the mix come graduation day! Meanwhile, it’s official, Grange is a fortress in 2015.

Friday 16 January 2015

Grange 4 versus Abercorn 2 – Tuesday 13/01/15

Grange 4 versus Abercorn 2 – Tuesday 13/01/2015; Venue – Grange Sports Club
The first game after the Christmas/New Year break saw us entertain Abercorn 2 at the Grange in a reverse fixture of the opening game of the season.
Abercorn 2 are having somewhat of a transition season and are still looking for their first win.
First up against a much changed Abercorn line up were myself and Dave Grieve playing 5 & 3 respectively. I was playing Adam Robinson and I was always in control of this match and won the rubber 3-0, 9-3, 9-1, 9-1. Dave had a straight forward 3-0 win against Steven Robb winning 9-3, 9-7, 9-1.
Next up was Rocco Pannozzo and Tom McEwan playing at numbers 2 & 4. Tom had a comfortable win over Peter O’Connor with a 3-0 score line of 9-2, 9-2, 9-6. On the other court Rocco was playing Neelu Sarker, Rocco won this match 3-0 with a score line of 9-6, 9-2, 9-5, with Neelu providing the highlight of the match by playing an exquisite drop shot from behind his legs.   
Jamie was last up playing Bernard a man nearly twice is age at number 1. Jamie was quickly 2 sets up when, with a combination off Jamie playing everything back to Bernard’s racquet and Bernard hitting everything that came his way before the ball had a chance to bounce saw Bernard taking the third set from a losing position. With the pizzas ordered a collective sigh could be heard from the viewing gallery. Jamie restored order in the 4th set and took the match 3-1, with a score line of 9-2, 9-3, 8-10, 9-2.  
Match results including ref points was 20-1 to Grange 4. We then retired to the bar for the usual delights of Franco’s Pizzas and soft drinks. Not sure if our change in drinking habits is down to the desire to be leaner, meaner squash players or the result of a recent change in the in the drink driving laws.  

Pos
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points

        
Player
Rubbers
Games
Points

1
1
3
35
0
1
17
2
1
3
27
0
0
13
3
1
3
27
0
0
11
4
1
3
27
0
0
10
5
1
3
27
0
0
5
Total
5
15
143
0
1
56
Competition Points
18
1

Sunday 11 January 2015

Winter Minileague #3, 2014

A bit late, but here are the results of Winter minileague #3.
Click in the frame and scroll down for your league or click here for a full screen view.