4th's home v Kirkcaldy (Tue, Mar 15)

The denouement of the season came with the long-awaited return visit of Kirkcaldy. Unfortunately despite being the only team to beat them legally after a great night out in Fife before Xmas, they were unbeaten since then (as were we) so the gap was insurmountable (26 points).
    Still we wanted to copper-fasten our promotion position. Christy hacked his way to a 3-0 over #5 Andy Cant with nary a let being called. Iain Gallacher was 2-0 down against Rab Lawson at #2 and not seeing the front court boasts at all, even the ones above the service line! Somehow he brought it back and took the fifth. Chapeau!
   Richard Nisbet lost out to James Stirratt 1-3 in a curates egg performance- good in parts but mostly mince :) (To be fair, Richard has played well all season). Will Henderson bt Jim Taylor at #5 3-0 with the lob serve and counter-drop proving the difference. To give us the tie and the bonus points.
  Finally Jamie Helme at #3 v Alex Allan lost 0-3 this time. Everyone incl the away team stayed to watch the women's #1 tie in the national league between Mhairi Charlton of Western LTC & Claire Gadsby.
        After pizza, we were treated to pavlova & trifle courtesy of the Grange Cricket Society dinner having a surplus.

Well done Kirkcaldy on the overall Div 5 win, very consistent.
Well done the 4's, great team spirit and after 3 years of earning promotion but being thwarted by the demotion of the 3's, we finally get our just reward, Div.4 squash next year.

Thanks especially to Neil Love for captaining, emailing, etc,  mostly non-playing, as he came to ref on most home matches and contributed on court when we needed him most. And brought choccy bars to supplement the pizza.
 

Staggered home v Watsons 3's in The Knockout Cup

Our guest reporter today is David Hutton, captain of the opposition

Match 1 (the 3s) David Hutton vs Georgia Jennings

After a lot of thrashing, some good rallies, plenty of good weight on the court, some interesting chat from Christy (marking) and a little bit of difficulty from me in judging the pace, it was 2-0 to G. Time to knuckle down and work out the pace. Duly done and more of the above and it was 2-2. I think we got to 13-13 and she got a stroke (really Christy, another one?). Any normal chat would have been, “handout, 14-13, matchball”. Not from our friend Christy. 13 all he said. No Christy, G and I said, its 14-13 to G. Cue some maniacal giggles (Christy). 14 all match ball. No Christy, its 14-13, match ball to G… you can see how this one ends. On a stroke to G. 3-2 to the bad girls.

Match 2 (the 5s)  Tommo vs Rocco

This is the oldest continually running fixture in squash, believed to date back to the early squash courts of the Colosseum in Rome. I didn’t see this (see above) but caught up with Tommo in between a couple of the games. It went, 0-1, 1-1 and then we lost touch. I could hear him (he was next door) and it sounded good. Was it a victory roar? No, 3-1 to the bad guys (but squash’s magnificent history was a winner…).

Match 3

Barrie vs a really tall guy (L=Laszlo)

I saw the end of a very close first game and was astounded by the L of a reach (get it?). Barrie was playing his usual tough guy squash with a fantastic number of recoveries and an array of shots but this wasn’t phasing the big guy. 1-0 to them. I then went and marked Chris’ game. Tommo reported that Barrie was playing very well (fantastic number of recoveries and an array of shots) but the big guy was reaching everything. I consensus was that 3-0 to them didn’t do our Barrie justice…

Match 4 (the 2's) Chris Green vs Jamie Helme

A welcome return to the fold from our man Green. Looked great in the warm up and carried it into game 1. Hard hitting, court covering, occasional lobbing, nice dropping and controlling, There was nothing Green about this dude. 1-0 to Chris. Game 2 followed the same pattern. 2-0. Game 3 was chugging along the same way until Chris called one of his own shots down and it was over to Jamie serving. I think this was at about 12-7 to Chris. The next few points were a display of utmost sportsmanship by Chris (some would say lack of concentration/boredom) and it got a bit close. Nothing to worry about though, normal service resumed and it ended 3-0. Not content with that, Chris and Jamie played on for a few games. Not content with that, Chris got one of the Grange’s youngsters on for some routines. Latest reports are that he’s getting some breakfast, then having a game with the cleaner and should at work just after lunchtime (or the best of 9, whichever is later…)

Match 5 (the 1's) Andrew vs Richard

This game was worth the wait and worth its weight in gold (or at least squash balls). Close first game in which the upper hand was back and forward like one of those cats in the Chinese restaurants (I know that’s up and down but whatever…). 1-0 to them. More of the same in game 2 with some great weight from both and at least 3 shots plucked from the air that had Barrie and me talking about “Jedi sh1t”. 1-1. When I say this was a blur, that is meant in as good as possible way. Somehow it was 2-2 already. Great squash, huffing and puffing, good weight and plenty of Jedi sh1t. The last game followed the same pattern. Very close, tense and a joy to watch. In the end it was all about weight (and that Jedi stuff). Andrew forced him back. He boasted and forced himself forward, Andrew forced him back, he boasted and git forward, Andrew knocked it past him… 3 or 4 rallies like this and Richard was bust (as was Andrew to be fair…). 3-2

Alas, we’re (Watsons) out.

On their show courts Grange 1 were hosting ESC 1. I was told that ESC were 4 points ahead of Grange at the top of division 1 and this was a crunch match (obviously). I poo pooed this as I was sure that our boys must be top. Maybe they were playing for second place? 

Some of their squash – quite good (Grange won so they must be second to our boys? Ra ra Ritchie’s team)

Food – pizza and very good. 2 pepperoni, 1 chicken and mushroom and 1 vegetarian

Chat – very good, its hard to believe that I used to think some of these guys were nutters

Christy – a stalwart of east coast squash

  

Good luck to the Staggered crew in the following rounds

(Thanks David, a top night's squash and Staggered move to the next round v Khaledo's Dragons(ESC) in the cup. -Christy, non-playing Captain)

The 4's home v Waverley 3's on Tue night

Fantastic atmosphere & buzz on the balcony as our National League team also hosted Newlands in a terrific exhibition of tight hitting and full-stretch retrievals.

Waverley 3's came a calling, and were duly sent home to think again. But they gave us a good scrap.
1. Andy Whitelaw 0 v John Usher 3 (9:15, 10:15, 3:15)
2. Ant Fitzgerald 3 v Peter Cochrane 2 (15:11, 15:9, 8:15, 8:15, 15:13)
3. Iain Gallacher 3 v Heather Spens 2 (15:12, 15:17, 5:15, 15:12, 15:11)
4. Richard Nisbet 3 v Dave Fergusson 0 (15:10, 15:13, 15:12)    
5. Jamie Helme 3 v Gary Loake 0 (15:12, 15:11, 15:4)

"Bit ropey from the boys at the top of the order but Jamie and I kept them right".

Overall 15:7 win for the Grange. So we gained 8 points on them to maintain 2nd place & keep them in 3rd and cement our promotion entitlement. They are still in line for promo but will be a bit more nervous in the title run-in.
Next week at Watsons on Tue & if we don't drop points there, the final match the following week against Kirkcaldy could leave us with a mathematical chance of the outright win. A helluva party either way. "Also £75 still in the kitty so no cars for the last game of the season!!!!!"

Chat over pizza's was Neil P's romantic engagement trip to "Paree" plus the promotion race in Div 5 and the demotion battle in Div.4.
 (Report: Richard N)

4's at Kirkcaldy (Div 5) Tue, Dec 1

Jamie Helme was first up against #4 Alex Allan who was a #1 Div.1 player at Hewlett Packard back when I hardly knew how to hold a racket there in 1987. Jamie lost the 1st, really screwed the nut in the second to stay 2 points ahead and take it, but Alex made him feed the tin after that so a 1-3 loss to a wily experience campaigner.

    Iain Gallacher (ex David Lloyd #2) made his Grange debut, lost the first but started to really hurt the guy Robert by running everything down and dropping him from distance to level it. He took the 3rd and had Robert ranting, so he came back on court, lost the first 2 points and retired "injured". Testimony to the sickening Iain was giving him.

   Richard Nisbet  went on and played out of his skin for a 2-0 lead got pegged back and was out on his feet in the 4th, somehow got his fifth wind and clinched it. (A real marathon going by the extra points scores 12-15, 16-18, 15-11, 15-13, 14-16)

Jamie H, Richard N, John Kunze & Iain Gallacher at Kircaldy

   John Kunze won the tight first, got blasted out of it in the second, but then really made Andy move and kept him away from his power game to win it 3-1.

   Christy powered(drives) & nuanced(boasts) his way to a 2-0, had a brain fart in the 3rd and let it go, screwed the nut in the fourth and grew a lead, sat on it for a few nervy match balls but glued one backhand to the wall to take it because there was no way he was going back on for a fifth!

   Overall 16-8 against the table toppers in their own yard, true team performance, Plenty of home supporters in the balcony, very squash knowledgeable and respectful, great atmosphere.

   Steak pie & chips and some good chat about Kirkcaldy SC's plans for the future.

Quote of the night: "Is this your first team" from a home supporter AFTER the match!

John took a team photo as a memento so good for the blog. Have a good trip home John, leaving on a high note and haste ye back.

Grange 4 vs. Watsonians 4

Grange 4 vs. Watsonians 4

Played at: Grange Sports Club

When: 24th Nov 2015 at 7:00pm

Tonight we entertained Watsonians 4 at the Grange, looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to Waverely 3 away.  

First up were Jamie Helme and John Kunze playing Barrie Turnbull and Sahib Maker at 4 & 5 respectively. Jamie got things off to a great start with some good tight squash, winning 3-0 and John was always in control winning 3-0 to put Grange 2 nil up after the first round of games.

Next up was Richard Nisbet and Christy Looby at number 3 & 2. Richard was playing Peter Thomson and after sharing the first two sets, Richard managed to assert himself on the game and went on to win 3-1. Christy was playing the 14 year old junior – David Taylor who had just turned up after a couple hours training at the National squash academy at Heriot Watt, the first 2 sets were shared with David running down everything that Christy could throw at him, it required Christy getting in touch with his inner self and he duly began to dominate the proceedings and in the end Christy had too much nuance and power in his game and prevailed with a 3-1 win.   

With an unassailable lead in the bag it was the turn of Dougie Brown to play David Hutton at number 1, an entertaining match ensued that kept the watching gallery enthralled and the marker busy, Dougie emerged the winner, taking the game 3-1 to complete a clean sweep for the 4ths.

The teams then retired to the bar to be treated to the usual offering of Pizza’s from Franco’s and a suitable choice of refreshments.  (Report: non-playing captain (Neil Love)

	Grange 4		Watsonians 4
1  Dougie Brown 3 - 1 15-11, 7-15, 15-13, 15-13  David Hutton 2  Christy Looby 3 - 1 15-6, 7-15, 15-8, 15-13  David Taylor 3  Richard Nisbet 3 - 1 15-10, 8-15, 15-7, 15-7  Peter Thomson 4  Jamie Helme 3 - 0 15-9, 15-13, 15-11  Barrie Turnbull 5  John Kunze 3 - 0 15-4, 15-9, 15-8  Sahib Maker
Games Won	15		3
Game Points Won	247		187
Penalty Points	0		0
Bonus Points	3.00		0
Total	18		3

3rds at ESC 7's (Div 4)

Finding myself with altitude sickness as I subbed up on the 3rds for the first time in a few years, I turned up with one court shoe left at home.
    So Sam Collin went on with 6ft6" Tom Utting and was good value for a 2-0 lead, taking everything early and getting Tom to leak errors under pressure. However the wheels came off slightly as Tom used his wingspan to close off the court while Sam had a slight lull. So on to the 5th and Sam got his second wind but Tom had the momentum to see it out.
   Andy Whitelaw went on with Graham Donaldson, I didn't see it but from the scores Andy seemed to just have enough control on it winning 3-0: 12, 11, 11. I'd got my 2nd shoe so I served off with Steven Sproule who has more experience in his pinkie toe than my 30 years in the game. It became a bit of a test of leftie-righty i.e. who could keep it on the other's backhand and then get the first attack in as neither of us are the best movers any more (I never was in the first place). I managed to lob and boast my way comfortably through the first 2 games. Steven then raised his game, had more success getting it on his forehand and we went point for point, in extra points I managed to get it. 3-0.
  So two matches to one, we needed Anto Fitz to clear up against Doug Brown. Did he hell! Straight to the fifth and Ant saw it out to grab the bonus points for us. Ian Ross went on against Scott Lothian at #1 and all 8 other players watching unshowered which show the team spirit is good in both camps.
Scott fizzed around court, hit the dots off the ball and reverse-angled Ian who just couldn't match the energy levels of his oppo on the night: 0-3.
   Overall 3-2 to us, 14-8 on points which puts us to second in the table. Over double-helpings of Lasagne, we debated the merits of a tram going down Leith Walk and whether ESSA should invest in a few clapped-out people carriers for the clubs so we could have a beer or two after squash. Report C.L.

Edinburgh Sports Club 7 (Violet) vs. Grange 3

---

	Edinburgh Sports Club 7 (Violet)		Grange 3
1	Scott Lothian	3 - 0 15-9, 15-6, 15-13	Ian Ross
2	Tom Utting	3 - 2 16-14, 5-15, 10-15, 15-6, 16-14	Sam Collin
3	Graham Donaldson	0 - 3 12-15, 11-15, 11-15	Andrew Whitelaw
4	Doug Brown	2 - 3 10-15, 16-14, 12-15, 17-15, 12-15	Anthony Fitzgerald
5	Steven Sproule	0 - 3 10-15, 3-15, 15-17	Christy Looby
Games Won	8		11
Game Points Won	236		258
Penalty Points	0		0
Bonus Points	0		3.00
Total	8		14

Played at: Edinburgh Sports Club

When: 13th Nov 2015 at 7:00pm

Stag 4's home v Abercorn (Div 5)

Tonight we took on Abercorn with Beppe Andaloro making his debut for the stags at #5 after making the final of the East of Scotland Open on Sunday in his debut tournament.
Turns out that Beppe had played at Abercorn for a bit and some of the Abercorn players knew him.
He faced seasoned campaigner Ketan Lad who must have been sick of the sight of Beppe running everything down. Great intensity from Beppe taking the first 15-10, in the second he had a few tins which made it tight at 15-12 and ran out 15-10 in the 3rd.
   Stephen Thomas had an edgy start to be 4-13 down, got it back to 13-13 courtesy of an out serve from Steven Robb, then spooned up an out serve himself to give game ball before closing it 16-14, from there he controlled the next two.
   Jamie Helme was never in doubt against Neelu Sarkar (which means I didn't see it). So we had the bonus in the bag.
    Christy was playing catch up against fellow-leftie Martin Browse in the first, got it to extra points and then closed out with some cheap errors.  That spurred him on to upping the pace and Martin didn't seem to like that or the reverse angles so the next three went to Grange steadily enough.
  Top strings Piers Wilkinson thought at 2-0 that we'd be waiting too long for the pizza so he offered
up two soft games to Jamie Irving to prolong the on-court action. In the fifth he put in a charge
from the get go and got off court 15-5. Still some great rallies between 2 high-octane competitors.
   Conversation in the bar was erudite, ranging from humans evolving to hairless chests (Piers admitted he is there already), to metabolising lactose after infancy to New Zealand rugby evolving to
a different planet with Sonny Bill Williams becoming an alien boxer/rugby-league/union/sevens player. Only 1 pepperoni, one veggie, 1 ham and sweetcorn & one chicken & ham. Between
5 of us, as Steven Robb has evolved a gluten allergy(see what I did there :) ) so guess what I'm having for lunch tomorrow!

Grange 4 vs. Abercorn

Played at: Grange Sports Club

When: 3rd Nov 2015 at 7:00pm

---

	Grange 4		Abercorn
1	Piers Wilkinson	3 - 2 15-12, 15-11, 10-15, 12-15, 15-5	Jamie Irving
2	Christy Looby	3 - 1 15-17, 15-5, 15-7, 15-7	Martin Browse
3	Jamie Helme	3 - 0 15-10, 15-11, 15-9	Neelu Sarkar
4	Stephen Thomas	3 - 0 16-14, 15-8, 15-10	Steve Robb
5	Beppe Andaloro	3 - 0 15-10, 15-11, 15-10	Ketan Lad
Games Won	15		3
Game Points Won	263		187
Penalty Points	0		0
Bonus Points	3		0
Total	18		3

Grange Team Calendar

The Grange Teams' fixture lists have now been loaded into the Grange Calendar gmail account at:
squashcalendar1@gmail.com


Alternatively you can load the fixtures directly into your own calendar using this file.

Grange 4 @ Abercorn 2 on Wednesday Oct 1

The first game of the season saw us make the trip to play Abercorn 2 at the Abercorn sports club located on the east side of Edinburgh.

First up against a much changed Abercorn line up were myself and Dave Grieve playing 5 & 4 respectively. I was playing Adam Robinson and I was always in control of this match and won the rubber 3-0, 9-1, 9-0, 9-1. Meanwhile on the other court Dave was taking time to warm up against Murdo Walker and lost the first set 9-3, the second set was a much tighter affair with Dave managing to take 9-7. With Dave fully warmed up by this time the next 2 sets were over quickly with Dave winning 3-1, 3-9, 9-7, 9-1, 9-0.

Next up was Tom McEwan and Catherine John playing at numbers 3 & 1. Tom had a comfortable win over Peter O’Connor with a 3-0 score line of 9-0, 9-0, 9-1. On the other court Catherine was playing Marek Rak and an entertaining match was won by Catherine 3-0, who displayed better consistency throughout the match with a score of 9-6, 9-2, 9-1.

Anthony was last up playing Neelu Sarkar @ #2. This match was quickly wrapped up by Anthony who won 3-0 with a score of 9-1, 9-1, 9-3.

Match results including ref points was 20-1 to Grange 4. We then were treated to an assortment of pizza, birdies & mini sausage rolls followed by strawberries and chocolate biscuits and a drink of our choice before heading off home.

Pos	Player	Rubbers	Games	Points			Player	Rubbers	Games	Points
1	Catherine John	1	3	27			Marek Rak	0	0	9
2	Anthony Fitzgerald	1	3	27			Neelu Sarkar	0	0	5
3	Tom McEwan	1	3	27			Peter O'Connor	0	0	1
4	David Grieve	1	3	30			Murdo Walker	0	1	17
5	Neil Love	1	3	27			Adam Robinson	0	0	2
Total		5	15	138				0	1	34
Competition Points		18						1