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	Mark Dutton	1	3	35			James Birkhead	0	2	27
2	Jamie Helme	0	0	6			David Thompson	1	3	27
3	Rocco Pannozzo	0	2	28			Craig Wallace	1	3	42
4	David Grieve	0	2	25			Michael Clarkson	1	3	29
5	Neil Love	0	2	26			Graham McCraw	1	3	38
Total		1	9	120				4	14	163
Competition Points		9						17

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 5^th 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 4^th 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.

2nd team give students a lesson

2^nd team give students a lesson

 

Wednesday 14^th January saw the 2^ndteam start the 2^nd 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 1^sthalf 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.

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 4^th 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	Jamie Helme	1	3	35			Bernard Starkey	0	1	17
2	Rocco Pannozzo	1	3	27			Neelu Sarkar	0	0	13
3	David Grieve	1	3	27			Steve Robb	0	0	11
4	Tom McEwan	1	3	27			Peter O'Connor	0	0	10
5	Neil Love	1	3	27			Adam Robinson	0	0	5
Total		5	15	143				0	1	56
Competition Points		18						1

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.

Grange 4 versus CCS6 – Tuesday 25/11/2014; Venue – Grange Sports Club

Tonight we were playing Colinton Castle 6 (CCS6) down at the Grange.

Christie and myself were first up playing number 4 & 5 respectively. Both games were won in 4 and both ended with Grange winning them 3-1. I was playing Lynn and having found myself picking up cheap points early in the match, Lynn started to work out my game and before I could respond Lynn took the second set from 1-6 down. Eventually I found a way to start scoring points and after a tight third set, which I managed to sneak, the match was won in the fourth. Meanwhile on the other court Christy lost the first set 7-9 but quickly established himself in the game by winning the next set to love and going on to win the match comfortably.   

Next up was Jamie, who was playing Bob Baikie at number 3. This match was over quickly with Bob winning 3-0. It seemed that every shot hit by Jamie was finding the middle of Bob’s racquet, who then responded with a winner.

Over on the other court Mark was playing Jamie and it seemed that Mark was intent on beating himself and complaining loudly about the quality of his squash and quickly found himself 2-0 down. Mark was becoming increasingly fractious as the game wore on and managed to level the match 2-2. The 5^th set followed a similar pattern with Mark arguing against any decision going against him, which earned a conduct warning for dissension, followed by a conduct stroke on the next point. Order was restored and Mark went on to win the set 9-5, for a 3-2 win. Jamie was less than impressed with the outcome.

The last match on court was between the number 1’s which were Dougie and Derek. An enthralling match ensued with Dougie taking the first set 9-3 before Derek struck back by winning the second set 9-7. Dougie then took the third set with a commanding game. Dougie started the fourth set in a similar fashion and with the Pizza’s ordered and the fat lady about to warm up her vocal chords; Derek fought back and levelled to take the game into a fifth set. Despite this setback Dougie regrouped and after some changes of serve early in the set, managed to get his nose in front and seal the win taking the set 9-5 for a 3-2 win.

Match results including ref points was 17-11 to Grange 4. We then retired to the bar for the standard fare of Franco’s pizzas and refreshments. The pizzas were delivered promptly and a few of them had the topping slide over to one side, so extra helpings for those who noticed.

Pos	Player	Rubbers	Games	Points			Player	Rubbers	Games	Points
1	Dougie Brown	1	3	43			Derek Barr	0	2	26
2	Mark Dutton	1	3	36			Jamie Davidson	0	2	38
3	Jamie Helme	0	0	13			Bob Baikie	1	3	27
4	Christy Looby	1	3	34			Fraser Steven	0	1	15
5	Neil Love	1	3	33			Lynn Grant	0	1	17
Total		4	12	159				1	9	123
Competition Points		15						9

Grange 4 versus Waverley 4 – Tuesday 18/11/2014

Grange 4 versus Waverley 4 – Tuesday 18/11/2014; Venue – Grange Sports Club

This team match was quickly upon us after our last performance on Friday at Edinburgh Sports Club and with a much changed team due to full availability we entertained Waverley 4 on Tuesday 18/11/14 down at the Grange. We found ourselves sharing courts with the national league team which at times doubled the amount of spectators watching the squash on offer.

Jamie and myself were first up playing number 1 & 5 respectively. Both games went to 5, I was having trouble dealing with Chris’s deft lob serves and drop shots to the corner, but managed to grind out a win and Jamie was having a bit a of a battle on the other court and the game was officiated over by a visiting national league ref who kept a lid on things with amongst other things a conduct warning against Colin. Jamie took the match 3-2.

Next up was Rocco and Richard playing at number 4 & 2 respectively. Rocco was up to his usual and lost the first 2 games easily before mounting a spirited comeback to close out a 3-2 win. Richard was too strong for his opponent in the other match and a lot of big hitting from both players saw Richard win 3-0.

Last up was Christy playing Gary at number 3. Christy started well taking the first 9-1, before Gary worked out how play Christy to take the second game 9-7, unfortunately Gary then retired injured early in the 3^rd game after pulling a calf muscle and this left Christy to take the match 3-1.    

Match results including ref points was 20-7 to Grange 4. We then retired to the bar for the standard fare of Franco’s pizzas and refreshments to watch the last 30 minutes of the Scotland v England match being shown on the TV and to reflect on the evening events.

Pos	Player	Rubbers	Games	Points			Player	Rubbers	Games	Points
1	Jamie Helme	1	3	38			Colin Cruickshank	0	2	27
2	Richard Nisbet	1	3	27			Neil Kempsell	0	0	15
3	Christy Looby	1	3	34			Gary Loake	0	1	12	Retired
4	Rocco Pannozzo	1	3	33			Martin Robertson	0	2	32
5	Neil Love	1	3	32			Chris Jeffrey	0	2	30
Total		5	15	164				0	7	116
Competition Points		18						7