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SQUASH TOURNIE  FINALS DAY SUNDAY MARCH 16th 2008

As the tournie slowly ground to its climax there had been a buzz of expectation around the club. Who would the finalists be? Would they be the best players in the club? The luckiest? The ones least affected by half term holidays and skiing trips? The ones who could be able (bothered?) to play their matches?

As the numbers had reduced through the various stages of the tournie, the perennial conversation in the bar revolved around who was through and whether this was on merit or due to the opponent being tossed off by Dave? (Dave, aka Trig, had, it had been commented on, been walking around with a big smile on his face for the last six weeks, although it had also been noted that his squash had suffered somewhat). It was rumoured that some had even not played their matches on purpose in order to participate in the weekly toss off….

The Tournie rules had been clear from the outset- No Whingeing, No Moaning, The Committee’s decision was final……..That only served as a challenge to many, moans about handicaps, lack of time to play the next round, displeasure at being tossed off were the norm, but all falling on deaf ears – ‘Fair but Firm,’ was the Committee’s motto,’Fair but Firm….. if you listen to one ..you have to listen to them all’, so we remained resolute(yes, all right then….we did make a small concession in that the tournie period was lengthened, but then you can’t be too rigid, as Dave had pointed out).

So, at last…the Great Day dawned, and on the gallery of the Richard Jones Court it seemed as if Family Fun Day had arrived at Sundridge! Babies bawled, toddlers toddled, bored kids fidgeted and asked ‘Can we go now ?’as the finalists’ families arrived in force to support their heroes…as did the crowds..to watch, with awe and amazement the first match of the day –

The Plate Final

Rich Hailston v Chris Bowman

Rich, having narrowly beaten Phil (but it had been at half ten on Saturday morning) was the bookies favourite – just - as he joined with Chris in trying to burst the ball with the sheer power of their shots. ‘Blimey, standard’s a bit good for the Plate Final,’ I remarked to Vin,as yet another twenty shot rally was played…’ Yep,’ he agreed Mainly cos you’re not in it mate ‘, was the immediate reply as he and others around, fell about laughing, so unamused I turned back to the squash…Chris took the first, coming back strongly, Could Rich’s fitness and staying power prevail ? we wondered as we stood..in awe ..at the display of fine Festival Squash, but Rich’s eventual success was not due to fitness…Chris having plenty of staying power but unfortunately was also prone to using the tin as target practice on more than one occasion and eventually on one occasion too many. Standing ovation, Hamlet break and back for the

Handicap Final

Tom Leathes v Glen Shipley

This was always going to be tricky for Glen against Tom ‘The Bandit’ Leathes, supported by charming wife and Mini Me s. Giving away 12 points to the bookies odds on favourite, had asked for advice prior to the match…’Well, handicap’s an anomaly,’ he’d been told…’Sometimes happens…understand that Tom had slipped to division 6 before the Tournie…lost a couple of matches to one of the Organising Committee members…been handicapped accordingly…then stuffed all and sundry in the earlier rounds. Line and Length, mate, watch his reach, lanky b*gger he is…and fit as well. You gotta play to the best of your ability, be on top of your game,’ Glen had been told. First game to Tom…easily….second game, a remarkable fight back by Glen…the gap narrowing to 8…7….6… points…..5…within striking distance…then cross court screamer…and with it the enormity of the task dawned on Glen. Third game, he was a mere shadow of himself and Tom ran out a worthy winner…albeit a Bandit…but he played well… though…. to be fair…for a Bandit! A ten minute break was called, the crowd rushed out to see Spurs being beaten and returned for the climax of the day…to the

Open Final

 Justin Jardine v Andy Redfern

This Open Final was a Final good enough to grace any Tournie…Justin, having been to the Canary Wharf Tournie ..albeit in a spectating capacity, had obviously picked up a few tips and looked sharp…and cool as always….Andy was good, really good though and the game see sawed……the crowd exhorted their favourite onto seemingly impossible returns, retrievals, drops..it was Great Squash ! First game to Andy, second to Justin..Andy drenched with sweat, taking time out to query a couple of Lets awarded by Dave..aka Twig……Twig stayed firm…Andy got on with the game…...but was tiring…Justin just too good on the day won in four..A standing ovation …albeit shortlived cos the bar tab had opened….

The After Party

Free food (paid for by Raj Moni), free drink, pleas chat…..who could ask for anything more ? ‘A great day,’ as Vin The Print , our beloved Sq chairman, remarked at the Prize ceremony…..’A great club…Great members…’, unusually and rather disappointingly no mention of the club being a Green Oasis in a Concrete Jungle though (must have got hisself a new scriptwriter ). The trophy was handed out…then returned….prizes courtesy of Thackray Williams were handed out…Vouchers for squash gear courtesy of Andy Raby- you’re a real star, mate !

Thanks all round…to Sue for preparing the delicious food…to the Sponsors for prizes, food and bar tab, to Bambi for taking the photos, to Us the Organisers..and of course to all those who entered ! A Great Day Out and onto the next one- Gary Church’s Second …or Third? Inaugural Squash Doubles coming to a squash court near you soon….in June.

Phil