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‘So, VTP', I'd said, as we strolled down to the club together, ‘What d'you think of this Icelandic crisis- financial markets in a bit of a meltdown, assets being frozen, little sign of an economic thaw?' ‘I know', he responded, ‘blame it all on the two week squash break- people bored, no team to support , (or laugh at, I'd thawt ), no reports to read...' ‘Yep', I'd said, ‘ and now, winter league starting, back in action, out of the deep freeze into the fire really...'and leaving VTP rather bemused by this somewhat mixed metaphor, we wandered over to see whether the Seconds' performance had cooled or whether they were red hot and rarin' to go !

Ironically, bearing in mind this theme we're developing, the first person espied was the skip- Super Cool Mr Rich Hail Stone, who by the time we'd arrived had led by example and comfortably won 3-0 !- presumably finding squash a pleasant distraction from the more serious business of trying single handedly to control the economic market from his Bank of England offices !

Also we managed to miss the welcome return of Monsieur Ian ‘Piece de cheveux' Dean aka Wiggy- over on a flying visit from Saint Martin, La Rochelle, scene of SPARKS's amazing 2007 tour. And Wiggy's performance ? ‘Bit out of touch, Phil..bit lucky.....took him in three but would not have liked it to go to four', explained the always modest unassuming Wiggy. Great to have you back in the equipe Monsieur Wiggy - et Bonne chance a l'avenir !

Two nil up-looking good, Peter on the Richard Jones court..... but more fun, surely, watching Garth (or should it be Girth ?) on Court Two. Garth , sweating profusely and sliding inelegantly on pools of perspiration, managed the occasional front wall gets , and with his opponent breaking out into non p.c Gordon Ramseyish expletives we on the balcony were able to join in and agreeing volubly that one of his opponents self described shots was as poor as had been so eloquently described , then managing to stare down his somewhat frosty and baleful glance, we continued enjoying ourselves supporting our Girth...out came the Ra Ra skirts, donned by the Cheer Leaders and with the cheers of ‘SPARKS ! SPARKS ! Ra Ra Ra !'rebounding from the rafters we led our Iron Man of the Veldt to a well deserved 3-1 win !

With the skip exhorting ‘Maximum Effort.... Maximum Points and........ what do points mean?.......'. Peter responded to this, by now, slightly cheesy TimeShare atmosphere and exhibiting fine court craft..... on more than one occasion opening his legs and showing his class.... with fine cross courts and deft drops overwhelmed his opponent 3-0 , who deserved to be beaten anyway as he was aesthetically displeasing in tucked in shirt and long blue shorts .

All that was left was the climax to the evening...The Finale...The long awaited appearance of The Networker...so, with the match well won at 4-0, it obviously wasn't worth wasting precious time watching this non event and we retired to the bar..........Relenting somewhat after slaking our thirst, we reappeared to have a chuckle at Bambi's efforts at marking, but regrettably, no contre temps and in an uncontentious match The Networker was well in control and eased to a confident and comfortable 3-0 win !

The AfterParty

Tucking into Nan's double portions - she'd thought both teams were playing at home (how we laughed....)....... the conversation buzzed, VTP sensibly and wisely counselled caution...'One polar bear does not an Icecap make' he advised soundly.....wise words as always from our beloved Squash Chairman ! Memories of previous Whitewashes were recalled...'Only one this season was A.C.s reverse 0-3, doesn't like to talk about it, erased from his memory bank...'..'His nickname changed though to Whitewash...yep, so funny..' and at the memory of AC's discomfort, how we laughed ! Tears rolling down our cheeks....The conversation was tinged with sadness though at the sad news of Boothy's pa, who had passed away on Sunday. The suggestion to name Court Two ‘The Brian Booth Court' was greeted warmly..'Life member, joined in '62.....Honorary Treasurer.... Team skipper, a fine sportsman, sociable ..in fact one of Life's True Gentleman...' ‘Not like his son then, that family trait somehow skipped a generation' , we started laughing....then stopped in respect for Brian, but then realizing that he, who actually found these occasional reports amusing, would have wanted us to carry on...we continued laughing at the thought of Richard as one of Life's Gentlemen...Oh dear oh dear...Tears flowing...nay streaming down our cheeks...!

So, a fine start to the season, Well played the Seconds and Brian- if you're watching up there - Keep on Supporting ! We miss you mate !

Phil

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