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The sun's rays gently played on the grassy mound by the ancient clubhouse - sunlight dappled through the trees onto the manicured tenderly cared for grass courts. The occasional refined cry of ‘Good shot Daffers old thing !' or ‘Well played Rodders !' wafted on the light cooling breeze as John ‘Premier Service'our gregarious and convivial Head Barman, immaculate in white laundered shirt and neatly ironed full length pristine black waiter's apron, dispensed freshly made iced Pimms and merry quips to one and all.......

Yep.......just another summer's lazy Sunday tennis afternoon at The Green Oasis, the sound of birds chirping...... in the rafters of the Richard Jones squash court fledgling bluetits urgently implored their parents to return with more sustenance...but.....it was not to be..... they were in for a long and hungry wait that Sunday afternoon as the peace on court was shattered by the long awaited climax to the Thackray Williams sponsored 2009 Squash Tournie in aid of SPARKS charity !

First up, The Handicap Final -

Round Robin (-20) v Garth ‘Iron Man of The Veldt (-25) . The stage was set for a battle royal as Round Robin obviously offended by (though gentlemanly not showing it) Garth's rather patronising offer of a ten point difference , stormed into an immediate lead that to the incredulity and massed amazement and merriment of the assembled hordes, turned into a 13-6 advantage. Two points to go, the rafters echoed to the cries of ‘Round Robin ! Round Robin !' ...as realisation rather painfully dawned upon Garth that Handicap was all about not making mistakes. Our Iron Man recovered and painstakingly drew back to 14-14..and then, sudden death...all over with a delicate cross court..and 1-0 to The Wildebeast from The Veldt.....

Robin, dejected, shoulders slumped at this early setback sought refreshment in a glass of John Premier Service's renown ‘Eau de Downham' and returned reinvigorated to the field of battle. 6-0 up and playing squash belying his comfortable appearance and advancing years Round Robin was creaming his opponent...but , we thought, we'd seen this before...the Iron Man would come back as in the first...But...not this time ...Round Robin holding on to win 15-8 and level the match at 1-1.

Game 3 and as the news spread of a possible upset on the Richard Jones Court the gallery was packed, WAGS including Marie Edith and Fay, suburban solicitors and their offspring, our beloved and revered Chairman VtP, George NotSo Wise, Simon Networker Lewis back for a few days from his base in Porto Fino as well as a sprinkling of new members and casual passers by.

This time, Garth determined, rugged, powerful, a true throwback to his Neanderthal forebears mounted an awesome comeback as Round Robin , surging into a 14-9 lead seemingly could only watch and spectate as with an acceleration of power and finesse his lead was cut back...14-10, 11....and 12 but then , rousing himself out of his stupour and with one last desperate lunge.....drop shot...dribbled over the tin...and down..to safety despite Garth's best efforts .......2-1 to Round Robin !

Both combatants weary, sweat soaked in the searing heat...Could they rouse themselves ? Would they? Back on court, Garth again determined...power play....the lead eradicated...almost...but Round Robin fought back.....delicate shots...sublime touch....10-6..but pulled back by awesome attacking play....just one point in it... 11-10 ....‘Iron Man! Iron Man !', the crowd roared urging on their favourite son of the Veldt. Marie Edith dared not to look, Henri (le fils de Round Robin) clenched his fist in support ‘ C'mon Papa..c'mon...',he muttered soundlessly to himself.....as Round Robin kept a point ahead....then two....14-13..this for the match...Garth out of position...Round Robin tinned it....the crowd gasped...14-14, Garth serving....pulsating display of shots, cross court...textbook length, width.... And then a chance....a drop..low...surely Garth could not reach it ?...surely ?...and he didn't ! 15-14 to Round Robin.....the crowd roared in their appreciation ..a breathtakingly brilliant final played in superb spirit by two great gladiators of the modern game...culminating in a win to Round Robin 3-1!

Handicap Tournament Winner 2009 - Round Robin Whyte

Open Final

Justin ‘Head Boy' Jardine v Olli ‘The Stalker' Porritt

Well, we thought, could anything possibly live up to the excitement and drama of the Handicap Final ?..... Most likely not.

Anyway, with the prospect of two of SPARKS finest players on show this match was still going to be great ...but without the levelling factor of the Handicap, early betting was on Justin to win in four.......apart from some of us who had had the pleasure of watching Olli last week playing no. 1 for the Seconds and who knew that his movement and agility across court was legendary.....

Olli won the toss, took the first two points, JJ levelled at 4-4, stalemate for a few points and then we saw the much anticipated Olli Surge, sheer determination, a Never Say Die Spirit that rocked JJ back on his heels and left him reeling as Olli closed out the game at 9-4.There was a hubbub of anticipation around the court....anything could happen...for The Marker was.....The Networker.......

Back on court, Olli looking fresh, JJ slightly bemused but determined and playing some masterful and well crafted shots turned on the heat and despite Olli's best retrieving efforts the Stalker was destined to stay in the shadows as JJ took centre stage and ran up a 7-1 lead. Olli, determined, dogged, recovered to 4-8 but JJ eased the game 9-4.

So, one apiece and worse to come for The Stalker- JJ moving well, covering the court, smashing, killing, dropping - shots that wrote textbooks on their own, cruised into a 7-0 lead. Olli, persistent, tenacious, pulled back to 2-8..then ......all over.......9-2 to JJ.

2-1 to JJ . Was there any way back for Olli The Stalker? we wondered. Was it all over? Had the valiant effort been in vain? Looking over to Fay, a picture of loveliness and concentration, leaning forward, intent, eyes glistening ...with tears? ..hope ?...expectation ? She had faith in her man...always would do......her hero.......the one they called Olli The Stalker.

Olli out first...practising shots...JJ to serve...immediately behind..Olli playing with passion...JJ missing and uncharacteristically tinning as Olli The Stalker emerged from the shadows of his opponent's majestic play...caused errors...forced, unforced...who could say? 6-1 ahead, then 7..now 8 -1. JJ got the serve back, focusing on one point at a time he pulled himself back....2-8...3......4-8..then...mistake...serve back to Olli.. who served.....volleyed....chased the ball down relentlessly ...and ......JJ tinned ....9-4 to Olli and 2-2 in games !

‘Awesome! Truly Awesome !', as our beloved and revered chairman so eloquently put into words the thoughts and feelings of those privileged to be at this stunning encounter.

Olli with the serve advantage....tight...both unwilling to make a mistake.....seesaw and then Olli forged ahead...3-1, 4, then 5-1..the unthinkable was happening .....but..with an explosion of pace...skill anticipation and sublime skill...JJ forced his way back....2-5.....to 5-5...Olli looking far from beat but unable to turn prowess into points...and what do Points Mean? Points mean Prizes. But the Prize was evading Olli's grasp....as, relentlessly, mechanically, with metronomic precision, JJ continued on his quest for perfection.....The Final Victory and ultimate accolade....taking no prisoners.....any shot but perfect was punished....6-5, 7-5, Fay couldn't look...we couldn't look.....Olli had to look.....could Olli come back? The spirit was willing...the body was willing ...the crowd urged him on ‘Stalker! Stalker! Stalker!' but they ..and he ..had no answer in the end to pure focused skill as JJ closed out the game and match in style at 9-5.

Open Winner Justin ‘HeadBoy' Jardine

Wow! Fantastic - a great afternoon and two terrific matches. As our beloved and revered Chairman said in his presentation speech ....never being one to abandon a well tried and trusted phrase....... ‘That was ...truly...truly...awesome !...Really ..really ...AWESOME !'

And so it was...prizes were presented...photies took......pleas chat and fine ale were dispensed and supped as a Great, Great...even..... Awesome..... Day came to a close....

Phil

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