12th April 2012

An excellent evening, but not without a little drama!  Chris Ansell had to pull out of the VC team a few days before the match as his Dr was very keen to see him, but very kindly, Steve Johnson took his place at short notice. Then just before David Garrett was due to go on court he turned an awful shade of yellow and was very ill. The good news, writing this on the 13th April, is that he is still alive and feeling much better!

The first match was the doubles and that was really a humdinger. Graham and Roy for Ashstead were two love up and 14/12 in the third but the senior pair from the VC would not lie down and die. The match then went to the fifth and again Ashstead were 14/12 up but did not manage to finish it off.

Peter Ward in the meantime had a great game against Steve Johnson and just managed to win. Match score one all.

David Garrett made the knock up then disappeared. Two one to Ashstead.

Jon Gransden took on a lively Geoff Gill from the VC and again this match went to five with the beaming Geoff coming through. Match score two all.

Final match between Nick Jeffery and Ian Robinson; the Gallery were treated to a display of squash of the highest order played in a wonderful spirit that had a good size gallery gasping and cheering at many of the rallies. We all felt privileged to have been there.

The final scores: VC of GB beat Ashtead 3/2

Nick Jeffery lost to Ian Robinson 7/9, 10/9, 1/9, 4/9
Tom Holdon beat David Garrett 3/0-retired ill
Jon Gransden lost to Geoff Gill 10/8, 3/9, 9/7, 8/10, 3/9
Peter Ward beat Steve Johnson 9/7, 3/9, 10/9, 10/9
Graham Francis and Roy Allibone lost to John Woodliffe and Lance Kinder 17/16, 15/12, 17/18, 13/15, 15/18.