The Veterans Squash Rackets Club of Great Britain


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VC of GB v FITZWILLIAM CLUB


27th February 2016

2016 was the Vets turn to host our good friends from Dublin, Fitzwilliam Club. With our usual playing venues under refurbishment, we were lucky enough to secure the use of the Roehampton Club, with its newly built glass back squash courts that included a full size doubles court.

The format of the match was changed this year to include two lady players and was a big success, so much so that we will continue this for next year and maybe even expand on it! In addition there were 4 men who would play 4 singles, except it didn’t happen that way! Unfortunately Fitz number one, Damien O’Reilly, injured himself in the previous evenings match against the RAC and did not feel up to singles. So it was decided the numbers one and two strings would play doubles and make use of the magnificent new doubles court which was fortuitously available.

Our two ladies Tammy Bennet and Melissa Jagger proved themselves up for the match and both ran out worthy 3/0 winners. The men did not fare quite so well. Patrick Fleming lost 3/0 to a strong number 3, Michael O’Shea, but that loss was balanced by a strong performance  from brand new Vets member Bedford Lloyd who was too strong for Fitz Captain David Allen.

So with the match at 3-1 could Fitz rescue a draw by taking 2 points from the final doubles? The match could not have been closer with Steve Jackson and Gordon Kerr teaming up for the first time to take on two tricky Irish veterans. Two of the first four games went down to the wire, with Fitz securing both. The final game saw The Fitz pair go into a 14/11 lead but some risky winning shots saw the Vets pull level. Calling one at match ball with the serve, surely the Vets pair would triumph? Sadly not as a double handed mishit drop saw the Fitzwilliam pair secure the match and an honourable draw for the team!

A superb lunch was provided in the clubhouse overlooking the golf course as both teams toasted their success and the next year's match in Dublin, where the Vets will try to wrest away the beautiful Silver challenge cup from Fitzwilliam’s tight grip.

Fitzwilliam   GB Vets  
Michael O'Shea beat Patrick Fleming 3-0
David Allen lost to Bedford Lloyd 0-3
Alan Coulthard lost to Tammy Bennett 0-3
Sarah Berkeley lost to Melissa Jagger 0-3
Damien O'Reilly & Trevor McVeigh beat Steve Jackson & Gordon Kerr 3-2

 

Photo L to R: Trevor McVeagh, Damien O’Reilly, Patrick ?, Michael O’Shea, Steve Jackson, Patrick Flemings wife, Tammy Bennett, Gordon Kerr, Patrick Fleming, Melissa Jagger, Bedford Lloyd, Christine Mooney, Alan Thomson, Sarah Berkeley