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12th APRIL 2019
I don’t know exactly how long this fixture has been
played but the hospitality and the general atmosphere
continues to grow, a great match and evening.
Unfortunately, GB Vets lost their number 1 through
injury the night before but Beckenham gallantly agreed
to play Steve Pratt their number one carrying a
handicap, which was taken from the relative positions of
the players in Squash Levels. A fantastic game evolved
with Steve playing every single ball and risking few
shots given his -7/+7 handicap. Andy Davies
is probably the worst person to play in these
circumstances as he is superbly fit and Steve a player
renowned for shot play was eventually run ragged and
Andy came through the winner to a burst of applause for
both players.
Meanwhile on the other court Karen Hume
in her annual battle with Ian Smith
(also a GB Vet) on this occasion showed her speed and
all-round game to full effect and came through in a
closely fought 3/1
A reverse situation was taking place on the other court
as Patrick, one of Beckenham’s team of coaches extracted
himself from Coaching mode and was just too strong for a
not 100% fit Adam Rich 3/0.
Dan Sweeney coming in at three for our
injured number one produced a display of carefully
controlled lobs to the corners followed up by a series
of fine drop shots to get his own back on Toby who had
beaten him earlier in the season in a Kent league match.
So, GB Vets were 3/1 up and the winners but all was not
finished as Nigel Belle, England O75s
Captain this year, took to the court against the young
or maybe younger Geoff. Much conversation ensued plus
some squash with the most eloquent of appeals to the
marker. A hugely entertaining spectacle with lots of
close games but alas in the end age defeated experience
and Geoff won.
So an overall win for the GB Vets 3/2!
Moving swiftly to the bar where the games were re-fought
over wine and beer and then into the dining room for an
excellent dinner.
Well done Beckenham with a special thank you to
Ian Smith for running this fixture and
producing another cracker!
Robert Smith
Non-Playing Captain
Full results were as follows:
| |
Beckenham |
|
GB Vets |
|
|
| 1 |
Steve Pratt |
lost to |
Andy Davies |
2-3 |
6/11,13/11,11/9,9/11,1/11 |
| 2 |
Patrick Ashworth |
beat |
Adam Rich |
3-0 |
11/8,11/4,11/6 |
| 3 |
Toby Carr |
lost to |
Dan Sweeney |
0-3 |
7/11,8/11,10/12 |
| 4 |
Ian Smith |
lost to |
Karen Hume |
1-3 |
15/13,4/11,11/13,6/11 |
| 5 |
Geoff McMullen |
beat |
Nigel Belle |
3-1 |
11/8,11/9,9/11,11/9 |
|
|
|
GB Vets: Robert Smith, Jane Belle, Karen Hume, Andy
Davies, Dan Sweeney, Adam Rich and Nigel Belle |
Both teams and supporters |
|
