The annual Festival of Squash was held at the splendid
RAC, Woodcote Park on Sunday October 10th. GB Vets, RAC,
Escorts and Army teams lined up to play each other with
the usual 3 singles and 3 doubles teams. A template for
the schedule of matches and handicapping based on age
completed the set up and all seemed straightforward to the
new Chair.
The theory is great but finding a team of players is much
more difficult and all the teams had setbacks. The Army
lost their top two early in the week and another deployed
Friday evening. At the same time GB Vets Dean Newberry
(down for 6 matches) twisted his knee and Charles Fuente
fell off a boat! There were last minute negotiations to
find players and eventually, every team turned out a full
side.
The matches were varied and always entertaining. Notable
battles included, singles: Fergus Burnett beating the
young Escorts No.1 3/2, John Goodrich overcoming the
Army’s No.3 also 3/2. Although he lost 3/2 Dan Sweeney’s
match against the Army Captain. Doubles: Sweeney/Burnett
beating the formidable Army duo of Ashmans 3/2 and
Burnett/Sheppard just getting past the Escorts pair (also
GB Vets) of Alan Boulden and Dave Parker 3/2.
Kinder and Woodliffe playing doubles for the Escorts
enjoyed their opponents needing 38 points to win but youth
prevailed in the end and one does not often get Smith,
Belle and youth in the same sentence! What a joy to play
on proper doubles courts despite the extra size messing up
ones best kill shots.
It was looking good for the GB Vets around lunch but other
teams were spurred on in the second half leaving the
winners easing to victory by just 2 points. The Army
pipping the GB Vets followed by the RAC and Escorts.
The Club put on good post match spread and many stayed for
drinks and chat with old friends.
Thanks to James Dubois and the RAC for the use of the Club
and the consummate professionalism of all the backroom
staff. Thanks to team captains – Chris O’Brien Army,
Shayne Baillie RAC and Jonny Machin & Dave Parker Escorts
-and all the players who played with great spirit and
sporting flair.
Finally, it is the Chair’s event to organise, but it was
Jane and Nigel Belle who did all the pre weekend planning
and match schedules (11 versions!) and kept us all ticking
along to time during the day so a special thanks from me
to them.
The Festival is a great event and I encourage all playing
members to look out for next year’s date and offer their
services to play.
Ian Graham
GB Vets Captain
GB Vets players: Nigel Belle, Nigel Bacon, Fergus
Burnett, John Goodrich, Ian Graham, Karen Hume, John
Prestwick, Nick Sheppard, Robert Smith, Dan Sweeney.
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