The Veterans Squash Rackets Club of Great Britain


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GB Vets Tour to York Friday June 17 – Sat June 18 2016


The GB Vets regular tour to York completed successfully over the weekend.

Wiggington host Nick Clifford, an old friend and colleague of some of us, treated us with his usual enthusiasm and efficiency and credited us with a draw, 4 matches all, on Friday though his team would have beaten us on games won and lost. On Saturday though the vets had a better day, at least some of us, and we prevailed 6-2. So an overall 10 – 6 to the Vets.

Octogenarians Kinder and Woodliffe showed that there is life in the old dogs yet both having 100% success rates along with Raymond Burke MBE.

Fridays matches started with Alison Goy up with a toughie against Yorkshire star Nicky Horn. The match of the afternoon and one which had some amount of needle and a tough time for the marker, referee and judge – yours truly, suckered by Nick into the task. An excellent Ian Tooms apparently unbeaten this season and with an exemplary record over the past few seasons went 2 up against ex-army sergeant, don’t forget the MBE Burke, who then clawed 2 games back, had match ball against at 9-8 in the 5th but eventually conquered 10-9. Nick Clifford had his usual play with his old team mate in another 5 setter and Neil Harrison also had the same long game but came out on the losing end. Martin wright and Ian Thomson both had little luck against their opponents.

Fridays matches started with Alison Goy up with a toughie against Yorkshire star Nicky Horn. The match of the afternoon and one which had some amount of needle and a tough time for the marker, referee and judge – yours truly, suckered by Nick into the task. An excellent Ian Tooms apparently unbeaten this season and with an exemplary record over the past few seasons went 2 up against ex-army sergeant, don’t forget the MBE Burke, who then clawed 2 games back, had match ball against at 9-8 in the 5th but eventually conquered 10-9. Nick Clifford had his usual play with his old team mate in another 5 setter and Neil Harrison also had the same long game but came out on the losing end. Martin wright and Ian Thomson both had little luck against their opponents.

On the Saturday afternoon Session Martin Wright also v his old team Mate Nick Clifford recovered some pride as did Neil Harrison – the latter two both having 3-1 victories. Ian, put it on my racket Thomson and I will show you what to do with it, also had an easier time recording a 3-0 victory. Unfortunately Alison suffered the wooden spoon and yours truly ended up in the Ladies section as the only losers. Needless to say the two veterans with pedigree romped to victories.

This left us overall 10-6 winners.

We had the pleasure of the company of Jane Harrison on Friday afternoon along with regulars Jacqui Kinder and Terry Woodliffe. In addition, we had the pleasure of John Hings another old friend, colleague and Squash enthusiast who has had to retire from Squash because of a hip replacement and a heart condition. John also used to own The Manor Squash Club in Ilkeston, previously owned by Mansfield Brewery of which he was a director.

Saturday completed with evening visits to a couple of hostels interspersed with a fine Italian in York. The evening concluded with some in an inebriated state – they shall be nameless but overall it concluded a fine enjoyable weekend at a fine hospitable club hosted by an old friend and colleague - who also gave a tour of the snickets and alleyways in York with his usual enthusiasm on Saturday morning – the 5 mile trek did though damage the legs and motivation of at least one individual.

Thanks To Wiggington Squash Club their members and in particular Nick Clifford and his lovely wife Sheila who prepared the Chilli on Friday night.