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.
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