Match 8 - Writtle Away

And so to our favourite match of the season - Writtle Away. We had all been looking forward to a pleasant evening, on their clean well-maintained courts, with a sociable beer afterwards, chatting the night away.....! It was a lovely Spring evening, birds were singing, not a cloud in the sky, and hopes were high of a good match, and maybe a good result....

"You playing No. 2 ? Can you go on first, as I need to get away early" was the opening welcoming remark from Andy Russell. Oh well, so the welcome wasn't so warm, but never mind.

And so on went Paul vs Andy for the umpth-teen time this winter. After the home marker eventually took his position saying he really didn't fancy marking these 2 charming characters, the match got underway. Paul looked really lively and enthusiastic, playing with loads of gusto, narrowly losing 5/9 0/9 4/9. Enough said....(Note he only got 9 points - important for later). This 3 - 0 scoreline was achieved in pretty quickfire time, but not as fast as the main attraction of the evening - Man Utd were 3 - 0 up v Reading in their FA Cup replay in just 6 minutes !

On the other court, Colin had started against Ian Worby. Colin looked to have the game to beat an out-of-shape opponent, using his usual tight shots up the wall, followed by boasts. After contriving to lose the first game, he then managed to win the next 2 despite seeming out-of-sorts himself. Knowing that he should have been making easier work of the match, Colin was getting frustrated with himself, and this proved his undoing as he handed the last 2 games to his opponent.

Our No. 5 Dan was up against "You know my son Ben'' (I don't think he has his own name !). Again the home players didn't come rushing forward to mark, and with the players ready, the Clements' Skipper took control to get the game under way. The early exchanges set the tone for the whole match with rallies being won by both players, but rarely 2 in succession to the same player. And so the score plodded laboriously along, until Dan scraped the first game 9/7. The next 2 games followed exactly the same pattern with exactly the same result. A boring predictable match involving Dan....!? Now there was something for the blog report.

As Clements were staging their comeback, so too were Reading who had reduced their arrears to 2 - 3; were there to be 2 shock results this night....?

Clements' Skipper Dave went on court against the youthful Jack in what proved to be the best match of the evening. Long rallies and close games ensued with neither player managing to exact meaningful dominance. First game to Writtle, second and third to Clements, and fourth to Writtle. The fifth game reached its pre-ordained situation of 8/8. Dave called Set 1, and the tall Jack blasted an overhead into the tin. "Right decision" said Jack to Dave; "It's not won yet" came the reply, and so it proved. After a further exchange of points, Jack was victorious, and so Clements had lost the match - surprise, surprise.

Reading also lost...

With the No. 1's (Chris v Kris) having already started, and therefore not sure of the result, they were playing some good quality squash. The Writtle man is soon to turn Pro though, and showed too much class for Clements' Chris. Despite a late flurry of tight boasts from Chris, the home player eased to a 9/1 9/3 9/6 victory (10 points won by the Clements man, and that was to prove enough to take the major prize of the evening - front seat on the way home - bad luck Paul !)

The social afterwards proved lack-lustre with 4 of the home team going home early, and Colin decided he had had enough and accepted Dan's offer of an early lift. A tasty chilli was produced by Ian's "other half". Conversation centred around life in Division 3 for Clements (we actually can't wait), and the probable break-up of the Writtle team as they decide which club to play for next.

Paul collected the match fees as always, and was at least honest enough to admit that being Hon.Team Treasurer was a key factor in him and Lorraine securing the mortgage for their new house. So how on earth is Chris affording his new house ? Well, I guess he does have a proper job, and he also knows how to pull in favours - cheap kitchen then is it ?!

Results -
Chris Purkiss lost to Kris Medows 1-9 3-9 6-9
Paul Hodge lost to Andy Russell 5-9 0-9 4-9
Dave Coates lost to Jack Code-Bate 6-9 9-7 9-7 3-9 8-9
Colin lost to Ian Worby 3-9 9-4 9-2 2-9 0-9
Dan beat "Ben's Dad" 9-7 9-7 9-7

Clements lost to Writtle 1 - 4 (7 - 17)

N.B. - Many thanks to Captain Dave for writing this report. I really couldn't face the prospect of writing about another defeat, especially after such a good night too.....!

Roll on Division 3.....!

Match 7 - Next Generation Home

After yet another defeat last week, this week's fixture surely presented Clements with their best chance of securing a victory against fellow strugglers Next Generation. There was a slight doubt over the availability of Colin, but he called in at half three to confirm that his flight back from Spain was on schedule and he would be available. Now that's dedication to the cause!

First on was Paul v Colin at No.2. It was a scrappy affair with not many long exchanges, as both players tried to finish the rallies quickly. Ultimately it was the Clements player whose class shone through though, and he ran out a comfortable 3-0 winner. About time too!

On the other court Dave had begun against Scott - a match he had won 3-0 in the first half. A repeat of that scoreline tonight would put us in the unusual position of being 2-0 up after 2 rubbers! However, it was not to be and after a tight first game went the way of Scott 10-8, Captain Fantastic appeared to run out steam and succumbed 3-0.

Chris was next on against Luke, but his preparation was hardly ideal in that he had forgotten his shoes! So he borrowed Paul's, which were still smoking from the awesome speed at which he had flown round the court earlier! Maybe they would provide Chris with his first win of the season too. But unfortunately the shoes weren't enough, and Luke secured a 3-0 victory in a match which produced good squash from both players and was probably closer than the scoreline suggested.

Meanwhile the returning Dan had started his game against Steve. He cruised to the first game and after claiming the second largely untroubled too he was seemingly on course to maintain his 100% record, and with it take the match to a deciding rubber. However, it all seemed to go pear-shaped after that. And whether it was a lack of concentration or perhaps a touch of complacency setting in Steve leveled at 2-2. Dan tried to re-raise his game in the decider, but became increasingly frustrated and Steve took it 9-6. And with that Dan's unblemished record was in tatters and so too was Clements hope of recording a first success!

In the final dead rubber, Colin overcame a jetlagged first game and eventually produced more of the same quality squash from last week to defeat Kenny 3-1.

There were a few strange quotes in the bar afterwards. Not least we learned of Dan's aversion to flying - this despite him being fine on a 24 hour flight to Australia when he was younger! And then we learned that Dave is not too keen either and gets clammy palms during the descent. However he has come up with an original idea to conquer this fear, as upon landing we were told he leans over to wife Stacy and says, "Here, feel this!!!".

One of the more ironic lines of the evening though came from Kenny as we left the Clements Hall car park to go up the Legion. As Dave and I climbed into his 'dogmobil', Kenny - worried that he might not find his way - quipped "Don't lose me".......... as he got into his Porsche!

Results:
Chris lost to Luke Gray 4-9 7-9 5-9
Paul beat Colin Benjafield 9-4 9-7 9-5
Dave lost to Scott Halsey 8-10 5-9 5-9
Colin beat Kenny Trim 4-9 9-3 9-3 9-2
Dan lost to Steve Cunnew 9-3 9-4 5-9 2-9 6-9

Clements lost to Next Generation 2-3 (8-15)

Match 6 - Ongar Away

After successfully completing a 100% first half record, our attentions turned to the trip to Ongar. The only change from last week was Tony Draper brought in to replace 'Homer' Dan Summers who was absent once again. We made pretty good time on the journey to our hosts, arriving just minutes after the 7.20 official start time; covering the 57 mile journey in a little over 2 hours! ;-)

The action commenced straight away, with Tony taking on John at No.5 and Chris matching up with Malcolm again at No.1. As Tony and John warmed up, there was a feeling on the balcony that this might be a classic encounter due to the marked contrast in styles. And so it proved to be. Tony stormed into a 6-0 lead in the first game as John simply couldn't read his awkward disguised drop shots from all over the court. However credit is due to the Ongar veteran who battled back gallantly to snatch the first game, and indeed took the second to lead 2-0. However, Tony's drop and lob game continued to frustrate and as John became increasingly rattled (uncharacteristically!) Tony levelled at 2-2 to force a decider. The concluding game was more of the same from both players, until Tony eventually closed out 9-7 to take a thoroughly entertaining match.

Meanwhile on the other court, Chris was struggling to come to terms with Malcolm's relentless pressure and accurate shots down both walls. The heated courts were not helping Chris's usually reliable boasts, and they were sitting up at the front and with Malcolm all over the T area he was able to deal with them convincingly. Chris was further hampered by his troublesome neck injury, and despite getting closer in the 3rd game, Malcolm proved too strong and took the match 3-0. But at least we weren't 2 down after 2 matches!

Next on were Paul v Mark at No.2. This match followed a similar pattern to Chris's, with the younger McEwen brother quick to chase down shots all over the court and also playing steady shots down both walls. However, Paul wasn't hampered by any injury, just the fact that his opponent was younger and fitter! And the result eventually went the same way, with Mark claiming a 3-0 victory.

And so it was left to our stalwarts Dave and Colin to try and turn the match around. Dave was on at No.3 against Phil and Colin played Kevin at No.4 - both matches being repeats of the first half of the season where the Clements boys both claimed victory. Could history repeat itself? Well it started well for Captain Fantastic as he took the first game. The second was a much closer affair, but Dave got to game point at 8-7. Phil's return appeared to be out at the front of the court, but the marker called it in and a couple of points later the match was all square at 1-1. The 3rd game was pivotal, and Phil fired himself up by repeatingly pointing at the ball after hitting a good shot - much to the embarassment of his wife! It appeared to do the trick though, even if it did make him look rather strange, and he edged the 3rd game 9-7. A combination of good shots and further finger pointing enabled him to complete the victory in the 4th and with it wrap up the match for Ongar.

On the other court Colin was involved in an absorbing match with Kevin. He looked like a different player to the forlorn figure that had sloped off court last week at Maldon. He successfully chased down seemingly lost causes, and played some stunning cross court drives together with some delicate drop shots. To his credit, Kevin matched Colin at times but allowed his temper to get the better of him, and his racket flew accross court on a couple of occassions. To which John advised him to "Calm down". As Dave remarked at the time, talk about Pot and Kettle! Despite being a closely fought affair, Colin ultimately triumphed 3-0.

And so Clements maintained their 100% record and suffered a 2-3 defeat for the 4th time this season. With a little bit of luck we could have been at 2-4 or even 3-3 but as it is, it's looking increasingly likely that our 3 season tenure in Division 2 might be coming to an end....

Results:
Chris lost to Malcolm McEwen 1-9 3-9 5-9
Paul lost to Mark McEwen 3-9 2-9 4-9
Dave lost to Phil Wilkes 9-4 8-10 7-9 2-9
Colin beat Kevin Spencer 9-7 9-5 9-7
Tony beat John Fowles 6-9 4-9 9-4 9-4 9-7

Clements lost to Ongar 2-3 (7-16)

Match 5 - Maldon Away

A brief summary of our latest disaster....

The final match of the first half took us all the way out to Maldon. The tone was set for the evening, when Chris went round to pick up our reliable skipper only to be informed that he'd already been picked up by Alan!

Alan was making his debut for the team - coming in to replace Dan 'I can't make away games' Summers! ;-) - and was first on court. He was up against one of Maldon's youngsters, Dan and unfortunately was comfortably beaten and had to shoot straight off after the game. I hope it hasn't put him off from playing further games for us though.

Paul went on next and was up pitted against another of their youngsters, Andy. The match was tied 1-1, but Paul let a large lead in the 3rd slip and went on to lose 3-1. So, yes you've guessed it - "2 down after 2 rubbers!". Again!

Chris had the unenviable task of taking on World Champ Peter. Chris wasn't at the races in the first 2 games, but battled well and got to 7 in the 3rd before Peter claimed victory, and with it an unassailable lead for Maldon.

Colin went on against Steve, and was soon complaining of not being able to see the ball coming off the dark glass back courts. The first game was close, but then Colin gave up and rather embarrassingly threw some toys out the pram along with the next two games. And afterwards announced his retirement from Essex League matches...... at Maldon! I'm sure he'll bounce back.

And so it was left to Captain Fantastic to salvage some pride. But he too could only manage to get to 1-1 before losing a closely contested 3rd game and finally succumbing to Seen 3-1.

With half the players leaving early, the after match social was a bit of a tame affair too. But fair play to their captain Steve and our designated driver Chris who hung around whilst Dave and Paul had a couple of extra beers!

So all in all, a pretty crap night and we need a miracle in the second half of the season if we are to stay in this league again.

Results:
Chris v Peter 1-9 0-9 7-9
Paul v Andy 4-9 9-4 7-9 4-9
Dave v Seen 0-9 9-2 7-9 3-9
Colin v Steve 7-9 0-9 1-9
Alan v Dan 1-9 0-9 4-9

Clements lost to Maldon 0-5 (2-20)