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27th Jan:
BACK TO BASICS
BACK TO TRADITION ...
 When
you work on a website, well, on two, actually, one English, one French,
you spend a lot of time working at home, on your own, typing, checking,
sending emails, arguing, sorting, sorting out as well…
Lots of fun… Not.
Then, you have the big events, you know, the stars, the top 10, the
spectators, new places, new faces, the kids, the buzz, the lights, the
excitement… |
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But sometimes,
you go to much smaller events. And it’s at those “little” games that I am
reminded why I do this job…
No big audience, just a few club members, no officials, just the players
refereeing each other, one or two girl friends, and in the case of the
Surrey League, the traditional scoring, and some pretty good games.
God I love the old-out-of-date-past-time-passé English scoring…
Who on earth said it was boring, and not exciting, and long, and and and…
The rallies develop. The comeback are so possible. The fitness plays a big
role. The attacks are still lethal.
So, as much as I can, I will keep on going to the Surrey League, hoping
that some stubborn traditional lovely people will keep on allowing us,
spectators, to enjoy a good old game of real squash…
Framboise |
JAN 27 RESULTS:
Lakeside 1 - 4 Wimbledon 1
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THANKS SANDY
 Bless
her. Here we were, watching Stacey Ross against Rodney Durbach, and it was
past 10pm, and I was starving.
And suddenly, to my left, I hear the
distinctive noise of a packet of crisps, which happened to be in Sandy
Perry’s hand, Tim Vale’s girlfriend.
Well, did I ask if I could have a crisp? Nope, I just took one, and it was
only a few seconds later that I realised how rude I had been.
Sorry, Sandy, I was soooo hungry… |
MATCH OF THE DAY
HE IS PLAYING A BIT
OF ALRIGHT, ISN’T HE?
 It’s
with those words that Bradley Ball acknowledged Tim Vale’s
performance between game 2 and 3.
And I have to say, I blipping agree with Bradley. I’ve seen Tim play a few
times, but normally, after a disputed game and some stunning shot making,
he used to crumble due to an obvious lack of fitness. Well, not tonight,
Josephine... On the contrary, the game became longer, and longer: 11
minutes for the first one, 14 for the second, 18 for the third, and 20
minutes for the fourth!
In the first two games, Bradley was in control, taking the ball early,
putting Tim under pressure with his precise backhand boast in particular.
But Vale gradually stepped in, and started to threaten the Tall
Englishman, who got more and more frustrated…
The third was very close indeed, but I dare to say that Tim deserved to
take it, as he held the length of the rallies, retrieved some fierce
attacks, and placed some beautiful drop shots as only he knows how...
 In
the fourth, Vale started well, leading 2/0, but the experience of Ball
prevailed I feel, and he soared up to 8/2. Yet again, the magic of the
Blessed Old English Scoring, Tim clawed back, and nearly made it... But a
very focused Bradley Ball succeed to take the game 9/7 at last…
I must say this was one of the best matches I saw for a long time.
Hitting, drop shots, superb defensive lobs, long rallies, varied paced… I
had a great time. Cheers guys…
Tim Vail lost to Bradley Ball 1/9, 5/9, 9/7, 7/9
“The only thing I
can say is that Tim played extremely well. He stuck in the game, and
just played some superb squash.”
“I have been training a lot recently, today, I played with Azlan
Iskander all day in Chingford. I'm also going a lot to Sheffield,
and Harrogate.
“I had a year of knee injuries from March 03 to March 04. When I got
fit again, my goal was to be in the top 30 by the end of the year,
and I've reached it.
Now, my goal is to get to the top 16 by the end of 2005. And that’s
why I’m training and working very hard…”
Bradley
Ball |
“I
started very slowly, just sending the ball back tight to the wall,
as I HATE being the first one on court, and for two reasons. First,
I always have around an hour and a half to drive, and two, I’m
coaching all day, so I need a little time to unwind...
“I have been training in the gym for a few weeks now, on the bike in
particular. I thought for a while to get back on the PSA circuit in
September, but there is so little money to earn, I just cannot
afford it!
So, I’m preparing for Edinburgh and the Nationals, but I will keep
on concentrating on my coaching as well…”
Tim Vail |
Stevie Richardson watches the "Match of the Day" ...
The end of another Surrey Cup meeting ... |
STACEY: THE BRAIN WASN’T THERE…
 On
my right, we had Stacey Ross, for Lakeside. On my left, Rodney
Durbach, for Racket Club.
The South African was concentrated, focused, and played very well. Stacey
was playing once again “by intermittence”, playing some sublime shots and
rallies, only to follow them with a succession of tins and bad tactical
choices…
So, a clear and deserved victory for the South African, who I will see
very soon again in New York, as he is in the qualifying draw…
Stacey Ross lost to Rodney Durbach
4/9, 3/9, 5/9
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MISSED GAMES
I didn’t see anything from the number fives, Mark Ford against
N. Ahmed, nor Alex Couch against Phil Rushworth, but I
saw the last game of Stevie Richardson versus South African
Jason Barry.
N.Ahmed lost to Mark Ford
0/9, 4/9, 4/9
Mark Ford & N.
Ahmed
 “I’m
not happy with the way I played, as I think I could have played a
better game.
“I’ve been training on my backhand technique and on my length and
width, but I don’t seem to be able to apply it while playing a
match. But it’s coming, slowly…”
Jason Barry |
I have to say I was
impressed by the improvements of Jason’s game, who used to have a good
physical condition, but who would not play a drop shot to save his life.
Well, today, I saw him finishing the points, attacking, and placing some
lovely drop shots and volley drop shots. So, keep up the good work, Jason,
it is starting to pay off…
Steve Richardson lost to Jason Barry
5/9, 8/10, 5/9
Alex Couch beat Phil Rushworth
7/9, 9/3, 9/1, 9/4
 “During
the away match, I lost against Mark Ford after leading 2/0. So, I
didn’t want to lose this time, and I trained especially for this
match.
“So, I was disappointed not to play Mark today. Nevertheless, it’s a
weird feeling to be the only one to win my match tonight… Quite
unusual for me really!!!”
Alex Couch |
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