First team match report
Cumberland - June 2006
Verdict
The boys can thank the old guard of the team for a close 3-2 away victory against the lovely Cumberland Club. After a good start to the season the team is currently sitting top of the division 1 though the others have games in hand. As per usual the Cumberland fielded a very friendly team, the hospitality was excellent and the barbeque and Magners on the roof terrace a joy to behold! If only all of our fixtures were as accomodating as this one...
Nick Buckley
Result: Lost 1-3
Plus's: Some great anticipation, deception and consistent lengths. Wore some reasonable kit this week.
Minus's: Fitness.
Verdict: Well and truely run into the ground by what can only be described as a 'whippet' of a player. Played on a very hot court our superstar was always concerned about how his questionable fitness would hold up and this week even avioded b***ing his missus before the match to keep some much needed energy, unfortunately the predictable outcome ensued. Looked a far better player than his opponent throughout the match and has taken the mantle of club number 1 with a degree of confidence and class. More to come...
Rating: 3/5
Ally McGill
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Speed and fitness, retrieval.
Minus's: Unforced errors and length of drive.
Verdict: The Captain can be very pleased with his performance against a very tidy player. After hitting the low of losing to a junior out at Uxbridge, the Captain has put in excellent performances. Clearly some hard working on the training ground has been done. Excellent coverage of the court and retrieving meant that unless the ball rolled out of the nick, McGill was onto it and ground his opponent into submission.
Rating: 3.5/5
Richard Gourlay
Result: Won 3-1
Plus's: Didn't lose to Mark Rayner.
Minus's: hit 10+ serves out, countless volley tins (a similar number to McGill against Jeremy), speed, width, general play etc.
Verdict: Oh dear, a horrendous display of squash by usually the dependable veteran in the decisive rubber. Clearly disturbed by the captains inquisition prior to the match of when he had his last 'honker' (turns out is was against Carl the Hacker), Gourlay duely served up a fest of piss take material for the lads. Playing against a player whose previous appearances against the Coolhurst boys have resulted in defeats by Duncan Wheeler, Johnny Bruce and a 1 point drubbing by Captain McGill, Gourlay struggled to contain his opponent by consistently trying to drill holes in the tin. Very lucky to pull out the victory largely due to his opponents basic squash inefficiencies and being weighed down by what can only be described as a rattling dog chain. With Baird in fine consistent form the selection committee are monitoring the situation carefully...
Rating: 0.5/5
Peter Baird
Result: Won 3-0
Plus's: Cross court flicks, volleying
Minus's: Mistakes
Verdict: A straight forward win for Peter who looks as if he is back to his winter season standard. Against a decent player cruised to a comfortable win with his usual array of slightly unorthodox drop shots and cross court flicks. Needs a sterner test higher in the order to determine whether there is real metal underneath
Rating: 3.5/5
Kieran Fitzpatrick
Result: Lost 1-3
Plus's: Can still hold a racket
Minus's: Mistakes, sharpness, court awareness.
Verdict: Not a great debut for the new Bhoy as Kieran was out-hit, out-fought and out-thought by the wily Cumberland number 5 Jacko. Some lovely touches were coupled with a horrendous display of shot selection and large number of unforced errors that can only be attributed to his 6 month layoff. In time the youngster may look back on this result and wonder how it ever could have happened!
Rating: 1/5