Team Players Available for
the 2009 - 2010 season
         Dave Cartwright (around December)
           Rick Aldred
           Charlie Bishop
           Ian Johnson ( poss move to Grove Park)
           Malc Hough
           Jan Butler
           Phil Wheatcroft
           Aiden O'Sullivan
            Enquiries from Tom Golden, Kim Clack and Keith Rogers
         
Any player wishing to be added to this list please contact Malc Hough or Jan Butler via the Leisure Centre. See the Notice Board
         

Rick Aldred in action at West Heaton

New Mills Squash Club Under Threat

Match reports by The Webmaster - Malc Hough - unless otherwise stated.  

Glossop hammer in the Final nail  08-04-2010

It was a strange atmosphere at the Leisure centre in more ways than one. With Dave Cartwright injured and players unavailable we only just managed to cobble together a team. We needed just seven points to beat Glossop to the runners up spot which would have been a certainty with a little more luck over the last few weeks. I was first up against Paul Rubin for my first game in many months due to a knee injury. Paul had a little too much fitness and movement for me to deal with although I did manage to drag out a valuable point in a 3-1 defeat. So six points to go and Aiden O'Sullivan to take on Ian Fairweather but although Aiden gave it a right good go Ian took the rubber with another 3-1 win. Five points to go and Phil Wheatcroft against John Clarke, no joy for Phil other than another precious point as Glossop marched on. Could Jan stop the rot with a result against Aiden Holt - again the single point in a furious contest was not enough so down to the last match of the season and nothing but a win for Rick Aldred would be enough. Was Rick up to it, possibly but not tonight as Simon Turnbull coasted home with a 3-0 win. As I said at the start it was a strange atmosphere in more ways than one. I don't think our hearts were in it tonight, a local derby against Glossop with a team missing two of our best players and the prospect of a division higher with a weakened team. Still the strangest thing for me was to lose to a Glossop team that consisted of five very pleasant guys which hasn't always been the case over the years. Well done Glossop and good luck for next season.

West Heaton put the brakes on promotion hopes   25-03-2010

New Mills were soundly thrashed at West Heaton where their promotion hopes were severely dented. Only club captain Jan Butler with a fine win against young Alistair Poole notched a victory in a very disappointing showing. Dave Cartwright had to retire injured in the second game which is a bit of a worry. This was possibly our strongest line up who have performed so admirably all season but, when the chance to clinch the runners up spot with a victory over our friends from West Heaton the wheels came off. The next and final fixture will be at home to local rivals Glossop. New Mills need to secure 7 points to ensure Glossop don't rain on our parade by snatching that elusive runners up spot off us at the final spin of the dice. We need the players firing on all cylinders and those not playing to lend their support - time to stand up and be counted.....

footnote - I'm sorry I missed the game at West Heaton, I can't remember the last time my old mate Nigel Geddis managing a 3-0 win against a New Mills player - oh yes I can, it was against me in 2004-05 season... Thanks Nigel, you had to pick this season didn't you...

                                    Moorside pull up short - 18-03-2010

A very disappointing turnout of three players from the Moorside allowed New Mills the chance of victory by winning only one rubber. Jan Butler duly obliged and the match as a match was over. Phil Wheatcroft promoted to number two put up a seriously good effort to snatch two points from Steve Jackson losing narrowly 3-2. Rick Aldred chose tonight to put in possibly his worst game of the season against Neil Martin who had little trouble in winning 3-0 at number one. It was good to see Neil play at the Leisure Centre where his Dad, Jim, served the New Mills Squash teams so well over many seasons in the past. With Dave Cartwright not available tonight we missed an opportunity to see just how far young Neil has progressed although in my opinion he is a better player now  than his Dad was at his peak - and that is high praise indeed. 
So it's two matches to go starting with a tricky tie at West Heaton next week followed by Glossop 14 days later - win these two and it's runners up at least.

                                      New Mills manage to park the Grove - 04-03-2010

It was always going to be a tough match - 1 vs 2 in the league and a chance for revenge on the home return match. Grove Park turned up a little weakened at No 1, but it wasn’t that match that secured the game but the match at No 5. Phil had lost to Liz West in 3 sets away, and it looked as though it would go the same way at home, with Phil losing the first two sets to a confident and accurate Liz. Her movement around the court was impressive and her backhand drops irretrievable. Clearly tired in the third, Phil battled on and strangely was gifted the third set 10-8 when Liz had a couple of match points. The same happened in the fourth with Phil running out a 10-8 winner. So the decider was always going to be a challenge with both players tiring; but Phil proved the fitter with a brave recovery, some conservative rallies and timely drives to take the decider 9-3 in what must have been his best performance of the season. David followed on to push Adriano Kyte aside with ease 3-0. Adriano looked a strong contender, especially as Dave is currently nursing an elbow injury, but Dave’s retrieval and new found power drives were too much for Adriano who made too many mistakes to be a challenge. Jan then had to face John Holt at 4, having beaten him easily in the away match. John looked like a condemned man in the first game, unsteady on his feet, not reading Jan’s lobs and generally outclassed. But, John is dangerous with some fine volley drops, when he reaches the ball, and for some reason, Jan’s game deserted her, and John was able to take the next 2 games. Fortunately, Jan was able to pick herself up to win in 5, a game which should have finished a lot sooner, and not one Jan will want to remember. So to Charlie, who faced Liz’s daughter Evie, a very classy and confident player for her age. Charlie stood no chance in the first 2 games, being a little out of form in this second half, and Evie was picking him off with ease. But Charlie doesn’t give up easily, and recovered to take the next 2 games off Evie, who seemed to crumble, arguing with herself and the referee. In the end, it was all too much for Charlie, who couldn’t sustain the necessary pressure and succumbed in the fifth. The final match, Rick against Simon Burgess promised to be a cracker , with both players trying to knock the spots off the ball. The game swung both ways, with Rick demonstrating his fine array of shots, but he was unable to sustain this form into a fifth set, and had to concede to a 9-0 loss in the fifth. So a close 3-2 win for New Mills, but a valuable extra 5 points which puts us within on point of the Park into the final matches. Promotion is now a strong possibility - not so for the Grove Park boys, whose 6th team are facing relegation, and will certainly steal the 4th division place of the 7th when they are promoted!

Thanks to our guest scribe for an excellent report. Well done to the team for yet another fine win. I'm away in Turkey for the next week or so but, hopefully will be back to cheer the lads (and lass) on for the Moorside game.
 

No Hyding place at the Village  18-02-2010

A snowy trip north to cold and noisy courts. The glass back is attractive, but a blue carpet behind makes it difficult to pick up the ball off the back wall. David kicked off the evening against a sprightly Vince Hulley. Vince quickly leapt to a 2-0 lead, with David struggling to find his form in the cold conditions. Once he raised his game in the third, and kept the warmer ball deeper and wider, his fitness and resolve proved too much for Vince who lost the match 3-2. Ian was next up against the very capable Andy Kemp. Ian struggled to find his way around the court in the first game and lost 9-1. Once he adapted to the conditions, he was able to win two close games to 7, thanks to Andy making more errors. The fourth was to be the decider with both players giving their all and leading to a 10-8 win for Andy. Both players tiring, Andy quickly ran up 4 points in the fifth, but Ian hung on to let Andy lose the game 9-7. Charlie was up against David Grant to whom he had lost in the past. A sprightly 65 year old, ‘Granty’ has a fine array of shots, and whilst Charlie was clearly the more mobile, he could not find away past the accurate drops and boasts and eventually succumbed in 4.
Jan had the easiest game of the night against Tommy Oliver. Tommy was clearly out of his depth against Jan’s high lobs and tactical drops. The court was ideal for Jan’s game, and Tommy had no answer. In the third game, Jan kindly kept the ball going long after Tommy had conceded stroke points, and he was eventually put out of his misery by the referee calling time in yet another stroke situation. Probably Jan’s finest game this year. Rick was always going to be stretched by well matched Scott Winston, who had dropped to 2 this week. Scott is ambidextrous, and avoids backhands, which is quite distracting for the opponent. Despite having few winners, his powerful drives proved too much for Rick on a strange court and it wasn’t until the fourth when he found his touch and ran out 9-0. Everything looked good for a 5 set win but Rick, unused to 5 sets, could not retain his form, whilst Scott maintained his game to run out the winner. So a close match, but a great win away from home, and the extra 5 points keeping us in the hunt for a good season’s finish. Shame the bar closes at 11 at the Village, so we were not treated to much hospitality (nothing new there then - Malc), even though the guys were more friendly than previous years. Barring banana skins along the way, if we can keep form and fit for the next few weeks, we should be rewarded with a good 2nd place, and possible promotion, depending on the league structure next season, and the availability of courts in the Leisure Centre!

Thanks for the guest report - quality Journalism and well done team. Now for the big one in two weeks time

NOTE - To play in the last four fixtures you must have made at least four appearances for that team unless permission is sought from the secretary.

The wagon keeps rolling - 28th Jan & 4th Feb 2010

Due to illness and injury I haven't been able to get down to the Squash Club to watch the team in their pursuit of success lately. That hasn't of course prevented Jan and the lads wracking up another two victories against West Heaton III & Hyde CC IV. In the win against West Heaton Ian Johnson's win against Mark Lazarus was possibly the best result of the night as like myself Ian faces a battle against injury just to keep playing. A five set game must have stretched the lad to the limits as Mark is a very experienced player who has notched a number of victories against New Mills players over the years. In the game at home to Hyde Charlie suffered a defeat but still managed a point which at the end of the season may be just the one that leads to success overall.
Next week it's Village Hyde away when it will be a huge win if we can continue the current form. The strongest possible team is a must for the next two fixtures which will possibly define our season. Grove Park tasted defeat at West Heaton II a couple of weeks back so hopefully we can reverse our defeat to them when they come to our place on the 4th March.
I hope to start playing again next week injury permitting. I strained my medial knee ligament in a fall on the ice a few weeks ago and although it's greatly improved I don't want to push it too soon as you are a long time out with this type of damage and to be quite honest, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone - and I'm missing my sport!!

New Mills open 2010 with a comfortable win - 14th January 2010

The New Decade opened with a reasonably easy win at home to Grove Park VIIII.  Good to see Ian Johnson back with a good win at five to set the pattern for the evening. Jan was always going to be too strong for their number four and so it proved as she coasted home 3-0. A set back for Phil Wheatcroft at three as he was soundly beaten by Ian Smillie 3-0. There was no room for further slip ups and Dave Cartwright and Rick Aldred made sure there wasn't any as they continued their fine first half form with steady wins. Dave and Rick have only lost one game each, both against Grove Park so if we are to keep our promotion hopes alive we must all attempt to follow the high standard they have set.

Another triumph over Glossop 10th December 2009

In the last match of the seasons first half New Mills faced old rivals Glossop away. With wins for Dave Cartwright, Rick Aldred and skipper Jan Butler we managed top establish ourselves in second position in our league. It will be a tough second half if we are again going to taste promotion once again although, we aren't yet guaranteed to be still playing at the Leisure Centre as the threat of removal of our courts is still in the balance.  However it remains to be seen if we have the strength in depth as our small aging squad gives it their best in search of success.

West Heaton fail to stop New Mills  5th December 2009

Another win against our old friends from West Heaton saw us move into second spot in the division. Starting with Aiden O'Sullivan, Carolyn Trembath was comfortably beaten three games to one. Aiden is in very good form at the moment and would surely command a regular place if he was keener to play on match nights. I was unfortunate to meet young Alastair Poole who in my opinion is probably good enough to play at the top end of the team. Sadly I was not in any sort of form not having played since early October so didn't pose any threat to Alastair who won in a canter playing at four. Ed Smith was Jan Butlers victim this week, I say victim because our captain was in fine form. From the outset Jan took total control of the court and left Ed shell shocked. Rick Aldred never let Diane Wilson settle using power and sublime drop shots to unsettle the West Heaton lass. Rick has only one defeat this season so far and looks to carry that form into the rest of the season. Playing at one Nigel Geddis playing Dave Cartwright looked to be a mis match but to his credit Nigel made the New Mills number one work his socks off for his win. The 3-0 scoreline was a little unkind on the West Heaton Captain who put in a good shift.
Next week New Mills visit Glossop in what could be a second placed decider. Glossop are a strong team and all the players selected next week will have to be right on their game to hold on to the second spot.

Close encounter of the Moorside kind   26-11-09

This was a close affair with our neighbours from the Moorside with only one match separating the old rivals. Aiden O'Sullivan stepped in at the last minute to replace me as my ligament wasn't quite ready for the rigours of the squash court. Aiden beat Duncan Harrop at number five without too many problems, Duncan must dread meeting New Mills as he always seems to draw the short straw. Aiden is one of those players you don't want to meet at number five, he is a very steady team player who we all wish would make a more regular commitment. Jan Butler had no luck against Paul Taylor, a player who usually enjoys his encounters with our captain wherever they take place. I'm sure Jan will soon bounce back after this little set back. Rick continued his fine form of late with a sound win at three against Steve Jackson who normally plays at number two where he is unbeaten. So a 3-0 win set up the team for a match win in the last two encounters. Charlie Bishop was drawn against Neil Martin whose dad served New Mills so well for many years. Neil like his dad is a 110% player who never gives an inch so it would have been quite a match with Charlie who is in the same mould. Sadly I wasn't there to see it but young Neil came back well after losing the first to take the rubber 3-1 and bring to an end Charlie's fine unbeaten run. So it was up to Dave to win the match which was deadlocked at 2-2. Dave Aitkin playing at the top of the order for Moorside was never going to threaten our Ironman. So it turned out  with the New Mills man cruising to a 3-0 win and a fine away win for his team.
An important meeting with Councillor Bingham about the Squash Courts and Possibly the Clubs future next Thursday before the match against West Heaton, we all need to attend. It will be a tough  against West Heaton II who have won their last two matches.  So we need a good performance to prepare us for the last match before Christmas when we travel to Glossop.

Marple no match for rampant New Mills 19-11-09

Last weeks defeat at Grove Park was put behind us as a weakened Marple team were brushed aside 20 points to 5. Phil Wheatcroft never let Mike Johnston settle into any sort of rhythm at number four winning in three straight games. It was not the case for Charlie Bishop who came up against some pretty stiff opposition. This game was so typical of the Charlie we have all come to know, sublime shots from nowhere, rallies that defy all laws of balance and poise but most of all that never say die spirit that wins the guy so many tight games. Ian Dickson was tonight's victim and even he must have admired the way Charlie saved three match points when Ian called set one on the deciding game to win a seriously entertaining game. So Jan Butler had the chance to win the match by beating young Jo D'Souza in the number five slot. Jan showed great sportsmanship by keeping the ball in court without playing any winning shots giving the 13 year old some valuable team match experience. The lad took his opportunity well and was rewarded with two games before going down in the decider 3-2. Rick Aldred used all his experience to keep a very useful looking Carl Rowbotham at bay in a closely fought 3-0 victory. When Rick's cut and drop shots find their mark it's very difficult to match him and that was the main difference between these two. Dave Cartwright started the final game at number one against the popular Anton Kleban in fine style. Patiently keeping the ball in court and taking his chances when they presented themselves was always going to be enough to beat his slightly less mobile opponent and so it proved to be. Loose shots were Anton's downfall as Dave coasted to a comfortable 3-0 win to bag maximum points.
So it was a good all round show from the guys tonight and we look forward to another game against near neighbours Moorside next week. 

Grove Park set the bar too high for New Mills 12-11-09

The big match at the top of the Division 5 South East proved New Mills have some way to go if we are to have championship aspirations. Only Charlie Bishop managed to plunder a win against Simon Burgess our old friend from the Moorside. Unless Simon has improved greatly I would expect most of our side to beat the lad so I was quite surprised to see him at number two in the Grove line up, I don't mean that disrespectfully or in fact to detract from Charlie's victory. I must say this was to my mind our strongest line up the club could turn out. Craig Hamilton playing Dave Cartwright at one has yet to drop a game in his five outings but, to Dave's credit, losing by one point in the last two games is the nearest anyone has come to changing this. Rick Aldred and Jan Butler both came close in their games but overall judging by the scorecard I think the return could easily go the other way.... watch this space.

This week we face local rivals Marple IV for what will be our first home game after Hyde let themselves and us down by going AWOL.

Village Hyde Fail to show again at the Leisure Centre 5-11-2009

How strange that a team from The Village Hyde failed to show up at the Leisure Centre for the second time this season. At least the first time they had the courtesy to give us an hours notice but tonight that wasn't even offered. So the players had a game between themselves with all available players showing up to either play or lend their support.

Overall the season is going well although we are still under threat of losing our courts to the new management company. The season's first walkover after Village Hyde III's no  show has been  removed from the leagues list.

Dave Cartwright, Rick Aldred, Charlie Bishop, Phil Wheatcroft and myself are all unbeaten so far this season with Charlie in particular picking up crucial wins. New player Biyi has yet to record a win but it is only a matter of time before that happens. If he can tighten up his game and make less unforced errors I can only see him rising up the team order. Still he has settled in very well and is very popular with the rest of the squad. Jan continues to hold things together team wise and is probably the main reason we still have a team to represent the town at the Leisure Centre.

So it's off to Grove Park next week for a top of the table clash of the two unbeaten teams - are we up to it...... I think so!!