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