Club Championship Semi-finals 14th April 2015

A select crowd witnessed the club's top four players battling for a Final spot last night - and very bravely they fought too.  Especially Peter Sykes and James Hall (pictured below), who both put everything into their match for an hour and a half, in spite of physical difficulties.

Pete arrived suffering from a breathing illness and James a number of private infirmities (foot, cake and pasta-related, between you and me).

A ding-dong first game with James going 7-2 up but 14 hand-outs followed enabling a resolute Pete to claw back the deficit and just shade it 9-7.  He was clearly in a hurry to finish the match as fast as possible.    And a sharper exhibition of shot-making in the second helped him to a 9-0 game and a 2-0 lead.

In a typical Sykes gesture, though, Pete announced that he would need to win the third game or 'be finished'.  No surprise then, that James sensed his opponent's weakened state and pushed harder, gaining parity by taking the next two 9/6, 9/3.   Some slight disagreements during this period of play - both with the fair and consistent marker (Mark Johnson) and occasionally with each other - were signs of the increasing tension and the desire of both players.

A change of shirt for Pete seemed to help him gather strength in the 5th game as he jumped out to an early 3-0 lead - but again niggling disputes and the strain of a long five-setter began to affect the quality and smooth flow of play.  James pulled back four points, before Pete edged ahead again to 8-5 and four match points.  James was not to be outdone though and in spite of several incidents resembling handbags being flung, he regained parity at 8-all.  Fortunately for the crowd, the marker and the players, 10 more hand-outs and some good rallies, ended with one of the best and cleanest rallies of the match, with Pete prevailing 10-8 (3-2). 

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After a delay of an hour from the scheduled start, David Falconer and Niall Anderson were able to show off their skills - David sporting his Kent Over 50s team shirt and both wearing a fetching pair of blue shoes with olive green laces.

David proved too sharp for Niall, however.  He ran out a comfortable 9-5, 9-2, 9-1 winner - without any discussions of the rules being necessary or sought.

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The FINAL will be on Tuesday 28th April at 7:30, provided that both Pete and David are well enough.   Should be a corker.



Canary Wharf 2015

Four of our illustrious members have been showing their faces and going through the paces at Canary Wharf, home of the 2015 Classic.

Niall Anderson had the good fortune to play himself (a win for him although he found the lower 17" tin still too high).  And some good KP kit publicity:

James Hall had a less active role - a box seat for the semi finals - and found the marker's sense of humour to his liking:

and Mike and Connor Wright had an even better seat for the final:

 



Evasive action

Knole number 1 David Falconer had a moment last month against Cup rival Tunbridge Wells, when his usual composure deserted him.   Unfortunately, the cameras were not there to record his heart-stopping moment.  However, the following clip illustrates the perils of a moment's inattention:

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David's opponent failed to jump!

So, Mind how you go, squashers.

January rising

The key to league success for Knole Park Squash teams is to do better in the second half of the season than in the first.

So far, with two matches gone since New Year - job done.  KP1 move up to third in Division 3 as they garner 25 points compared with 17 in the first half against the same opposition.  That is in spite of a tough 0-5 wake-up call from Maidstone last week.  With none of the first half matches having produced maximum 20 point returns, there is much scope for further improvement in the run up to Easter.

Life is a little tougher for the 2nd team, though.  In spite of 35 points from 2 wins since Christmas - compared with 25 points first half - KP2 stay in 5th spot firmly mid-table.  They will have to win well in all their remaining matches to emulate the high-flying 1st team boys. 

You can keep up with progress by following the link to the Kent Leagues at:

http://kent-squash.countyleagues.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up in 2015

Knole Park Squash Club is looking forward to a great year in 2015.

Membership is again increasing - we are up to 75 adult members and 25 Juniors.

Our 1st team is sitting on the shoulder of the 2nd placed team in Division 3 Kent North West - only just outside an automatic promotion place.   The second team hope to better their first half performance with most key players back from holidays and injuries.

One of our top players, Peter Sykes, who we thought we had lost has secured a posting to Gatwick, so we hope he will be around to help us push on in Division 2 in the Summer season.

The Juniors, under the guidance of Coach James Hall are about to start their own leagues and inter-club matches - a great boost by James from virtually a standing start last year.

Good luck and good squashing to all in 2015. 

 

Back to winning ways

After a slow start to the Winter season, both Knole Park teams recorded wins this week.

First up, the 2nds - with the help of Mike Wright on loan from the 1st team - did a solid job of repelling Bexley by 4 matches to 1.

Then the 1st team gained their first win of the season on Wednesday with a close win 3-2 over Tunbridge Wells.

David Falconer had a rare bad night, but is no doubt saving himself for the weekend.  On Sunday David will represent Kent Over 50s in the inter-county tournament against Surrey at Wimbledon.  We wish him luck as he fights for his recently adopted home county.

Champions! KP1 v Beckenham 16/09/2014

Predicting Priory (sorry, I mean North West) outcomes has always been tricky, especially in the Summer.  And objective 1 has usually been to turn out a full team – with objective 2 being to give everyone a well-matched and enjoyable game.

Give full credit then to Beckenham for turning out a side, when they must have been bitterly disappointed that their top 3 were unavailable for a critical relegation battle. 

Knole, on the other hand were still smarting from the previous week’s drubbing at the hands of promotion and title rivals Bexley.  Knole had recalled Peter from his foreign flying careers (in Dubai and Scotland) – just as they were taxiing down the runway.  Super-sub Ben had sped in from Surrey duty and slightly-injured James Hall was standing by to push his poor paw to the limit if pressed.

Real-time posting of the result was in place, so the NWK website could come alive – and in the hope that the results from elsewhere came through to ease the home team’s worries.

All of the Knole players were ‘up for it’ – the news that Beckenham were light at the top did little to reduce the adrenaline flow.   Apart from at 1st string, where Knole’s youngest, Pete found the burgeoning talents of Alisdair a handful early on.  Pete was a little too relaxed and his idea of rallying in the first game played right into Alisdair’s hands.  A slight doubt crept in for the supporters, but Pete managed to up his game sufficiently to overpower a tiring Alisdair – who nevertheless had done enough to impress those who hadn’t seen him play since the first half of the season. 

Alisdair sends Pete to the front wall

Alisdair sends Pete to the front wall

Unfortunately for Beckenham and for the enjoyment of all, the rest of the Knole team were keen on winning every possible rally, even after David had brushed off Ian and Mike had slotted in the league-winning points against James.   

The moment when James prepared to hit the league-winning tin against Mike.  Niall looks on in awe.

The moment when James prepared to hit the league-winning tin against Mike.  Niall looks on in awe.

James was able to rest and Pete could tick one thing off his bucket list - #2 being the result of his interview earlier - we wish him well with whichever flight path he takes.


Meanwhile - the 2nd Team 11/09/2014

Knole's 2nd team have been plugging on in Division 5 against some tough opponents most weeks.  They are now firmly established in 6th place out of 9 and enjoying their squash accordingly.

On Thursday, a fine advert for the spirit of the game saw runaway favourites for the league (until they fell foul of the rules) Bromley Lawn Tennis Club do just enough to shade a close match - incidentally a closeness engineered by the sporting approach of the two managers.
BLTC dragged their sorry carcasses off their bikes after a charity ride from Paris in aid of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund - albeit two days late for the match. But their cycling team stayed together as a man, in spite of saddle sores and 'rustiness' and provided entertainment and a few tips for the losers.

BLTC after their ride but before the squash

BLTC after their ride but before the squash

Tim sportingly refused a stroke that would have given him game ball in the third - no one is quite sure why he disobeyed team orders! Then managed to lose to a Gary who clearly had trouble knowing which end the pedals were on.

Mark W, as usual, bullied the frail Gareth off the court - but was very nice about it afterwards.

Mark J, making his first appearance for about 2 years managed to hobble around the T long enough to show that his tight lengths have not deserted him. Chris ignored his coaches' advice to the effect that Mark was unable to limp beyond the halfway line.

Brian slammed his way to a 9-0 1-0 lead before JJ had woken up - then proceeded to miss all of John's boasts (he complained afterwards that this was unfair as John had told himself to stop boasting - I lied, sorry!).

Finally, Pete held us up by trying to stay with a lazy display by the Parisian 'Map Man'- although he made up for it by hitting the ball straight back to Keith at every possible opportunity. [You should have sent him a map, Keith.]

All in all a very pleasant evening with nothing much at stake.

Looking fresh

Looking fresh

KP1 v Bexley 3 10/09/2014

Hi all

I have become accustomed to reporting on convincing wins of late but fear that no such interpretation could be placed on the battle at Bexley last night.

Just three points in all (5/0 loss) does not however do any justice to a sterling effort by all involved.  It is clear, though, that Pete Sykes' input, this season, was invaluable - as we already knew!

Bexley had their top team out and there were no weak links to attack.  There is little to comment on individually since everybody ‘left it all on the court’ as Jimmy Connors
often said (that shows my age - maybe somebody could think of a current squash player with similar views to insert here!).  Suffice to say that David, at 1, played his ‘socks’ off (why haven't I used that one before!?) to gain two games and the majority of points on the night.

This Bexley side is a mainly young collection of talent who ‘stayed with’ the complete physical commitment of a very focused Knole1 side which, we thought, had one hand on the league trophy. The last match now is really set up to be a hum dinger and ‘stato’ jolly John Creek will ensure that everybody knows exactly what is required to gain promotion (which is very likely, but not nailed yet) and win the league (definitely not a ‘done deal’).

We were very pleased to welcome a ‘packed’ balcony.  Mr Creek was able  to engage with some interesting discussions on the politics of a Bexley/Park Langley altercation over points allocation - the details of which are somewhat arcane - but resolution will likely be achieved by common sense and common consent rather than by a computer, with which I would heartily agree.

Karl Pople was most welcome having been a sturdy participant mainly in the lower league battles at Wildernesse.  His return next year may see him re-joining the fray, but maybe, like myself as a Knole 2 squad option?  We were both marvelling at the court coverage and fitness of Knole 1 and questioning whether we ever reached such lofty levels of performance even at our best!? Glad the back is behaving itself Karl. 

Ralph Abbott also joined us and revived memories of his distant squash past with Rob (the Bexley 5) when he was a junior babe in arms.  With dodgy knees and a few extra ounces it may well be a stretch to call Rob one of the ‘mainly young’ Bexley side but he sure is still impressively talented, as Chris SB found out.

All in all then no complaints and the better side won on the night to set up Beckenham 1 at HOME on the 16th Sept.  Groupies, as always, welcome.  The match at number one between Guy Olby and Ben should be an enthralling tussle.  I am regrettably away but look forward to hearing some positive news on my return.

Stay healthy .MJ

P.S.  I promised to keep you in the loop on my progress back to some competitive action. I am pleased to report that I secured a 3/0 win v BLTC, a match in which ‘stato’ excelled himself and beat Brian Ford convincingly (needing to play some rather better squash than was demanded of myself) for an overall 3/2 loss.

 


KP1 v Sydenham (top against bottom) 26/08/2014

Good morning readers.

The team had another marvellous (or should that be awesome?) win last night and secured another 18 points to go 17 points ahead in Div 3 according to stato Jolly John Creek.

and verified eventually by admin!

and verified eventually by admin!

For this week’s comments read last week’s report since practically all applies.  Sydenham were severely weak being short of two/three players and it showed.

David, James and Niall effectively buried their opponents and it was not so much a matter of whether they would win more a case of how quickly they could contrive to do so.  Sydenham tried the old trick of saying the lights didn’t work on one court but James and Chris S-B  took this in their stride and demonstrated that a carrot-rich diet can overcome all eventualities.  James opined that it was an applied lesson in match concentration (but whether ones thoughts would be the same with a more demanding opponent is questionable) - the conditions were clearly far from ideal.

Whatever the ambient lighting, James was moving with assured economy and demonstrated some fine racket skills.  Niall put in his normal shift of long ball excellence but will surely be exposed by better opponents at the front of the court by too many poor and down front drops.  That’s your training challenge Niall - focus on the drops – you’re far, far, far too good a player to be this limited at the front!

‘Socks’ (David) was ruthless again and got his game over in double quick time.  Dan was a beaten man by the end of the second and effectively chucked in the towel.  Given that anything can happen in a match (see next comments) i.e. injury/mental implosion etc., it is unusual to see opponents effectively concede the game before it’s over but when David is in this mood it’s kind of understandable.  The routine drive to step a yard forward on practically every ball is what makes him so effective, combined with a natural tendency to drop anything that is hanging or loose. 

Pete had a disappointing encounter which he clearly expected to win (very dangerous) having done so before.  Tats is far too good a player to allow a sound drubbing for a game and a half to stifle his ambitions.  Pete exhibited his usual highly impressive physicality and explosive movement - maybe too explosive!  A shoulder pull intervened to change the whole shape of play and Tats took control.  With now limited physical capability Pete engaged brain, after some guidance from coach James, and manoeuvred a 6/0 advantage in the fourth with lobs/drops and a slow ball game.  ‘Wings’ could not, however, resist ‘flying’ again and returned to the hard-hitting ultra-mobile game which obviously suited Tats who gratefully cleaned up, with, one would think, a degree of surprise at the turn of events!

Well played all. The pedigree to take this team to a higher league is maturing nicely and even without Pete, shortly, one feels that the team will hold its own and relish sterner challenges to come.

Stay healthy. Cheerio.  Mark Johnson.
(P.S.: I will buy you a pint if you pick up on the little bit of wordplay herein!)  [Only Doombar and Harveys in the Anchor, Mark – no Pedigree – Ed]

KP1 v Sundridge Park 2 - 21/08/2014

Morning readers.  

Squash can be a very unforgiving game.  When there is a level difference between two players it often looks as if the underdog has barely played before, when in fact, at his (or her) own level they are actually rather good players.

The level that Knole 1 is now playing at exposed such a gulf against the (albeit weakened)
Sundridge side.  Thus for David/James/Nialls’ games they all lost a TOTAL of only 19 points and never came close to losing a game. [So quick, in fact, that the photographer missed all the action - Ed]

Maybe David rather liked the symmetry of a straight 9/1 scoreline all through or/and maybe he had visions of the match slipping from his grasp from 2/0 up, which was never going to happen (but has in the past !!).  I have watched Peter Ng playing with my mate Keith Palmer up at BLTC when I am waiting to be coached/play and I can assure you he is a very decent opponent, although you might not think so from his showing in this match.

James and Niall were slightly ‘kinder’ to their opponents without dangerously taking their feet off the gas and what suffers here is the short game – it’s much easier to crank the ball around hard to a length than to finesse a tight drop - now I am being picky!

Pete gave us a tremendous show of his court coverage again until he pulled a hamstring (or got cramp?).  In fact one might observe that his movement is TOO exuberant (or maybe that’s crippo Johnson being just a tad jealous!).  Cold reflection of two previous matches v Guy Olby and Ted Jeal provoke me to observe that their movement is much less ‘enthusiatic’ and clearly more effective - there is me being picky again.  Jim adopted a tactic which I much applaud, showing us some great lobs - yes that thingy that goes  up high and drops dead in the back if you get it right or gives you time to recover to the T.  Pete did well to nail it 3/1 or surely would have retired.  Jim blew it and really must be kicking himself not to have taken it to 2/2.  We all hope you got the massage that was being discussed and that next Tuesday will see you in action again Pete.
 
My earlier comments re levels might well apply to Chris Ivey’s game, except he was on the receiving end of a drubbing against a strong physical opponent, who was particularly able to pick up all the somewhat loose drops.  Thanks for pitching up Chris - I hope it was not too painful an experience.

So, another 17 points and Div 3 ours to lose(?).  Mr Creek is gathering all the data assiduously and is far better able to pinpoint the crucial confrontations between the other teams.  Pete being absent for the last two/three games makes it more interesting than we would like but since we have seriously benefitted from other teams being short, I guess this levels the playing field.

Barry did not serve up the steak pie that I promised David [nor you the plums, Mark - Ed], but I am sure we shall sample it before this season is done.  Well played all. It’s a delight to view a winning team playing quality squash each week and I am always pleased to get away with marking a couple of matches without my heritage being impugned.

Stay healthy.  Mark Johnson.