The Big One

Next Tuesday 15th March 2016 sees a key match for KP1 in their push for promotion from Division 3 when local rivals Poultwood come to town - there is room for around 20 supporters to cheer the team on. 

With only two matches remaining after this one, a decisive victory over 3rd placed Poultwood would give the home side a very good chance of finishing in the top two, and returning to Division 2 for the second time in as many years.

Some of the team enjoyed a gentle training session yesterday, with strict instructions not to injure themselves or anyone else.  A few will be going for armchair training - watching the Canary Wharf Classic to pick up some last-minute tips.

1st team soars into contention - 2015-16 Winter

Knole 1st team after a slow start beset by injuries and holidays, has surged up the table of North West Kent Division 3, following 5 wins on the bounce.

They now sit handily placed in the second promotion position, on the shoulders of league leaders Bexley.  They face Bexley away in the first match of the post holiday half season - a match which could consolidate Knole's nascent hopes of a return to Division 2.

With David Falconer, James Hall and Niall Anderson progressing well in their injury recoveries, we have great hopes of a positive post-festive push.

New Year Hope

After a disastrous 'starter for minus 10', when Knole Park 2nd team lost 10 points for failing to field any players in the first week, the Christmas break sees us in good heart.

Two wins to end halfway, leaves the team within touching distance of the two higher places.

With the hope of support from surplus first team players, KP2s have high hopes of climbing the ladder.  And with the injury list growing shorter, their own squad should be at top strength in the months after the New Year. 

 

Veterans Handicapped

Mike Wright became Veterans Summer Handicap Champion on Thursday, after a well-handicapped tussle with the handicapper John Creek.  There remains only one Summer competition to complete, before the start of the Winter tournaments in December.

The Winter Tournaments will be handicapped more accurately, using the Squash Levels on-line system currently recording Team and Box League results and rankings. 

Up is the new Down

After the euphoria of successive promotion seasons, the Summer of 2015 came as a rude awakening for Knole Park's elite.

First the good news, though - the second team stayed off the bottom of Div 5

and also avoided relegation next Summer, mainly due to being in the bottom division.  Having to play the role of feeder squad for the struggling 1st team didn't help, but at least most of the faithful regulars were given a good run around for their money.  Thanks to those who turned out week after week, even when injured.

The 1st team suffered badly from the flight to fresh pastures of two of their younger members - Pete Sykes and his wing-man Myles Williams.  In spite of the sterling efforts of David Falconer and James Hall it proved tough to fill the gaps in the top order.  Last place in Division 2 was inevitable from quite early on as the absences and injuries mounted.

As usual following a meteoric rise, the fall can be painful.  Let's hope Knole can get over all of the knee and hip operations and return rested and refreshed from the Autumn layoff. 

Trophy past

So long ago, I'd forgotten our triumph in 2014.  Until the Trophy arrived this week.

Knole Park's 2014 Summer success

Knole Park's 2014 Summer success

The only problem, screwing it to the trophy wall alongside the earlier ones will be hard to achieve.  Perhaps a shelf?  Or a cabinet?

Veterans Open 2015 completes - not a moment too soon

After several false starts and delays due to diary clashes and injuries, Veterans (Over 45) Champion David Falconer successfully defended his title yesterday against all comers, beating Mike Wright 3-0 (9/5, 9/2, 9/1) in a clinical demonstration of his power and experience.

Mike showed touches of his own improving form and confidence, but David was in no mood to give any quarter to his younger opponent.  A sparse crowd saw only the briefest of finals as David followed a close first game by accelerating away with few unforced errors.

David and Mike are pictured below with their trophies.

David Falconer (Left) & Mike Wright (Right)

Kent Open

Our own James Hall has been over in Maidstone this weekend, playing in the Kent Open.  A great win against the higher ranked Gary Nisbet has rewarded James with a tough second round against Phil Nightingale tonight.  Good luck James.

2015 Select Gaming Kent Open

Update 30/6/2015  - Prelims

Wonderful opening day of the 2015 Select Gaming Kent Open with an entertaining programme of matches in the first round of the pre-qualifying competition.
It was great to see so many Mote members and friends from other Kent clubs involved and pitting their skills against some extremely talented county players and professionals.
 

RESULTS
Select Gaming Kent Open
Pre-Qualifying Competition
First Round:

Phil Nightingale (Surrey) beat Scott Bailey (Mote) 11-4, 11-5, 11-6
James Hall (Knole Park) Gary Nisbet (Bexley) 11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-7
Hany Taleb (Bexley) beat Adam Ward (Canterbury) 11-3, 13-11, 6-11, 11-3
Sam Ellis (Bristol) beat Ryan Avison (Mote) 11-1, 11-3, 11-2
Robert Dadds (Colchester) beat Paul Adam (Mote) 11-5, 11-3, 11-2
Matt Cook (Surrey) beat Ben Goodayle (Mote) 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8
Joe Magor (Canterbury) beat Paul Jenner (Mote) 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
Emyr Evans (Wales) beat Simon Humphrey (Mote) 11-3, 11-7, 11-4

MONDAY SCHEDULE:
Pre-Qualifying Second Round:
6pm: Nightingale v Hall
6.40pm: Taleb v Ellis
7.20pm: Dadds v Cook
8pm: Evans v Magor

 

Open Championship 2015 - Finally the Final

A reasonable crowd for a Tuesday - largely due to the 2nd team match following - saw the long-awaited grudge rematch from two years ago of Pete 'Wings' Sykes, whose career is about to take off to Paris, and David Falconer, who has a great future on the Over 50s scene.

Just as well it wasn't Par 11 American scoring, as there were 22 Hi/Hos before the score reached 3-all in the first game.  David then stretched a small lead to 8-6 thanks to his usual early sharpness, and a few rusty tins from Pete who appeared to be just below his best fighting condition.  However, Pete nicked four points in a row with maybe a small amount of good fortune to take the game 10-8.

The importance of that squeak home was emphasised as David raced through the 2nd game 9-1 with barely any resistance from Pete.   It would take a change of shirt and maybe a change of tactics to stop the flow away from Pete, as David at 3-0 up in the third looked the fitter and a better bet for the longer distance.   Again Pete dredged his memory for touch and tricks - a triple boast screw lob smash didn't trouble David too much, but may have signalled Pete's new determination.  Six points on the spin for Pete to 6-3, before David pulled him back to 5-6.  David not quite so accurate with his early takes and drops; Pete fewer tins and harder ball striking.  So 9-6 in the 4th to Pete; 2-1 up in games.  And the trend continued in the 4th game - Pete doing just enough to keep his nose in front, one or two errors from David and maybe a half yard less pace.  As they say, only a sheet of Bronco between them, but 9-5 to Pete marked the changing of the guard on the Honours board at KPSC. 

Mark Johnson of Sevenoaks Sleepers present the winner's bowl and cup to Pete Sykes (England Hockey) and the Runner Up's Bowl to David Falconer (Kent Over 50s)

Mark Johnson of Sevenoaks Sleepers present the winner's bowl and cup to Pete Sykes (England Hockey) and the Runner Up's Bowl to David Falconer (Kent Over 50s)

Tournament Finals 2015

Not on schedule; but on – we are two thirds of the way through the long-awaited Finals showdowns.

First up on Tuesday 5th May – John Creek v Gary Mitchell in the Plate (the Losers final, if you like).  John had been giving Gary a hard time in their recent encounters and neither are getting any younger.  Gary, though, is rapidly recovering his fitness and match sharpness.  Expecting a slow start from Gary, John raced to 7-3 up in the first, before Gary clawed it back to 8-7 in his favour.  A second effort from John gave him game ball at 9-8, before his touch let him down and he missed a sitter.    Gary needed no second asking and nicked it 10-9.  A similar pattern followed in the second game, although this time it was Gary who took the lead – getting to 7-4 before John fought back to 7-all.  Again, the winning post was just out of reach for John, with a determined Gary pushing over if 9-7.  That was as far as John could go and a tame 3rd saw Gary take it 9-4 and crowned Plate Champion.  The permanent trophy will be returned by last year’s winner Mark Fleming shortly (he was unable to defend this year, due to his success in the main Open competition).

David Falconer presents the winners goblet

David Falconer presents the winner's goblet

The second match saw Stefan 'Sherlock' Reichenbach take on Pete Brightwell in the Open Handicap.  Stefan had been given a generous handicap based on his absence from the scene at the start of the season and lack of early match fitness. So he started 10 points ahead of Pete in a first-to-25 encounter.  Pete did the right thing at the beginning, winning the first 7 rallies to eat into Stafan's lead and quickly got to 13-all and 22-16 ahead before Stefan got into his stride.  Pete took the 1st game 25-22 and it appeared that the handicapper's fears of a mismatch were unfounded.  He continued his early run in the second, getting back to 7-12 before Stefan managed to string some points together.

Stefan can hit the ball hard and accurately once he has his eye in, and doing just enough to keep ahead of Pete, he pushed on to the target of 25 with Pete only managing to get up to 17.   The third was evening up - Stefan managed to keep the handicap intact until 18-8; then Pete pulled back the gap to 6 points then 3 points at 21-24.  But 4 game balls were too much and Stefan converted the first to go 2-1 up.  Stefan raced to 16-3 in the fourth game.  Pete then had a run of 10 points to level it up 16-all.  As so often happens in handicaps, though, the effort of catching up takes more out of the pursuer than the pursued.  Stefan got a second wind and pulled ahead again to 20-17 and then eased to a 25-22 (3-1) win.  He will certainly have his wings clipped for the next Summer handicap up shortly.

Stefan (mug) and Pete (goblet) show off their glassware.

Stefan (mug) and Pete (goblet) show off their glassware.

Phase 2 of the 2015 finals last night (Tuesday 12th May) saw Gary and John split their efforts between finals but with similar results.

Gary took on Jarrod in the Veterans Handicap - Gary this time on the end of a 12 point deficit (first to 27).  The handicapper was again worried, having fixed the odds before Jarrod embarked on his training course with Jason Barry (w.i.p.).  Jarrod started the crisper (or maybe luckier), extending his lead to 18-5 before Gary got into gear.  In two bursts, Gary had hauled it back to 18-20 (clearly the coach hasn't covered serving and straight drives yet, Jarrod).  Jarrod pulled away to 26-22, however, and it took a typical Gary run of tight shots and focus to save the 5 game points and sneak the next to go 1-0 up (27-26).  A sigh of relief from the handicapper, which was slightly undone by the efficient way Gary repeated the trick in the next two games.  He took the 2nd 27-18 with little resistance, before a blip in the 3rd allowed Jarrod to force a 23-13 lead.  It looked like going further but Gary came back from being 'done' to eat up all the lead and more.  In the end a comfortable 27-25 (3-0) win, with Jarrod learning a few lessons about avoiding cross-court shots and reading his opponent's game.

Jarrod still smiling

Jarrod still smiling

The spoils of Vets Handicap 2015

The spoils of Vets Handicap 2015

John Creek v Chris Morgan next - for the Seniors (Over 55) final.  Over 55 this year because David Falconer is too good for it - having held all 3 major titles last year.  David will have to wait at least another 3 years before being eligible for the new age.   John was hopeful of taking home some more glassware, having been thwarted for around 7 years since his last club success.  Chris was nursing several injuries and excuses for unfitness - and smarting from being relegated to League Division 2 recently.    Chris was far the more controlled and aggressive for the first two games and kept his nose in front for both of them in spite of John's strenuous efforts.  9-5, 9-5 (2-0) and tto use that well-worn cliché - a mountain to climb for John.  A slight foot off the pedal in the 3rd and John from 5-all John strung four winners together to pull the lead back to 1-2.  With Chris appearing to tire and looking older by the minute (from where I stood anyway), John had high hopes of at least forcing a decider.   A determined Chris would have none of it and pressed again to a comfortable 9-6 (3-1) win.  As the marker said afterwards - John, you kept hitting the ball back to him [that would explain it then].

A lack of entries (no old players left) and meagre funds meant no Runner Up trophy, so Chris takes all the booty.

A lack of entries (no old players left) and meagre funds meant no Runner Up trophy, so Chris takes all the booty.

Just the Veterans and Open finals to go.  David Falconer to contest them both as defending champion.  Coming to a court near you sometime soon.

 

 

  

Keeping fit

During the 'off season' when most squash players are either hiding or injured, some keen souls keep fit by doing odd things - like our own David Falconer, last seen stiffly trudging through transition at the Sevenoaks Triathlon

And at least he seems to have brought his check list to make sure he has two of everything - 222.

And at least he seems to have brought his check list to make sure he has two of everything - 222.