Champions

Congratulations to Knole Park 2nd Team - Winter 2021-2 Division 5 Kent North West Champions. Achieved with a 4-0 17 point victory in the last match and pipping rivals Park Langley on ties won count back.

The glory shared by:

Rob Allen

David Barclay

Sam Cleaver

Harry Cozens

Alex Fox

Tim Handel

Chris Ivey

Tim Kaiser

Simon Lawson

Karl Pople

Tristin Retzlaff

James Woodman

& Mike Wright

2019-2020 Winter Tournaments

Covid 19 has played fast and loose with our tournament schedule this year.

No doubles can be played, and the Summer has been and gone - without a match being played.

However…

We have (nearly) finally caught up with last Winter’s competitions. Although the Championship final has had to be postponed (again) until December, most of the others have reached a satisfactory conclusion:

Chris Morgan defeated John Creek in the Seniors Handicap

Chris Morgan defeated John Creek in the Seniors Handicap

then Gary Mitchell did him in the Seniors Open

then Gary Mitchell did him in the Seniors Open

pothunter Mike Wright took down Tim Handel in the Veterans Handicap

pothunter Mike Wright took down Tim Handel in the Veterans Handicap

Then disposed of Chris Ivey in the Veterans Open

Then disposed of Chris Ivey in the Veterans Open

next to last - the Bearded (I mean Open) Handicap Final was won by James Woodman, who defeated Tristin ‘Rusty Razor’ Retzlaff

next to last - the Bearded (I mean Open) Handicap Final was won by James Woodman, who defeated Tristin ‘Rusty Razor’ Retzlaff

Leaving only the 2020 Club Championship Final - between James Hall and Justin Bigara - some time before Christmas!





Summer Open Handicap Final

Simon Moriarty joined the growing list of casualties, so was unable to take his place in the Final. Mark Semple (-1) therefore stepped in as a 'lucky loser' to face Jolyon Thompson (+1). Both were looking for their maiden trophy.

Jolyon started fast and strong, beating seven bells out of anything in his way. Mark seemed a little off-colour - maybe as a result of his last-minute call-up. Jolyon was able to take a quick 2-0 lead and, in the third game, had 4 match balls at 14-11.

Mark, however, is nothing if not dogged. He clawed his way back to 15-14 (sudden-death) in game 3. Then took the next two relatively easily as Jolyon tired. 3-2 to Mark. Better luck in the Winter, Jo.

Summer Finals Underway - Veterans Handicap - 31 November 2019

The result of the first Summer showdown -

Game 1 - John Scored 18 pts Richard scored 6 points (1-0 to Richard)

Game 2 - John scored 22 points Richard scored 6 points (2-0 to Richard)

Game 3 - John scored 24 points Richard scored 5 points (2-1 to Richard)

Game 4 - John scored 12 points Richard scored 6 points (3-1 to Richard)

Thanks to outstanding handicapping by Squash Levels (John -9, Richard +9), Richard takes home his first winner’s trophy and adds his name to the illustrious Honours Board roll.

Better luck next time, John.



Seniors Open

Jerry Staffurth bid for the Seniors Double - trying to add the Open to his earlier Handicap triumph against the same opponent - Chris Morgan.  Chris, without the benefit of his handicap, looked to have his work cut out.

A sparse crowd saw a slow start, as Chris struggled to find his touch and length, and Jerry raced to a 9-1 first game.  The second was no better.  Chris showed occasional flashes of ability, but Jerry’s steadiness was consistent and he committed few errors on his way to a 9-0, 2-0 lead.

At the start of the third, Chris dug his heels in and matched Jerry up to 5-all.  Then a return to loose shots allowed Jerry to close it out 9-5 in 3.

Jerry collected the Rocket trophy as well as his glasses for both Seniors competitions.  Another new name on the trophy, as David Falconer couldn’t defend.



Doubles Final

Mike Wright’s third final of the season saw him paired up with Karl Pople and giving a large start to newcomers Mark Semple and Chris Reynolds.

Once Mike had explained the rules, he settled right into his usual rhythm and Karl provided steady support as the 16 point deficit (from -8, +8) was eroded and surpassed with few alarms - 15/12 to Mike and Karl.

Too easy? Maybe. The absence of points for Mark and Chris was replaced by three pairs of points to get them to 13-7 and within sight of the second game. And a few rallies later they had squeezed it 15/12.

Third game a repeat of the first. Two runs of error-free rallies saw Mike and Karl restore their lead 15/11. 2-1.

At the start of the fourth, we suddenly had an uncharacteristic flurry of errors by the flustering Karl and a contagious rash of mistakes from Mike. Fourth game gone in a flash 15-1 to Chris and Mark. 2-2.

The Marker had decided to change the players’ understanding of the doubles rules during this time, which may have thrown them off their natural game for a while. However, the fifth and deciding game was a handicapper’s dream. Tit-for-tat for the first few rallies, then a bout of carelessness allowed Mark & Chris to extend their lead to 13-0. A loss of serve by the lime green parties left Mike serving at 1-14 and facing 14 match balls.

Needless to say, a few minutes later it was all over, 14 match balls saved and one sudden death match ball won. 15-14, 3-2 to Mike and Karl. The Thompson-Creek era of doubles domination duly ended and another notch on the Wright trophy stick. Mike and Karl face off against each other on 1 June in the Veterans Open final.

The full match can be viewed here.

End of an era - a new one begins - Wright & Pople on the throne.













Open Handicap

 Form is temporary - class is permanent.  At least for this week anyway.

In a repeat of last week’s Veteran’s Handicap, Mike Wright (still -11) took on Richard Miles (+11).  Would Mike be as ruthlessly efficient and merciless this time around?  Probably.

Would Richard have learnt any lessons from their previous encounter? Not if Mike had anything to do with it.  He was off out of the blocks like a ferret up both trouser legs.  12 rallies later, negative points wiped out, before Richard had won one.  14 more rallies and first game to Mike 15/12.

Then a blip, a couple of bloops, and three points for Richard out of the next six.  Don’t take your eye off the ball, Mike.  Richard now stood at 14, -9 with 24 game balls!  Mike won 10 of them but eventually had to fail and 15/1 to Richard looked as though the wheels had come off in a big way.

Sadly for the crowd, normal service resumed quickly.  Mike reverted to his runs of successive points, only allowing Richard the occasional glimmer of hope.  A couple of services out and a tin or two were not enough, as Mike took the third 15/13, and a tantalising fourth 15/14 - allowing Richard only three game balls just to tease.

So, Richard will have to wait another year to get himself on the Winter Honours Board.  And Mike adds to his litany of trophies and Honours.

 



Veterans Handicap

The experienced Mike Wright (-11) faced off with newcomer Richard Miles (+11) in the first of their two handicap encounters this Winter.

Mike had the bit between his teeth early on, having seen what a large deficit can do if you don’t get on top of it straight away.  The mountain was climbed early on - Richard not able to get away with his attempted winners from the back of the court, managed only 2 of the four points he needed was overhauled at 13-12 after only two hand-outs for Mike. 15/13.

The same in the second, only two points early on for Richard, Mike’s trickle-boasts being a bridge too far for Richard if his volley nicks were not on target.  15/13.

Did Mike take his foot off the pedal in the third, or did Richard move forward? Either way, by the time Mike had wiped  off his -11 to get to Zero, Richard had taken three rallies and led 14-1 with 14 game balls.  A supreme effort of concentration followed, Mike taking all 14 game balls and the first of his own 15/14 Match to Mike. 

The meet again a week later on Saturday 11th.  Open handicap this time.  Any bets on the result?




 

Winter Finals Is Coming

With Summer threatening to overtake them, the Winter 2018-2019 Finals briefly spluttered into life this weekend.  Two Senior veterans, Chris Morgan (+2) and Jerry Staffurth (-2) slugged it out for the right to take the Seniors (Over 55) Handicap throne.

In Chris’s case, he was going for a four-peat - having won for the past three years.

In most years, the player receiving handicap points has usually started quickly, taking advantage of the handicap to build up a lead, before the better player finds their range and fitness and stamina kick in.  So, Chris probably started too slowly - not a good idea against a younger old man.  And the -2, +2 handicap was rapidly eroded.    Jerry took the first game 15/7 as Chris failed to capitalise on his advantage.  A closer 2nd game followed a similar pattern, although Chris started to take the ball earlier and occasionally put Jerry on the back foot.  15/12 to Jerry. 2-0.

It looked as though the third game would be over just as quickly, once Jerry had overhauled the handicap deficit and established an 11-8 lead.  However, Chris bravely clawed it back overtaking Jerry to 14-12 with two game points.

Sadly, one final push from Jerry denied Chris his comeback hopes, Jerry taking the next three rallies and a sudden-death game 15-14 and the match 3-0.

Jerry looking for space on the trophy.

Three-time past winner, Chris Morgan, congratulates 2019 Champion Jerry Staffurth

Chris will have to be on his toes when the two meet again in the Seniors Open soon.

Summer Finals 2018

Three finals played and dusted. The usual suspects, but some different winners and runners up.

Doubles

Repeaters John & Jolyon took on the Wrights (father & son) as first and second placed in the round robin.

The Wright pretenders were quickest out of the blocks, but John & Jo’s experience eventually prevailed. Video is available:

Open Handicap

Mike Wright (again) up against newcomer Tim Handel. Mike’s silky trickle boasts and speed around the court is usually enough to overcome a severe points handicap deficit. This time, Tim was up to the task though, and Mike was never into his stride. From a start of +6, -6, the handicap was rarely reduced and Tim won 15/6 15/6 15/4. Evidence of Tim’s own speed and sharpness here:

Veterans Handicap

Perennial trier, David Hampton took on steady Veteran Jerry Staffurth - with a massive +8, -8 advantage. As usual, Jerry’s consistency and low error rate were the deciding factors. In spite of David’s frantic efforts and occasional (lucky) framed winners, he never quite climbed the mammoth mountain. Judge for yourself here:















Winter Finals - 2018

For the first time in a few years, all the Finals were held on the same day (bar one).

Open Handicap - Chris Ivey v James Woodman

A really close affair - so much so, that the handicap difference was zero.  A slow start by James saw him go 0-1 down in no time.  His harder hitting and running game got him back into it 1-1, then lapses in concentration allowed Chris to take the third;  2-1 to Chris.  Most of this was captured on video - so judge for yourselves. 15/7, 13/15, 15/8

James upped his game after that, racing around like a blue-backed fly until he took the 4th 15/11.  Then a ding-dong 5th, edged by James 15/14, saw James take his first trophy - and completely vindicate the Squash Levels handicapping system. 

Club Championship - David Falconer v James Hall

The eagerly anticipated showdown between the Club's top two produced a lopsided score and a quick end to what should have been a closer and tenser affair.  James established an 8-2 lead in the first game - only to give the lead back and more, losing 8-10.  

The next almost went the opposite way - David establishing an 8-2 lead, only for James to claw back most of it.  However, at 6-8, James relinquished serve and David was able to nick the point he needed for 2-0.

With James apparently suffering from a bit of a sniffle (no excuse offered), the sharper David then eased through the third game 9-3 to take back the Championship he had last won in 2014.

Mike Wright (defending Champion) presents the Runner Up small tankard to James Hall

Then hands the sparkling Champions trophy to David Falconer.

Veterans Open - David Falconer v Mike Wright

David Falconer attempting the triple of all three age categories, tackled Mike wright in the second leg - The veterans (Over 45) Open.   Having got his eye in with his 3-0 win earlier against James Hall, David took the first game 9/2 in no time.  The second was a complete turnaround, with Mike being 'mustard' according to his opponent.  Mike won that one 9/3, but then the match followed form with David clinically despatching his younger opponent 9/0, 9/2.

Marker Jolyon Thompson presents the trophies

Open Championship Plate - Chris Ivey v Gary Mitchell

The Plate (for losers of their first matches in the Championship), was the second Of Chris Ivey's three finals.  He was naturally keen to win this one, after such a narrow loss to James Woodman earlier.  Gary was also anxious to win one in front of many of his grandchildren, who had turned out in force to support him.

The fresher Gary stayed ahead of Chiris until 7-4 up in the first.  Then Chris found another wind and another gear to get on a run of points - through to 9-7.  He then proved to fit for Gary, who may have been nursing a twinge.  Whatever the reason, Chris ran out 9-4, 9-2 to retain his Plate title of 2017.

 

[Seniors (Over 55) Open -  David Falconer v Gary Mitchell

David 's third final (and Gary's second) was to be played on Sunday.  However, Gary's niggle proved a step too far and he had to concede.  This gave David Falconer the title in all three Open Categories - a Club first.]

 

Seniors (over 55) Handicap - Chris Morgan (-7) v David Hampton (+7)

Chris was hoping for a threepeat, having won the trophy for the previous two years.  David, as he does, chased down every ball in the first game - taking advantage of his 14-point lead to keep his nose in front until the game was nearly over.  At 4-13, Chris made a good run at closing the gap (to 10-13), before David was able to get the last two points he needed.  Chris made a better start to the second game, pulling back from 0-12 to 13-12 in one run of points; then closing out the game 15-13.   Thereafter, with David tiring, the handicap was quickly eroded each game, and Chris was able to repeat his victory comfortably 15-8, 15-11.

Veterans (Over 45) Handicap - Chris Ivey (-2) v John Creek (+2)

Chris's third final should have proved a tough challenge after a couple of hard runs earlier in the morning.   Nevertheless, he was keen to get on with it before the lactic acid took hold.  And with his eye firmly 'in', he was able to overcome the handicap in the first game without losing serve, until he had the lead at 4-3.  John managed to stay level with him then with many hands in and out until at 13-12 Chris took a couple of points in a row and the first game 15-13.  Perhaps easing back, Chris allowed John to get an early run together in the second game and he had extended his advantage to 8-1 before Chris started to play.  John kept picking up cheap points until he reached 15-2, 1-1.

A fairly comfortable third followed, with Chris finding a second wind and steadily hauling the deficit back and then pushing on to 15-9.  The fourth was tighter, with John just holding his 4 point advantage throughout and never letting Chris close the gap.  15-12 to John, 2-2.

The effort of levelling was too much for the older John, however.  And Chris found his third wind and an extra gear, racing to 11-3 before John could stem the tide.  Chris easily finished the match off 15-7 in a few more hands in, repeating his 2016 and 2017 triumphs in this Veterans category.

 

Doubles Handicap - Jolyon Thompson & John Creek (+2) v Mike & Connor Wright (-2)

The Doubles final was the last of the day, as Summer doubles winners John & Jolyon took on the father and son Wright team.  This was the first time the Winter doubles had been contested since 2008 but is sure to be repeated as great fun was had by all participants.

Mike & Connor had beaten their opponents 3-1 in the Round Robin stage of the competition, with Connor having shown how much his game had improved in his time away from the Club during his studies.  This time, the Wrights were employing some new tactics - including rotating service boxes and crossovers.  [Not sure if these worked as well as they might have done, with occasional clashes when both went for the same ball - Ed.]

As you would expect with doubles, there were some frenetic rallies.  Both teams had some runs of points and all games were close.  In the end, the luck and the breaks went the way of the Summer holders, Jolyon and John coming out on top in three games, 15/12, 15/14, 15/12.   

 

Connor Wright, Jolyon Thompson, John Creek and Mike Wright, flanking David Falconer who marked splendidly and presented the prizes.