KP2 v Bromley Cricket Club 4 5/3/2014

Second team tried hard  - but no cigar

Bromley CC 4  (18 points)  Knole Park  1   (5 points)

Bromley CC 4  (18 points)  Knole Park  1   (5 points)

Sadly Knole's 2nd team could not produce the same rousing finish to the Winter season that the 1st team managed.   Typical of the night - and the season - was Chris Shepherd-Barron's effort in reaching a 1-all 7-3 lead with his opponent seemingly on the ropes.   However, Scott's ankle injury at that point intervened, and after the screams of agony had died down, Chris failed to win another point!

Peter Brightwell started well against young Ryan and took a hard fought first game in some style.  The error rate balance then shifted and Pete couldn't stay with the pace and accuracy of his opponent..

Gareth succumbed to a talented septuagenarian; and Jerry couldn't quite crank the knees into a fast gear as he was swept aside by relentless Steve.

At least Captain Jolly John was able to salvage a little pride with a steady win over opposing captain Paul.  But the champagne will have to remain on ice for another season.

Thanks to the many who fought for the team during a frustrating season.  Still, we can say that we provided solid support and occasional point-earning reserves for the 1st team to keep them in the hunt for Division 3 status.

 

 

KP1 v Sydenham 4/3/2014

Smokin' smokin ' smokin'

My word , what a night !!   I have been playing and watching squash for an eternity but rarely have I seen a group of players so focused on the job.
 

The task -- get 20 points.  The hope, that others would drop away and the second spot in the league would be secured.   And thus -- PROMOTION TO DIVISION 3 ASSURED ..

Job done -- but how !!!!!!!!.

There was a palpable enveloping sense of destiny and purpose that all but blew away our (very good) opponents.  This was not a red hot emotional rampage but more a super dry dissection of the
unfortunate opposition.   Their discussions on the balcony after their games said it all -- what could I do??  He got everything back; I couldn’t work out how to win a point, etc., etc…

So this is it in brief:

Pete v Tats: 9/2 9/2 9/2 .. and this guy is seriously good.  No doubt the symmetry of numbers appealed to Pete’s sense of order.

David v John: 9/0 9/1 9/0 .. This guy probably thought he was a pretty good player till he was given this lesson in technique and accuracy.

James v Paul: 9/0 9/3 9/1 .. Best I have seen you play champ.  The head was really screwed on tight!!

Niall v Dan: 9/4 9/3 9/0 .. and it would have looked even more impressive if more of those drops had hit the mark, but that observation is a mere detail on a night like this.. Well played..

I make that four matches with the loss of just 18 POINTS IN TOTAL..-- in double quick time.

After this stunning barrage it was inevitable that someone would want their money’s worth and keep the excited balcony on their toes.  Maestro Mike provided the five set graft that kept us all thinking..  Had the last two games not slipped relatively (and it is all relative!!) in Mike’s direction, it could have been a spectacle indeed to see him carve out a closer win, indeed we may have seen squash in a new light -- a compelling blood sport -- not, of course, that of his opponent, but his own heart laid out on court.   (This proved, fortunately, not to be required but it was looking to be a worrying possibility after the third game slipped ignominiously away).   [10/9 6/9 6/9 9/3 9/1 btw].

We must all hope that, home games at least, attract the sort of adoring crowd that attended on Tuesday .  Thanks for coming along ladies; there was undoubtedly a frisson of stimulation to the performances of your respective partners in particular and the whole team in general.  

It is clear that Pete’s contribution makes this team worthy contenders in Division 3 and it is great that everybody is so enthused by the prospect.  The healthy competition within the team will shortly reach its winter zenith in the club championships (semi-finals 11th March) which will be a great showcase for the best Knole can offer with the top four club players having reached their deserved spots..

The merging of Wildernesse and Knole has reaped obvious benefits for all and it is deserved and entirely appropriate that it has culminated in this team success.   Very very well played all and I look forward with the rest of you to some great summer squash.   Barry excelled himself in producing the Xmas dinner you desired and we should applaud our good fortune in having such a thoroughly convivial venue for our post match gatherings.

Stay healthy and enjoy the moment.   Best wishes MJ. 
 

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[And by the way, our friends at Bexley kindly took the necessary 2 points off rivals Blackheath - in fact, they took 5!   So Knole finished comfortably clear in 2nd place behind the runaway Park Club] 

KP1 v Bexley 26/02/2014

Ambitions were sharp and the dream team was primed to seize maximum benefit from this fixture.  And indeed, maximum expectations did yield maximum 20 points.


Missing their number two, it was apparent that the expectations of the Bexley team were somewhat muted, in clear contrast to the competitive aspirations of Knole 1.  We have had courageous comebacks and famous reversals, stunning athleticism and awesome technical
demonstrations in this league -- none of these were necessary in abundance on Wednesday to subdue an outclassed Bexley side.  


The main challenge was to remain fully engaged with the lacklustre proceedings and after two games of total domination we saw some concentration slippage akin to a weary desert traveller being bestowed the grace of gratefully licking the condensation from a full tempting ice cold glass of lager, but not coming close to sampling the contents - I am sure John Mills would reluctantly allow me this clumsy allusion - whether the rest of you have any idea what I am on about (film buffs apart) is quite another thing! [Ice Cold In Alex – Ed].


Pete had his work cut out against their classy number one but it was unfortunate that Andy was not able to appreciate and respect Pete’s speed and athleticism, particularly around the front of the court.


I have no more significant individual comments to make, well played all, job done!!!  Repeat performance next week methinks at home v Sydenham Tues March 4th with the same dream team followed, hopefully, by a "Christmas dinner" to celebrate the success of our impressive Knole 1 team.

 
Groupies most welcome next week and I am sure that Barry will be able to keep all fed and watered ..


Best wishes MJ.. 

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So, with one match to go, KP1 need to get maximum points against Sydenham and hope that at least one of the Blackheath players slips up against Bexley on Tuesday.

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Avoiding contact

Avoiding contact

The luge

The luge

Appeal for Waterfront

KP players will be glued to their screens in the late hours of Tuesday 25th and the next day, as they will Waterfront on to victory against league rivals Blackheath.  Only a superhuman effort by the Woolwich ferrymen will give Knole the chance to overhaul the team in the 2nd automatic promotion place when they travel to Bexley on Wednesday.

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KP1 v Cobdown 18/02/2014

Great win boys and 17 valuable points to add to the haul. 


Peter B had a tough one, coming off several weeks working on his dissertation and very little squash to boot.  His opponent at five was not feeling generous and looked about as relaxed and in control as its possible to look in a club match, Pete by his own assessment, simply did not have the tools (on the night) but at least he didn’t have to pay for the lesson !!  (having said that it actually cost him £5 per point in match subs-- again, Pete’s own observation).  We have all had ones like this and we all  heartily commiserate however it should be noted that the general opinion on the way home was that his oppo would have had a close bat with their number 2 so it was a tough ask..3/0 loss.


Niall dominated his opponent who maybe distracted himself somewhat by engaging in a bit of banter during the proceedings. He might well have been better advised to concentrate on his grip and racket technique since that was very "interesting"; I was surprised he could actually contact with any forehands and produce serviceable returns such was his extreme "pan handle" grip … (and quite how the backhand unravelled was beyond me !!) 3/0 win.


James is getting right back into match mode and his opponent was in little doubt that he was going to lose despite pinching the first against the flow of play. Great retrieving, steady nerve and solid match play..3/1 win.


Dave was in unforgiving form and basically his oppo was thoroughly demoralized by the time it wound up for a 3/0 win to us. Nice one "socks"..


Pete Sykes really had his work cut out against a real fire cracker who seemed prepared to give the works.  The lesson here is that it aint over till the fat lady sings and the final score is nailed. Going 2/0 down against a guy who seems prepared to chase all and everything down could demoralize mere mortals -- hey -- but this is Knole first team and Pete is tasked to bring it home at one. Bearing in mind the match was already won it could have been
easy to step back but no, it got to 2/1 down not a 3/0 loss.. But hark the fire cracker had blown it to try and win in three and was not up to grafting to five -- and probably losing -- so he conceded !!. This was a somewhat disappointing finish to an enthralling match and whilst we were pleased to take the points it was a surprise that this number one should decide
to bail out without having any specific acute injury problem. 3/1 win.


All in all a very satisfactory nights work and a superior bit of nosh to round off proceedings.
I will leave the stats guys to evaluate the position we find ourselves in but well played all..

KP1 v The Park Club 4/02/2014

Hi readers .
 
The weather has been somewhat of a soggy disposition of late (hence my tardy reporting -- trying to move my sleeper stock to my new site has been a tad challenging and time consuming !!).  However the current level of squash being played by our "dream team" is super dry , crisp and enthralling, as all who came to support the home game on tuesday will attest.

The programme looked rather interesting -- top team by a stretch (Park Club -- the stats team will no doubt be providing full current league analysis to accompany my musings herein) versus thrusting Knole with ambitions of promotion and glory. The stage was set for, at the very least, an interesting confrontation, possibly with the often colourful and unpredictable Carlos factor with which to contend (those in the "know" may well smile at this observation).  It appears that Carlos has, however, had some "political misunderstanding" with his team mates and was not available for us all to enjoy; yea even to mark !!!


So this outing was populated by about the best team both clubs could muster and not an injury in sight ..


Mike (at 5 string !!) played a rather lack lustre Andy Lewin and it would not be harsh on his opponent to say he was cruising.  Andy is in fact a rather difficult handful since he is such a big lad and does not always clear the ball quite as cleanly as one might wish.  Mike made it look more pedestrian than it actually was and never gave his opponent a sniff (win 3/0).  This result was, of course, aided and abetted by superior racket performance just re-strung by yours truly within a very impressive three week time frame..


Niall had a long tight match which maybe pivoted on the second game slipping away 8/10.  The third game looked good for Niall to the mid point but Phil pinned him back and ran out 3/1 (loss 3/1) .  Some do or die rallies by Phil made this an exciting match to watch, if somewhat unconventional!
 

James had a very gritty encounter with John Hogwood (who playing on one leg in the first half), who looked down and out at the end of the fourth having nicked the 3rd 10/8.  John took an early lead in the fifth but James showed admirable resilience to pull himself back into contention, but it was not enough and the 3/2 losing score line was probably a fair reflection of the run of play.  It is good to see James moving fluidly again and apparently with no fitness issues despite the long lay off. By his own analysis James will be looking to build his mental toughness for good opposition like this since everything else is in place.  Success cannot resist hard work, application and discipline so the wins will most certainly come champ !!


David also had a gritty encounter which could also have swung a different way with nip and tuck close games all through to a 3/1 loss which could easily  have pushed into a fifth set.  The mobility and recovery of this (much) younger opponent was as impressive as David’s abilty to stay with him practically all the way.
Pete "lifted off" after a dowdy first game and surprised George with a display of shot making and fitness that we all enjoyed watching.  These matches are, unfortunately,normally, all male affairs so it was great that Peter was supported by his delightful partner who is most welcome for all future matches.  

All in all a very good match which could easily have resulted in a win for Knole rather than a close 3/2 loss and 10 points accrued.


Very well played all.  Watching squash of this standard played in such good (albeit highly competitive) spirit is a privilege that we hope more members may wish to avail themselves of -- at least for home games.


The team is back in action again 18th Feb to Cobdown away.


PS -- Hope you have all managed to avoid being flooded!!
 

Regards Mark Johnson..

[Ed - stats analysis to follow and sadly no pictures as the photographer was too excited by the standard of squash to get his finger out]

KP v PC.png

Senior moment

David Falconer got another pleasant  surprise today.  But it was tinged with mixed emotions.  First, he was presented with his trophy for the 2013 Seniors Open; only recently recovered from storage.  It is a model of Stephenson's Rocket - perhaps a tribute to David's speed around the court.

The sad news, though, is that David will not be able to defend his title in 2014 - the cut-off age for Seniors has been raised to 55 from 50.  Never mind, David.  Your time will come again.

KP1 v Sundridge Park 2 - 28/01/2014

The dream team gathered in their resplendent new tee shirts to engage in another bruising bid for promotion glory.   It would seem that we have the current impressive line-up for at least next week then maybe we will have to do without Mike W.

Fitness First, now rebranded as The Park Club, may find their numbers depleted by non-travellers next week (we can hope, since they are league leaders by a considerable margin).  We can anticipate a balcony full of support, I trust, since the second team are not playing that night.

I digress.  The future awaits but the past is now fixed in history and the arrow of time weaves its inexorable path..

You want a squash report, I hear, but (maybe) a morsel of poetic prose adds colour and texture to the literary (??) endeavour..

Pete secured a very hard fought 3/0 against an unorthodox opponent who looked like he had no right to be in it.  Looks however are deceptive, as Niall found out in the first half.  Such was Dave’s tenacity that one felt he deserved to nick a game but it is just as well that Pete kept him out because he was looking capable of sustaining a possible come back from 2/0 down.  The match wound up 3/0 to Pete but it was mighty close despite the score line and court coverage was exceptional..

David looked his dominant self for a straightforward first game but then found himself down 8/4 in the second.  That kind of margin at this level, when both are fresh, would lead to a 1/1 situation nine times out of ten, however, much like Pete’s game, David was cognisant of the very real possibility that the match could turn and he snuffed out the threat 10/9 to go on and win the match
3/0.   [We had a great example of my perennial gripe with markers calling strokes off balls off the front wall rather than judging the interference level when the striker CAN actually put a racket on the ball (by which time the opponent has maybe cleared the line of sight to the front wall).  David’s (restrained) reaction to this poor calling confirmed my evaluation of situations like this.]

Their new number 3 should probably have been playing at 2 and it will be interesting to see where he ultimately ends up in the team.  James had his work cut out against this rather good opponent and, coupled with a lacklustre night he came out the wrong side of a disappointing 3/0. The tight slow ball tactics down the back hand were nicely coupled with an impressive change of pace cross-court and a very tight boast; good to watch and food for nourishment of James’ improving game..

Niall made hard work of putting the first game away and thereafter dominated his physical opponent without drama.  Basically, what more can one ask than a 3/0 win, even if it was not that pretty..

Mike never looked in trouble against an inconsistent but fit opponent who just didn’t have the weapons for the job. This is only reasonably what one might expect from our former number one playing at 5th string – this should, and does, scare the hell out of the current opposition(s).

The very convivial post match social was accompanied by a delicious thai curry that definitely hit the mark..
 

Thanks to David for driving..   Well played all and we should saviour the prospect of next week’s match.

Regards  - Mark Johnson..
 

Home Player             Away Player   Result         Games

Dave Hanson v Peter Gavin Sykes  0-3   6-9, 7-9, 8-10

James Barry v David Falconer       0-3     4-9, 9-10, 4-9

Mark Mink v James Hall                3-0     9-6, 9-2, 9-4

Andy Raby v Niall Anderson       0-3     8-10, 2-9, 2-9

Chris Wilson v Mike Wright        0-3      2-9, 4-9, 5-9

KP2 v Bromley Lawn 2 28/01/2014

A tough night for KP, who failed to keep alive their winning streak against the chart topping Lawn Club.

Great effort by the diminutive Mike against a fired-up Mark Winkless.  And a comfortable win for the classy Mark Fleming against a bemused Gary (who should have worn the new Lawn shirt).

Pete's good news is that Keith (Coach) Palmer didn't charge for the session.

Home Player                      Away Player       Result   Games

Peter Brightwell               Keith Palmer      0-3          1/9 6/9 2/9

Jerry Staffurth                   Hugo Feitor        0-3          4/9 7/9 6/9

Mark Fleming                    Gary Velvick       3-1          5/9 9/2 9/0 9/2

Mike Stuttard                    Mark Winkless  2-3          1/9 9/5 7/9 9/2 3/9

John Creek                         Tim Smith            1-3          9/3 4/9 2/9 1/9

Club Champion Gets his Cup

James Hall, the 2013 Club Champion, was finally united with his Cup today after restoration, repairs and cleaning had delayed the presentation.   James will only have a few more months to enjoy his triumph, though, as the 2014 Championships are well underway.    James is recovering slowly from an injury and should have a good chance of retaining the trophy this year, in spite of the entry of new challengers and the return of old rivals. 

James Hall 2013 Champion.png

KP1 v Waterfront 21/1/2014

Hi everybody


Maybe this version will be twice as good as the first that I managed to delete having spent a valuable hour or so being creative.  Ho hum.  Just goes to confirm my status as the IT dinosaur of the century. Well, there has been great activity and excitement around team activity recently and justifiably so.
 
We have just picked up a fit young blade to take the heat at number one and thus give us the benefit of driving the whole order down.  Who would have thunk it, a year or two ago "maestro " Mike was bemoaning the lack of new blood from his lofty position at number one.  Last Tuesday he played at FIVE.
 
Peter "wings " Sykes had a great bash with Korin which went to the wire.  When they were not covering corner to corner with commendable strength and fluidity they were battling for prime "T" position, which Korin was very loath to relinquish.  Although the last game got away from Pete I would not fancy Korin's chances next time round -- this did not look like a man who has not played for a year (in fact an allusion to the proverbial butcher's dog (1) would not seem out of place !!) - and stories of praying to god on the big white telephone after these impressive excursions seemed somewhat fanciful ??.. (3/2 loss)
 
Olly looked like he was going to get a lesson from David "socks" Faulkner, in his usual imperious dominance for two games, but the match strung out to a five set decider, not that surprising considering Olly's pedigree.  The marker was either unsighted or suffered from selective blindness in the middle of the fifth calling a ball in that I saw as inches out. David showed admirable restraint and kept his cool to then benefit from a call for no let going his way a couple of shots later. They say the bad marking decisions even out during a match but "they " say a lot of dubious things and a single grossly poor decision often decides outcomes, especially at the end of a gruelling five setter.  Great attitude David and a worthy win. (3/2 win)
 
James and Simon could have been an interesting match up (as David might agree having had a close one with him last time round ).  James, however, has come back strong from his extended injury issues and was in no mood to allow Simon to weave his unorthodox magic. Simon was forced to try to do more than he was comfortable with and made many apparently uncharacteristic errors . This match up however suits the "champ's" game and going forward to the short stuff is his forte. He informs me that his training thrust is to improve movement around court and nail the long hard cross court stuff -- a work in progress !! (3/0 win)
 
Niall did as much as he needed to do to stifle Steve's improving game and would have been comprehensively dominant  with a more accurate short game. With more effective use of the whole court Niall would hammer all and any competition in the middle order and challenge most number ones (3/1 win)
 
"Maestro" Mike returned tanned and plump (I am allowed to say this about my own team members) to the fray having over-indulged and travelled the world for three weeks. To put in a shift like this with the many conflicting facets of his current busy existence is to be admired and we welcome him back to the fray.  Unfortunately the Wednesday coaching will have to take a rest unless somebody else will pick up the reins.
 
So this outing generated 19 points and puts the team back in the fight for promotion.
With Peter, by his own judgement, unfit, James just getting back to shape with his saw paw, Niall going through a bit of a lacklustre patch and Mike right under the proverbial hammer from all directions,  I feel sorry for the future opponents if everybody kicks into top form.  David can keep doing what he is doing and everybody should be delighted !!
 
Very well played all. The next outing is away to Sundridge but no doubt we can look forward to eager groupies swinging fron the rafters to enjoy the following week of match play at home to The Park Club.  Regards and best wishes Mark

(1) As fit as a butcher's dog 

Meaning - Very fit

Origin -The allusion to a butcher's dog is to a dog that would be expected to be very well fed from scraps. Why that is considered to epitomize fitness isn't clear, as it might be thought more likely that the dog would be overweight than fit. John Camden Hotten, in A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words, 1859, defined 'butcher's dog' this way:

"To be like a butcher's dog, that is, lie by the beef without touching it; a simile often applicable to married men."

That's clearly a different meaning, that is, butcher's dog was then a metaphor for 'something we are close to but cannot have'. That meaning has gone out of use.

 

Korin Knights v Peter Gavin Sykes  3-2    9/2 4/9 4/9 10/8 9/1

Oliver Hui v David Falconer             2-3          1/9 6/9 9/4 9/2 3/9

Simon Malcolm v James Hall          0-3          7/9 1/9 2/9

Steve Taylor v Niall Anderson        1-3          9/5 4/9 4/9 3/9

John Flavell v Mike Wright              1-3          7/9 9/3 2/9 3/9

 

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Pete appeals v Korin

Pete appeals v Korin