Triple winner David had a chance to pose with his trophies prior to his first team appearance of the week. David is pictured below with the Seniors, Veterans (replacement car) and Open championship trophies, all of which he currently holds.
KP1 v Park Langley 4 - 3/6/14
Hi readers. Sorry I am a tad late with my musings on this clash of the titans -- Park Langley being league leaders and all!
The dream team was again galvanized for full blooded action and the home venue meant a few groupies were lending their collective positive vibes.
Pete had a good one and had his tall lanky oppo on the rack pretty much from the start. Once the close second game had fallen favourably a straight sets win looked inevitable and indeed transpired.
David took a couple of games to get into his impressive stride , found line and length and ran through his tiring (apparently) opponent to reach 2/2 . In div 6 & 5 and even in last year’s div 4 this would have been a done deal; but guys don’t lie down and do the honourable thing in the higher leagues. David’s healthy lead was eroded to a 9/7 loss in the last game despite his gallant efforts. Disappointing? Yes; but everything was left on the court and you cannot odds that.
James also met a grafter who was not fazed at being 2/0 down. I observed at the end of the (successful) second game that James could "relax" into some free shot making. A dangerous suggestion indeed and I, of all people, should know how games can turn. Coming back from feeling very peaky last match (which I missed), James ran out of legs somewhat, but his opponent was also extremely tenacious and my comments on David’s game would apply here also.
Niall met an ex pro and I saw none of it since it was a bit rapid. As Niall freely admitted he got a bit of a thrashing - "the guy was hitting nicks for fun". Basically this was a guy who should be playing at number one but pleads physical limitations with which we can all identify!
Mike met my old mucker from BLTC days - Andy "fat boy" Blackman. We discussed whether the epithet should be "very fat boy" but I think that would be a little unfair since he gave Mike a very good work out - rather more than I had anticipated in fact. Two games went to 10 in this 3/0 win for Mike. Good to see you again Andy - if you read this, and I wish I could still move as well as you.
Overall, a pretty good result (3/2 loss), which came very close to being a win.
Knole 1 is definitely "living" in div 3, and if the dream team holds up we could, just, be chasing the honours at seasons close!?
Cascades next week away and the full side is currently available.
Regards to all. MJ
Now it's official - Falconer surprise
2014 Club Champion - David Falconer
10-8 in the fifth
Who is now holder of the 'Falconer Calendar Slam' - Open Champion, Veterans Champion and Seniors Champion in the same calendar 12 months. Well done David (nice socks, by the way).
Wait a moment ...
A long rally, a stretch too far. Peter clutches the back of his leg.
A ham string injury seems to have ended his title challenge.
Perhaps it was just a cramp. But the pace slows almost undetectably. David hits those tight drops and flashing drives and turns the screws on the ailing Peter. 8-3 up, David needs just one ...
12 rallies later - it's 8-8 (set two). No sign of the dodgy ham; just a few impatient errors on both sides.
They thought it was all over ...
A strong 'stroke' call by the marker against Peter for interfering with David's backswing during the second game probably harmed David more than Peter, as from then on he seemed reluctant to ask for lets - preferring to play the ball even when impeded.
But Peter was also finding a few problems of his own. As David found some sort of touch, Peter's new yellow shoes became troublesome and a few errors caused by frustration and David's pressure crept in.
From 3-1 down in the third and on the way out, David rolled strongly to 9/6 and then even stronger to 9/2 in the fourth. The match level and no apparent way back for a tiring Peter.
But not so - after a rest Peter powered to 3-0 in the deciding game and started to look the fresher. A change of shoes and fresh energy apparently.
Peter's old shoes and new trophy
A One-Sided Affair
In front of a relatively sparse Thursday crowd, David Falconer and Peter Sykes squared off in the battle to replace James Hall as Club Champion.
Sadly, David was suffering from a reaction to his Triathlon labours at the weekend and could not find any part of the front wall apart from the tin. Peter raced into a 9/3 9/1 lead and the crowd began to look at the clock ...
Plate Tectonics?
Not quite the earthquake anticipated - Mark Fleming met Pete Brightwell in the revival of the Open Plate (for first round losers in the Club Championship). Pete was suffering from a mystery slowing disease or allergy that prevented him from fulfilling his potential on this occasion - Mark winning 9/6 10/9 9/3.
Tomorrow Thursday 1st May sees the Final of the Club Championship proper - Peter Sykes takes on Veteran Champion David Falconer at 7:30 and a large crowd is expected.
Handicapped Final - 22/04/2014
After an hour and a half of slugfest, Mike Wright and Jerry Staffurth had accumulated 143 points each. The result - Mike takes the title 30/29 30/28 29/30 24/30 30/26
Jerry Staffurth (Runner Up) Mike Wright (2014 winner)
So the real winner was the handicapper, who judged it almost perfectly.
CUP Final - KP1 v Cobdown 15/04/2014
Hi everyone
This very successful season finished with a very close 3/2 loss to Cobdown away on Tuesday.
It was with keen anticipation that an enthusiastic contingent accompanied a fired up Knole first team to the season closer at Aylesford near Maidstone.
Pete (1) always had his work cut out at pole position and had to be focused on keeping his opponent moving as much as possible in the first two games to take the edge off his accuracy and resolve to win swiftly. From past experience this excellent oppo needs physically and mentally to nail a win quickly otherwise he has a tendency to lose his commitment. This did not happen and Pete suffered a rare defeat exacerbated by some "interesting " marking in the second game (and peripheral employment diversions..!).
David (2) was positively the Duracell bunny for the first two games and looked good to nail the cup victory from a 2/0 and 6/2 advantage ---- but as we know all too well, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings. His opponent simply refused to lay down despite appearing more than once, to have shot his bolt and as the edge came off David’s game slightly, so his opponent picked up the marginal slack. Great to watch David take the early balls and put away the winners in style -- somewhat in contrast to his opponents industrial, but obviously effective, technique. Nothing to be ashamed of here, it was a seriously impressive tussle.
James (3) expressed his dominant and ever increasing poise with a worthy 3/1 and may well have been disappointed to have dropped a game. However, he re-established his dominance in the 4th in impressive style with some great drops challenging a wearying opponent.
Niall(4) encountered another even more unconventional opponent on whom I made comment in the last recent fixture with Cobdown. One felt that Niall’s impressive consistent long game and great all-court movement should have put this string out of question rather sooner than a fifth game, however the 3/2 win result still left David with the
opportunity which he came so close to converting.
The consensus from the balcony was that Chris S-B (5) played a much improved oppo who could likely have a competitive game with their 4th and 3rd strings. As always Chris ran everything down that could be reached but there was, unfortunately, rather more that he could not reach. Thanks Chris for filling Mikes shoes and giving it your customary 100%.
Whilst a disappointing final result this has been an unequivocally successful winter season which has seen a seamless bonding of Wildernesse and Knole squash to the obvious substantial benefit of both. Summer Div 3 squash will need another push which this maturing first team is more than capable of embracing with relish.
Stay healthy and keep fit. Best wishes to all and thanks to John Creek for all his input. [You’re welcome – Ed].
Up For T'Cup
Having swept all comers aside, Knole Park 1 travel to the distant Cobdown (near Aylesford) next Tuesday for the final of the Priory Cup (Div 4&5). Knole will be without the irrepressible Mike Wright (pictured below having marked a game to his obvious satisfaction), who is taking a well-earned vacation.
Raining outside - Nothing to do - try this
CUP Quarter Final Div 4&5 - KP1 v Sydenham 1/4/2014
Hi readers
Our destination for the second round of the cup competition was, for a while, in flux.
Sydenham and Wells didn’t quite get their act together on the same night so the final outcome was a walkover for Sydenham after Wells indicated that they were not desperate to play anyway. The Park Club [in the top half of the draw] seem now to be indisposed since they have no courts to play on!!! The dream team at Knole are however very eager to move onward and upward !!
Since Sydenham were at the receiving end of a bit of a "lesson" from us at the end of the league four fixtures it was not surprising that we felt Knole 1 would again prevail - this attitude can spell danger since all these teams have some tasty performers and the level of play only has to drop a few percent to let them in..
Pete is negotiating some life changing stuff at present and we hope he will be back from Dubai to play the next round. In the meantime his focus was somewhat fuzzy at Sydenham against the very impressive Tats. Unfortunately for Tats the opportunities that presented themselves were really no more than a tempting "sniff" that never really looked threatening when Pete hit the gas. (win 3/1)
David had a most weird affair in which neither player got more than three points a game in a match that remarkably went to a 3/2 Knole win. I opined in my last Knole v Sydenham report that David’s oppo must have thought he could actually play this difficult game of squash until he met David last time round. Well, he DID actually play very for two games this time - but could not sustain the level.. This really was a game of four halves to coin a (modified) footy cliché. We all really enjoy admiring the very early ball takes and fine front court kills and pace and direction changes that so disorientate David’s opponents..
James again brought his composure and improving technique to the party and was forced to redress an 8/3 deficit to win a hard second and nail his match 3/0. With all the tweaks and nudges we are working on in training I am looking forward to seeing the "finished article" down the road a bit (if indeed it is right to think in terms of "finishing" improving since this is always ongoing and one is destined never to feel content since there is always somebody better out there).
Niall did the business against a scrappy opponent and derived little pleasure from a 3/1 win which looked inevitable from the first shot despite the game dropped. Niall is due a satisfying outing very soon but in the meantime worthy wins tick the box for team duties fulfilled.
So, as it developed, this match proved to be rather more challenging than anybody had expected and Mike’s game at five was no exception and his capable opponent did enough to nick a game. As is the norm for the maestro’s matches, it was replete with impressive court coverage and valiant retrieving (win 3/1).
A good evening was had by all I think, even by our vanquished opponents who are a friendly and sociable bunch. Fish and chips also hit the spot!!
This cup progression looks very encouraging and maybe a "gong" has Knole’s name faintly etched upon it subject to further confirmation in the next few weeks?
Best wishes to all and stay healthy. Mark Johnson, first team captain..
KP 2 v Bromley Lawn tennis Club 2 Div 6 CUP 1/4/2014
Sore from a relentlessly tough League season, Knole 2nd team were drawn against league champions BLT and were badly depleted by absences. Result a predictable 4-1 drubbing, with only the wedding anniversary captain able to stem the tide. (A brief but entertaining effort by stand-in 1st string Mark Fleming gave hope to the team until he declined match ball in the first game).
KP 1 Bromley LTC 4
The good news is that all the absentees will not be cup-tied and will be available to bolster the 1st team's push for silverware, should they reach the semi-final or final in the weeks ahead.
Quick getaway
David Falconer was quickest off the blocks to win the first of the 2014 titles. He beat Chris Shepherd-Barron 3-0 last night in the final of the Veterans (Over 45) Championship.
David's trophy - a vintage car on a plinth is currently missing, presumed retained by an earlier winner. However, if David wouldn't mind making do with a photograph of the trophy, here is one we prepared earlier.
David, this is what you would have won
Chronicle Headliners
KPSC hit the headlines this week:
Semi Finals - Club Champs
In a first ever, the Championship semi finals were played on the same night, with a crowded balcony. A new pair of shoes for James brightened up the night.
First up, Peter Sykes (4) v James Hall (1) - those are the seedings in brackets - James #1 as defending champion, Pete #4 as an unknown quantity at the time of the draw. A year on, a bit of practice for Pete, and a pause for James to recover from Turf Toe, and maybe this should have been the final (we'll never know).
Pete lunging, but is the ball stuck to James's racket?
Anyway, the first two games to Pete - 9/5 9/5. Both tight fought, with James playing the best squash than he has done since his injury, and with Pete doing nothing too flashy and just enough to edge them. It looked like James would have a tough task to come back.
Then some really good play (and a change of shirt) brought James the third 9/4. Peter looking a bit frustrated - maybe a crack or two showing. James having to push hard, and once showing a slight hesitation on his sore foot. Could he sustain the fightback?
Will it be the flying Scot or the trying harder triathlon man?
Pete's error rate increased, James up to 5/3 lead in the fourth game. Then perhaps the wall was hit. Pete gained a few cheap points, lets and strokes included, and the momentum was enough to extinguish the comeback candle at 9/6. Great squash, and certainly worthy of the billing.
So to David Falconer v Niall Anderson. As is his wont, David went off like a man with a train to catch; Niall started like a man who has had a tiring train journey. The usual sharp backhand drops and aggressive quick reactions put David 9/0 up in no time (or was it still the warm-up?).
David playing without a racket didn't help Niall much.
David carried on the momentum to 4/1 up in the second before Niall started to show his own skills and a run of five points put him back in the match. David, however, still had some of the first game's energy and drive and took the next five points on the bounce to give him a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The third game was a tight contest. Niall determined and pushing hard, went 6/0 then 7/2 up and seemed to be on course for a long drawn out battle - perhaps having drawn the sting from the ageing maestro.
David having none of it took the next few points, and it was Niall briefly out of puff after one gut-wrenching rally. So just a few balls later and David eased into the final 9/7 and will have a little left over in the tank for the next hurdle.
Good luck to both combatants in the final (coming soon to a court near you).
Final Table KP1 - Kent North West Division 4 Winter 2013/2014
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)
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.
[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]