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| Report: | Old adversaries Neil & Martin commenced proceedings with the scoreboard soon reflecting Neil’s double espresso fuelled sprint to a 10-3 lead in the first. Despite a brief rally from Martin Neil wrapped up the opener in relatively short order. Initially, the start of the second saw roles reversed. Martin taking a 4-0 lead, only for Neil to level. Neither could subsequently stamp their authority on a closely fought game, with Neil finishing the stronger to go two up. The third was in the balance with the score even at 6-6, until Neil’s caffeine infusion carried him on to secure the win.
Arriving late, Wes was lucky not to forfeit the first against Jan, drafted in from the ranks of the Cromer 2’s. Feeling guilty, Wes generously played within himself to make a good game of things, taking the first by two points, with the second getting to seven all before pressing home his advantage. Buoyed by an early run of points in the third, Jan maintained his advantage with some good winners, taking it comfortably. The fourth saw Jan maintain his momentum, Wes struggling to regain the ascendency, and the score remaining tight in the early exchanges. Eventually Wes’s class shone through, with an increase in tempo proving too much despite a valiant effort from his opponent.
The second string match looked like it could be a close contest, and so it proved. Paul, having chosen not to play his usual lunchtime game, launched in to beast mode from the start, racing to 8-2 in no time at all and Ben only served once more. The second was a virtual repeat. Paul taking a 9-2 lead before succumbing to a quad strain and Ben stringing a run of four points together to make it more respectable. With his movement now compromised and the new slimline Ben able to take advantage, the tables quickly turned in his favour; winning the third with relative ease, and building an early lead at the start of the fourth. A determined effort from Paul saw Ben’s advantage nullified by the mid-stage, only for Ben to re-assert himself in the latter stages to take it to a fifth. With Ben’s lack of match practice and accompanying fitness and Paul’s reduced movement appearing to cancel the other out, the decider swung one way then the other. First in Ben’s favour and then Paul’s, until a dramatic conclusion, with Paul saving three match balls before Ben clinched victory by the finest of margins.
Having collectively played squash for over 100 years, Richard and Stuart had never previously encountered each other, with only age having closed the gap in abilities. Despite being in awe of his opponent, and finding it incredibly difficult to read his game, Stuart took a closely contested first. Again, the exquisite racket work and hold from Richard early in the second saw Stuart hailing several “taxis”! Eventually, having been lulled in to his opponents game, Stuart found his length again, taking eight points in succession and with it commend of game two. Despite Stuart’s 7-4 advantage in the third, Richard’s resolve was only too evident, and a combination of sublime volleys, pinpoint drop shots, and great length, both straight and cross court, either forcing Stuart in to errors or simply being outright winners resulted in Richard taking the third, winning seven points without reply. The last game was closely contested, with momentum for either player never sustained for more than a few points, with the final swing of the pendulum falling in Stuart’s favour.
Everyone retired to The Bell for the usual fare and a good old mardle. |
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| Author: | Stuart |
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| Notes: | Moved from 27/11/2025 |
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