Tue 04 Mar - Week TEN
TVS Broxbourne 0-5 UniSport Guildford
Rodney Durbach lost Stephen Meads 5,9, 5,9, 11,9, 6-9
Danny Meddings lost to Stacey Ross 7-9, 14-12, 6-9, 9-6, 7-9
Paul Carter lost to Neil Frankland 7-9, 6-9, 7-9
Adam Long lost to Tom Richards 1-9, 1-9, 2-9
Caroline Heal lost to Fiona Geaves 4-9, 2-9, 0-9
TVS SLUMP INTO 4th SEMI FINAL !
Geoff Long reports
A below strength TVS Team suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Unisport Guildford, although it was a night when both managers ended with a smile on their face, Ian Robinson of Unisport for gaining the victory on the night and Geoff Long for TVS for achieving their 4th consecutive Semi Final place.
With a lot of the TVS players away at tournaments in the USA it was club first team player Adam Long who was first on court playing the talented 16-year-old Tom Richards England U19 number 11. Despite a brave effort the TVS player lost 3-0. On the show court a major battle was developing between Stacey Ross for Unisport and Danny Meddings for TVS the game went to 5 with Ross prevailing in the final game 9-7 after 69 minutes of all action squash mixed with some contentious decisions from the referee.
Caroline Heal for TVS faired no better when she took on world no.11 Fiona Geaves again despite some good squash from the Hertfordshire lady Geaves proved to be too strong resulting in another 3-0 loss for TVS. The third string match was between two very experienced players Neil Frankland for Unisport and former National Champion for TVS, Paul Carter who came second to Neil despite the customary spirited performance that is always Carters trademark.
The number ones string match was between Stephen Meads for Unisport and Rodney Durbach for TVS, having literally just got off a plane from the USA Rod was unable to repeat his first half of the season win and ended up going down 3-1.
The TVS Manager, although disappointed to lose on the night said that he was delighted to be going to Nottingham for the first semi final leg on the 18th March. "We have a full squad to choose from, will be travelling with TVS Broxbourne supporters in quantity, and we look forward to meeting Nottingham again in a semi final”
Tue 18 Feb - Week NINE
Lee-on-Solent 1-4 TVS Broxbourne
Bradley Ball bt Mark Chaloner 9/3, 9/7, 3/9, 9/6
Mike Elford lt Danny Meddings 6/9, 5/9, 1/9
Chris Simpson lt Mark Woodliffe 9/2, 7/9, 4/9, 12/10, 7/9
Dean Watson lt Kim Lee Wong 6/9, 9/5, 6/9, 8/10
Tina Rix lt Alison Waters 5/9, 2/9, 1/9
TVS BROXBOURNE
STORM INTO PLAYOFFS
A TVS Broxbourne team, once again severely weakened, by players away at tournaments in Quatar and New York travelled to Lee-on-Solent. The home team were also barely recognisable with a lot of their team away. This did not prevent another great night of National League squash. First on court was Alison Waters who made short work of Tina Rix winning 9-5, 9-2, 9-1 showing that the TVS girl is maturing into a very useful young player.
Next to score was the TVS new import Kim Lee Wong a Malaysian junior currently at Wycliffe College and training with the Hertfordshire club’s League squad. Kim came through winning a closely contested game against the Lee 4th string and team manager Kim overcame some of Deans superb shot making to win 9-6, 5-9, 9-6, 10-8.
Experience in the shape of Danny Meddings for TVS was far too strong for the Lee-on-Solent number 2 winning in double quick time 9-6, 9-5, 9-2. to give TVS Broxbourne the match with to strings still to play.
The number 3 string produced a classic battle with Mark Woodliffe, recent over 40s semi finalist from the National Championships in Manchester for TVS, playing the current UK under 17 number 1, for Lee Chris Simpson. After a brisk start by the junior who won the first Woodliffe took control to win the next 2 games the long fourth game was evenly matched eventually going to Simpson to set up a fifth game decider. Woodliffe drew on his reserves to come out the winner 2-9, 9-7, 9-4, 12-10, 9-7.
With TVS Broxbourne 4-0 up it was the turn of the first string match with Mark Chaloner for TVS playing Bradley Ball, this was the TVS Captain’s first competitive match since injury withdrawal from his match against Peter Genever at Chichester. The Lee-on-Solent player is always a dangerous prospect particularly in the League scoring system. He took the first 2 games in which Mark looked very sharp although a little “ring rusty” in the third the Hertfordshire world no.13 was looking more at ease and showed some of his undoubted class to take that game with ease. The forth game was closely contested with Bradley Ball coming out as the winner 9-3,9-7,3-9,9-6.Mark said “It was a great night for the team and I was pleased to get a good competitive game under my belt before flying of to New York for The Tournament of Champions. Bradley is always a tough opponent especially up to 9, but it was good to come through with a positive result for the team”
Report from Geoff Long – TVS Broxbourne Manager
Week EIGHT - Tue 04 FebTVS Broxbourne 4 - 1 UK Packaging
Gregory Gaultier beat Tim Garner 9/4, 9/3, 9/5
Danny Meddings beat Stuart Cowie 9/7, 9/11, 9/2, 10/8
Alister Walker beat Matthew Bolt 6/9, 9/6, 9/6, 9/5
Dave Morrish lost Jason Friend 6/9, 5/9, 9/5, 9/4, 2/9
Alison Waters beat Lauren Briggs 9/3, 9/1, 9/2TVS Broxbourne spank Connaught
Andy Booth reports
In a match which saw two unusually weaker than normal sides, TVS Broxbourne took advantage of the home tie to inflict 'the double' over a struggling Connaught team. With Squad captain, Mark Chaloner, resting, Alex Stait injured & Rod Durbach making way for the French magician, Greg Gaultier, the TVS team looked like it may not have the depth required against the team who boast the World No.1 in their squad.
First on court for Broxbourne was Alison Waters against Lauren Briggs. A clinical display by the newly turned professional, Waters, bought a hasty end to the opening rubber 3-0 in only 22 minutes.
Meanwhile, on the showcourt, Wycliffe College squash coach, Dave Morrish, made his debut in a Broxbourne shirt against Jason Friend. He quickly found himself 2-0 down but settled into a rhythm to work his way back into the match and take the next two games to level at 2-2. This was at a price. Fitness was to tell & the Connaught No.4 secured a point on his first National League match at Broxbourne.
With the match at 1-1, Broxbourne's 3rd string, Alistair Walker took on Mathew Bolt. Ali promptly lost the first 6/9, but after a good talking too, mainly by himself, re-emerged to rattle off the next three games in quick succession, to win 3-1.
With only one more tie needed to secure the points, Danny Meddings who has been an inspiration to all at Broxbourne, took on the irrepressible Stuart Cowie. In a match so evenly poised with the advantage swinging back and forth like a metronome Danny took the first 9/7 only to loose the second 9/11. Back he came to take the third 9/2, and with Cowie leading and holding game ball 6/8 in the forth, a fifth set look inevitable. Enter the referee! With three decisions all going against Cowie, much to his obvious annoyance, the balance of the game changed and so did the match. Meddings stepped forward and needed only one chance to secure the game 10/8 and the match for a 3-1 victory.
In the dead rubber, and at first string, the Connaught captain, Tim Garner, faced Broxbourne's own French magician, Greg Gaultier, who set out to entertain the crowd from the start. His total dominance of the court was at times breath taking. Mark Chaloner, observing, said "I just hope I don't get Greg in the first round of the Tournament of Champions in New York!". Time and time again he had Garner chasing the ball into the back corners, punishing rallies with no let up, until he decided when the rally should end. Mercifully for Tim it was all over in 3 sets, 9/4, 9/3, 9/5, and Broxbourne therefore won the tie 4-1.
Broxbourne spokesman, Andy Booth commented "It was some of the best squash I have seen Greg play. He is extremely confident of his own ability. Tim is no slouch, but he really was outclassed on the night" "With Chichester beating near rivals Lexden, who appear to have pressed the self destruct button, we now have a realistic chance of making the play off stages of the National League. We need only 8 points from a possible 14 against the two teams team's at the bottom of the League. It then becomes much harder as we possibly face some of the teams in the Northern Division who have very strong line ups"
07 Jan 03 - Week SIX
TVS Broxbourne 3-2 Tek Sing Lexden
Mark Chaloner lt David Evans 9-4, 7-9, 7-9, 3-9
Rodney Durbach bt Tony Hands 9-7, 12-10, 9-5
Alex Stait bt Raj Nanda 9-4, 4-9, 7-9, 9-5, 9-4
Danny Meddings bt Chris Smith 9-3, 9-5, 9-2
Caroline Heal lt Cheryl Beaumont 2-9, 4-9, 9-6, 7-9TVS Broxbourne repel borders!
Many of the National Leagues Team managers understand the feeling that when your at the top, there is only one way to go, and the slightest break in concentration can see a seasons work destroyed in a blink. The pressure at the top is as great as at the bottom!
With the visit of reigning National League Champions, Tek Sing Lexden, the TVS Broxbourne team were aware of the stiff task ahead of them, and the need to control the match from the start.
First on court was Danny Meddings, now enjoying a relative 'breather' at 4th string, having deputised at 1st string more than once in the past year! His opponent, the young Chris Smith, who seemed a little daunted at the prospect of playing one of 'veteran' pro's still appearing in National League. It was like master & pupil. Never troubled until Meddings was 'spoken too' for being a 'little to rough' about the T, the Broxbourne player strolled to a 3-0 win.
In contrast, Alex Stait, making only his second appearance of the season for Broxbourne, encountered the deft racket skills of Australian, Raj Nanda. Stait took the first 9-4, whilst both were 'warming up', but Nanda's magic wand had Stait wandering the court like a mouse searching for the cheese! His ability to kill the ball from distance, helped him take the second & third games. But gritty Stait was having none of it. The dogged determination that has seen him climb steadily up the World rankings above Nanda this year took control, and the rapidly tiring Lexden player began to make a number of what was to be, crucial errors as his touch deserted him. Stait took control and went on to take the forth 9-4 and the fifth 9-5.
Meanwhile, Miss Caroline Heal, and soon to be Mrs Caroline Chaloner, fought hard against Lexden's Cheryl Beaumont. Old adversary's of their junior days, Caroline will confess to not being back to the same standard, yet! However a gutsy performance come back from 0-2 down to win the third 9-6, and with the score at 7-7 in the forth, things were looking brighter for Broxbourne's lady. However, Beaumont, with cool professionalism, kept her head to take the next two points & the match 3-1.
So it was to Rodney Durbach to take on the Lexden captain, Tony Hands. The result of the match could be decided by this rubber. This encounter was full of 'if only'. For instance, if only, Tony had played a few more top level opponents since the end of the first half of the season, he might have had the fine tuning which at crucial moments seemed to elude him. If only, Durbach would slow down a bit so Tony could have a rest! But no, it was not to be. At times, Hands showed some of the brilliant touches that has seen him compete with the Worlds best on his day. He consistently had Durbach scrabbling about the front of the court. But Durbs' was always there! A 3-0 scoreline does not do justice to a very enjoyable match between two accomplished 'gentlemen'.
So with the points in Broxbourne's bag, it was left to Mark Chaloner to play David Evans in the dead rubber. Mark has not played for three weeks since competing in the World's, due to a shoulder injury. A valiant effort saw him take the first game, but he was never comfortable twisting. A visit to see a shoulder specialist seems on the cards, as he lost the next three games & the match 3-1.
TVS Broxbourne continue to sit at the top of Group B, but a visit in the next round to the revitalised Chichester, who have gone second, means 'another' top of the table clash in store for the spectators. Who will win? Ask top tipster Andy Booth, he knows!
19 Nov 02 - Week FOUR
TVS Broxbourne 4-1 Lee-on-Solent
Rodney Durbach bt Bradley Ball 9/7, 9/6, 9/6
Alex Stait lt Mark Heather 9/2, 1/9, 6/9, 10/8, 6/9
Danny Meddings bt Ben Howell 12/10, 7/9, 9/5, 9/5
Alister Walker bt Greg Tippings 9/2, 9/6, 9/2
Natalie Pohrer bt Vicky Botwright 9/4, 9/0, 9/0TVS Broxbourne Trounce Lee
A jubilant Andy Booth reports
In front of a packed main court, Rodney Durbach, acting captain for TVS Broxbourne in the absence of world No.8 Mark Chaloner, proved that they were far too strong for the south coast side who came to the Broxbourne based club expecting to inflict damage to the slightly weakened local team.
First on court, Natalie Pohrer, World no.4, against News of the World glamour girl, Vicky Botwright who had built a reputation with a series of photographs of her wearing a 'sports thong'! Vicky who has been a squash professional for some years now is the envy of many a female sports professional. However, not detracted from her duties in hand, 25 yr old Natalie went out at a pace too hot even for the World No.15 to handle and won 9-4 9-0 9-0 in just 22 minutes.
One the second court, 4th string, Alistair Walker was making short work of Greg 'grumpy' Tippings, who had travelled from Wales earlier in the day to play, by winning 3-0 in 25minutes in a largely uneventful match.
At 2-0 TVS Broxbourne needed only one of the three remaining rubbers to win the match. It was too be Danny Meddings, ex-England team player, who was to earn the vital win. Playing Ben Howell, some ten years his junior, Danny twisted & turned to win a fiercely contested close first game 12-10. A slight lack of concentration let Howell back in to take the second game 7-9, but it was all downhill for Meddings from there. Experience showed as he won the next two games 9-5 9-7 to secure the points for Broxbourne in 40minutes.
Disappointingly, Alex Stait, making his debut this season and at 2nd string, was Broxbourne's only looser of the evening, eventually going down 2-3 after saving 2 match points in the forth game. Alex desperate to win in front of his home crowd, lacked the killer instinct when it was needed most. His 55 minute encounter thrilled the local crowd.
Finally, acting captain and local favourite, Rodney Durbach, wrapped it all up in just 34 minutes, beating Lee on Solent captain, Bradley Ball, to inflict only the first defeat of the Lee-on Solent leader in the past four seasons at Broxbourne!
TVS Broxbourne spokesman, Andy Booth commented "We expected to win, but we are all desperately disappointed for Alex, who we thought would rise to the occasion at 2nd string and inflict a defeat of a player well above him in the World rankings. He is capable of it but lacks belief in himself! This win keeps us at the top of the table, well clear of Lexden who have lost more games than us.
TVS continue in the top spot of the South of England group with a superior game difference over Lexden, last season's National League Winners.
08 Oct 02 - Week ONE
Tek Sing Lexden 1 v 4 TVS Broxbourne
David Evans lost Mark Chaloner 7-9, 7-9, 3-9
Stefan Casteleyn lost Rodney Durbach 5-9, 4-9, 2-9
Tony Hands lost Danny Meddings 7-9, 4-9, 5-9
Paul Allen lost Alister Walker 2-9, 2-9, 4-9
Rebecca Macree beat Caroline Heal 9-0, 9-1, 9-0Broxbourne gain revenge
from a jubilant Andy Booth ...
The long and eagerly awaited start of Broxbourne’s campaign in this season’s National Squash League produced a mouth watering opening fixture against Lexden of Colchester, in a repeat of last years National Final. Broxbourne, hungry for revenge, after the narrowest of defeats back in April, were in no mood to become cannon fodder for the newly crowned Champions.
Things began slowly, when Rebecca Macree beat Broxbourne’s Caroline Heal, who was making her debut in a Broxbourne shirt, crashed to a 0-3 defeat winning only one point, but the assembled hoards of the Lexden fans, were silenced when young Alister Walker redressed the balance by the same score line of 3-0, when beating Paul Allen.
Last season, the player who undoubtedly contributed most to Broxbourne’s team performance, was Danny Meddings. A veteran of the game, he still is able to play quality squash of the highest level. His opponent, and in a rematch of their meeting in last years Final, was Lexden captain, Tony Hands. Last season the score was 3-0 to Danny, and there was to be no fairy tale return for the Colchester chump, when Danny once again beat him 3-0.
“If the odds are stacked against you, and you need someone to go on court and win for you, he’s your man” writes, Broxbourne spokesman, Andy Booth. We are of course referring to the ever present, Rodney Durbach who last month, saw his World ranking soar to 23 after a very good start to the season. Playing Lexden’s new signing, Stefan Casteleyn, he quickly set about the World No.24, giving him a rough introduction to National League squash, crushing him 3-0, to secure Broxbourne the points.
In the dead rubber, Broxbourne captain, also faced a repeat of last season’s National Final match, but instead of a 2-3 defeat, he went on to produce a masterful display, winning also by a 3-0 margin to win himself the home’s side’s Man of the Match Award.
With an opening 4-1 victory against probably the strongest opposition in the League, Broxbourne now look forward to their opening home match, at Broxbourne Sports Club, against Chichester in two weeks time. Here, Broxbourne will be unveiling their new female signing, Natalie Pohrer, the World No.4, who will play World No.5, Linda Charman.Mouth watering stuff ...
NEW SPONSORS FOR BROXBOURNE
Broxbourne, National League runners-up last season, have announced a new sponsor and a major new signing. The American-based Natalie Pohrer has been signed to fill the woman's position that was vacated by Sue Rose, who was injured for much of last season and is now expecting her first child.
Pohrer, who lives in St Louis, is obviously planning to spend more time in the UK in the coming season and her presence will provide a significant boost to the side who narrowly lost to Lexden in last season's final. Pohrer will be making her debut in the club's first home match against Linda Charman, who has moved from Connaught to Chichester.
The Hertfordshire side will now be known as TVS Broxbourne after agreeing a sponsorship deal with the company owned by the new team manager, Geoff Long, the club's regular announcer.
Long is busy raising funds for the coming season and is holding a Golf Day on Monday October 7 at Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club. Long writes: "We welcome any individuals or teams of four who would like to enter. The cost is just Ł200 per team. The day consists of a bacon roll snack on arrival, 18 holes of golf, a three-course dinner and presentations, with an after dinner speaker."
For further details, interested parties can email Adam Long at adam@tvslondon.co.uk or phone Geoff or Adam on 07002 887887. All money raised will go to the TVS National League team.