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Rebecca Colthup

REBECCA MACREE
DOES IT IN 99 MINUTES
Looking at the lady stretching, I have to say she does have the perfect body. Well, for my background of ballet, anyway.

By the way, not very politically correct what I’m about to say, but, have you ever imagined yourself playing squash without hearing a sound? You can’t hear the ball on the wall, not yours, not your opponent’s. Not his steps behind you. Not the ball hitting the tin, not the marker announcing the score, not the comment of the ref, not the remarks of your opponent. No applause.

Difficult, don’t you think?

And Jenny Tranfield just walks in. Like I said yesterday, she is as fit as a fiddle, and neither of those ladies’ spellchecker recognises the word “fat”!

Rebecca Macree has got a lot going for her, her fitness, her drop shots, but her best friends are cross court lobs and backhand boasts. Jenny hits the ball as hard as it’s humanly possible, and volleys like a queen.

I noted today two weaknesses in Rebecca’s game. A lot of her backhand drive volleys were loose, and hitting the corner slightly, giving a weird trajectory to the ball, and therefore creating a let or stroke situation. Also, when she was in front of the court, picking up a boast or a drop shot and she wanted to attack, she never played a drive, always cross court. So Jenny was able to anticipate her attacks quite well.

The first game lasted 38 minutes and 38 lets or strokes were awarded. In the whole match 70 lets or strokes were awarded. Both players argued their case with the ref, both of them feeling unhappy, especially in the first two games.

Rebecca was playing what I call the windscreen scraper game: cross court left, cross court right, good height, good width, forcing her opponent to volley constantly, and then, a lethal boast to make it all complete. Normally, players get tired and imprecise after a while. But not Jenny! On the contrary, it seemed that the height of the ball was giving her the perfect angle to volley kill it or volley drop it.

We were here for a loooooong night.

First game to Rebecca 10/9. Second to Jenny 9/7. Then Rebecca really lost her concentration, played very short shots, went in the tin, out of court, and lost the 3rd 9/1 in 7 minutes.

“After the 3rd game, I realised I was speaking too much," explained Rebecca. "I thought to myself: Shut up! I was so nervous! I’m too old to play five games!”

In the 4th, she went back to her windscreen scraper game, claiming the game again, but her volley drives still lacked in precision, giving a few attack opportunities to Tranfield, who was more than happy to hit the ball or to drop it nicely. The score was tight up to 4/5, Jenny serving, but a few lets and strokes later Rebecca took the set 9/5.

Don’t be fooled by the score of the last one, 9/4 for Macree. It still lasted 18 minutes, and both ladies were still running for their lives. The retrieving from both players was absolutely astonishing; they both visited the four corners of the court, upwards, backward, to Hell and back.

I really enjoyed the match from beginning to end. But what about the winner's opponent, the brilliant Jenny Tranfield.

“Rebecca is difficult to play, because she is so good. She knows how to slow the pace, how to change the pace of a rally. Sometimes, I feel like she played the person instead of going for the ball, and she doesn’t always make enough effort to clear the ball. But she plays some amazing shots. Also, there were so many lets, there was no rhythm in the game.”

Rebecca was delighted with her victory: “I’m really happy the way I played the game, especially the last set.”

Well, it's not often you see a ladies match of that quality and intensity. Thank you very much for your performances, ladies. And Rebecca Macree walks away with her 4th Wimbledon Cup Title.

MEADS CHANGES HIS GAME
FOR THE OCCASION
Yesterday, I told you that it was Stacey Ross that was making the show, and the mistakes, and that Steve Meads ground Stacey away.

But today, Steve Meads had it all: length, hits, volleys, and drops. Like all the good players, Steve was able to change and raise his game for the occasion. Yes, John Rooney, the lovely Irishman gave us a good first game, a lot of beautiful retrieving, a few drop shots, but Steve was too brilliant to be stopped. He was attacking every ball, hitting and dropping, putting the 24 year old Irishman under a lot of pressure, forcing him to make mistakes.

And mistakes Rooney did a lot of tonight. And it was obvious to us that he was exhausted.

“After the first game, my legs didn’t respond anymore. Steve raised the pace, I was hoping that he would get tired, forget it! I couldn’t respond.”

Rooney moved to London about 7 years ago, stayed here for 4, but never got settled. He has been living in Nottingham for now 3 years, and trains with Peter Marshall. His sparring partners are called John White and Simon Parke.

“I’m recovering from a bad injury, and for a year and a half I haven’t been playing really. So, I’m just starting now to get back in the game. But now, I’ve got it all sorted. I’m just a late starter, that’s all!”

He is now on his way to the Windy City Open in Chicago.

It was a quick match [compared to the women's, Ed], and apart from the 1st game, we didn’t see much of a challenge. But what was amazing, was Steve Meads’ complete change of game plan.

“Today’s players very often can only play one way. If the game doesn’t work, they can’t do much about it. I know I’m not the greatest attacker on the circuit, but I’m able to adapt. For example, Stacey Ross [his opponent in the semi] likes attacking every ball, so if you keep your shots straight, he can’t play his drop shots. With John Rooney, it’s quite the opposite. If you play a negative game, he thrives on it! So you’ve got to put him under pressure by attacking every ball”.

Well, it worked beautifully, and we saw Steve making some great drops and volley drops. Lovely sight indeed.

Talking about his activities at the moment, he said: “I had to stop the PSA circuit because I was fed up of living out of a suitcase, and also because I didn’t see enough of my wife and two kids (one girl, 5 and one boy, 14 months). I still love squash, I still love training for it. I learned a lot with Jonah Barrington and Ross Norman. Ross in particular taught me about the discipline of training, how important it was to stay in great shape, to keep the weight off. I learned a lot with him."

What about the future, I asked?

“I’m doing a lot of coaching, I still play my league games, (Surrey, Middlesex) the National league, the BSPA. I enjoy the training, I enjoy my squash, and I take one day at a time.”

Well guys, that’s it for this year’s event. We have learned that Youngs have decided to keep on sponsoring the event for the next seven years! Bless them. Can’t wait for next year …

I’m on my way to Canary Wharf Classic on Tuesday.

Hope to see you there, but hurry. I was told there are not many seats left …

Au revoir …
 

Say it with a French Accent

THE GRINDING MACHINE
CHEWS STACEY AWAY
Cheeky headline, but very true.

Before I start on the match, I was quite amazed to see Steve Meads, the “Grinding Machine” (please refer to the report of the second round) talking with the squash journalist Martin Bronstein just before entering on the court for his semi-final against Stacey Ross.

Is that confidence or what!

Those two players are extremely similar physically. Not too tall, very dark and short hair (actually, I think that the hair just a bit longer suits Steve better, but it’s only my opinion), both looking very Spanish.

My favourite type.  Sigh…

Back to work woman, stop dreaming…

Those two LOVE drive backhand. They drive, and drive, and drive. The ball glues to the wall like misery on us all, and yet, the rally goes on with another drive, and another. The rallies were VERY long. 2/3 Stacey’s serve, we were at 7 minutes of play already.

“Does Debbie (our Wonder Cook) serve breakfast in the morning”, I asked myself, “because at that speed, we’re here all night”…

There is a very simple way to summarise the match. Stacey Ross was directing the game, imposing his game, taking all the risks, hitting, but especially dropping the ball as only him knows how. But as it’s often the case, when you take risks, you lose points. And you put the ball in the tin. Unfortunately for Ross, his drop shots that were flirting dangerously and beautifully with the tin in his previous matches, decided that they wanted to get closer to it.

It was heartbreaking really, because no offence to Steve, it was Stacey that was making the show. Meads was very solid, hitting the ball hard and long, as he knows how to, but the panache tonight was on Stacey’s side. The luck was not. Steve Meads took the 1st set 15/6, in 21 minutes. 21 minutes!!!!!!

The tension between the 2 players was quite high. Stacey who normally doesn’t discuss or argue with the referee (he just stares at him with a dark look) kept on repeating “you’ve got to watch that move, he [Steve] has been doing it all match”. Stacey was complaining that Steve was walking back toward him every time, preventing him getting to the ball. So many lets, strokes, discussions, no, not arguments, nobody was shouting or anything of the kind, just a lot of talking.

Fluidity was not the name of the game.

The second game was as long as the 1st one, 21 minutes, and saw another victory for Meads 15/8. So many of Stacey's shots went into the tin it was frightening.

In the 3rd, the score was extremely close indeed. At 7/8 for Stacey, 5 lets were played, and eventually, a stroke for Meads gave him a psychological advantage at 9/7. Meads' length and attacks shots were remarkable, but Stacey was still directing the rallies. Stacey saved a first match ball at 14/11, and another one, and another one, to get to 14/14. One, said Meads. And quite ironically and logically, Stacey lost the match on another backhand drop shot in the tin.

The 3 sets lasted 67 minutes. Frightening.

“You wouldn’t believe that we train twice a week together”, smiled Steve Meads at the end of the match when I asked him if the tension between them was real or fake. “That’s our problem I guess, we know each other too well. Better not play together this week though, let’s wait until next week”.

I was a bit disappointed, I think this match deserved a 4th and even a 5th set. But the best player on the day won. And it was a very very good match to watch indeed.

But the night was not over ...
 
ROONEY: THE BUBBLY IRISH
I personally don’t know anything about this very nice player, apart from the fact he is extremely friendly, that he speaks constantly to his opponent and to himself while playing, that his drops shots are seesaw sharp, and that he takes time to warm up. But once he is warmed up, he is quite lethal.

In the semi, John Rooney was playing Peter Genever, number one seed of the tournament, and after the 1st set which the favourite won 15/11, I thought that John didn’t possess the weapons to beat Genever, but that we were going to have a nice show to finish a long day.

When you want to pick a definitive winner for an event, do not, I repeat, do not ask my opinion.

In the second, John took the lead at 6/5, and then never let Peter get closer than 2 points. He won “easily” 15/10, just by picking up the pace, and placing a few lovely drop shots here and there.

No worry I thought, Peter will pick it up next game. And he did. He was up 6/1, and on the way to an easy game.

John Rooney scored the next 12 points. Excuse-me? 12 points? In American Scoring?

He had a few loose shots that surprised Genever, one lucky nick off the back wall (“Good length” smiled Genever), a beautiful boast, and several tins from his opponent.

Needless to say he won the 3rd, 15/9 in 16 minutes.

The last game was a formality. He dismissed the favourite 15/3 in 10 minutes.

“I'm having problems finding motivation for anything at the moment” Peter confessed afterward. “I was tired, and I could have fought back, but I just couldn’t”. I told him I was disappointed, as I was looking forward to a Steve Meads vs Peter Genever final . “I wasn’t”, retorted Peter. “I would have done it, but I wasn’t.”

Now he mentions it, in the 4th and last game, when he was down 3/11, he was about to serve, he stopped and said to himself. “Are you going to try? Are you going to try? Yes, you are going to try! What’s the score?” 3/11” replied the marker. “Ufffff” said Peter.

He was struggling with himself a lot. But what a lovely atmosphere between the players all game. They served us with a few nice lines.

“Think about it !” quickly said John to the ref as he was going to award a stroke to his opponent.

And later on, Peter, as the ref was taking a bit of reflection time before giving his decision, and finally awarded him only a let:

“For a moment, I thought you were going to give the right decision” joked Peter, as he knew it was the right one.

And John had a few “Only a let, please ref”, that made Peter smile…

After the match, I asked Rooney if he was surprised by the victory. “Yes I was, as the last time we played, Peter beat me 3/0. Like Steve Meads actually, it’s maybe a good omen! I’m recovering from injury, so I’m getting slowly into playing again.” And his game plan tomorrow? “I’ll try and break his rhythm.”

So, the final will offer a very experienced player, Steve Meads, against an underdog, John Rooney, who is not afraid of anything or anybody.

Should be interesting …

Ladies Quarter-Finals:
[1] Rebecca Macree bt Laura Hill 9/3, 8/10, 9/4, 9/4
Carla Khan bt [3/4] Dominique L-Walter 9/3, 1/9, 9/4, 2/9, 9/1
[3/4] Stephanie Brind bt Georgina Stoker 9/4, 9/5, 9/2
[2] Jenny Tranfield bt Rachel Wilmot 9/0, 9/1, 9/1

Men's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Peter Genever bt Andy Whipp 17/14, 15/10, 17/14
[3/4] John Rooney bt Chris Tomlinson 12/15, 15/13, 15/12, 15/8
[3/4] Stacey Ross bt Ben Ford 15/11, 15/14, 15/14
[2] Stephen Meads bt Peter Billson 15/7, 15/6, 15/11

MY STUPIDITY ALWAYS
SURPRISES ME…
Like I often say, Blond, French, and a Woman… I can’t win really can I? Well, today, woke up at 6.30 am to write the reports of last night, then rushed to an appointment in South Kensington (Centre of London), then made it for the 1st match, watched the matches, and then, I really really REALLY needed to lay down, no, I mean sleep, for half an hour. So I went home and thought I would have a sleep, then put the rugby on (I’m a great fan, I even watch England when France is not playing, that says it all), and write my articles about the quarters.

I did forgot the notes at the Club, didn’t I.

Like I said, stupid, stupid, stupid.

So, I’m back in Wimbledon, writing away in the office.

BEN FORD:
STACEY WAS TOO FIT FOR ME
The lovely people who have read my last report know that Ben Ford nearly died (nicely of course) of exhaustion last night after a fierce battle against Laurence Delasaux that lasted an hour. So, this morning, he had a bit of aches and pains, and I don’t think he really wanted to play against a player as good as Stacey Ross at 12.00am!

In the 1st game, Ben was struggling to move, made a few weird shot selections, sending twice in the same game a nice drop shot just under his opponent’s racket, making a lot of unprovoked faults.

“He must be like me”, I thought, “doesn’t like waking up early in the morning”. But he did stick to the score, even if Stacey eventually won the 1st game 15/11.

“Come on!” shouted Ben to himself in the beginning of the 2nd. And he really started to unravel his game. A few points after the Ref refused him a let with a “I don’t think you could have got it”, Ford pick up a remarkably far away drop shot to win the point, and smiled: “You see, I’m not THAT slow, I can pick up the ball when I want…”.

But you know what? I have realised something VERY important:
The lob is the over 30’s player’s best friend. Honestly, the number of tricky situations Ben got out of thanks to his lob is incredible.

Stacey could smell blood, and was attacking every shot, taking advantage of the state of fatigue of his opponent. But Ben was still alive, still kicking. 11/12. 12/12. 13/12. 13/13. 14/13. 14/14.
"One", said Ben Ford. And no wonder. His forehand volley went in the tin. 2/0 for Stacey.

One thing is really amazing in Stacey Ross’ game, his drop shots. They appear to be sitting ON the tin. How his opponents can pick them up is beyond me.

In the 3rd, Ben was taking his time to serve, to receive. Ross was looking at him with half a smile, thinking, “Breathe all what you can, mate, you’ll need it”! And Ben did need it. They had a fierce battle that ended again 14/14, and again Ben said "one", and again he lost 15/14 with again a last ball in the tin.

“Stacey was too fit for me, too fit and too good” a dripping Ben Ford explained quietly. I personally think that the match he did yesterday was just a bit too hard for him.

Do you know why players hate losing? No, not pride, not the money. Refereeing! The loser has to ref the next match on.

So an exhausted Ben had to take on Peter Genever vs Andy Whipp’s match.

PACE, PACE, PACE!
Well the pace of this match was astounding. If Peter hoped he would walk through his match against Andrew Whipp and keep his strength for the semi-final later tonight, he was badly mistaken! The pace stayed extremely high all game. No drives up and down the wall, no length-taking-time-to-recover sort of rallies. Just attacks, drop shots, volley kills and cross courts. If anything, that’s maybe Peter’s weakness (or his style, after all, what do I know?), he plays A LOT of crosscourts.

The two players didn’t need a referee really. They asked for very few lets, even sometimes went on playing what I thought could be a stroke, and just got on with the game.

Boy do I love that attitude. I think I have been living in England too long, I really do appreciate a good attitude on court. Deport me!

The 1st set was very close indeed, 14/14, and Peter finished it with a deadly right side forehand drop shot that nicely expired under Andy’s racket, 17/14.

Whipp's front court game is really remarkable, and as he runs like a lunatic, he is able to not only pick up Peter’s shots, but also place his shots wonderfully in the corners, what I call “the women’s shots”. You know what I mean, those balls that die with no pace at all.

The second game was not as close score wise, (15/10) but boy o boy, the last one was breathtaking. 6/6. 8/8. 11/9, Peter serving. At 13/10, Andy doesn’t ask for a let that was obviously a stroke, that gives Peter his 1st match ball 14/10. 4 tins later, Whipp is now 14/14. But Peter decides that he has had enough fun for now, and ends up the match 17/14.

So tonight Peter Genever will take on John Rooney who did an excellent performance against Chris Tomlinson, and Stacey Ross will face Steve Meads.

Talking of which…. in the previous report, in the article about Steve Meads [just below], I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PICTURE! That is all Steve Cubbins’ responsibility (Squash Player’s Website Master in Command) ! I wrote, “he terrifies me when he is on court”, and Steve changed it to “Look at the photo”.

Nothing to do with me, I swear, and I have the email to prove it.

But it is a funny picture, isn’t it? 

[Check out the Gallery for the latest shot of Mean Meadsy, Ed]
 

Women's
Draw & Results

BAD TIMING
Like I said, I have been trying to see women’s matches, but I’m just missing them. I heard about a 3/1 victory for Rebecca Macree over Carla Khan, but didn’t have a chance to see one shot of it. I sat down when Stephanie Brind and Jenny Tranfield started warming up.

I’m really disappointed not to have had the chance to see Rebecca play this weekend. I do appreciate her game, her persona, her flamboyant behaviour, and most of all, the stare she gives to the referee when she is not happy with a decision.
If looks could kill…

But fear not, I’ll see her tomorrow in the final.

WHEN YOU
HAVE IT…
Jenny Tranfield (Yorkshire), world number 18, gave us a wonderful exhibition of her talent this evening, beating the world number 15 Stephanie Brind (Kent). Jenny runs, anticipates, hits, drops, boasts, and is a fit as a fiddle. Today, Stephanie had some problems moving forward, and the drops of her opponent seemed to be a court too far. It took Jenny only 13 minutes to win the first two games 9/2, 9/3.

In the 3rd, Stephanie started to move and offered us a few beautiful drop shots and some very good retrieving indeed. But Jenny was on fire. She was running like a woman with a mission, and 7 minutes later she was shaking her opponent’s hand. Her coach, Sue Wright (ex British Champion I saw playing last weekend at the Inter County Finals) must be very proud of her.

Jenny will now meet the cat-like Rebecca Macree in the final. Don’t miss it. I know I won’t.

Jenny Tranfield - more in
the Wimbledon Gallery

19-Mar-04
Second Round (Fri Evening):

A NORMAL DAY
AT THE OFFICE
FOR THE TOP SEEDS

[1] Peter Genever bt Mick Biggs 15/12, 15/9, 15/7
[3/4] John Rooney bt Darryl Schonborn 15/6, 15/9, 15/7
[3/4] Stacey Ross bt Darren Lewis  15/10, 15/7, 15/3
[2] Steve Meads bt Shahid Khan  15/6, 15/4, 15/9

No problems for the 2 top seeds, who all won in 3 sets to reach Saturday morning's quarter-finals. No threat, pleasant matches to watch. Stacey Ross was directing the rallies from the start, pushing Darren Lewis to the back constantly, and then killing him with his lethal drop shots, whereas Peter Genever had a first game quite close against Mick Biggs, but the rest of the match was always to the advantage of the Sussex player.

MEADS:
THE GRINDING MACHINE
“There was nothing I could do”, an exhausted Shahid Khan told me, “he was just too good”. Shahid fulfilled his contract with himself, he played every shot, never gave up, and travelled an awful lot during the rallies.

But Steve Meads was just too good, and I nicknamed him the “grinding machine”! He just kills his opponent by putting so much pressure on them, that they end up running everywhere, getting balls back, just to see the ball disappearing into another corner of the court, and off they go, and off the ball, bla bla bla.

On top of that, Steve always looks angry when he plays. You don't believe me? Look at the photo! He has that sort of look on his face that says “Don’t even THINK of messing with me, man”… But he is a lovely man, he just terrifies me when he is on court, that’s all….

No, he is a pleasure to look at, and the atmosphere between Shahid and him was very nice indeed. “Come on, Big Foot”! Steve said jokingly to Shahid.

And you know what they say about big feet? Big Feet? Big Socks. Steve will now play Peter Billson.

DELASAUX:
A GAME TOO FAR …

Ben Ford bt Laurence Delasaux 15/10, 15/13, 12/15, 15/10

“Would you make more effort to go to the ball please?” said the Referee. “I would do, but I’m absolutely shattered!” replied Ben Ford.

That says it all.

An exhausted but brilliant Ben Ford won a four-set, hour-long match 15/10, 15/13, 12/15, 15/10. It was very close. Honestly, if Delasaux had succeeded to take the 4th, I don’t think Ford would have been able to win. But the “experienced” player has so many shots at his disposal: he hits the ball very hard both backhand and forehand, he has got a lovely backhand volley drive that he uses when the ball passes him, by flexing his wrist, which makes it an unpredictable shot, very difficult to read, and he anticipates extremely well, which allows him to move quickly and get the ball very early.

In the last game, the score was very close, 8/8, but Ben dug in, a lucky nick from the back wall, drop shots with a touch of magic, 14/8, match ball. Laurence saves it by a magic top spin back hand. The next rally left Ben gasping for air, and Laurence very nicely doesn’t use it to his advantage. He waits very patiently, 10/14, but a last perfect length drive on the right side gives Ben a chance to play Stacey Ross.
That’s a match I don’t want to miss…

SIMPSON:
THE MASTER IN RETRIEVING

Chris Tomlinson bt Chris Simpson 15/12, 15/13, 15/11

Chris Simpson is only 16, and has a great future in front of him. His game is extremely strong, has very quick hands, excellent drops, he moves wonderfully well on the court, especially from the front of the court back on the T. But his “forte”, like Peter Nicol, is retrieving. He doesn’t give up on any ball, and returns everything, putting a lot of pressure on his opponent, who just doesn’t know how to get rid of the youngster.

“I’m not used to playing with a 17 inch tin”, he said to me, “it was difficult for me to adapt quickly. And in the last game, I was trying to go for length, and I was not attacking enough.”

The match was so close, I honestly thought that Young Chris was going to win this one. But the calm Chris Tomlinson has played a few close matches, and was able to handle the storm. Tomlinson is heading to play John Rooney.

WOMEN RACE THROUGH
I really have to get my act sorted, you know. The minute I finished on the Men's 1st round, went to get a cup of tea, said hello to Steve Mead who was at the bar having a chat with Peter Genever, and by the time I came up, all the ladies matches were finished!

I’m doomed!

Well, not really. I had the chance to see the end of Rachel Willmott, 15 years young, from Horsham, Sussex, who was playing Sandra Dunn (Surrey), who sometimes coaches in Wimbledon. A very attractive young lady indeed, Sandra is. But Rachel was just in another league.

6 times British Champion (3 times under 15’s, 3 times under 17’s), she “wants to be World Number One, obviously”,  the young prodigy told me.

She really is lovely to watch, although her forehand is still being worked on as we speak, by her coach Michael Harris, who also coaches Tom Pashley (told you about him yesterday…).

Paul Walter, ex Dunlop now Mister Isquash, who manages top players like Lee Beachill, James Willstrop, Adrian Grant, etc… arranged some sponsorship with Hi-Tec and Dunlop. Trust me, Paul knows how to recognise talent, so, like Tom Pashley yesterday, remember this name: Rachel Willmott.

Guess what? Men 2nd round is about to start, so, off I go…

DRAWS & RESULTS

First Round (Friday Lunch/Afternoon):

HECTIC DAY
AT WIMBLEDON
You have no idea of the kind of day I had. I rushed and rushed, but couldn’t make it on time to see the first round. So, don’t shoot me, but I asked my mates (Dave Peters, Claire Baker and Rebecca Colthup) to keep an eye on the courts, and to take notes.

So for once, I’m just going to sit, write, and enjoy the ride. [Claire is the tournament organiser, and didn't get round to lunch until 4pm, that sort of day ... Ed].

No big upset, no scalp on young players’ belts, but a few very good matches, and a few not that interesting.

A little sad that Jason Barry, our Club Pro, is out of the race. He was playing against Darren Lewis. “Bad day at the office for Jason”, I was told. 0/15 is certainly not the way to start a match, is it? The rallies were very long, up down, side-side, no attack shots from either player. At last Darren started attacking in the last game. So, Darren Lewis goes through, but he is meeting Stacey Ross, and he may have to think about attacking if he wants to stick a bit longer in the event…

PHIPPS KICKS OUT
BRITISH CHAMPION
Well, Colin Payne, Over 40’s British Champion 2004 could only take 1 game out of the young Tom Phipps. Colin started very well in the 1st game, as he was leading 6/1, and then stuck to the score 11/12. He finally lost the set 15/11, took the second one, but lost in 4 sets.

Looking at the scoring sheet, I can see that Phipps had the same problem with his concentration that he had yesterday against Klose. It could become a problem as he progresses through the event. But he was clever enough to overpower Payne’s experience, by playing a very controlled and competitive game.
Tom is now playing Andy Whipp (5/8).

A little surprise, as a lucky looser, Daryl Schonborn, who plays for Wimbledon 2nd Team, was able to beat Stuart Crawford, from the main draw. Good for him! Oh well, one player from Wimbledon out, one in!

Darryl will now play John Rooney (3/4).

WIMBLEDON CONTEST
Shahid Khan did win the match 3/1. His victory was expected of course, but Tim Naylor has improved tremendously in a year, since he plays for our 1st Team. “Last year, Tim would have been wiped out”, told me Dave Peters, who was refereeing the match.

“His improvement is quite remarkable. Shahid was hitting the ball very hard, as he knows to do so well, and forced Tim to make mistakes. The rallies were long, the match very pleasant indeed”.

Good for you, Tim, and keep it up for next year….
Shahid will meet Steve Meads


And to finish (sorry, really can’t report much more, the women have started, and I need to catch up with them), the most interesting game, I was told, was between experience and youth, sorry Ben Ford and Shaun Le Roux.

It was a fiercely contested match that lasted nearly an hour, 20 minutes for the 4th and last game alone! Final score 15/9, 15/9, 13/15, 17/14.

Painful match as well for Shaun, as Ben hit him with the ball on his calve! That has to be painful…A lot of interference, a lot of lets, a lot of arguing, (from both players), in one word, a “lively performance” from both players…

And I missed it!

Blast!

Ben Ford now plays Laurence Delasaux.

DRAWS & RESULTS

DRAWS & RESULTS

I wish I was in Bermuda ...
Framboise watches
qualifying at Wimbledon

You know what? I wish I was in Bermuda…. Oh well, Wimbledon-upon-the-A3 is not that bad after all…. Anyway, some of us have to work for a living, so I had to stay home. And as Thierry Lincou is out of the competition, there is nothing to see really.

You KNOW I’m joking.

Talking about working for a living, life is funny you know. I’ve been living in England for 10 years (the Foreign Office has been trying to deport me for months now…), and I had never been to Manchester. Suddenly, I seem to spend my life there! First the Nationals, then yesterday, I was shooting a commercial (don’t panic, it’s for France, I’m not going to give you nightmares over here) for a product promoting Heath & Fitness.

…………????????

Have they looked at me recently?

Since I’m not smoking my daily 50 cigarettes, I look like a balloon on the verge of explosion, and as if an irretrievably damaged knee cap is not enough, I have now a tendonitis that prevents me from walking…

The spitting image of Health an Fitness, I am….

But it would seem that some players have injury problems too! I just learn that Joey Barrington is injured. On the phone, Tim Garner, the BSPA Chief Organiser, tells me that Joey injured himself while playing for the Counties. That’s all we know.

Shame, I was looking forward to seeing him play. You know I like his style. But Ben Ford will replace him. Cute. Oh, and a blipping good player too…

Two more changes as well: David Selby is replaced by Martin Ballards, and Steve Ayling by Darryl Shonborn.

OK. Squash.

First qualifier: 
Oliver Davidson bt Julian Haste  15/4, 15/7, 15/3
Very short match (22 minutes). The standards were really two different. Oliver is quite young and hits the ball extremely well. But a not that young but nevertheless very determined Julian Haste could do much against his opponent. Julian started not too bad, but the long rallies put very quickly his fitness under pressure. He was a bit argumentative with the ref, but I think he probably was looking for some air more than anything else. The score says it all. Oliver will play Peter Genever.

Second qualifier:
Tom Phipps bt Mike Klose 15/8, 15/10, 15/10
Very different type of persona. Klose is dressed very Hard Rock (black short, black Tshirt with weird design) and has a really funny bandana on the head. At first sight, I thought it had flowers on it, but in fact, it appears to be animals. Funny colours anyway. Whereas Tom Phipps looks very squash player pro, white outfit. Very much the business.

The 1st game was quite balanced until 8/8, and then it was Phipps all the way. Klose has got some problems with his forehand return in the back right corner, and that cost him many points, and also his cross courts lack in precision. But he attacks well. Tom Phipps seems to suffer some labs of concentration, but apart from that, he was always in control. A very pleasant match to watch, as Klose did the running, and Phipps the placing! Tom will play Colin Payne.

Third Qualifier:
Phil Nightingale bt Mark Ford 9/15, 17/15, 6/15, 15/6, 15/7
“Tricky One”, commented Nightingale.

And that’s say it all. Mark Ford, who plays for Wimbledon’s 1st Team, is a very solid player, and a fighter. I saw Mark actually unable to make one more step out of exhaustion, and still trying to hit the ball. The match went in 5 long sets. But today Mark’s shots were lacking in precision, probably due to the pressure of his opponent. Many drives were too far away from the wall, the cross courts ended to many times in the middle of the court, giving his opponent easy balls to play.

Mark runs like a lunatic, so he was able to stand the rallies, but he lost a lot of energy just catching up with his opponent. The game lasted an hour, of a very entertaining squash, full of beautiful shots and great retrieval on both part. But Mark just run out of steam in the last set. Phil will play Andy Whipp

Fourth Qualifier:
Kris Johnson bt Tom Pashley 17/16, 15/5, 15/5
I think this one was one of the matches of the night. Last time I saw Johnson (18), I could have swore he was dark haired. But now he is blond. Oh well, I must be getting old, or he just had some highlights done…

His opponent, Pashley is 15 years old, and looks hardly 13! He trains at East Grinstead, with Michael Harris, and is the British Champion under 15’s.

I have to say I was quite impressed. He had the courage and the legs, he only lacked height and strength, but that will come in the coming years. This boy will go far. Quick hands, quick feet, determination, courage, good length… Remember his name. His opponent was too strong for him today. The first set went to 17/16, and don’t be fooled by the 15/5 15/5 score. Johnson was directing the rallies with authority, but young Tom gave him some lovely responses…It was a very nice match indeed, that I had a great pleasure to look at! Kris will play Stacey Ross

Fifth Qualifier:
Shaun Le Roux bt Neil Desai 15/7, 15/11, 14/15, 15/12
How can I say this? Shaun Le Roux? Good player, not so good attitude. Shaun is a young player – 17 – showing lots and lots of promises. Trained by Malcolm Willstrop at Ponterfact, he has the perfect body for squash, not to tall, slim, he’s got the shots… Unfortunately, he could be at the age where he needs to delimitate his territory, and sometimes, he can be at the limit to be obnoxious. He pushed rather heavily his opponent a few times instead of really going for the ball, got no lets for it of course, which was totally and utterly unnecessary: he is so talented, he really really doesn’t need this kind of behaviour.
As a result, a very young and gentle Neil Desai, who I never ever saw getting angry or excited before, was so chocked by his opponent’s attitude, that he suddenly found a new ball game running on adrenaline, and as a result, won a very well deserved 3rd set 15/14 (Shaun had asked for 1 point), and then really threatened his opponent in the 4th, as they were 12/12, Neil to serve. The next rally saw a remarkable retrieving from Neil, who fell twice in two shots, once running to retrieve a shot in the back right corner, then for a drop shot in the front left corner! But a miss hit and a tin sealed his fate, and Shaun eventually won the last set 15/12.

From Shaun Le Roux’ 1st return of serve, we knew he was an excellent player, the width, the height of the ball, the precision of the cross court…. Neil’s backhand is a bit weak at the moment, and it’s something he is working very hard on. No doubt that very soon, he will have rectified this weakness. And for Shaun, he paid the bill for his not so nice attitude, as he had to play an extra game, that he should have to! But important to mention that his last game was perfect, attitude-wise, so he seems to be a brilliant player who learns from his mistakes, and does so very quickly….

Sixth Qualifier:
Tim Naylor bt AJ Janzic 15/6, 15/8, 17/15
Sorry guys, couldn’t see that one. For the others, I succeeded to plant myself between the 2 courts the games were played on, and followed the 2 at the same time. But during this one, I wanted to see Shaun Le Roux play, so I concentrated all my attention on only 1 game.

Shame on me, I know.

So, I asked the Ref, Dave Peters, what he thought about the match. “Tim Naylor played very well indeed” said Dave, “the pace was very fast, both players were very quick to tell when their shots were not up, accepted refs’ decision with no discussion whatsoever. The rallies were very long, and Tim really directed the match, even if his opponent offered him a fierce resistance”. The match had only 3 sets, but lasted 40 minutes.

So, Wimbledon’s 1st team player Tim Naylor moves on to the 1st round of the tournament, to the delight of his Wimbledon’s supporters.

Come on Tim! Tim will play Shahid Khan (another Wimbledon Team Player!)

Seventh Qualifier:
James Wright bt Chris Hall  15/14, 15/10, 15/10
I was still watching Shaun Le Roux playing, so I missed their first set, and arrived at game ball, 14/14, in the first set, a fierce rally that was won by James Wright.

What a beautiful show those 2 gave us to finish the night away! The score was always close, even if James was always slightly in front. Long rallies, very quick shots, varied and entertaining game… The sort of match you love like both of them to win.
But it’s a sport, there is a winner, and tonight, Tall James moves on to meet… Steve Meads, seeded 2.

See you tomorrow…