News

Knutsford triumphant against close rivals Congleton 2
 
With a nail biter of an evening in store, knutsford needed a good win to pull them clear of the relegation zone. 
 
On first was Risley vs Balfour.  No win for 2012 after injury and Risley's head was going down, could he pick himself up and get that back into winning shape.  Yes he could, a little wobble in the second but he dispatched Balfour in 4 with some up and down squash.
 
On next was Burke vs Taylor.  Usual Burke style saw him ease his way into the game by letting his rotund oppo take the lead.  Not to worry, usual form returned and some chess manouvreing saw Burk seal a 3-1 victory in fine style.
 
So with the first 2 games sown up could Mcilveen pull it home? On against the chubby stonier our man looked lightning sharp.  Unfortunately this wasn't enough and he succumbed to a 0-3 defeat. 
 
Faulkner vs Herridge saw a great squash encounter.  Faulkner having narrowly beaten him in the first half, Herridge was looking for revenge.  And revenge is what he was looking very close to achieving, having taken a 2-0 lead.  But Faulkner wasn't having it and some remarkable squash saw him come back to win in 5 and take the match for knutsford.  MOM award to glen again.
 
Up last to seal a good win and take some point was Smith vs Marlow.  A potential banana skin here for our man, with a tricky runner in Marlow.  No worries and Chris demolished him 3-0 with fine style.  A joint MOM award therefore was granted.
 
Knutsford now in 7th position and should be safe from the relegation battle.

For Match Scores Click Here
 

DERBYDEFEAT LEAVES THIRDS HOVERING ABOVE RELEGATION ZONE

This much awaited second half derby saw Knutsford thirds and seconds meet for what was to be a friendly but mainly one sided encounter with No 1 Smithy and new man Tony Hindley both coming close to upsetting the applecart.

Gwyn Pickering once again elevated to the thirds gave his all in a gutsy performance against the stylish Whitaker to set the ball rolling. The first game went easily to Whitaker 1-9 asPickeringstruggled to get into a rhythm but the second was a different ball game. From the startPickeringmatched Whitakers dropping and driving, forcing errors along the way and at times dominating. As the game two and frowed both players failed to take their chances and at 9 - 9, it was there for the taking. AlasPickering's efforts were not quite enough as Whitaker edged the game 10-9 to take a 2-0 lead. By the third Whitaker had tightened up and came out fighting.Pickeringfollowing his valiant efforts in the last game was taken by surprise and unable to respond. Before he knew it, match point game over, and 1-0 to the seconds. Good effort Gwyn but the second game took its toll.

Snapey at two was always going to have a tough one against the hard hitting Perry Russell. Snapey started like a rocket, surprising Russell, dropping driving and hitting a series of winners to quickly take the first 9-1. A promising start from Snapey however it was not to last, as Russell found his rhythm getting into his stride driving and volleying hard, causing Snapey a few problems. Snapey 's efforts were not quite enough as Russell took the second 9-6. By the third, Russell was dominating play with Snapey on the back foot. It was clear the last two games had taken their toll as Russell marched on to take the next two games in quick succession and chalk up another win for the seconds. Valiant effort Snapey and a valuable point gained.

Robo short of match play and up against the athletic Greg Marshall was always going to find it hard. The first game started evenly enough, but a series of errors from Robo and a marked sluggishness round court took their toll as he went down 9-3. A brief fight back in the second was to no avail and Robo struggling with the pace and fitness again went down 9-5. A final effort in the third was not quite enough asMarshalldominated and took the game 9-6 and with it the match 3-0.

Not quite up to the mark tonight Robo.

The stylish Tony Hindley, making his debut for the thirds was up against that tough old cookie, John Evans whose welcome return would have been more welcome had he been playing for the thirds.  A great start from Tony who giving his all soon had Evo on the back foot and struggling to cope with his speed and accuracy. Tony took the first 9-3 followed by the second 9-6 and looked completely in control however the effort had taken its toll on Hindley's fitness and a five stter was the last thing on his mind. Could he last out? Evo never one to give up began to claw his way back into the game and as the efforts of the first two began to show on Tony, Evo began his comeback taking the next two 0-4 and 9-1. By this time, Hindley had given his all but Evo with the bit between his teeth was not to be beaten and took the fifth 9-1. Great effort and hats off to Tony and two very valuable points for the thirds.

 A man of the match performance from Dave Smith almost caused the upset of the night against the hard hitting accuracy of Streff. No surprises in the first, Smithy arriving late from Brussels? struggled to get in to the groove and found himself on the wrong end of a 9-0 thrashing. The second was a different ball game as Smithy got into his stride and began to dominate the T, driving hard and low and into the back corners. Streff taken by surprise was struggling to cope and as Smithy piled on the pressure Streff was unable to 

match as Smithy took the second 9-6. The third was much the same as Smithy continued to dominate forcing error after error as he took the game 9-5 and with it a 2-1 lead. Alas, the effort of the last two games took its toll as Streff came out on all four cylinders playing some of the best squash of the night to finish off the game 9-1 with the efforts of the last two telling on Smithy. Again two valuable points and performance of the night from Smithy, his best of the year.

 A defeat for the thirds by seconds, but five valuable points gained with the thirds now relying on strong availability to the end to avoid that unwanted relegation battle.

 For Match Scores Click Here

On Wednesday 8^th February a small group of squash club members braved the icy conditions and met up at Sport City in Manchester to see how the game of Squash should be played!

Tony Hindley, Ian Hopkins, Tim Slater and Roger Snape attended Day 3 of The British National Championships to watch the 2^nd round men's and 1^st round women's matches. All six glass backed courts were in use and there was plenty of Squash to see all day.

One of the first on was current World Number One James Willstrop who brushed aside Cheshire rival Andy Whip in just 24 minutes 11/4 11/3 11/9. 

Later that afternoon they were able to watch a dazzling performance by Cheshire 'pin up' Sarah Kippax win her 1^st round match against Scottish Lass Lisa Aitken 11/4, 12/10, 11/5.

 Note Roger and Ian both hard at work on the front row!

Rounding off the evening there were entertained by the current World Number Two Nick Matthew against Jamie Haycocks of Shropshire. Jamie took the first game 11/9, could there be an upset on the cards? No was the answer as Matthew had really just been warming up. He went on to take

the next three games  11/5, 11/7, 11/4 to ease himself into the Quarter Finals.

 Tim a man with an eye for the detail.  On the front row.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Going to watch the 1^st and 2^nd rounds of this competition is great value at only £5 entry fee. You get to see all the big names and get really close to the action. Spectators are free to wander between courts to watch whatever matches they choose.

The next big Squash event at Sportcity will be the The ROWE British Grand Prix from 18-24^th September 2012, World top players compete for the big money prize. This is an event not to be missed if you want to see quality squash at it's very best!

Misery for Knutsford as Vagrants smash a weakened visiting squad.

Up first was Russell against Slater.  Some great rallies ensued and Slater took a 2-0 adavntage.  Our man wasn't finished and started to play the best squash he has played all season to draw it level at 2-2.  The juice had all run out and Russell succumbed to a 3-2 defeat.

Up next was Risley against Selby.  No contest here and although Risley was fully recovered from injury, it came to nothing as Selby battered him 3-0.

Next on was Faulkner against 14 year old wonder kid Connor.  What a match here.  Some fine squash saw Faulkner take a comfortable 2-0 lead.  But then seemed to prefer to prolong the match and let Connor back in.  Some great squash from the young lad saw him draw level at 2-2.  With his Dad bawling obscenities at him from the gallery (Connors that is not Faulkners!!) the little fella put a herculean effort in to take it 9-4 in the fifth.  15th inUKfor his age group, this lad is going to be some player.....watch this space.

Meanwhile on the other courtMarshallwas having to come back from 2-0 down against Jones.  In the 3rd he looked like he had got into his stride, but puffed out in the 5th.

So Smith on last against Shaw to save Knutsfords embarrasment.   A ding-dong battle looked quite even until the Vagrant pulled clear to make it a clean sweep forCrewe. 

A miserly 6 points sees Knutsford perilously close to the relegation battle.  A good couple of weeks needed ahead.  All players hoping to be fit and available.

 For Match Scores Click Here

In a complete reversal of last week's glut of players, skip was on the phone on Thursday afternoon looking for a very-last-minute replacement - thanks to Andy Dalton for turning out! Fortunately Congleton were having problems too, fielding only 4 players, so we were 3 points to the good before start of play, and maybe heading for an early finish!

Geoff got us under way at 1 against the lively Lee, and was 0-2 down in no time and wondering when to warm up the tea. Concentrate! Geoff upped the pace (not easy when you're rising 64!) and it nearly worked, just pipped 9-10 in the third.

Graham Thomson next up at 2, 'haven't played since Christmas etc'. It didn't look like it as he ran over round and through the bulky and non too mobile Mick, imploring the unmoved marker for some strokes. With a lot of front court stuff, Graham just missed out in the first 7-9 but fought back to level with some death-defying dives. The third was close, Mick just edging it as Graham looked to cut everything off. By the fourth the effort was starting to tell on Graham's back, knee etc and he finally went down 9-3  for a 3-1 loss - well fought Graham.

Andy Dalton made his first appearance for over a year at 4 against the wily greybeard Tony in another good tussle, Andy mixing some cracking shots with a liberal dose of tins, always in touch but losing the first two game to 5 and 4. Andy got it together in the third, playing a more controlled game, to win it 9-6 - could he turn it round? Sadly no, as Andy's inexperience showed, and Tony won 3-1. A game won this time Andy - next time a match?

Finally Nick Johnson made his first appearance of the season at 3 against Rob, who towered over him physically. Could Nick turn the tables by dint of art and agility? Close in the first as he got back into the Thursday night rhythm, but not close enough: 6-9. Rob served him out of it in the second 1-9 but Nick fought back in the third pushing Rob hard, ultimately to no avail though, 6-9 and a 0-3 defeat - better luck next time, and may next time will come a bit sooner than last time (er?).

Overall, then, a measly 5 points. Nice tea though - a hearty paella!

For Match Scores Click Here

Steve Costello vs Rob Thorneycroft. The return match was an easy victory for Steve. Thorneycroft still threatened with a deadly b/h cross court drop.  But Steve pushed most of the play deep which limited Rob's options.  Rob scrambled forward to play some trickle boasts but wasn't hanging around for a fight; making too many mistakes into the tin.  3-0 to Steve.

Next: Mike Walton vs Rupert Richards. 5^th string Richards set off looking like business and thundered down his serve and followed up with well struck drives. Mike couldn't match Richard's force and was soon 0-2 down. However Mike kept playing and did really well to take pace off the ball and lob it high over to the f/h. This gave Mike a chance to put away some winners of his own, which he did and it won him the 3^rd game. The 4^th game was very close and Mike looked like he might win but a calf strain picked up at the end of the 3^rd took the edge off his attack and a menacing Richards squeezed out the match 7-9.

One all and Steve O'Hare vs John Bennett.  Steve started slowly allowing Bennett to settle in. The game went, hand out, hand in, hand out, hand in for some time before Steve started to win proportionally more points than his opponent. Driving the ball tight to the wall and good drops off the loose ball Steve won the 1st.  In the 2^nd game Steve's power speed advantage showed more clearly; as although Bennett was now hitting much harder he was trapped driving the ball from the back of the court. To top things off, in winning game 2 Steve got forward and hit some impressive touch volleys, very nice.  In 3 Steve had the win in his head and ran away with it 9-1, despite saying this there was a lot of squash played and Steve stayed well in control making an easy win.

Simon Whitaker vs Paul Bartle. The outcome off this game determined the degree of pressure on Mark Strefford playing 2^nd string. Mark paced the balcony watching intently and preparing his 15 minute warm up routine. Bartle and Simon both looked like they had a big game in them and both players fired the ball into the side wall nick. At the back of the court Bartle was stronger and followed up his drive with a good touch at the front, but Simon was better at the c/c and targeted Bartle's f/h and a number rallies got Simon in front (9-7). The 2^nd was (10-8) to Simon the deciding factor this time was one or two extra shots at the front of the court. The was an intense pace in the game and Simon was lightening around court and fought back from impossible positions but his touch failed and he gifted some sitters into the tin. Bartle won that one (4-9).  Unperturbed and up for a win Simon stuck to his game and forced Bartle back, he was much tighter and dictated the direction of play, at last Bartle was crushed and couldn't stop the flurry of drops that finished off the match. A great win bringing the match to Knutsford.

Mark Strefford Vs Marke Beale.  Gone 10 O'clock and food in the oven, the two Marks made use of the vacated court 1, and started off their match. Mark Strefford was playing good and hitting the ball crisply, drives and volleys; an impressive opener won competently.  There was a slight hic up in game 2 when Beale seized the opportunity to get on the score card, he edged into the lead with a slightly better length drive and Mark snatched at a few shots only to deliver unforced errors.  The next game was a turnaround, Mark must have had words with himself because he was a different player, he nailed the ball up the side wall and timed his trickle boast winner to perfection. Beale had no chance, Mark 2-1 up.  In game 4 Mark turned the heat up and kept Beale on a string at the back of the court; Mark was trying to put a hole in the side wall, he nearly did but ran out of time (9-1).

For Match Scores Click Here

DEPLETED THIRDS SECURE VALUABLE POINTS AGAINST RELEGATION CONTENDERS BOLLINGTON

With availability at its worst this week, depleted thirds travelled to Bollington hoping to take what they could against a strong experienced Bollington team.

Two courts meant that Robo and Ian Hopkins stated together at 2 and 5 respectively, with Robo against the experienced Nick Shatwell and the vet against the unpredictable Willie Laird.

Robo at 2 was always going to find it tough at 2 and having lost the serve found himself quickly on the back foot. The speed of Shatwell around court was instantly telling and Robo quickly lost the first 9-3 without really getting going. For the second, Robo not to be outplayed stepped up a gear and a series of long drives were causing Shatwell problems but how long could he keep it up. At 6 all, a brief recovery from Shatwell looked on the cards but Robo dug deep playing decisively tight to take the second 9-6. At 1-1 it was all to play for but alas Robo's lack of match play had been telling and from here on in, puffing and panting faced an uphill struggle. A series of long rallies at the start of the third took their toll and Robo could not recover quickly losing the next two games and the match 3-1. One valuable point that could have been more had Robo been fitter. One nil to Bollington.

Ian Hopkins, turning out as a last minute replacement found himself up against Willie Laird and obviously up for it, started well taking the first game 9-3. Laird quickly fought back to take the next two in succession and establish a 2-1 lead and putting Hopkins on the back foot but the vet was not to give up easily. A marathon fourth game ensued with both players having their chances and giving their all. At 8 all it was all to [play for  but luck was not on the vets side tonight and Laird dug out the next two points to take the game 10-8 and match 3-1. A gutsy performance from the vet, who just missed out on a five set decider.

Two nil to Bollington.

Roger Snape at three had a tough opponent ahead in Andy Barber. Snapey got off to a fine start forcing Barber into a series of errors and a series of long steady rallies saw Snapey take the first 9-5. Alas it was not to last and an even second went Barbers way 9-7. The third was another even affair with Barber edging it 9-7 leaving Snapey unlucky at 2-1 down after a flying start. For the fourth game, Snapey struggled handing the first few points to his opponent and leaving himself vulnerable. Barber was not to let go and steamed ahead to take the game 3-1 giving the match to Bollington but getting a valuable point.

Tim Slater at four turning out for only the second time this year found himself up against the ageing but experienced wily fox Ron Newton. Tim started like a rocket and took the first comfortably 9-6. The second was going much the same way and at 7-3 Tim was in control when Ron took an unfortunate leg injury forcing him to retire and concede the match. Good performance from Slater who on today's form was always heading for a victory. 3 valuable points in the bag.

Smithy was last on at 1, and knew it was never going to be easy against the fitness of Simon Bannister. Smith started well giving his all, matching Bannister at times and was unlucky to lose the first 9-5 after some long and trying rallies on the backhand. By the second Bannister had control but Smithy wasn't for giving up, giving his all before going down 9-4. The third game followed much the same pattern with a much improved Smithy running for everything but his efforts were not quite enough as he went down 9-4. A good effort that was never going to be easy.

Overall, a gutsy performance, and six well earned points from an under strength third team with many thanks due to all those who turned out and gave their best.

For Match Scores Click Here

The Teams for matches on the 9th February have been posted on the website.  To view click here or go to the Squash Club website and select Team/selection.

The seconds do not have a game so competition for places remains strong and players are reminded to maintain their availability on the website. Click here or go to the the Squash Club website and select Team/availability. 

Furthermore you should record all your match results on the website to be awarded ranking points. (league is done automatically

You will be pleased to some new fixtures at the club in an attempt to tidy up the squash corridor.

• A new storage cupboard
• Shelfs to display club trophies
• A new shelf beneath the Computer
• AND A NEW WATER FOUNTAIN (Snapey Spa)

Thank you Roger for overseeing these works.