Match: Knutsford 4 at Home to Alderley Edge 4

Date: 25 November 2010

The Fretful Fourths were much depleted as they faced a strong Alderley side. Geoff started proceedings at 1 against Tim, on a cool court, and by floating his serves to keep the ball cold was soon 2-0 up. Old man's squash! The court slowly warmed, Tim upped the pace and started to find a length, Geoff's timing went awry and Tim eased to a 3-2 win. Two points in the bag though.
Andy Dalton at 5, playing his first match this season, faced upwardly mobile Chris, and temperature was no longer a problem as both players pelted it. Andy's serve was working well, but his backhand was stuttering as Chris played it deep. Plenty of movement though, definitely young man's squash, the younger man Chris taking it comfortably 3-0.
Guy at 2 - not quite what he'd hoped for his first outing after a lay-off! - took on hard hitting Charles, who raced to an 8-1 lead. Guy was conserving energy, which made his stroke-play all the more impressive as he patiently recovered to deuce and then game - cool, man! A similar story in the second, lots of patient wall work and low risk squash, another deuce, another game. A dip in the third allowed Charles to storm through 9-1, but this was no turning point as Guy clinically took the fourth game 9-0. Wow - well played Guy!
Chris Sheppard made his debut playing 4 against Iron Man Alex. Temperature was definitely not a problem as Chris gave it some awesome wellie particularly on his forehand. He just lost the first 9-7, a bit of inexperience with 'Lets' contributing, but stormed back to take the next 9-0 - impressive! Alex tightened his serve and forced Chris into errors, eventually running out a 3-1 winner, but a promising start for Chris - well played!
Finally we welcomed back Ian Hopkins, returning after a year's lay-off following a hip relining. How would it stand up to the rigours of team squash! Rather well by the look of it, it was lack of fitness that told in the end as Ian competed strongly against Nick, losing 3-0 but definitely back in the groove - welcome back Ian!
So, defeat but not dishonour and 6 points in the bag. Nice warm chilli, just right for a chilly night!
Geoff Dalton

Scorecard