News

Do you fancy playing Racketball?

We have teamed up with England Squash and Racketball to provide an introduction to the fast growing sport of Racket ball.

ESRB have appointed a coach to run the session.  The event is open to both members and non members juniors and seniors.  Everbody is welcome.  Everything is FREE but numbers are limted so contact Tim to reserve your place for what should be a fun and enlightening afternoon.

Contact:  Tim Slater on 07791 984547

When:  Saturday 11 February 12 noon - 3pm

All ages and standards, member or guest are very welcome

For more nformation  Click Here

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. 

Narrow victory over the zenecas

A miserable start to the second half of the season saw knutsford dwindling in mid table anonymity.  Could they snatch a win and pull themselves back on track for safety from the dreaded drop?

A good start to the night saw john burke go 2 up on pete creuppens before pete began a spirited comeback.  Age took its toll on pete as he pulled his groin to splutter out to a 3-1 defeat.  He retired to the bar to drink us dry and panicked that he would get a bollocking from his wife for getting home late, so maybe a double groin injury for pete.  No worries for john who scarpered home before 9 to a full roast supper and a lovin wife!

Risley on next against badminton champ hancox.  Not sure where he was for the first two games risley began a fightback to draw it level at 2-2, only to be completely shagged out and gave it up to a 1-9 defeat in the fifth.

Match all square on stepped glen against simon, with his big, wide arse.  Glen got 2 up in no time but struggling with his cold started to run dry.  Simon was waggling his big posterior in glens face to knock him off the tee and draw level at 2-2, but it didn't put glen off and he shunned simons proposal for some on court lovin to take it 9-1 in the fifth.

Looking good for a win on stepped chris against arch enemy dave.  Much fight from both in a tense match saw chris falter, and dave take the game 2-1 and draw the tie level on the night.  All the markers fault though!

So it was up to anchorman liam at 2 against new lad from az.  Not played for 15 years this fella must have been some junior player.  He looked like he had all the shots and the stamina to take our man all the way.... and that is exactly what he did.  Liam, looked determined following a tough day at work and he dug in with some spectacular recovery shots and some fab drops.  Another 5 setter and liams stamina and determination saw him pull through to take the overall tie. 

Man of the match to liam for his herculean effort on a tough day in the office.

17-11 to knutsford and should see them pull away from relegation battle of the bottom 3 teams.

Onwards and upwards

Bravo!

For match Scores Click Here

The 3rds were up against a full strength Sandbach 2 but were hoping they had a strength in depth in the ranks to deal with the challenge.

First up at string 3 was Greg against Sunderland's answer to Jonah Barrington.  On a very cold court, Greg flew out of the blocks to control the first  game with ease driving consistent lengths and dropping when his opponent was out of position.  1-0 up and no sign of sweat on Greg's brow.  Plan A went out of the window as Greg surrendered good length and allowed his tricky opponent to romp the 2nd 9-1.  Original service was resumed as Greg took the next 2 comfortably for a 3-1 win.  Well played.

Next on was Walton against the hulking Mike in Game 5.  Walton put in a Jeckyl & Hyde performance obviously inspired by Liverpool's recent contrasting displays against Bolton (awful) and the Manchester teams (pretty good).  Unfortunately, Bolton weighed heavier in his mind as he lost 3-2.  Better luck next week.

Dave "have I told you I'm going on holiday tomorrow" Waring didn't want to waste too much energy before his romantic break as he produced some of his best squash this season to demolish a tough opponent, Rennie Birch, in game 2.  A comprehensive 3-0 win and definitely Man of the Match.  Excellent stuff.

Attempting to tie up the match, O'Hare was on in game 4 against the teenage Matt Oakes.  It was clear in the warm up that all the talent lay on the Sandbach side of the court and the umpire refused O'Hare's request to toss a coin for the game rather than be beaten by someone half his weight and less than half his age.  Never mind.  The squash gods were in uproar as the pre match talent was out powered and out manouvered as O'Hare raced to a 2-0 lead.  Balance was restored in the 3rd as Oakes pulverised O'Hare with some great front of court play.  Could this be the start of a comeback against the beetroot faced and tiring Mancunian.  NO!  Bish, bash, Bosh, 9-1 in the 4th for a 3-1 win and the match in the bag for Knutsford.

Last but not least saw the 1st string match as Streff strode on court all in black like a Star Wars extra.  His elder opponent was smashing the ball in the warm up aided by wearing a golf glove on his racket hand.  We wondered whether it was a Luke Skywalker esque robotic hand, such was the power generated and Streff was out powered 3-9 to lose the first.  However, our man was far too canny for this and noticed old Skywalker's backhand had as much power and accuracy as an Andy Carroll attempt on goal.  Clever positional play and some excellent nicks sealed a 3-1 win.  Great comeback and good on court know how.

Retired to the bar for an excellent chicken casserole and wild rice.  Yum.  Eclairs for pudding too.  How Robinson would have loved it...!!!!

For Match Scores Click Here

Final

Gary and Steve played a great match. Steve looked sharp all the way through although Gary gave a good account of himself but played a few too many errors when under pressure. All close games and Steve came out 3-1 in the end.

Well done Steve Costello.

(well done to dave Waring for organising such a brilliant tournament - what a guy!!)

VICTORIOUS THIRDS BOUNCE BACK TO REVERSE FIRST HALF DEFEAT BY CLUB AZ

With stronger availability this week Knutsford thirds took on a strong lookingClubAZin what looked to be a close encounter right from the start.

With two courts available, Snapey and Gary Cashmore both started at the same time playing at five and four respectively. Snapey was up against the youth of Scott Lovell and Cashmore against the defiant and experienced Simon Gulliford.

Snapey started well controlling the game and although Lovell was always in with a shout Snapey's unorthodox style continued to cause him problems. Snapey looking in control took the first two games 9-5 and 9-6 with Lovell struggling to match. A brief recovery saw Lovell take the third but Snapey was not to be outwitted and swiftly recovered to dominate and take the fourth  9-4 giving him victory and first match to Knutsford. Well done Snapey a great start.

At the same time Cashmore was having a bit of a battle with Simon Gulliford and at 2-1 had it all to do. At this point Cash was getting upset with himself and needed to focus. The fourth game was his last chance and Cash knew it. As he game started Cashmore took control driving boasting and making Gulliford do all the running which was clearly frustrating him. Cash piled on the pressure with Gulliford unable to recover to take the fourth 9-2 to level at 2-2. The fifth and deciding game started on an even keel at 3-3 but Cashmore had the bit between his teeth and began to believe in himself and edge ahead moving up to 7-3 where it stayed as service went from one to the other. With victory in sight, Cash was not going to give in and a final effort took him past the final hurdle to take the game 9-3. Great, gritty man of the match performance from Cashmore and 2-0 to Knutsford. Looking good.

Simon Whitaker at 1 was always going to have a tough time; but recent form meant that he was always in with a shout. The first stated well for Whitty as he quickly took control driving and covering the court with ease. Moody was not quite up to scratch and Whitty took advantage to take the first 9-5. The second was another close affair but Moody began to read the game well covering the court well to take the second 9-5 and level at 1-1. The next two games were even at the start but Moody just had the edge and although Whitty was always in with a shout he just couldn't get in front and lost both 9-5 and 9-4. Good effort from Whitty, and another important point.

Smithy at three up against Ashley Sissons was well up for it as he started the knock up with confidence. As the first game began, Smithy was out of the blocks like a whippet leaving Sissons stunned. A series of powerful serves had Sissons quickly on the rack as Smith romped ahead to take the first game 9-1. A brief recovery from Sissons levelled at 1-1 but Smith had the bit between his teeth and was not to be beaten taking the third 9-1. A fight back from Sisson saw a much closer fourth but Smithy, sensing victory went for it and Sissons unable to respond went down 9-7 giving Smith the match and securing that all important win. Another fine performance well done Smithy for winning the game.

Unknown to Robo at 2, Smithy was heading for victory on another court to put the match out of reach for AZ but at 9.45 against the power of Andy Peel, he was going to have it tough. Little did he know how tough. Peel started like a rocket, playing some of the best squash he has ever played ;dropping, driving hard and heading for the nick so many times that it left Robo shell shocked as he went down 9-0. An out of sorts Robo knew he was up against it tonight and the second went the same way with Robo limited to one

consolation point. The third game was over in a flash and Robo was sent to his worst defeat for years following a first class performance from an on song Peel. Robo,outplayed and out classed was nowhere near the mark tonight.

Overall, a fine team performance, apart from Robo's disastrous effort, securing 15 well earned points. A very strong third next week, should be up for a winning performance.

The draw has taken place and can be viewed on the website.  Go to Members/My Squash and select Tournaments

Each game must be played by the stated date (EXCEPT BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT IF DELAYED - please email dtwaring@hotmail.com)

BEST OF 5 GAMES.

NORMAL SCORING (UP TO 9)

NO HANDICAPS

IMPORTANT

THE FINAL HAS TO BE PLAYED BEFORE TEAM DINNER SO PLEASE PLAY GAMES AND LET ME KNOW THE SCORE WITHIN THE ALLOCATED WEEK. IF NO SCORES IS SENT TO ME THE GAME WILL BE DECIDED BY TOSS OF A COIN TO ALOW THE TOURNAMENT TO PROGRESS.

The Teams for matches on the 2nd 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).