SHROPSHIRE COUNTY MENS OVER 45 – MATCH REPORT – 21st Oct 2017.

SHROPSHIRE COUNTY MENS OVER 45 – MATCH REPORT by Mervyn Davies (Captain).

I am a great believer in the phrase ‘You can only beat what is put in front of you!’

This was the case on Saturday the 21st of October as Shropshire were the hosts of Division 2 in the Men’s Over 45 Inter-County Squash competition.

We were supposed to play Merseyside and Sussex however Sussex withdrew and Merseyside had a late dropout from their team.

The match still needed to be won however with promotion to Division 1 at stake so still all to play for.

Dave Brace in at no4 set the scene despite recently recovering from a bout of man-flu. He lost the first in a very tight game 9-11 but turned it around in the 2nd 12-10. Despite these two tough openers Dave’s superior fitness brought home the next two games and a well earned 3-1 victory to get us off to a winning start.

Meanwhile on court 2 the highly talented shot player and ever economical Nick Billington from Market Drayton was his usual clinical self and dually despatched his opponent 3-0 in no time at all. At one stage rumour had it that there was a 4 shot rally but that is still to be confirmed! Well played Nick!

It was then my turn at no2 and I did my best to follow our winning start. The first game was very cat and mouse up until 8 all but then I managed to win 3 points on the trot to secure the first 11-8. The next 2 came a little easier therefore another match was won 3-0.

This meant that although the match was already ours, with pride at stake our No1 Aleks Stojanovic went on court with only one thing on his mind – to win! The first game Aleks always uses to see if his opponent is actually as fit as himself (very rarely happens!) and he extends the rallies with lung busting intensity. The Merseyside no1 obviously hadn’t expected this onslaught and despite hanging on by his fingernails, eventually it was too much and the first game was lost. It was all his team mates could do to persuade the Liverpudlian to go back on court to complete the match but eventually he did. Aleks then turned up the heat and won the next 2 games without breaking sweat (I don’t think he actually knows how to!?).

All in all some fine performances from the Shropshire team with a very professional and clinical attitude. I also want to thank Dan Aimer who was picked to play at no5 for us but with the late withdrawal of one of the Merseyside players unfortunately he wasn’t needed. This is always a difficult situation for a team captain. Usually we are chasing round for someone to play, not saying they are not required so thanks again Dan.

I also want to thank Graham Jackson for allowing us to use Shrewsbury Squash Club (Rugby Club) as the venue and also for being there and organising the post match refreshments, it was much appreciated.

I look forward to the next stage in division 1 and hopefully again we will be able to field a strong and committed team.

I attach all the match results below!

Mervyn Davies