First round cup win for Presteigne 1

Presteigne 1 vs Ladies (h)

Presteigne 1 WON 3-2

Andy Wilmot 0 3 Karl Brummes - 2 9, 4 9, 8 10

Mike Sayce 1 3 Steve Hill - 3 9, 1 9, 10 9, 2 9

Gary Rhodes 3 0 Jim from Bishops Castle - 9 1, 9 3, 9 0

Andy Dodgson 3 1 Sarah Fleming - 9 5, 9 4, 7 9, 9 4

Chris Dance 3 0 Annie Gethin - 9 4, 9 4, 9 3

Masters honours for Presteigne player

Andrew Wilmot represented Herefordshire in the Over 45s intra regional event on 27 and 28 November between Herefordshire, Somerset, Cornwall and Gloucestershire played at Truro in Cornwall.

The team was:

1. Rob Reid (Whitecross)

2. Tommy Burton (Whitecross)

3. Steve Hill (Whitecross)

4. Andrew Wilmot (Presteigne)

5. Mike Fleming (Whitecross)

It was a close finish with Herefordshire winning by a single game with 42 points over Somerset (41), Cornwall (40) and Gloucestershire (26).

"The older we get, the better we were!"

Source: Mid Wales Journal, 29 October 2010

Vital win from Rhodes seals the deal

Presteigne 1 took an unexpected win from the fixture with the Hereford Ladies team at Whitecross thanks to a fine performance from Presteigne all-rounder Gary Rhodes. Not only does he take wickets but he takes scalps - even female ones!

Playing last and needing a 3-0 win for the match, he despatched ladies county champion Sarah Fleming with true grit and determination. Sarah's accuracy and touch were tempered by Gary's anticipation and shot selection as he chose to play deep shots to stretch Sarah left and right.

The Andy's played their part by setting the stage. Andy Dodgson was 8-4 down in the first to come back 10-8 and then took the other two games against Annie. Andy W got an important and unexpected game against Karl from Bishops Castle - a Shropshire league player.

Mike had flashes of brilliance with his short game but wasnt able to finish off against a fitter opponent.

Scores:

Andy Wilmot lost to Karl Brummes 3-1 (9/7, 1/9, 5/9, 2/9)

Mike Sayce lost to Steve Hill 3-0 (4/9, 4/9, 4/9)

Gary Rhodes beat Sarah Fleming 3-0 (9/4, 9/5, 9/4)

Andy Dodgson beat Annie Gethin 3-0 (10/8, 9/1, 9/1)

Final league standings 2009/2010

Well done to us all for finishing a creditable 5th and 6th ...

We played 16 matches - eight home, eight away - from September '09 thro' to April '10.

Each team has four players. Each players match is the best of five games. A team point is scored for each game won. There is a match bonus of four points awarded to the team with the most points i.e. everyone wins 3-0 means a team score of 16 points with the opposition scoring no points; or if everyone wins 3-2 then the team score is 16 points with the opposition scoring 8 points.

Position / Team / Played / Points for / Points against

1st Juniors / 16 /220 / 66

2nd Hereford Leisure Centre / 15 / 197 / 87

3rd Whitecross 3 / 16 / 145 / 147

4th DPM / 16 / 144 / 155

5th Presteigne 1 / 16 / 134 / 165

6th Presteigne 2 / 16 /130 / 170

7th Docs / 15 /126 / 150

8th Hereford Ladies / 16 /117 / 183

9th Certainly Wood / 16 / 101 / 191

Handicap tournament

Not the best of turn-outs but ye olde faithful had a marathon session from 6:30 to 9:00 with a round robin format meaning everybody played everyone else.

Best of three games with handicaps allocated by Tony; games to 15 points with no sets; and American scoring meaning every point won is a point scored.

Its an interesting format with the handicaps chosen so the matches are as equal as possible with a bias towards towards the higher handicapper. Good tactics are to play a controlled game - within yourself - not make mistakes and run for everything, if you can! Of course you can go for your shots and score quickly but if you make a mistake, you lose the point.

It was real hard work with barely a break for air and as the evening went on, the pace inevitably got slower ... after all how often do we play for over two hours!!

One highlight was when Tony had won the first six points against Paul and then Paul complained that he wasn't warmed up as he had 'sat out' the last match, so Tony offered to restart the match ... and then went on to lose!! Ouch!!

...and, the results:

Player	H'cap	AW	AD	TC	PW	MS	Total
Andy Wilmot	-15		2	2	2	2	8
Andy Dodgson	0	1		2	1	2	6
Tony Cox	0	0	0		1	2	3
Paul Williams	7	1	2	2		2	7
Mike Sayce	-7	0	1	1	1		3

Andy D v Tony	15-14	15-12
Andy W v Paul	15-10	8-15	15-12
Andy D v Mike	15-9	14-15	15-14
Andy W v Tony	15-11	15-13
Tony v Paul	15-12	12-15	8-15
Andy W v Mike	15-13	15-10
Andy D v Paul	15-13	8-15	8-15
Mike v Tony	13-15	15-12	8-15
Paul v Mike	15-13	13-15	15-8
Andy W v Andy D	15-9	10-15	15-6

Afterwards, we retired to the Bull for a quencher - did you know how effective beer is to rehydrate? - and wished Tony the landlord good luck for the future.

All in a great night out and look forward to the next one.

Flying the sporting flag for Presteigne

Friday 12th March saw the Annual Sports Personality Award Ceremony for Brecknockshire and Radnorshire District Sports Councils at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon. Presteigne Squash received two nominations, one for the Club of the Year category and one for Chairman Tony Cox in the Volunteer of the Year category. The Squash Club was the only Presteigne sports club nominated.

On an evening when the traditionally well supported sports of football, cricket, rugby and hockey fared well, squash in Presteigne won third place in both nominated categories.

Tony Cox said "It's good to see the local effort which has been put into squash recognised by the District Sports Councils. Presteigne only has a population of 2,500 yet East Radnorshire Leisure Centre's squash courts are very well used. There are some 30 players in the internal squash league, a junior section and Presteigne runs two teams in the Herefordshire League."

Anybody interested in playing squash in Presteigne should contact Tony Cox - 01544 267797 or tonycox1@googlemail.com

STOP PRESS: Presteigne 2 beat Presteigne 1!

Yes the rumours are true, I'm afraid. I was there even though I admit it myself.... yes, and I was the losing captain .... but there are positives to be taken from this match from a club point of view ... like maybe its time to create Presteigne 3? .... by splitting Presteigne 2?

Photo: front row from left - Andy Wilmot, Tony Cox, Chris Dance; back row - Steve Holdaway, Andy Dodgson, Nick Sears, Chris Froom, Mike Sayce.

Scores as follows (Presteigne 1 names first):

No.1 Andy Wilmot beat Steve Holdaway 3-0 (9-3, 9-2, 9-4)

No.2 Mike Sayce lost to Nick Sears 3-0 (1-9, 2-9, 4-9)

No.3 Andy Dodgson lost to Tony Cox 3-2 (9-4, 9-3, 9-10, 0-9, 2-9)

No.4 Chris Dance lost to Chris Froom 3-1 (0-9, 9-4, 6-9, 6-9)

The last match on was the No.3's match and when Andy was 2-0 up and 9-9 in the third, there was the prospect of the first team winning by 7 games to 6 if Andy had won that game ... but alas Tony had other plans and his recovery was most dramatic.

Well played everyone.

March leagues

Hello

Attached are the March Leagues. There are two new players this month, Phil Taylor and Anthony Gluyas. Welcome to you both and I hope you enjoy your squash.

As we try to create more of a club atmosphere, Andy Dodgson has organised a Handicap Competition to be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday(26 - 28 March). It's open to all players and I hope you'll join in. Please respond to Andy when he sends out the notification. Also, we will be organising a regular Club Night when you can just turn up and play whoever else is there. Each night will have a nominated organiser and will be up and running in April.

We still have players who don't always play! Please, please if you can't play one month just make a note on the league sheet and I'll include you the following month. If you don't play it's unfair on those trying to play matches. So, if you get a call or email from a box member, please get back to them. My other regular plea is to get your games booked early. Last month I know of two players who leaving it late were unable to get courts because they were all booked. We've got a few four player leagues this month so there's no excuse.

How are you finding the Leisure Centre and courts these days? I've written to TJ Hutchinson, the Manager recently to complain of misbehaviour of youths, food wrappers, drinks bottles, water and dried mud on the courts and thefts from the changing rooms. People are allowed to wander into the centre unchallenged who take no part in Leisure Centre activity. In the past I've been told it helps sell more from the drinks/food dispenser but it's become a little like a drop in centre for the kids. I'm yet to receive a reply but if you feel dissatisfied in any way please make a complaint to the Duty Manager and TJ. It's the only way things can improve.

Finally congratulations to February League winners: 1. Mike Sayce; 2.Andy Dodgson; 3.Tony Woods; 4. Chris Sanders.

Regards Tony

Valentines bingo fund-raiser

Many thanks to all who attended the event and who helped to make it happen.

We were 35 strong at the British Legion in Presteigne and everyone was a winner!!!

Thanks to the players who donated cash for prizes and the generous contributions from:

• Presteigne Film Society
• Farmers Arms
• Butchers
• Elaine's Beauticians
• Slix Hairdressers
• Ruths Hairdressers
• Stagg Restaurant, Titley
• Cynthia's Flower Shop
• Hat Shop Restaurant
• Bray's the Chemist

Looking forward to the next one.

Regards

Andy

December and January leagues

Hello

Welcome to the February Leagues.

This month sees the launch of our web/blog - www.presteignesquash.com . Give it a visit for information and register free with googlemail to post any news or views. If you have any queries please contact our wemaster, Andy Wilmot (07739 822034;andrewmwilmot@hotmail.com ).

BINGO If you can, please support our fundraising bingo evening on Saturday 13th February at Presteigne's British Legion Club. Doors open at 6.45 with Eyes Down at 8.00.

HANDICAP COMPETITION A squash handicap competition has been organised for all Presteigne league, ex league, non league and team players. It will take place on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February at the Leisure Centre. Handicaps will be allocated depending on league results and will allow a player in League 5 to compete effectively with a player from League 1.

Scoring will be PAR (point per rally) to 15 and be the best of 3 games. All matches will be refereed/marked.

There will be both a main and Plate competition(for first round losers) which means that everyone will get 2 matches. The cost of entry is £5 (and no court costs) and there will be trophies for the winners. Please come and join in what will be a fun weekend of squash whatever standard you are. First round matches will take place on the Friday evening from 6.00 and please say if you can make that time or prefer later.

It's difficult to generate a club atmosphere at a municipal Leisure Centre but we hope this will help. In future we will also organise a club night where you just turn up and play whoevever else is there. Please enter by sending me an email or calling by Monday 15th February . If you have any queries please contact Andy Dodgson who is organising the event (andrew.dodgson@powys.gov.uk; 01544 267047)

Finally, congratulations to League winners from December/January: League 1 Tony Cox

League 2 Chris Dance

League 3 Paul Williams

League 4 Martin Blant

League 5 Chris Sanders

Regards Tony