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