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

Herefordshire League - end 2009 standings

	team	played	points	points
			for	against
1	Hereford LC	7	101	33
2	Juniors	7	94	37
3	Presteigne 2	8	68	86
4	Presteigne 1	7	67	61
5	Whitecross 3	7	64	57
6	Docs	7	61	68
7	Certainly Wood	7	49	81
8	DPM	7	46	87
9	Hereford Ladies	7	45	85

Local derby - Presteigne 1 vs Presteigne 2

1.Andy Wilmot (P1) beat Steve Holdaway (P2): 9-4; 9-6; 6-9; 7-9; 9-3.

2.Nick Sears (P2) beat Mike Sayce (P1): 9-1; 9-4; 9-0.

3.Jon Bell (P2) beat Gary Rhodes (P1): 9-2; 8-10; 5-9; 9-3; 9-7.

4. Andy Dodgson (P1) beat Chris Froom (P2): 9-4; 9-4; 9-8.

That is, Presteigne 2 won on aggregate 114-103!

November Squash Leagues‏

In September, East Radnorshire Leisure Centre sold around 60% of it's Monday-Friday squash courts (5.00-9.00). Across Powys Leisure Centres this was only bettered by Newtown - who have six times our population! This success means that sometimes the 7.00-9.00 courts are difficult to book. If you can play 5.40 or 6.20 or at weekends, it's a lot easier.

This month I've dropped long term non-players from the league and I hope that now everybody in the league will play their games. Could I ask you to make sure you record your score on the sheet when you've played a league game. There have been occasions when each player has left the other to write in the score and nobody's done it.

Finally, congratulations to October league winners: League 1 - Mike Sayce; League 2 - Tony Woods; League 3 - Rob Spring. Too few games were played in the other leagues for a winner to be chosen.

Whenever any non- league or ex- league players want to join in with league squash, please let me know and I'll include you.

Enjoy your squash.

Regards Tony