National Squash League 2003. - Round 1

The long and eagerly awaited start of Broxbourne’s campaign in this season’s National Squash League produced a mouth watering opening fixture against Lexden of Colchester, in a repeat of last years National Final. Broxbourne, hungry for revenge, after the narrowest of defeats back in April, were in no mood to become cannon fodder for the newly crowned Champions.

Things began slowly, when Rebecca Macree beat Broxbourne’s Caroline Heal, who was making her debut in a Broxbourne shirt, crashed to a 0-3 defeat winning only one point, but the assembled hoards of the Lexden fans, were silenced when young Alister Walker redressed the balance by the same score line of 3-0, when beating Paul Allen.

Last season, the player who undoubtedly contributed most to Broxbourne’s team performance, was Danny Meddings. A veteran of the game, he still is able to play quality squash of the highest level. His opponent, and in a rematch of their meeting in last years Final, was Lexden captain, Tony Hands. Last season the score was 3-0 to Danny, and there was to be no fairy tale return for the Colchester chump, when Danny once again beat him 3-0.

"If the odds are stacked against you, and you need someone to go on court and win for you, he’s your man" writes, Broxbourne spokesman, Andy Booth. We are of course referring to the ever present, Rodney Durbach who last month, saw his World ranking soar to 23 after a very good start to the season. Playing Lexden’s new signing, Stefan Casteleyn, he quickly set about the World No.24, giving him a rough introduction to National League squash, crushing him 3-0, to secure Broxbourne the points.

In the dead rubber, Broxbourne captain, also faced a repeat of last season’s National Final match, but instead of a 2-3 defeat, he went on to produce a masterful display, winning also by a 3-0 margin to win himself the home’s side’s Man of the Match Award.

With an opening 4-1 victory against probably the strongest opposition in the League, Broxbourne now look forward to their opening home match, at Broxbourne Sports Club, against Chichester in two weeks time. Here, Broxbourne will be unveiling their new female signing, Natalie Pohrer, the World No.4, who will play World No.5, Linda Charman. Mouth watering stuff.