HERTS VETS COME OUT ON TOP

The weekend of 8/9 February saw Hertfordshire host the second stage of the County Over 45’s event. Needing to finish in the top two to avoid the drop from the Premier Division, Herts entered the weekend as much in hope as in expectation. Lacking their mercurial captain Dave Cooper and their number one, Steve Morris, the team knew against the County sides of Hampshire, Kent and Cheshire they had their work cut out. However with the backbone of the side comprising four Radlett Squash Club players there was no shortage of spirit or desire.

The first game against Hampshire started evenly with Bob Parker, from Lambs, making his County debut putting up an encouraging performance before going down 3-0. However Phil Collins on the adjacent court was avenging a previous County defeat by overcoming Paul Reader 3-1. Dave Kinley, the second Radlett player, produced a steady display of tight squash to give the home side a 2-1 lead and when the opponent of Cannons’ Peter Leary pulled-up injured in the second game (with Peter well in command), the match was duly won. Derek Thorpe the doyen of the Radlett quartet proved too strong for the Hampshire number 2 and Herts secured a 4-1 win.

Kent were the second opponents in the late afternoon of Saturday and following a deliberation on tactics, it was decided to re-visit the original team selection with another debutant, Clive Dodman from West Herts coming in at number 5. Kent on the other hand, bought in three pairs of fresh legs to exploit any tiredness in the Herts side. However, again, in display of good, competitive and committed squash the homeboys repeated their win of the morning. Collins made short work of his opponent whilst Dodman had a tougher battle with his counterpart eventually coming through 3-2. Kinley proved his strength and fitness battling through to another 3-0 victory and although Leary lost at number 1 to the talented Clive London, Thorpe was far too skilful for Peter Wilmour at 2.

A rapid bit of button pushing on the calculator revealed that even after two matches, the over 45’s of Hertfordshire would retain their place in the Premier division for at least another season. However the aim now was to finish top of the pile. This meant beating the strong squad from Cheshire. Fate, however, was about to have an influence on the outcome………….

Cheshire unluckily had travelled with only four players due to late withdrawals but with their number 4 suffering on injury the previous day, they could only field their top three players on the Sunday morning. This gave the home side an immediate 2-0 lead but with Cheshire’s remaining players having won all their previous matches over the weekend, the result was not a forgone conclusion. However the tension was soon relieved when Julian Craxton, Radlett’s fourth representative to don the County shirt (not literally as the home side were the only team not to be so attired – captain take note) and playing like a man possessed, dispatched his tricky opponent 3-0. With victory secured Kinley at 1 and Dodman at 2 gave of their best but against class opposition and with top–spot already secured both were able to relax and for once feel happy in defeat after participating in a great weekend of squash with an extremely satisfying outcome.

Full Results:
Hertfordshire vs. Hampshire