25-Oct-2001 RADLETT 1st Team report

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Radlett were at Home to last years division 1 champions Bishop Stortford and from the outset the task ahead was one long uphill struggle which would only be decided on the last rubber of the night, the difference would be 2 points.

The evening started well for BS, with a wonderful display from the new Herts over 35 champ, Martin Geear, who was able to over-come Chris in 4. The game was a delight to watch for the squash connoisseurs, with an array of drops and boast that made both men work hard for every point. Martin worked well in the first game to come from behind to take the game 9-7, the 2nd followed quickly. Chris managed to pull the 3rd back, and it looked like there was the possibility of a major comeback, but with back injuries and not having played for a number of weeks, Martin proved too strong.

In the 2nd rubber of the night, veteran Derek Thorpe played someone half his age, (or were they younger than that) , but this did not stop Derek easing his way to a 3-0 victory, with a variety of telling drives and very well floated drops and boasts, Derek was able to control the game form the outset. Some in the viewing gallery were heard to comment that Derek seems to be getting back to his old form, (and should he not buy some new shorts by now).... only time will tell.
The 3rd rubber was Phil (I've got golfers elbow) Collins, playing at 5, who having just returned from a well earned holiday, struggled to over come his opponent, falling in 4. Phil did try and resort to some un-gentlemanly conduct, on two occasions he was seen whacking his opponent in the face with the racket, this however did not reap the rewards Phil had hoped for (Phil was later heard to say in the bar that he will have to rest his right hand wrist as he was using it too much)

At this point in the evening BS lead 2-1, so it was left to James Ockwell to pull the scores level with a magnificent display of good width and hard hitting that his BS opponent was unable to match, also spurned on by the arrival of Mrs Ockwells and kids, one could see James lift his game in response to the call of "come on dad". With such support James eased to a 3-1 win.

So to the final match all hinging on the final rubber, Gary Raw who had just been elevated to the No. 2 spot for the first time in many year played a champs game, playing good squash that enable him to pull a 3-2 win, the scores reflected the closeness of the contest, with all games going to 6 or 7 for the loser. The final game hung in the balance, with Gary leading 7-4....... to see his lead disappear, but then he regained the advantage with a telling drop to lead 8-7, the final point decided on a stroke awarded to Gary, which gave Radlett their first victory over BS in many years

Correspondent RAW
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