Herts County Squash        

Mens Senior inter-county matches held at Esporta Oxford on 19-20 Nov.

Squad

1. Adam Fuller (Gosling)
2. Adrian Waller (Hazlewood)
3. Jason Foster (Bishop's Stortford) Reserve
4. Neil Waller (Hazlewood)
5. Lasantha Fernando (Radlett)
6. David Beattie (Cannons St.Albans)
7. Jonathan Fuller (Gosling)

On the Friday before I had a a call from Marc Woolhead (R3 Stevenage) who was unable to play for personal reasons (he was due to play at number 3). I made some frantic calls and was able to get in Las Fernando at the last minute, Thanks Las.

Keith Timms (Bishop's Stortford) is away on his world travels, Tom Walker (Harpenden) had other commitments, I asked Ali Coker (Berkhamsted) too late as he had plans for the weekend, as well as Tim Delderfield (Tring) who had agreed to play for a different county. Berkhamsted's new South African star player, Scott Rickard was illegible due to not being resident in this country for more than three years and Paul Carter (Potters Bar) telepathically said 'no' before I even got to ask him!

Match I: On Saturday morning we played Hampshire who pipped us 3-2 last year when Timmsy lost 10-9 in the fifth in the deciding match!

Jonathan played a good player at number 5 going down in three close games. Las was on the other court playing at number 3 to keep David and Jonathan down the order. Las won a close first game 10-9 against an opponent clearly troubled by Las's shot making style of play, the young Hants player adjusted to take the next two games 9-6 and 9-5 when Las staged a magnificent recovery to take the fourth 9-5. Under strict instruction to 'go for it' Las went 8-4 up when it was the Hants player's turn to make a comeback. At 8-8 Las set 1 drawing gasps from the crowd!, Hants missed his chance hitting an attacking volley into the floor! PRESSURE! Las needed just one chance and took it 9-8 and the match for Herts. we were now in with a chance.

Adam Fuller blew Michael Elford away for the loss of 6 points, a fantastic achievement bearing in mind he lost 3-1 to him last year, David Beattie lost by the same margin at number 4 leaving the final match to our star junior player 15 year old Adrian Waller at number 2.

Adrian lost the first game 9-4 to the pro from Winchester but Adrian showed his class taking the next 3 games for the loss of only 8 points moving his opponent around mercilessly. 3-2 win for Herts

Match II: In the afternoon we faced Buckinghamshire, unfortunately Las had to get home (Thanks Mrs Fernando for loaning him to us for the morning!), I stepped in to play at number 3 (I had a double knee operation 6 weeks ago and have been told not to play squash until after Christmas and to seriously consider giving up) to keep the shape of the team. I went on first whilst Jonathan played on the adjourning court.

I lost the first two games 9-6 and 9-0, the second in one hand! and was really struggling with my movement, fortunately I got off to a better start in the third and went into a lead, by now I think my opponent was feeling sorry for me or was just bored with the short rallies either ending with a winner from me or not running for a drop shot. I held my nerve to take the third 9-7 and that was the break through I needed taking the next two games 9-5 and 9-1 as my opponent had caught what I had and was unable to run! (I hope my wife doesn't read this but I am very sore now and off to see my doctor in 15 minutes, I won't tell him if you don't)

Meanwhile Jonathan was 2-0 down but after some encouraging news and words of wisdom from the team came of age to win the next 3 games to take the match 3-2, Herts now 2-0 up, GREAT! Adam Fuller grafted to a 3-1 win over a classy looking Thomas Phipps to take us 3-0 up. David Beattie staged a comeback from 2-0 down after replacing his slippery shoes with Adam's and was 6-1 up in the fifth but just lost his way to lose the match 3-2, Hard Luck David but 2 valuable points for Herts were gained. Finally Adrian Waller took to the court knowing that we had won but was now struggling with an ankle injury sustained on Friday whilst playing basketball at school. Adrian relied on his shots in this match as his game opponent ran round like a headless chicken eventually gaining the upper hand in the fifth. Herts won 3-2 again!

Match III: On Sunday morning we played the hosts Oxfordshire and had worked out that we needed just 3 points/games to go through to the promotion weekend in March 06. Jonathan took to the court full of confidence and played maturely winning 3-1 against a very tricky opponent to guarantee Herts spot in March (the first time in about 3 years) Well done Jonathan. Adrian's older brother Neil Waller came in at number 3 string and in an entertaining match lost it 3-0, Adrian lost by the same score as he struggled to move with his bad ankle, as did David and Adam both losing 3-0, I think they are saving themselves for March.

Well done team! a fantastic achievement, maybe we could get Chris Ryder back to play, anyone got his number?

Thanks also to Adam and Jonathan's Dad and my drinking partner Dudley Fuller for his support