Read The Teams Lineup by  Adam Long
 and Nottingham April Fools  by Andy Booth

The Teams Lineup

Broxbourne                                           Nottingham

Mark Chaloner ( World 12)                      John White      (World no: 5)
Rodney Durbach    (World no: 32)          Simon Parke (World no: 18)
Alex Stait (World no: 77)                          Renen Lavigne(World no: 23)
Danny Meddings                                      Jon Rooney        (World no: 89)
Alistair Walker (World no: 82)                 Jason Nicolle                                     

Natalie Pohrer (World No: 2)                   Tania Bailey        World No: 4)
Alison Waters                                            Wendy Maitland
Caroline Heal

Dear All

We have made it through the semi final of the National League where we will be playing Nottingham who won the Northern League.

The first leg is away on March 18th we have arranged the Battle Bus (32 seater coach) to take the players plus the supporters to Nottingham . If any of you are interested in going on the battle bus which will be leaving the club at about 2pm the cost of this will be £20.00 (or £25.00  including a Team Shirt, first come first served) We are waiting for confirmation from Nottingham as to the cost of entry to the matches. If you want to come please reply to this E Mail or get in contact with Geoff or Adam Long.

The second leg is on April 1st and tickets are already selling fast  if you are a Season ticket holder you get offered tickets first the cost of which are £10.00. Don't forget we need a very noisy crowd to get behind the TVS Broxbourne boys and make it to that final.

Both teams will have a full team to choose from the two squads are as follows

This will be a great semi final so don't miss it,
Adam Long (AJsquasher@aol.com)

Nottingham April Fools  by Andy Booth

I honestly believe that it will all hang on the second string match between Rod Durbach & Simon Parke! Six players remain in the teams from their last semi final meeting of three seasons ago. Parke, Nicolle & Porher (was Grainger then!) and Chaloner, Durbach & Stait. With Porher now in the Broxbourne camp, I ask the question, 'is it weighted Broxbourne's way'? 

As I see it, 

1st String. Mark Chaloner vs. John White.   Mark is a great match day player who like Rod will give everything for the team. John White is a formidable opponent. Known for the 'pneumatic' forearm which has got him the reputation of being the hardest hitter of the ball in the game. I believe it will depend on John White on the day. If he is not on top form, Mark will take his chance willingly. 

2nd String. Rodney Durbach vs. Simon Parke. My thoughts are drawn back to three seasons ago, when we beat Nottingham at the same stage of the League. That day Rod had to play at 1st string in the absence of Mark, against Peter Marshall, who had also been promoted in the absence of Simon Parke! Rod, whipped into a frenzy by the Broxbourne masses, beat Peter 3-0, to give an aggregate score of 5-5, which then took us through on count-back!! An amazing day. With Simon still on the road to full recovery from a recent operation, my vote in Rod with a narrow advantage. 

3rd String. (Stait/Meddings/Walker) vs. Renan Lavigne - One to Nottingham. Whoever, plays at 3 will find themselves on court with a player ranked significantly above them. Alex Stait is the in form player, and could find himself being on the receiving end! 

4th String. (Meddings/Walker) vs. Jason Nicolle - One to Broxbourne. The experience campaigner for Nottingham will have too much on his plate against either Danny Meddings or Alistair Walker. 

5th String. Natalie Porher vs. Tania Bailey - All form suggests that this should be one way traffic for the World No.2, despite the vastly improved Miss Bailey. 

So my prediction is 2-3 or 3-2 at Nottingham in the first leg, with Broxbourne enjoying the Home advantage on the 1st April to make Nottingham look the April Fool's for not playing the first leg away. All is falling into the Broxbourne hands as history looks to repeat itself. 

Andy