​The Bridgend Bulldogs maintained their late surge up the table with a comprehensive 5-0 win v Penybont. Bridgend were clinical on the night, all winning 3-0. Pictured here is decent number 1, Lloyd “bad jokes” Forkan, who’s pace and power far outweigh his terrible jokes in the bar after! Well done to the team for their efforts. Top of the table Merthyr are next on the menu, folllowed by crucial home games v Newport and Swansea to try clinch that first ever promotion to Premier 1 for the club.

​Bridgend A took a mighty leap up the Prem 2 table on Thursday after defeating 2nd placed David Lloyd Swansea 5-0. Unfortunately, the home team were missing two players, but the Bulldogs were in an unforgiving mood!
Rob and Matt got the team off to a winning start, followed up by the two Dais, Howe and Thomas. Lloyd, a decent number 1, closed it out with a strong performance. Well done to the team, the promotion challenge is back on track.

• At 1, Paul pushed his opponent (Ravanth) very hard and from corner to court corner, especially in the first 2 games, where Paul clinched a win in the second game. It could be seen that Paul’s concentration perhaps slightly ‘wavered’ after querying one (or two calls) from the referee. A very intense game was in evidence throughout. Although culminating in a 1-3 loss, a sterling effort was demonstrated from our home player. Having played the previous evening for the B team, this also showed the high level of fitness called upon. Ravanth was delighted with his visit to Bridgend, not only due to his win, but he was clearly spoilt rotten by Linda’s (Mikes Mum) Vegetarian offering of Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Shredded cheese and ‘Meat free’ Meat balls. Despite the rest of the team enjoying the magnificent delights of Chicken Curry, envious glances towards Ravanth’s feast were evident and some were even considering converting to Vegetarianism (albeit perhaps for the wrong reasons).
• At 2, Ben played Bertie (real name). Ben will be the first to admit nerves gets the better of him during team matches, this match being no exception. A 1-3 loss however belied the tremendous effort Ben put into this match. Whilst clinching the second game, Ben displayed exactly what he is capable of and gave ‘Bertie a Bashing’. The author refereed and whilst it was clear that Bertie was an extremely skilled and competent player, his knowledge of the rules left me wondering if it was a fluke that he could play the game of squash at all. After the first game, the author had to seek Bertie out, as, after a very, very long spell, he had not returned on court. He was eventually located, on the balcony, watching the other game in progress. A very strange event, which I can only put down to perhaps excessive pot noodle, or pot something, consumption, as can be that of a University students’ diet (disclaimer: not all students of course). Unlucky Ben, perhaps the greatest effort on display overall, this based on having to overcome the curse of the jitters.
• At 3, Chris (Beale) played Joe. At 21, Joe has 40 years of ‘less hardened’ arteries and ‘less worn’ joints, than Chris. As such, Joe continued to improve and saw off Chris in a demonstration of youth, coupled with the advantage of having low body mass. Chris also ran around like a man possessed and reflected the time and energy where Chris’s attendance at the Halo Gym and Pilates classes paid off. Note that Chris had also played for the B team the night before and won his match. The scores above showed Chris was a whisker away from beating Joe with a narrow loss at 2-3. Tremendous squash skills and deceptive shots, unlucky Chris. Joe intends to celebrate this win by purchasing his ever first shaving kit. Well played both players.
• At 4, Crispin (only one way to spell this correctly and I think/hope this it!) also narrowly lost 2-3. Crispin played Oli, a very fit and skilful squash player. You could tell that Crispin had Oli worried as players tend to blink ‘very rapidly’ just before receiving a serve from his opponent after a previously lost point – an observation recorded in the famous Squash Bible (‘How to Play squash and with the least amount of Effort’ Author: G Jones, 1922, Publisher: ‘Chilling, Houghton & Sorting’). A fantastic display of skill and prowess, as usual, from Crispin, who does like to get his monies worth by playing 5 setters (whenever possible). Close one Crispin, unlucky.
• At 5, What can we say that hasn’t already been said. Here are the facts: James (Musketeer) Ridd wins again – a 3-0 stuffing. James played Louis, a six foot four and lithe young Student, who looked perhaps a little new to the game, but showed great fighting spirit and was seen to throw in some canny (careful spelling!) shots. We think Louis has only now very recently recovered from his encounter from the formidable James. Tip: Watch James stroke his left ear lobe before he serves – a sure indicator (and an observed trait of James) that his next point will be a winner. Well done James.

As always, thanks to all Bar staff for looking after the Squash teams and to Jana for allowing us to use the club’s kitchen facilities. Thanks to Linda (Mikes Mum) for provided us with lovely home cooked food as always.
Games remaining this season include one more home game (Thursday 16th November) and three away games, last game being scheduled for 13th December

Author: Gareth Jones (Incumbent Bridgend C team Captain)

•  Paul played John Blackmore, a very tricky opponent and very much on top of his game. The scores became closer in the 2nd and 3rd games, but Pauls opponent proved very tricky. Great determination and stamina in evidence from both players, but it wasn’t to be. We were grateful for Paul stepping in for us as number 1, as his main commitment is pretty much in the role of supporting the B team. This allowed wins for our 3, 4 & 5 position players and, importantly, to secure our first win thus far! Hurrah. So, it could be said, that Paul ‘took one for the team’! Great effort.
• Chris (C) played Kevin Miller. Chris often appears to end up playing an opponent who is either feisty, extremely fit, or both! Kevin was more towards the latter and, to be fair, Chris kept up extremely well and pretty much matched him on the fitness front. However, the opponent managed to squeeze in more of the necessary winning shots and pipped Chris at the end, losing 1-3. Chris won his 3rd game, demonstrating excellent fitness and skills to clinch this, especially so far into the match. Unlucky Chris, and it should be noted that at number 2 position, the going will always be tough.
• Chris (B) played Dean Longden and beat him 3-1. An outstanding result and it is noticeable that Chris’s fitness has been finely honed recently and shows by his relentless pace throughout. Chris has a particularly interesting shot where he deceives or rather, dupes, his opponent (and those watching!) via a ‘cutting overhead slice lob’ to the opposite side of the front wall, where the opponent moves to – the opponent, it can be imagined, is ‘calling for a taxi’ at this point. Well done Chris.
• Crispin played Joseph Gough and achieved a fantastic 3-1 win. Would have been a 3-0 win, but was just pipped at the second game with a score of 11/15. The rest was a walk in the park, but with no alcoholic tramps or weed takers in sight. Well done Crispin, a pretty near faultless display on how to play very good squash.
• James played Luke Mussa and started the ball rolling, so to speak, with a credible 3-1 win. Almost a 3 ‘niller killer’, however, James was just squeezed out of the first game with a narrow 13/15 score. After this first narrow score, something changed within James’s demeanour and he looked as though he meant business – and he did. James’s eyes turned as black as night, almost darker than his hair, shots became more powerful and sharper, and his opponent was perhaps, we can only imagine, wishing he was clutching onto the ears and paws of his favourite teddy bear. Well done James (again!).

 Author: Gareth Jones (Incumbent Bridgend C team Captain).