Last game of the season saw Bridgend C team playing at home, against Cardiff E, on 4th May 2023.The last minute withdrawal of a Cardiff player, (Covid), saw a Walk Over (WO) for us at number 5.Crispen took a 3-0 win easily over a bewildered opponent, with signs of Crispen then pining for his usual 5 setter game when his match ended sooner than he perhaps wanted it to.
Chris Beale had a tough battle, but sustained a 1-3 loss against his Cardiffian opponent. As always, Chris gives his all, and then some.
Our regular number 1 stalwart (Paul Miles) had a battle on his hands, this time against a fast, lithe and wiry opponent, who looked as though he had overdone intermittent fasting. However, this proved a battle too far and Paul sustained a loss at 0-3. Also notable was that Paul had played for the B team the evening before and so additional stamina was needed and demonstrated throughout.
Because of our ‘Walk Over’ and with Crispen winning his game, this left Zac who needed to seal his win and secure us a (rare) victory, if nothing but for C team pride. Unfortunately, whilst Zac played some of his best squash witnessed in a long-time, he had to pull out with an injured ankle in the 4th game, resulting in his game finishing as a 2-3 loss.
Fortunately, I was able to lend Zac my crutches (from a previous and ongoing injury against Cardiff Medics!). This enabled him to successfully hobble his way to the bar post match. Wishing Zac a speedy recovery and all the best for his soon to be (we think) move to Rhiwbina.
Final overall C team match result was a 2-3 (narrow) loss (ten points to 14).
Unlike our amazing A’s and blistering B’s, the C’s have, unfortunateley, not done so well this season.
A bottom of the league position will now seal our fate for the next season. All players however gave
100% and cannot be faulted for their gutsy determination and grit.
Note the team did win one of their games! (whilst also accumulating a total of five ‘close’ 2-3 losses).We also found ourselves, whilst initially expecting to be playing in a lower tiered division, actually playing in a higher division. This was due to the sudden and unexpected withdrawal of one of the teams.
All 3 Bridgend teams suffered various injuries throughout the season. The C team suffering a raft of mainly calf and ankle injuries, proving the high level of physical demands when playing team squash.
In fact, 3 matches this season involved the withdrawal of certain C team players whilst playing in
their games due to their injuries.
New emerging and keen players were brought in at opportune and occasional moments during the season. Appearances from Steve Davies (non trucker), Mike Walsh, Eliza Hales (junior) and Stan Hawrylak adding to the mix and provided these players a great taste of the experience and demands of team squash.
The C team may be regarded, by some perhaps, as an ‘experimental’ side, developing new players etc., However, the ethos to be selected to play in the first place, revolves around that a potential player must be considered to be able to at least ‘hold his or her own’ against their potential opponent. Any player selected to play, even for a single appearance, should therefore feel proud that a certain level of achievement has at least been attained.
Well done to all players and a mention to our junior player, Eliza Hales, who played 2 away games for the C team this season, securing a 3-1 game win and a narrow 2-3 game loss.
Note that the B team may sometimes need to ‘borrow’ a player or players from the C team when
short themselves. C team players who helped the B team this season included Paul Miles (4
appearances), Chris Chappell (1) and Ben Andrianiko (4). This affects team selection of course, but whilst this can prove awkward for Captains as they juggle their players, it is par for the course due to order of team priority. Well done for those players stepping up to the mark. Thanks also to Graham Bastion for stepping in for the C team this season, (2), no mean feat at 69yrs of age.
Thanks also goes to Linda (Mikes Phillips Mum) who provided the superb home cooked food and at an affordable cost.
Final Thank you to Jana and bar staff for looking after us all during the team evenings.
Author: Gareth Jones (presently incumbent team Captain, Bridgend C).
Chris Beale had a tough battle, but sustained a 1-3 loss against his Cardiffian opponent. As always, Chris gives his all, and then some.
Our regular number 1 stalwart (Paul Miles) had a battle on his hands, this time against a fast, lithe and wiry opponent, who looked as though he had overdone intermittent fasting. However, this proved a battle too far and Paul sustained a loss at 0-3. Also notable was that Paul had played for the B team the evening before and so additional stamina was needed and demonstrated throughout.
Because of our ‘Walk Over’ and with Crispen winning his game, this left Zac who needed to seal his win and secure us a (rare) victory, if nothing but for C team pride. Unfortunately, whilst Zac played some of his best squash witnessed in a long-time, he had to pull out with an injured ankle in the 4th game, resulting in his game finishing as a 2-3 loss.
Fortunately, I was able to lend Zac my crutches (from a previous and ongoing injury against Cardiff Medics!). This enabled him to successfully hobble his way to the bar post match. Wishing Zac a speedy recovery and all the best for his soon to be (we think) move to Rhiwbina.
Final overall C team match result was a 2-3 (narrow) loss (ten points to 14).
Unlike our amazing A’s and blistering B’s, the C’s have, unfortunateley, not done so well this season.
A bottom of the league position will now seal our fate for the next season. All players however gave
100% and cannot be faulted for their gutsy determination and grit.
Note the team did win one of their games! (whilst also accumulating a total of five ‘close’ 2-3 losses).We also found ourselves, whilst initially expecting to be playing in a lower tiered division, actually playing in a higher division. This was due to the sudden and unexpected withdrawal of one of the teams.
All 3 Bridgend teams suffered various injuries throughout the season. The C team suffering a raft of mainly calf and ankle injuries, proving the high level of physical demands when playing team squash.
In fact, 3 matches this season involved the withdrawal of certain C team players whilst playing in
their games due to their injuries.
New emerging and keen players were brought in at opportune and occasional moments during the season. Appearances from Steve Davies (non trucker), Mike Walsh, Eliza Hales (junior) and Stan Hawrylak adding to the mix and provided these players a great taste of the experience and demands of team squash.
The C team may be regarded, by some perhaps, as an ‘experimental’ side, developing new players etc., However, the ethos to be selected to play in the first place, revolves around that a potential player must be considered to be able to at least ‘hold his or her own’ against their potential opponent. Any player selected to play, even for a single appearance, should therefore feel proud that a certain level of achievement has at least been attained.
Well done to all players and a mention to our junior player, Eliza Hales, who played 2 away games for the C team this season, securing a 3-1 game win and a narrow 2-3 game loss.
Note that the B team may sometimes need to ‘borrow’ a player or players from the C team when
short themselves. C team players who helped the B team this season included Paul Miles (4
appearances), Chris Chappell (1) and Ben Andrianiko (4). This affects team selection of course, but whilst this can prove awkward for Captains as they juggle their players, it is par for the course due to order of team priority. Well done for those players stepping up to the mark. Thanks also to Graham Bastion for stepping in for the C team this season, (2), no mean feat at 69yrs of age.
Thanks also goes to Linda (Mikes Phillips Mum) who provided the superb home cooked food and at an affordable cost.
Final Thank you to Jana and bar staff for looking after us all during the team evenings.
Author: Gareth Jones (presently incumbent team Captain, Bridgend C).