• Chris C played Jack Williams. Whilst Chris’s result was a 0-3 loss, this does not reflect the battle that was witnessed throughout. It’s a bit like when (on the odd occasion), England beats Wales in the 6 Nations, where the true battle which actually took place on the pitch is completely ignored by the English supporters and punters alike. The first 13/15 score took Jack to a nervous and rather dark place and it was noted that Jack was on maximum alert and pushing out on full gas to keep the 2nd and 3rd score lines to a 10/15 count. Chris, who was playing out of his normal 2/3 position, displayed great fortitude throughout.
•  The mighty Chris B played Kavi Morjaria and beat him with a reasonably easily 3-1 final score. Although Chris lost the first game at 13/15, the determination on Chris’s face upon return after this narrow score count was a sight to behold. The remaining games were won with aplomb by Chris. We can only imagine Kavi was longing to return to the comfort of the University Campus and, perhaps, looking forward to the many student parties being held in between the 2 to 3 mandatory weekly 45-minute lectures. Bosh, a win. Well done Chris.
• James played Yuji Westmacott. On this occasion James lost 0-3 to Yuji. James narrowly lost the first game 15-17, after one heck of a slog. This was reflected where James was seen attempting to recover his form and oxygen supply in the second game and where Yuji was rather unfortunately relentless in his attack. James’s 3rd game then became an amazing display of ‘tit for tat’ (assuming its ok to use those words in this present and confusing climate?) – a 12/15 final game score line sadly sealed James’s fate – but it was a battle well fought. James playing up the order from his normal 4 to position 3. Hats off to Yuji, a highly competent player. Unlucky James on this occasion.
• Stan played Harry Champion. Fortunately for Stan, Harry did not live up to his name, and, on this occasion, was not a Champion. Well done Stan, loads of boasts and disguised ‘off the frame’ shots (who needs strings?). Stan won this with a 3-1 scorcher. Stan is a man who usually keeps his thoughts and expressions to himself, however, on this occasion, Stan let out a rare display of emotion with an extremely loud and startling ‘Whoop Whoop, have some of it, yeh, ave it…’ Further, a fist, belonging to Stan, was seen powerfully thrust into the air, pretty much demonstrating a display of extreme confidence and pride to behold – well done Stan, a great win.
• Nathan played (his first team match debut) against Hamza Miznazi and Nathan put up a sterling performance. The result, whilst losing 0-3, does not reflect the effort and ‘tooing and froing’ of this game. A consistent 11/15 score line for all 3 games demonstrates this was no walkover. A great effort from Nathan, full stop, well done. Note Hamza had the idea that these C team games went to 11 and not to 15 and there was a moment very oddly, when Hamza thought he only had to play one game! (instead of first to 3 wins). The plot thickened when the author was unable to load the scores for Hamza since he didn’t appear in the ‘system’. I suppose ‘to err is human’, but it would have been nice if Squash Wales were to have apologised for what turned out to be another error on their part. Apologies nowadays appears to be a rare event – maybe that is a discussion for another day, over a beer.

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

Tuesday night saw the B team strengthen their grip at the top of the table.

• A foggy night in Llantrisant kicked off with Paul “Sparky” Grosvenor and Daf “Stato” Watkins picking up where they left last week.  Strong performances from both against a weakened side enabled both players to cement victories against much younger opposition.
• Sparky for most parts managed to avoid the wild racket swings of his wiry opponent, although at one point in the match the racket did find Sparkys’ collar bone – fortunately no damage was done and a couple of swift side steps later to avoid the bouncing racket of his opponent on more than one occasion Sparky came through the victor and more importantly unscathed. Paul wins 3-0 
• Meanwhile, Stato Watkins was blowing on the ever-hot courts, struggling to find his usual nicks and that extra bounce of the ball.  All that said, a Masters ready Stato put his recent weight loss, return to form and fresh tennis ball haircut to the test winning through comfortably in the end.  Daf wins 3-0
• With the foundations laid, Paul “Mild Mannered” Miles and Chris “The Hobbit” Hampton took to the stage.
• The Hobbit, as with last week seemed distracted and not performing to his usual mercurial standard.  It was either down to him being distracted by the looming Weekend Masters event and the fear of the draw or an overly tight steam pressed team shirt (see picture below- you decide).  Despite this however, Chris as baffled as the rest of us, was 2 up in a blink of an eye.  A late surge from his Llantrisant legend opponent to retrieve a game was enough to kick the Hobbit into action winning through in a tightly fought fourth.  Chris wins 3-1. (Well done my Precious)
• Turning to Paul “ Mild Mannered “ Miles match, we were all breathing a sigh of relief he had not drawn Sparky’s opponent or the big Brummie, but up stepped the little known female opponent Ange. A cat and mouse contest ensued and saw the duo matching each other virtually point to point.  Ange managed to break free in the first taking a deserved win. The second was an even tighter battle with both players tightening up their game and stretching themselves to the max, including an acrobatic splits from Ange.  At 14 points all “Mild Mannered” called one, and his agile opponent in a blink of an eye stole the show with a cracking backhand drop from the back of the court to also take the second game.    
• Despite this knock back however,  a refreshed “Mild Mannered” returned to the court focused and determined to keep his winning record intact.  He took the 3rd comfortably, and we could all see his swagger was back.  Moving into the 4th “Mild Mannered” again stretched out a commanding lead before his opponent found her second wind and started to reel him in like a fish on the end of a hook.  Mild mannered managed to save 5 match balls and before we knew it we were at a tie break.  Set 3 was called and at 16-15 up Ange was again serving for the match.  Following a lung busting rally and a poor front court drop from “Mild Mannered”, Ange stepped forward, held her racket up,  tuned to the ref and despite clearly having the shot decided not to ask for what was an obvious stroke ball, and instead believing she had time stepped around “Mild Mannered” and slammed the ball into the tin.  Priceless!!!!  Players from both teams aghast and with her head in her hands  Ange was clearly broken.  She quickly tumbled down the mountain,  and simply fell away in the 5th.  Paul wins 3-2.  (Sleep well Ange)     
• So with the match sealed is was just down to Neale “Sicknote” Jones to top off the victory against a re-energised Mr Timms.  The game was fast paced and well matched with neither Timms or “Sicknote” giving an inch.  In his usual style Sicknote managed to find the extra gear in the first 2 legs but was clearly struggling for fitness on this super fast court.  Mr Timms gritty determination saw him pull back the 3rd .  A quick couple of words from the captain advising “Sicknote” of the fast approaching local ale house stop tap time (who by the way serve Stella) saw an energised “Sicknote” return to court like Speedy Gonzalez, to see off his opponent, as well as a World record shower and change.  Neale wins 3-1 (Stella Forever)

All in all a great team win, with a maximum 20 points to Bridgend and 5 for our opponents.

• Man of the Match – goes to Paul Mild Mannered Miles.

A great curry and good slurp in the local with our hosts.
Best wishes to Daf, Chris and Neale in the Masters this weekend. Do your best boyz but more importantly please don’t get injured!

• Good news is we have a bye next week so plenty of time to recover

Report by Lois Lane  
​Photos by Peter Parker aka AP (B team captain)

At almost full strength for the first time this season, the B team expected a comfortable night and a return to form at home on Wednesday night for their 4th match.

• First up was Stuart “Grasshopper” Bevan who quickly sprang into action, taking a well deserved and commanding lead against an up and coming junior.  Game 3 however, saw a spirited display by the youngster who put in a top performance signalling a David and Goliath encounter was on he cards. Game 4 proved critical and despite digging in and pulling off some spectacular shots it was clear this was going to the wire.  Calming and encouraging words from Phil “Nookie Bear” Pook were provided in the interval but “David” the youngster reigned supreme in the end. Stuart losing 2 games to 3.  - Sleep well Grasshopper
• Meanwhile, Daf “Stato” Watkins was on the adjacent court cutting through his opponent with consummate ease, with a fine display of trickle boasts and holding shots – a total mismatch, but helped cement a valuable win for the team. Daf wins 3 games to 0.
• Up next, and returning to the B team was Neale “Sicknote” Jones, who after a shaky start found himself down 2 games against the tricky Mario “Nintendo” Perna,  Neale managed to dig deep and pulled the match back to 2 games each heading into the 5th with the club’s “balcony buddies” cheering from the rafters  - our hopes were high! The Nintendo man had other ideas though and just like his gaming character laid enough banana skins on the court to trip up his capable and experienced opponent.  Neale lost 2 games to 3.    
• Paul “ Sparky” Grosvenor on the adjacent court in another mismatch dispatched his opponent with some aplomb, combining some great lobs and cross court drops.   Despite a valiant effort from his opponent in the third, Sparky proved more than up to the challenge and sent him packing.   Paul wins 3 games to 0.
• So with the match finely balanced at 2 rubbers each, up stepped Chris “ The Hobbit” Hampton for the final match.  Despite lacking his usual “Va Va Voom” Chris was 2 games up in a blink of an eye, but his opponent “ The Cannonball” (team mates nickname) rolled back the years and exploded into action,  fighting back hard to win the third.  The fourth game was pivotal however, and the Hobbit pounced into action having either found “Smeagols Ring/or the Eye of Sauron”, he confidently dispatched “the cannonball” into no mans land.  Chris wins 3 games to 1

A great result on the night (despite making hard work of it)  with an 18 point to 8 victory.

• Mam of the match goes to Mike “ The Grinders” mother for a fantastic curry, rice, chutney and poppadom’s, winning the award for best innovation whilst cutting onions!! Priceless ( No pictures allowed)

Onwards and upwards – Llantrisant away next Tuesday
Da iawn
  
Match report  - Lois Lane (aka AP  - B team captain)

Great effort from the Bridgend B team tonight from 1-5, we went down fighting valiantly against a decent Hirwaun team who edged it 3-2 in games.

• Graham put up a great fight and played some lovely line & length and drop shots, but Craig his opponent stayed strong and came through as the winner 3-1. Mike had the edge with the racquet skills and tight play but his opponent Howard had the legs and fitness to see it through 3-1. After dominating the match and being 2-0 up Richard had to dig deep to triumph in a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Paul won 3-1 after a couple of tight games against Morgan who played some good dying lengths and tricky cross court drops. Chris came up against a strong opponent in Dale, who  played good length and dug a lot of balls out of the back to win 3-0.

A nice curry and chips, and sip was had by all after the match.

Although losing, the B team brought a decent haul of 9 points home from the top of the valleys 👍🏻

Despite being depleted of the top 3 seeds the B team could not have gotten off to a better start.

• The season started with a visit to Rhiwbina and massive thanks to the last minute call ups - Chris Beale and Graham Bastian.  We were hopeful of a handful of points on the night but with the stars aligned and an opposing captain shapeshifting his ranking the team did not only come away with a well deserved victory - 3 matches to 2, but within 24 hours was bolstered to top points as the opposing team had mis-ranked its players.  Man of the match went to acting captain Chris Hampton for steering the ship and bringing home a match victory.

• As for the first home match of the season Cowbridge C descended in their numbers to the club with a clutch of supporters and a spring in their step.  Little did they realise what and who they were up against. Paul “Mild Mannered” Miles and Mike “ the Grinder” Phillips started proceedings and despite making hard work of it at times they both bought home deserved victories 3-1 and 3-2 respectively, with Mike even attempting a Dai the dolphin lunge shot (or was it a laces trip – only he knows).  The foundations were laid! Richard Barratt (aka Dr Death) fresh back from his international jet setting and one ounce heavier than when he left was as mercurial as ever.  Hitting the ball and wishing for the best.  The nicks were smiling. 3-0 victory.  In parallel, a returning to fitness Paul “Sparky” Grosvenor was the shining light putting the infamous Nick “Squash Wales” (and Phil Pook’s nemesis) to the sword in a masterclass of controlled squash and sublime racket ball skills, winning through 3- 0.  So with the match well and truly won it only remained for Chris “ The Hobbit “ Hampton to bring home a clean sweep.  At one game each, Chris was struggling and in pain only for “Medicine Man” Clipper to come to the rescue with some magic red tablets.  Back on court, Chris rolled back the years and after a literal squash marathon against the “fit as a flea Cowbridge man” Chris found that magic touch fulfilling a perfect night with a 3-2 win. Bridgend bringing home a 20 points to 6 win on the night. A difficult decision for Man of the Match but given he is returning to fitness and demonstrating transferable skills between racket codes the Man of the Match goes to Paul “Sparky” Grosvenor.”A special shout out to Mikes mum for a perfect meal and a great night had by all.

  Onwards and upwards Hirwaun away next week boys... 

Da iawn

​Lois Lane aka AP team captain

The Squash season drew to a close at Bridgend on Friday night with an absolute bang as finals night for the club championship served up two excellent finals.
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• In the plate final, Richard Barrett raced into a 2-0 lead. Shaun Pook battled back to 2-2 and the fifth and final game would decide the winner! It was the experience of Richard that won through, taking the fifth game and the Plate title for the 2022-23 season. A great final befitting of the packed balcony that had arrived to watch the quality match on show.
• Following the epic plate final was the Championship final. This saw defending champion Dai Howe take on the ever-improving Rhys Prosser. Dai took the first game with the pace extremely high and the temperature on court even hotter! Rhys levelled the match playing some great attacking squash in the second and the crowd sensed an upset could be on the cards. A tight start to the third game saw Dai and Rhys trading early blows with some tough rallies. At 3-3 a disputed referee call seemed to spur Dai on, and he raced away with the fourth with some clinical finishing. The fourth saw a similar pattern with a close start to the game and another disputed call providing the motivation for Dai to close out the game and match with four winners that sealed the title.

Young Prosser showed that he is edging closer and closer to that first championship title and although Dai was able to hold off the challenge for one more title, next season will be very interesting indeed!
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As always, the balcony was superb and packed with supporters. An excellent end to the season.