I have booked the courts and more or less got this years competition sorted.

As you know there is an A, a B and a C competition this year.
The C competition has 16 players in the draw, their first round is on Tuesday 8th December (6pm start)


I'm sorry that 3rd team players have a team game the very next night but it has been tricky with all the teams having matches around this period.


The 8 first round winners in the 'C' go through to play on Monday 14th December along with those in the A and B competition. I have all 3 courts, so all 3 competitions will progress simultaneously.

What are effectively the semi finals are to be played on Tuesday 15th December with the A ,B and C

Finals to be played consecutively (all on court) on Tuesday 22nd December, 6.40pm start. For those who want to make a night of it, beer and a curry in the village afterwards.


There is much speculation about Concordia Bar and when it might close a s part of the refurbishment, I have no idea how that will pan out, I don't think the management have any idea either !


Hopefully there will be no disruption to the courts themselves.
I'll keep you posted.
Ian Mc  

Concordia Squash Players,
                                              The Handicap Final will take place on Tuesday 19th May 2015. 6.40pm start.
Gary Storey (-12) will try to take the spoils from Tony Hedley (-20) who hasn't looked too troubled so far !
Please try and make it to the event. The bar is open.
I nearly have sufficient numbers to place an order for both T-shirts and Hoodies. Please get in touch if you haven't already ordered. Black T-shirts are by far the most popular and Grey has just sneaked it for the Hoodies.
Ian Mc     

Concordia Squash Players,

Oh what complicated lives. Due to circumstances beyond my control (nothing to do with court availability) the Handicap final scheduled for Friday has been postponed. On that note there are two courts going spare at 6.40pm and 7.20pm on Friday 1st May if anyone wants to use them, first come first served.

This is how the competition panned out.

On Monday Rob Owen continued his streak of length nicks this time against Keith Grey and off the forehand drive. He was too strong for Keith and won 2-0 to earn a match against Mr Hedley.

Joe Race had a marathon with Robin Ritchie who put up a strong fight. Great match with Joe coming through 21-19 in the third. Tony Hedley eased through his quarter against a plucky Peter Edney, never short on effort.

Gary Storey's fitness and speed overturned Ian Morton's racket skills, a good match to watch.

Tuesday saw 2 straight forward semi finals, Tony Hedley beat Rob Owen and Gary Storey beat Joe Race with a solid length game.

The final with Gary Storey v Tony Hedley is to be arranged.

Cheers Ian Mc

Normally I would give an over view of how the competition unfolded and include some of the highlights. I have a dilemma here since there were so many, in fact I can’t think of any low lights.

For the last 4 years the 1st round format has been the 3 man round robin group stage primarily introduced to get everyone in the club together irrespective of standard. In an ideal world I would have liked to see more players from the lower leagues taking part but I understand not all can commit so much time to a squash tournament. Despite this there was a large entry and the 1st round was split over Monday and Tuesday evening.

On a personal note it was good to see some juniors entrants, I’m sure their experience in the competition will hold them in good stead for the future. All gave good account of themselves. 

With all players having to play 2 games on the night and fighting for the maximum points tally (84- see results table below) there was much toil.

Monday saw all the higher handicapped players going through although non of them had an easy time of it.

Bill Johnson provided the entertainment on the lighter side with good humored banter during his encounters with top handicapper Tony Hedley and Ian Rowe who has just returned to the game after a few years, I won’t say how many.

It seemed the best was saved until last on Monday night with a great battle between Dave Hall and Rory Whalling. No shortage of effort or ability with a closely fought contest and many long rallies.

(In fact Dave went on to provide what was the contest of the tournament so far when he played Gary Storey in the last 16.)

Really entertaining squash.

Tuesday caused some logistic problems for the organiser when we ran out of court time. My error in failing to factor in an additional group late on. Thank you to Keith Grey and Dave Hall who saved the day with a ’spare’ court and to the players who had to play way more squash on Wednesday to catch up, they were Robin Ritchie, Mark Coxon, Martin Davison and particularly Keith Grey and Peter Archibold.             

Just like the previous night, it was late on when 2 real battles unfolded. Robin Ritchie was up against a much improved Mark Coxon while Peter Archibold had a monumental battle with Martin Davison. Martin then had another battle with Keith Grey.

2 games were left unfinished at 1-1 with the game between Keith Grey and Peter Archibold not played at all. With an early Wednesday start these matters were resolved and the last 16 started in earnest. 

 

1st Round Points Tally

 

Joe Race                  84pts

John Ormsby            70pts

Adam Rowe              74pts

 

Tony Hedley              84pts

Bill Johnson              65pts

Ian Rowe                  81pts (unable to play the next round)

 

Ian Morton                84pts

Derek Railston          74pts

Dave Barlow             71pts

 

Gary Story                84pts

Mark Knott               72pts

Steve Lavery            73pts

 

Dave Hall                 84pts

Rory Whaling           75pts

Jonny Woodhouse   79pts

 

Andy Lawrence        84pts

Bruno Gaultier         61pts

James Rowe           82pts

 

Dan Cussak            84pts

Rob Owen               82pts

Luke Fecitt              74pts

 

Nick Fecitt               62pts

Peter Edney            84pts

Elliott Harrison         77pts

 

Peter Archibold        75pts

Martin Davison         77pts

Keith Grey                84pts

 

 

 

Robin Ritchie            81pts

Mark Knott                65pts

Mark Coxon              84pts  

 

Thank you to Mark Knott who selflessly stood in at the last minute to ensure the group stages stayed honest on both Monday and Tuesday night.

 

The last 16.

Robin Ritchie proved too strong for Jonnie Woodhouse although Jonnie is showing he too is improving.

Joe Race beat the young James Rowe.

Andy Lawrence lost to Rob Owen who served strongly on the night, never seen so many nicks off Rob’s serve ! You don’t get the nicks for nothing, clever squash.

Ian Morton beat Dan Cussack.

Tony Hedley was far too strong for Mark Coxon despite a -20 handicap. Mark worked very hard but was beaten by an immaculate length game.

Keith Grey beat Elliott Harrison- another junior who shows great promise.   

Never short of effort, Peter Edney put in a great performance to beat Martin Davison. Entertaining stuff.

Last but not least, Gary Storey beat Dave Hall in what was the match of the tournament so far. At one all and after many many long rallies it looked like youth would be the deciding factor with Dave looking tired. Not so. Dave played some great squash, found a new source of energy and kept a 5 point lead until the mid teens.

Gary was showing signs of pressure with the odd unforced error but continued to keep the rallies going. It paid off in the end, Gary took his last 5 points in succession. 21-14 in the end. A great game of squash.

Please support the event, the quarter finals are on Monday 27th April, 6.40pm start.

Ian Mc

Concordia Squash Players,
                                              A combination of factors had meant it has been a bit tricky trying to fit in our Handicap competition this season. I'm looking at organising it for the week AFTER the Easter break. W/C Monday 20th April. 
The end of season 'Closed' will be put back to the early part of the 2015/2016 season.
With 3 men's teams and a hectic fixture list in March, a number of our players entering several county competitions and an Early Easter this year this seems the best course of action.
Can I have entries ASAP for this the 'individual' Handicap Competition.
Don't forget this is all about involving club members from all the leagues, the handicap system hopefully evening things out. Entry is free and you are guaranteed at least 2 games. The format and schedule will be sorted once I have an idea of numbers but should be as previous years. (Round robin 1st round and knockout thereafter)
Cheers
Ian Mc  

 The draw for the competition took place at Concordia bar on Sunday 6th April, thank  you to Derek Railston for pulling the names, adjudicated by Jim Bell. 
Tony Hedley    v   Bye
Keith Grey   v       Andy Pattison
Mark  Knott     v   Peter Irlam
Paul Scott    v       Rory Whaling
Daniel  Monera  v Robin Ritchie
Graeme  Sneddon  v  Dan Cussack
Steve Goldie     v        Nick Fecitt
Ian Morton      v   Bye
Jamie Morton    v    Bye
Andrew Walton    v     Dave Hall
Peter Edney          v    John Ormsby
Rob Owen    v         Mark Livingstone
Bruno Gaultier     v    Chris Brock
Martin  Davison    v         Les Carr
Dave McRae  v      Paul Blakely.
Ian McAllister      v    Bye

I have all 3 courts booked so the first three matches listed above will start  at 6pm prompt. Let me know if you are unable to make it for 6pm, It would  be good if ALL could come up as early as possible to make a night of it, that  and staying back after your match to support the event. I will need a hand with  some marking also.

Ian  Mc      

The quarter finals were played on Tuesday 18th February 2014.
Names  were drawn out of the hat on the night and some interesting contests  emerged.
First  up was Michael Jones (-1) v Ian McAllister (-16). Quite a straight forward  affair as it turned out with Michael in good form. He won the match comfortably  21-6, 21-5.
Robin  Ritchie (-2)  was drawn against David McRae (+11). David is a much improved  player this season and it looked a big ask for Robin to overhaul the  deficit in short time however he hung on in the third to win 21-18, 16-21,  21-17. There is no doubt, David had chances, but it wasn't to  be. 
Jamie  Morton (-12) had a similar task playing Dan Cussack (0) This also went to the  wire in the third. Dan took the first game 21-19 but worked hard, Jamie came  back in the second 21-14. Dan
got a second wind as he has done all season in his team games and despite a  'time out' with a foot injury Dan held out and took the match 21-17.
Last  but not least, Keith Grey (+6) and Rob Owen (+7) fought out a close match with  Rob winning 21-19 and 21-20. These lads have played each other many times and  know each others strengths and weaknesses. They don't come much  closer, Keith's league game just before this match might have been  his undoing, who's to say. The semi finals and final will be  on Tuesday 11th March 2014 with a 6.40pm start, not 6pm which proved a  little early for some getting away from work. Please come along and support the  event. 
Ian  Mc 

Concordia Squash  Players,
                                             
There is much to report following the 1st round of this years   competition  nearly all of it good in a backhanded sort of way. Matches  were off to a  prompt 6pm start but it was clear by 8pm that time was  going to be an  issue.
Most of the matches were evenly fought and most went to 3. The  warm courts made for some long rallies and some truly  entertaining  squash.
This is how it turned out.
Jamie Morton, Dave McRae, Mark Knott Dan Cussack and Michael Jones all got through to the  knock out stage after they  managed to win both their group matches and  thus scored the maximum 84 points  (2x21 in each match) 
Dave McRae  although playing off a useful +10  played some good squash and held his  nerve to win his games. A much  improved player.
Dan Cussack and  Keith Grey had their now customary battle in Group 6, Dan the victor  however it was so very close  and Keith is the current contender for the  highest scoring runner up with 81
points. Daniel Monera and Robin  Ritchie were oh so close with 80 points  each., such were the fine  margins.
The other 2 groups were unresolved after  the lights went out at 10.15pm. In group 1 Martin Davison ended with a  total of 79 points,  the group to be decided on completion of the match between  Tony Hedley  and Rob Owen. That match is evenly poised at 13-5 to Rob in
the third. 
Group 4 is similar, Dave Armstrong ended with a total tally  of 77 points but  the match between Ian McAllister and Andy Lawrence is  still to finish.  The match stands at 21-18 to Ian, in the 1st, with Andy up  13-8 in the  2nd. 
Both these games need to be finalised ASAP, the knock  out stage is on 18th February so there should be plenty of time.
I'll  keep you posted.
I couldn't help noticing nearly all contenders this year  paid particular  attention to the scores, last years maths might have something  to do  with that ! Cheers Don.
Ian Mc

Concordia Squash Players,
                                              The  finals start at 6.40pm tonight. (3rd May) Mark Knott plays Nick Fecitt in  the B final after a hard fought and thoroughly entertaining semi final match  with Peter Irlam last night. 
Tony Hedley is looking to regain his title in  the A competition against Ian Morton. Both finalists made steady progress in
their semi final games beating Jamie Morton and Steve Goldie respectively.

Please come along and support the event.
Ian Mc    

After Wednesday night's matches this is how the semi finals look, all to be  played on Thursday 2nd May. 6.40pm start

A Competition
Tony Hedley                     v                  Jamie Morton    6.40pm start
Steve Goldie                     v                  Ian Morton

B Competition
Peter  Irlam                      v                  Mark Knott     
Keith Gray                        v                  Nick Fecitt           6.40pm

Please  come up up support the event, the bar is open.
Ian
Mc     

Concordia Squash Players,
                                              With all the entries in, the draw for the main competition was carried out in
Concordia bar last night (Sunday 14th April) Adjudicated by Jim Bell. Here is  how the names came out.
Tony Hedley (1)                v      Bye
Mark  Livingstone             v      Martin Davison
Les Carr                            v     Rory Whaling
Steve Goldie                     v      Nick  Fecitt
Jamie Morton                   v     Dave McRae
Peter Irlam                        v     Khizer Khan
Dave Hall                           v      Roland Smith
Rob Owens                       v     Keith Gray
Bruno  Gaultier                 v     Dan Cussack
Graeme Sneddon            v      Robin Ritchie
Peter Edney                     v      Andy Lawrence
Ian  Morton                      v     Mark Knott

I will try and give each of  the matches an estimated start time to save people hanging about too much, I've  booked the courts from 6pm. (Earlier than out usual start time.) Please let me  know who cannot make it for 6pm and I'll organise accordingly.
In case you  have forgotten. 6pm Monday 29th April. 1st round losers go into the B  competition on the Tuesday to run alongside the second round of the A comp'. 

Finals on Friday 3rd May

Ian
Mc